CAL Currents: The Newsletter of the College of Arts and Letters
| | Volume 9 | Issue 2 | Winter 2026 | | |
This time of the semester makes the College of Arts and Letters feel especially exciting.
In this issue, you can read about our amazing students, faculty, and events. In every corner of the College, something great is happening.
I'm reminded how much our College does to engage with the community in such impactful ways - from an art installation in the new East Tampa community center to a staring role in an Opera Tampa production, our students and faculty are everywhere reaffirming the value of the arts and humanities in higher education.
Of course, we hope you'll join in the excitement. Please be sure to take a look at the Arts & Ideas online guide to read about the performances, concerts, lectures, exhibits and screenings that are all free and open to the public.
Again, a special "thank you" to Zoe McCoy, New Media major and CAL Emerging Influencer Intern, for her help with this issue of CAL Currents.
| | | | CAL Reputational Excellence | College of Arts and Letters students and faculty engage in public-facing scholarship and creative work | | Prof. Ry McCullough Commissioned for Major City Project | | |
Prof. Ry McCullough, Art and Design, was selected by the City of Tampa to create an immersive installation for the newly renovated Community Center at Fair Oaks in East Tampa.
The centerpiece will address the facility’s expansive 33,055-square-foot community center, including spaces dedicated to seniors, multipurpose rooms, a teaching kitchen, and an indoor basketball court. The project, titled “Block Party,” will adorn the walls with playful arrangements of colorful geometric and organic shapes, as well as interactive engagement activities, such as an intergenerational block stacking game and coloring book. The project's installation and implementation will take place throughout the spring and early summer of 2026.
| | Dr. Rose Trentinella Contributes to Hyde Park Methodist Video | | |
Dr. Rose Trentinella, Art and Design, recently collaborated with Reverend Magrey deVega of the Hyde Park United Methodist Church to record a series of short conversations for the church’s “Visio Divina” video series.
Each conversation centers one (or two) significant works of historical art depicting key Biblical narratives associated with specific Gospel passages appropriate for the Lenten season. Each conversation is set within the context of a weekly sermon the church presents online for synchronous and later viewing through their website and on their Youtube channel.
| | Dr. Hein Jung Stars in Opera Tampa Production | | Dr. Hein Jung, Music, has a starring role in Opera Tampa’s production of “The Magic Flute” at the Straz Center for the Perfoming Arts. The opera was profiled on NPR, with attention given to University of Tampa. | | Faculty Take the Stage at the Tampa Theatre | | |
Prof. Taylor Raye Curry, Film, Animation, and New Media, illuminated her audience with "The Staccato Notes of Identity in Carmen Jones" at the Tampa Theatre in February. Curry collaborated with the City of Tampa and Hungry Bull Productions to explore the nuances of identity.
Earlier this year, Prof. Christopher Novak, Communication, led an audience of over 200 into the dark, iconic world of horror classic, Alien, at the historic Tampa Theatre this past Fall;. With a strong showing of UTampa students in attendance, the event went beyond a typical screening. Novak unpacked the film’s production history and lasting cultural footprint, offering a compelling look at how this sci-fi horror classic changed cinema forever.
| | University of Tampa Press Book Named to
NPR's "Books We Love" List | | |
"The Voice of Blood" by Gabriela Rábago Palafox, translated by M. Elizabeth Ginway and Enrique Muñoz-Mantas, and published by the University of Tampa Press named to NPR's influential list.
Book critic Alex Brown says "It’s a shame that the late Gabriela Rábago Palafox is not nearly as well known in the U.S. as she was in her home country of Mexico. Lucky for us, this newly translated collection of some of her gothic short stories offers a striking introduction. In these stories, Rábago Palafox takes vampire lore and layers in feminism, fabulism and folklore to create a shockingly good body of work. At once alluring and gruesome, the collection is a must-read for fans of thrills, chills and bloodsuckers."
You can check out the entire catalog of University of Tampa Press publications here.
| | | Around the College of Arts and Letters | |
Opera Students Unite for Viva Italia and La Bohème
| | The Opera Workshop and Department of Music reached a significant artistic milestone with its recent production of La Bohème Act II. The students elected to perform it entirely in the original Italian. With a mix of Musical Theatre and Classical Vocal majors, the ensemble excelled in meeting the intense physical and artistic standards of the genre, mastering both vocal stamina and stage presence. | | Audiences Applaud The Prom | | |
Directed and choreographed of Associate Professor Paul Finocchiaro, The Prom successfully translated the award-winning musical for an engaged audience.
The production brought to life the work of Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin, paired with rhythmic artistry of Matthew Sklar and Beguelin. The story follows four veteran Broadway actors who travel to the small town of Edgewater, Indiana, to advocate for a student denied the right to attend her high school prom with her girlfriend.
| | Partnership Connects CAL Students to Careers | | |
The College of Arts and Letters kicked off Spring semester with a new career program developed in partnership with the Office of Career Services. This event gave students from across the College the opportunity to connect with Dean David Gudelunas and Associate Dean Aimee Whiteside, while learning from Dr. Madison Tarleton, Career Services, on how to translate their academic knowledge into professional opportunities.
Students also completed personal assessments including 16 Personalities, Focus2, and TruMotivate, designed to highlight their personal strengths and professional interests. The program offers five sessions this Spring that are customized for CAL majors. Reach out to cal@ut.edu for dates and times.
| | UTampa Joins French National Honor Society | | Félicitations! The University of Tampa has officially joined the ranks of Pi Delta Phi, the French National Honor Society. Now featured as the newest chapter on the organization’s national homepage, this initiative establishes a dedicated space to honor student excellence in French studies. Guided by faculty leadership, the chapter will select top students annually, celebrating their achievements with a formal induction ceremony every spring. | | Concert Series Bring Global Talent to Tampa | | Music, dance, film, communication, theater and art events have attracted large and diverse audiences this Spring. Pictured above is the Genova and Dimitritov piano duo with Dr. Grigorios Zamparas, UTampa Trustee Charlene Gordon and Dean David Gudelunas. The piano concert was part of the Charlene and Mardy Gordon Concert Series which Dr. Zamparas directs. | | CAL Connects with the Community | The College of Arts and Letters is deeply invested and embedded in the Tampa Bay Community | Industry Experts Connect with Social and Emerging Media Students | |
Kyle O'Brien of Motion Minds and Naydaliz De Jesus of RumbleBuzz continued their support of the MA in Social and Emerging Media (MASEM) program, sharing the reality of content creation with the classroom.
When visiting Dr. Christopher Boulton's Social Media Production class, they guided students through the intricacies of the industry, ranging from technical shot lists to the art of "blending the trend." Their insights provided a Information in account management, connecting the dots between business models, brand voice, and user engagement.
| Advertising and Public Relations Students Strategize with Tampa Bay Businesses | |
Seniors in the Advertising and Public Relations program,
guided by Dr. Sean Sawicki and Prof. Kimberly Choto, are collaborating with four prominent businesses: Walk Bike Tampa, Seasoned Straws, STORM, and Tampa Bay Brewing Company.
Through background research and strategic insights, students develop custom communication campaigns that focusing on branding, media outreach, and digital solutions. The work allows students to translate their academic knowledge into strategies that address the needs of the Tampa Bay community.
| Graduate Students Partner with Medical Practice | Dr. James Repko of Bayshore Podiatry recently brought the reality of strategic consulting into Dr. Chris Gurrie's MAPC 603: Organizational and Strategic Communication classroom. Serving as the primary client for a major communication audit, he guided MA In Professional Communication students through the practical needs and intricacies of a working medical practice. This hands-on collaboration in the ICB Pitch Room provided real-world experience in organizational analysis, connecting the dots between site visits, qualitative interviews, and the development of actionable business recommendations. |
| Students throughout the college find success in academic, artistic, and professional endeavors | | Learning in Action: Film Students Work on High-Level Music Video Production | | |
Film, Animation, and New Media students Andrew Johnson and Gabriel Valle gained hands-on experience this past October working on a professional music video for Orlando-based R&B artist Isaiah Falls.
Hosted on set by Prof. Paul de Lumen, who served as the B-Camera Operator, the students observed and participated in a high-level production at the Vu Tampa LED Volume stage. This opportunity allowed Johnson and Valle to apply their skills in a professional environment, turning the shoot into a valuable site of technical discovery and industry mentorship.
| | Student Podcast Wins Award | | |
Communication major Macey Breedlove’s production, A Conversation about Sephora Kids, earned an Award of Excellence in the Narrative Audio category of the Broadcast Education Association’s Student Audio Competition. This year, the competition was highly selective, with acceptance rates of 21.81% for faculty and 20% for students. From over 2,350 combined entries, only 426 student and 48 faculty winners were selected.
In her piece, originally created for Dr. Robert Apiyo's COM 244: Podcast Production class, Macey examines the intersection of social media, beauty marketing, and peer pressure among 9- to 12-year-olds, questioning whether the trend represents harmless fun, healthy self-care, or a more concerning phenomenon.
You can listen on Spotify.
| | English Student at Louisville Conference | | |
English major, Marissa Johnson presented her research, “Sally Rooney’s Modernist Style,” at the Louisville Conference on Literature and Culture.
With the support from the Undergraduate Research and Inquiry grant, Johnson’s work examines the formal techniques and narrative structures that define Rooney’s work. The presentation explores the evolving relationship between tradition and modern identity.
| | From Tampa to the International Stage:
Students Selected for SIGGRAPH 2025 | | |
Animation students Christian Carranza, Amanda Pearson, Kylie Harlan, and Hannah Porter had their work selected for the SIGGRAPH 2025 “Faculty Submitted Student Work Exhibit,” an international showcase of technical and narrative skill. SIGGRAPH is the leading global event focused on computer graphics and interactive technologies.
Their films, including Shade, Marks, Death is Here, and Running Late, also received recognition at the Tampa Animation Festival and the Dunedin International Film Festival.
| Ethics Bowl Team Represents at
Southeast Regional Competition | The Ethics Bowl team distinguished itself at the Southeast Regional Ethics Bowl Competition in Jacksonville, led by Philosophy and Religion Assistant Professor Alexandra Lloyd. Facing a challenging array of competitors, students Marisol Cortes, Giuliana Pacheco, Dominick Rappa, and Lucas Badaan placed 6th in the competition. | | | A Professional Debut at FMoPA for Senior Artist | | | | |
Senior Art and Design major Dafne J. Suarez Del Toro took her research from the classroom to the gallery.
Developed through a UTampa Inquiry grant, her works Portrait of Vietnam Veteran and Untitled (Lumen print portrait) were selected for the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts' Member's exhibition, marking a distinguished professional milestone in her undergraduate career.
| | Music Students Bring Home Awards | | |
UTampa voice students had another successful year at the 2026 Tampa Bay National Association of Teachers of Singing Auditions, which took place last month.
Classical Division College Divisions
1st Year Treble, Hannah-Claire Jowers, First Place
1st Year TBB, Matteo Di Rosa, First Place
2nd Year Classical Treble, Avery Garrison, Third Place
4th-5thYear Treble, Caitlyn Healey, Second Place
4th-5thYear Treble, Shaylee Plichta, Third Place
4th-5th Year TBB, Jonah Jacobbi, First Place AND Samuel Stahlman, First Place (tie)
Adult Treble, Alexia Kirshfield, First Place
Musical Theatre College Divisions
1st Year Musical Theatre Treble, Taylor Ann Oates, First Place
1st Year Treble, Isabella Kolenburg, Second Place
1st Year Treble, Natalia Negrete-Morales, Third Place
1st Year TBB, Nicholas Mohamad, First Place
1st Year TBB Voices, Charles Hengstenberg, Third Place
2nd Year Treble, Isabella Griffith, Second Place
2nd Year TBB, Austin Keys, First Place
2nd Year Treble, Lily Downs, First Place
3rd Year Treble, Mariana Montoya, First Place
3rd Year Treble, Julia Mergen, Second Place
3rd Year Treble, Megan A. Lisko-Snelling, Third Place
4th Year TBB, Samuel Stahlmann, First Place
| | The College of Arts and Letters is home to a dynamic community of scholars and creatives | | Prof. Dana Corrigan, Film, Animation and New Media, received multiple Best Animation awards at international festivals for her original pilot Chorus to Dero. The project highlights her independent work with studio Pencil Gator and her role as Technical Director for the award-winning film Mapletown Magic, which provided a professional platform for FMX student Carolina Sakamoto Coraini, who contributed to the project as an intern. | | |
Prof. Paul de Lumen, Film, Animation, and New Media, served as cinematographer for the educational series Tab Time, which received three Emmy nominations this year.
This is an achievement that reflects the professional excellence and creative leadership he brings to his work and to his students.
| | Prof. Kristen Foltz, Dr. Theresa MacNeil, and Dr. Stephen M. Kromka dove into the dynamics of higher education in their newest article for the Southern Communication Journal. Tackling the sensitive topic of faculty conflict, the team applied an ecological lens to understand how these tensions shape the university environment. | | |
Dr. Arthur Hollist, English and Writing, shares the complex realities of living between worlds in his new book, BackHomeAbroad and Other Stories. He guides readers through life across continents, ranging from the aftermath of Sierra Leone’s civil war to characters breaking free from Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.
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Dr. Stephen Kromka, Communication, has received a Top Panel Award at the National Communication Association’s 2026 conference in Denver.
Dr. Kromka was honored for his contributions to the panel “Elevating T&D with AI and GenAI,” where he showcased innovative tactics for integrating artificial intelligence into teaching and development.
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Prof. Samantha Modder, Art + Design, presented her solo exhibition, May Your Life Be Easy, at the HCC Gallery in Ybor City. Through large-scale ballpoint pen drawings,
Modder creates a visual story of aspiration and systemic power. Inspired by Yoruba masquerade and a traditional Nigerian blessing, the work uses the language of enchantment to confront the complex realities of the Global South and North.
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Dr. Kacy Tillman, English and Writing, recently unpacked the "Romantasy" phenomenon in a feature for Tablet, using her background in 18th-century literature to explain the genre's massive appeal. | Dr. Rose Trentinella, Art and Design, recently published an article in the Transformative Dialogues: Teaching and Learning Journal. Her work advocates for a common language to help unite different research efforts across the discipline. | | Arts & Ideas 25-26 Season: Join Us! | | | | |
The College of Arts and Letters is again proud to present a comprehensive list of events in this year's annual Arts & Ideas guide beautifully designed by Professors Luciana Gassett and Daniel Leonardos with help from all the staff assistants and department chairs around the college.
Copies of the Arts & Ideas guide can be located in the Ferman Center lobby, the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery, the Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values, and the Falk Theater.
This year’s cover features a stunning interdisciplinary installation by CAL Faculty Amanda Gabaldon and Jaime Aelavanthara.
New this year, Professor Maria Blokhina has developed a stunning new digital presence for Arts & Ideas that can be found here.
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With sadness, the College of Arts and Letters shares the passing of Dr. Terry Mohn, Professor Emeritus of Music, in late January. Dr. Mohn served in the Department of Music from 1976 to 2008, including many years as chair, and was honored with the Louise Loy Hunter Award. He helped guide the department’s growth and inspired generations of students and colleagues through his leadership, encouragement, and enthusiasm.
Even after retirement, he remained a devoted presence on campus attending concerts, performing, and supporting the department he loved. As colleagues shared, he was a kind mentor, a natural leader, and a fine performer whose legacy will continue to resonate in our musical community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his life and work.
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