Week of November 8, 2023

From the President

Today and tomorrow, USF joins colleges and universities across the nation in celebrating first-generation students as we host events on all three campuses that commemorate the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and recognize those who are the first in their immediate family to attend college.

Thousands of USF undergraduate students are first-generation college students, and we are proud to serve them at our institution. I encourage you to read more here about these inspiring students and how USF is preparing them for a brighter future.

As some of you know, I also was a first-generation college student. My USF experience and the guidance and encouragement I received from our university’s faculty and staff were instrumental in helping me stay on course.

As someone who found her own support system and path to success right here at USF, I never forget the impact we are making to transform the lives of so many students.

Updates

• For nearly 30 years, Brunch on the Bay has served as one of the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus's greatest traditions, and I'm happy to share that this past weekend’s event raised $465,000. In addition to supporting student scholarships, the brunch also benefits ongoing campus initiatives that will allow us to offer new majors, conduct even more groundbreaking research and better support our students.

• During the recent AAU Annual Meeting, a frequently discussed topic was the importance of advocating for increased federal support for academic research. While visiting our nation's capital, I was delighted to represent USF at a special reception hosted for our alumni and elected officials, several of whom I met with to advocate for our university and the importance of funding the innovative research happening at our institution. It was wonderful to see so many proud alumni and friends of USF come together in support of our university.

• Our university has nearly 7,000 military-connected students — nearly 1,500 of whom are student veterans. As we recognize our military-connected community and those around the country, USF will be closed this Friday in honor of Veterans Day. Throughout this month, we are sharing stories that highlight our commitment to supporting our military-connected students, including a couple who are both pursuing an MBA at USF. In addition, we will recognize our community's past and present military members this weekend at USF Football’s Salute to Service game against Temple.

• This week marks the beginning of college basketball season, and I congratulate our women’s basketball team on a fantastic win in their first game on Monday. Our men’s team will compete in their first game against South Carolina State on Thursday, under the leadership of new head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim. Both teams will host multiple faculty and staff appreciation games throughout the season, including on Dec. 2 and Feb. 6 for the men’s team, and on Dec. 10 and March 2 for the women’s team. I hope you will help fill the stands in the Yuengling Center and cheer on our Bulls to victory this season.

Inside USF: The Podcast

Men’s basketball coach: ‘Desire to serve’ an essential ingredient for success

Amir Abdur-Rahim has been the competitive sort since an early age – that was a necessity growing up in a family with 13 children. He brings that competitive fire, and a commitment to building a men’s basketball program that will be “tough, together and connected,” as he begins his inaugural season this month as the Bulls’ head coach. In this episode, Abdur-Rahim discusses what attracted him to USF, what he expects from his team as both students and athletes, and the priority he places on having what he calls “a service heart.”

Around One USF

USF Housing accepting applications for new residence hall at Sarasota-Manatee campus

USF receives international designation as ‘age-friendly’

USF researchers to play key role in making Tampa roads safer

Additional University News Sources

• USF Newsroom

• St. Petersburg campus

• Sarasota-Manatee campus

• USF Health

• USF Athletics

USF in the News

Fox Weather published a story about the efforts by the team at the USF-hosted Florida Institute of Oceanography to return thousands of coral pieces to the ocean after being housed in tanks at the Keys Marine Lab during this summer’s historic marine heat wave.

Retired Gen. Frank McKenzie, executive director of the USF Global and National Security Institute, was interviewed by PBS Newshour, NPR and several other media outlets to discuss the Middle East conflict.

Fox 13 Tampa Bay published a story about a new partnership between USF’s Access 3D Lab and the City of Clearwater to launch a mobile app that takes users on an interactive augmented reality tour of the city.

Did you Know?

Starting this month (Nov. 10), all Pinellas County veterans can ride public transit for free, thanks to a proposal developed and presented by a group of USF St. Petersburg students to the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority Board of Directors. The proposal was overwhelmingly approved by the board last May and is now official county policy, allowing even more veterans to utilize public transit and have better access to critical resources such as medical care and grocery stores.