Best Airline Credit Cards of 2020
By Kevin Joey Chen
Finder.com
Dec. 30, 2019
Airline credit cards function very similarly to rewards cards as they allow you to earn back miles or points on your eligible airline purchases. You can redeem these miles on perks like airline tickets and other airline travel purchases. “The number of miles awarded for these perks is based on the average cost to the airline to deliver customers from point A to point B, as well as the perceived value of these perks to the average customer,” said Jennifer Burton, UT assistant professor of marketing. “Perceived value for these items typically runs between approximately 2.3 cents per mile for domestic flights and 3.8 cents per mile for international flights. However, what you get for these perks normally equates to 1 cents per mile for domestic flights and 2 cents per mile for international flights. So the airlines are still making money off these ‘perks.’”
Combating the Curve
By Adrianne Wilson, UT coordinator of graduate and undergraduate internships in education
Faculty Focus
Dec. 9, 2019
Adrianne Wilson, UT coordinator of graduate and undergraduate internships in education, discusses how much of the information learned from lectures alone is forgotten. “This doesn’t suggest that instructors should completely abort lecturing practices in their day to day instruction, however it does bring attention to the need to augment or enhance instructional practices to combat the curve of forgetting,” said Wilson. Wilson goes on to provide strategies that can be used to combat the curve of forgetting.
Greg Davis Honored as Lightning Community Hero of Tomorrow
Tampa Bay Lightning
Dec. 7, 2019
The Tampa Bay Lightning honored Greg Davis, UT first year student, as the 13th Lightning Community Hero this season. Davis, who received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program, will donate half the funds to the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay, while the other half will go towards a scholarship for his education. Davis actively works to combat cyberbullying among children and teens. He implemented and led an anti-cyberbullying campaign that generated awareness and promoted acceptance of race and gender. The campaign materials from Davis' program were distributed to Florida Military Installations state-wide.
FAMU Professor Plans Documentary on Legendary Football Coach Jake Gaither
By Lynn Hatter
WFSU
Dec. 2, 2019
Nov. 29 marked 50 years since the first time a black school and predominately white school in the south faced off on the football field. The matchup featured Florida A&M University and The University of Tampa. The historic game was an opportunity to show a black college team could compete with, and beat, a white team.
Similar stories appeared on WJCT (Jacksonville, FL), WUSF, KRWG-FM (Las Cruces, NM), WESA (Pittsburgh, PA), KPBX (Spokane, WA), WUWM (Milwaukee, WI), WKAR (East Lansing, MI), NPR Illinois, KUNR-FM (Reno, NV), WNYC (New York) and Capital Public Radio (Sacramento, CA).
Modifying the Pathway to Becoming a Licensed CPA
By UT faculty: Robert Marley, Steven M. Platau, and Jacob Christian Plesner Rossing
CPA Journal
December 2019
Robert Marley and Jacob Christian Plesner Rossing, both associate professors of accounting at UT, and Steven M. Platau, UT professor of accounting, wrote an article that investigates accounting practitioners’ views of the competencies currently tested on the CPA exam. The goal of the article is to examine whether accounting practitioners believe the pathway to becoming a licensed CPA needs modification.
“5 Lifestyle Tweaks That Will Dramatically Improve One’s Wellbeing”, with Melissa Morris and Dr. William Seeds
By Dr. William Seeds
Authority Magazine
Nov. 27, 2019
Melissa Morris, UT professor of instruction of health sciences and human performance, was interviewed about how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically improve a person’s health and wellbeing. Lifestyle tweaks that Morris recommended are: drink six to eight ounces of water first thing in the morning, make half your plate vegetables and fruits, move more/sit less, get eight hours of sleep and practice self-care.
Iguana Population and Damage Booms. Florida’s Not Sure What to Do About It
By Adriana Brasileiro
Miami Herald
Nov. 26, 2019
The green iguana, an invasive species in South Florida, has been spotted in the wild across much of the state, everywhere from Gainesville down to Key West. Since the 1980s, the green iguana has been hugely popular in the pet reptile trade as it’s perceived as a low-maintenance exotic animal. “You can give them salad; you don’t need to worry about feeding them live prey as is the case with the Nile monitor lizards or snakes,” said Todd Campbell, UT associate professor of biology. Florida’s sub-tropical climate and abundant vegetation creates confidence among iguana owners that they can release their pet lizards in the wild, and they will go on living happily, said Campbell.
Similar stories appeared in the Tampa Bay Times and Bradenton Herald.
Gas Credit Cards
WalletHub
November 2019
Gas credit cards can help you save a lot of money at the pump, whether you’re fueling your daily commute, a long road trip or anything in between. Jennifer Burton, UT assistant professor of marketing, provided advice when shopping for a gas credit card. “I would argue that the gas rewards earning rate should help you choose which gas station to commit to (i.e. which one has the highest rate), rather than help you decide whether or not to commit,” said Burton. “Of course, you want to make sure your chosen gas station is located on the routes you travel, but otherwise, the rate should only influence the decision of which loyalty program to join.”
Tampa Philanthropist David Straz Jr. Dead at 77
By Charlie Frago
Tampa Bay Times
Nov. 18, 2019
David A. Straz Jr., a UT longtime friend, trustee, donor and namesake of Straz Hall, died at the age of 77. He spent four decades contributing to philanthropic and artistic efforts across the Tampa Bay region.
Similar stories appeared in Creative Loafing and Florida Politics, and on WFLA, Bay News 9, WUSF and WTVT.
Cast a line: Platform Amplifies Niche Topics
Business Observer
Nov. 15, 2019
Rebecca White, UT professor of entrepreneurship, launched a podcast she will host called “En Factor.” White, the director of the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center at UT’s Sykes College of Business, said the podcast will feature conversations with local, national and international entrepreneurs “who have struggled, stumbled and succeeded.” One of her first guests will be Kevin Harrington, one of the original “sharks” on the hit TV show “Shark Tank.”
Demand for Analysts Grows as Business Seek to Learn More from Their Data
By Mary Johnson
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Nov. 14, 2019
Businesses have always had data to work with: sales data, customer survey data, financial data. But in recent years, the amount of available data has increased exponentially, and companies are now realizing that numbers alone are not enough. “People are drowning in data, and everyone wants to make sense out of it. But not everyone can interpret the results and make them actionable,” said Ali Jenzarli, UT professor of information and technology management. “Any company these days lives and dies by how they can leverage the data they have to help them save money, improve operations and increase their bottom line.”
See How USF and UT Ranked Among the Nation's Top Entrepreneurship Programs
By Lauren Coffey
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Nov. 13, 2019
The UT’s entrepreneurship program hit a major milestone by being named to the Princeton Review’s top 50 undergraduate programs for entrepreneurs. The Princeton Review had more than 300 schools' data to choose from, judging on a slew of topics including course offerings, total number of companies started by program graduates, university sponsored programs encouraging entrepreneurship and entrepreneur scholarships.
Nneka’s condom art hits the Target
Jensen La Vende
Newsday (Trinidad and Tobago)
Nov. 10, 2019
Nneka Jones, UT art major, was interviewed by Sunday Newsday about her love for art, her introduction to it and her vision for herself. Since completing her painting series entitled Targets, two have been sold. “My message to the young 'Nnekas' and 'Nnekos' is to take a lot of risks. Don’t second-guess yourself,” said Jones. “You may think you will fail or maybe you will not, put yourself out there.”
Tampa Baseball Coach Joe Urso Talks Recruiting
By Ross Hawley
USA Today High School Sports
Nov. 6, 2019
Ross Hawley talked with Joe Urso, UT head baseball coach, to get his feedback on recruiting - from what camps a player should attend to what he wants high school baseball players to know about the recruiting process. “There’s a place for everyone to play. You just need to do your homework to find that place,” said Urso. “Make sure that you’re getting to a school where you’re going to want to graduate from. We tell all our guys that academics are number one.”
UT Once Again Lands Among Bloomberg's Best Business Schools
By Lauren Coffey
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Nov. 6, 2019
For the fourth year in a row, UT’s Sykes College of Business has been named to Bloomberg's best business schools. The University came in at No. 81 out of the 94 full-time, U.S. MBA programs, up four spots from 2018. The rankings break down by entrepreneurship, learning, networking and compensation using feedback from more than 9,000 students, 14,920 alumni and 900 corporate recruiters. Job-placement and compensation data from the university is also reviewed. “I’m proud of all the business students who work extremely hard to reach their goals, faculty who are outstanding teachers and scholars, and the vibrant business community that supports the college of business every day,” said Frank Ghannadian, UT dean of the Sykes College of Business.
813 Area Code Predicted to Max Out by 2022
By Natalia Verdina
WTVT
Nov. 6, 2019
For many Tampa residents, the numbers 813 are synonymous with home. But the 813 club is quickly running out of spots. State regulators predict Tampa's 813 will be exhausted by 2022. "Florida's population is definitely growing very rapidly," said Pina Holway, UT assistant professor of sociology. According to Holway, studies predict the state will grow by 300,000 people per year, and hit a total of 22 million residents by 2020. More people means more cell phones, and therefore, an ever-growing need for more telephone numbers.
Getting a Tattoo: Often an Unwise Decision
By Solomon Green
Merion West
Nov. 5, 2019
Despite being a longstanding practice in human societies, tattoos can carry with them a slew of polarizing opinions. While tattoos might be on the rise, they still aren’t fully accepted in all circles of society. Perhaps this is why Kristen Foltz, UT professor of instruction of speech, has suggested that candidates interviewing for jobs would be well-served to cover up their tattoos.
Is 10 Minutes of Walking a Day All You Need?
By Lisa Fields
MyFitnessPal.com
Nov. 5, 2019
Walking is one of the most accessible forms of exercise, and it’s great for your health. Recent research shows walking briskly for short periods of time can help you maintain or improve your walking ability and prevent disability later in life. Fifty-five minutes of brisk walking per week, or less than 10 minutes per day, is significantly less exercise than the recommended 150 minutes per week of physical activity, yet this much walking has a positive effect. “The thing to remember about exercise and physical activity is that some is better than none and more is better than some,” says Melissa Morris, UT professor of instruction of health sciences and human performance.
Millennial Money: Secrets of a Black Friday Shopper
The New York Times
Nov. 5, 2019
Technically, Black Friday is Nov. 29 this year. But as far as the deals go, it’s already here. Retailers no longer wait for the day after Thanksgiving to start sales. Black Friday isn’t a day anymore. It’s a season, according to Jennifer Burton, UT assistant professor of marketing. “The season seems to get longer and longer every year,” Burton says. Retailers take the liberty to brand all sorts of promotions during the year as Black Friday sales.
Similar stories appeared in the Associated Press, NerdWallet, The Washington Times, Miami Herald, Asbury Park Press, U.S. News & World Report, SF Gate, NewsMax, Connecticut Post, seattle pi, MSN, Fresno Bee and The Charlotte Observer, among many others.
Crack Books, Not Beers: College Bar Makes Way for Science
Business Observer
Nov. 1, 2019
Next autumn, science faculty and students at UT will have more room for research and experiments. On land formerly occupied by the Outpost Tap House & Tavern, UT plans to build a 4,000-square-foot science research facility that will provide space for up to 12 biology and chemistry professors and their students. “This is actually very helpful to my college because we were pressed for research space, and to hire more tenure-track faculty, we need research space for them,” said Paul Greenwood, dean of UT’s College of Natural and Health Sciences.
USF Has Lowest Student Loan Default Rate Among Tampa Bay Schools
By Brendan Ward
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Oct. 29, 2019
A majority of Tampa Bay area colleges and universities had student loan default rates better than the national average. The University of Tampa had one of the lowest default rates in the area at 2.6 percent.
Do You Know 8 Most-Haunted Spots in Tampa Bay?
By Colleen Seitz
WFLA
Oct. 29, 2019
Plant Hall at The University of Tampa used to be the 500-room Tampa Bay Hotel. It was built by railroad tycoon Henry Plant in 1891 to accommodate passengers traveling to Florida. The servants are said to haunt the science wing. A ghost known as “The Brown Man” who is said to have glowing red eyes, haunts Plant Hall. Some say it is Henry Plant himself, with long white hair and wearing his brown suit. There have also been visions of a tall gentleman in bib overalls and work boots pushing a janitor’s cart through the museum’s hallways.
A similar story appeared on WTSP.
College Enrollment Down in Florida, But That's Not the Whole Story
By Delaney Brown
WUSF
Oct. 29, 2019
According to U.S. Department of Education figures, enrollment at some Florida colleges and universities has decreased in the past five years. But sometimes those numbers don’t show the full story. The University of Tampa experienced a 29% increase.
A similar story appeared in the Florida Daily.
University of Tampa Sets Enrollment Record
WFTS
Oct. 26, 2019
UT has set an enrollment record for the 23 year in a row. This year’s total enrollment is more than 9,600 which is a 3.5% increase from last year’s total.
Here Are Florida’s Fastest-Growing Colleges by Enrollment
By Brendan Ward
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Oct. 22, 2019
College enrollment continues to rise with some projections anticipating a 2% increase in total enrollment by 2028, and many Florida colleges are seeing similar growth. UT ranked 7 th in the State of Florida with a 29% enrollment increase between fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2018.
On the Town
By Virginia Johnson
Bay News 9
Oct. 15, 2019
The Henry B. Plant Museum, located in UT’s Plant Hall, holds more than just antiques. Bay News 9’s Virginia Johnson interviewed Lindsay Huban, UT membership, museum relations and operations manager with the Henry B. Plant Museum, to talk about the creepy, Halloween-type stories from the Victorian era when the museum was the Tampa Bay Hotel.
21 Frozen Foods You Should Never Put in Your Cart
By Mia Taylor
MSN
Oct. 11, 2019
Simply freezing a food item is does not makes it less healthy. However, frozen meals found at the grocery store are often not healthy. The key difference to look for when considering buying frozen food is the nutritional content of the food item and any potential additives. Items such as pizzas, snacks or entrees may include a lot of added sugar, sodium or high-calorie sauces. Melissa Morris, UT professor of instruction of health sciences and human performance, says Hungry Man’s classic fried chicken meal is a bad choice. "It has 940 calories, 12 grams of saturated fat, 1,370 mg of sodium and 14 grams of sugar," said Morris. "Did you guess that your fried chicken had 3.5 teaspoons of sugar in it?" A better alternative is preparing a grilled chicken breast and veggies, which would be much healthier and provide far more nutrients.
Ground Breaks on New UT Satellite Science Research Facility
Bay News 9
Oct. 11, 2019
A new UT science research facility will be popping up on Kennedy and North Boulevards. The science research laboratories will provide shared research laboratory space. The project is expected to be completed Summer 2020.
A similar storied also appeared on WTTA and WFLA.
Synergistic Sorbent Separation for One-Step Ethylene Purification from a Four-Component Mixture
By Kai-Jie Chen, David G. Madden, Soumya Mukherjee, Tony Pham, Katherine A. Forrest, et al.
Science Magazine
Oct. 11, 2019
Purification of ethylene (C2H4), the largest-volume product of the chemical industry, currently involves energy-intensive processes. Purification of commodities currently consumes 15% of global energy, and commodity demand has been projected to triple by 2050. In this article, Tony Pham, UT visiting assistant professor of chemistry, and the other authors introduce a method for the one-step production of polymer-grade C2H4 from ternary (C2H2/C2H6/C2H4) or quaternary (CO2/C2H2/C2H6/C2H4) gas mixtures.
The Best Beginner Workout Advice Trainers Wish They'd Known
By Gabrielle Kassel
LiveStrong.com
Oct. 9, 2019
Making the decision to work out for the first time is usually a more challenging hurdle to clear than any of the forthcoming workouts themselves. No one gets into exercise knowing the answers to the questions or exactly what they are doing right away. Melissa Morris, UT professor of instruction I for health sciences and human performance, provided this tip. "If weight loss or changing your body composition is your ultimate goal, what happens in the kitchen is just as, if not more, important than what you're doing in the gym."
Nueva Ley Permite A Maestros Y Personal Escolar Tener Armas En Escuelas
Noticias Ya
By Mauricio Rich Taraschi
Oct. 1, 2019
A new law was made effective in Florida that allows teachers and other school personnel to carry firearms in schools. The "Guardian" law or program allows certain school personnel or security guards to be armed in school areas. This law is primarily for public schools, but school experts from private institutions know that they should make provisions. “We have a little more time here to think what would happen if we would allow weapons here through legislation. It does not mean that you must arm people with guns, there are other ways to combat that violence,” said Linda Devine, UT vice president of operations and planning.
Let’s Tour University of Tampa’s Exhibit of Private Works from Collector Stanton Storer
By Jennifer Ring
Creative Loafing
Sept. 26, 2019
Francesca Bacci, UT associate professor of art and gallery curator, first saw Stanton Storer’s art collection while attended an event at his home. “I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to bring a Victor Muniz to the gallery or David Hockney or Katz? I thought it’d be nice if our students could see these works,” said Bacci. Storer’s collection is on display at UT’s Scarfone/Hartley Gallery. “When I first saw Stanton’s collection, I noticed he was not collecting according to the normal art history or museum collection criteria. He wasn’t collecting by period or by artist or by genre or by movement,” said Bacci. “He was feeling authorized to be really free, as some collectors do. We called [the exhibition] 'Unbound' for this reason.”
A similar story appeared in Creative Pinellas and 83 Degrees.
Daily Dose
By Carissa Galloway, RDN
WTTA
Sept. 25, 2019
Gina Firth, UT associate dean of wellness, appeared on Bloom to discuss how the use of alcohol impacts college students. Reducing the risk for alcohol related injury starts at home with parents talking to their students about alcohol and other drug use. “The University of Tampa is using what we call a population level prevention program. We actually require students to complete an alcohol, other drugs and a sexual violence prevention education class online before they set foot on campus,” said Firth. She said the University also provides a parent component that provides parents tips on how to have these types of conversations with their student.
A similar story appeared on WFLA.
By Robin Sussingham
WUSF
Sept. 22, 2019
Todd Campbell, UT associate professor of biology, was interviewed on Florida Matters about Florida’s battle with invasive species. When faced with a population of invasive species, Campbell advocates for early detection and rapid response. This is done by identifying a very small, recently established population and hitting that area hard to reduce that population as quickly as possible.
Cyberattacks vandalized Kansas county websites in August, exposing security weaknesses
By Jonathan Shorman
The Kansas City Star
Sept. 21, 2019
Cyberattacks crippled the websites of about a dozen Kansas counties in early August, replacing their homepages with cryptic messages and an image of Mecca. The attacks showcased the cyber vulnerabilities of local governments in Kansas. “In the last maybe year or so, there has been a significant increase in attacks against governments — not just websites, but systems as well,” said Miloslava Plachkinova, UT assistant professor of cybersecurity. Governments are a common target for hackers because they often use outdated infrastructure, Plachkinova said. They often don’t have the latest updates and technology.
Similar stories appeared in the Wichita Eagle,The Garden City Telegram (Garden City, KS) and Government Technology.
Golf Is a Family Passion for Three University of Tampa Siblings
By Kevin O’Donnell
WTVT
Sept. 19, 2019
UT has quite the golfing trio. Siblings Robert (UT senior), Patrick (UT junior) and Emily (UT sophomore) Montagnino have given the Spartans the NCAA's first triple threat on the golf course.
Tegu Lizards Threaten Native Species Around Riverview
By Philip Morgan
Tampa Bay Times
Sept. 18, 2019
The Argentine black and white tegu lizard is an invasive species that’s well established in two Florida locations, the Homestead area of South Florida and the Riverview area of east Hillsborough County. It joins a host of exotic reptiles, especially the Everglades’ Burmese pythons, that are wreaking havoc on the Florida ecosystem. “We’ve got pythons, over 50 species of lizards, a couple of frogs — the Cuban tree frog, the greenhouse frog and the cane toad — so in terms of reptiles and amphibians, Florida is the most invaded area on earth that I know of,’’ said Todd Campbell, UT associate professor of biology.
University Libraries Hosting ‘Drag Queen Story Hours’
By Maria Lencki
The College Fix
Sept. 11, 2019
The University of Tampa is planning to celebrate Banned Books Week by hosting a Drag Queen Story Hour at its campus library. The drag queen performers will read from a few of the many challenged and censored children’s books that deal with alternate political and religious viewpoints, LGBTQIA+ issues, and other messages that may address difficult themes such as racism, violence and otherness. Eric Cardenas, UT director of Public Information and Publications, said that the university “feels it is important to defend free and open access to books because everyone benefits from encountering a diversity of perspectives. This is especially true given the fact that censors have often targeted books that reflect the experiences of marginalized groups.”
See Where Tampa Bay Area Universities Rank According to U.S. News & World Report
By Ryan Lynch and Brendan Ward
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Sept. 9, 2019
Three Tampa Bay area universities earned a spot on U.S. News & World Report's 2020 Best Colleges list. The University of Tampa was the 17th best school on the 2020 regional universities list for the south.
If You Can't Seem to Lose Belly Fat, Experts Ask, "Are You Eating Too Much Sugar?"
By Jenny Sugar
MSN
Sept. 9, 2019
Losing belly fat can feel impossible. And while you can't spot reduce fat from your stomach specifically, you can lower your overall body fat percentage by consuming less sugar. Sugary foods and beverages, and refined carbs tend to be calorie-dense, yet very low in nutrients, explained Melissa Morris, UT professor of instruction for health sciences and human performance. As an ISSN-certified sports nutritionist, Morris explained that since sugary foods don't offer the protein, fiber and healthy fats to make us feel satiated, it's easy to over-consume them, increasing our daily calorie intake, which can lead to weight gain and belly fat.
A similar story appeared in PopSugar.
An Online Community of Ex-Clergy Nears a Milestone
Religion News Service
Sept. 5, 2019
The Clergy Project, whose mission is to build an online community for “post-belief religious leaders,” includes active and former clergy from 49 countries and include ministers, priests, rabbis and imams. They all share one thing: a rejection of belief in the supernatural. Founded in 2011, The Clergy Project expects to draw it’s 1,000 th participant in the next month. “It’s not a project that fizzled and died,” said Ryan Cragun, UT professor of sociology. “This is a project that has legs and is continuing to grow, and more and more people are signing up to say, ‘How can I repurpose my life? I need to do something different.’”
Similar stories appeared in The Macomb Daily (Detroit), Alma Morning Sun, The Voice and The News-Herald (Southgate, MI).
Pompeo’s New Commission on Unalienable Rights Falls Short, But Represents a Real Opportunity
By Amanda Murdie
Duck of Minerva
Sept. 4, 2019
Ryan Welch, UT assistant professor of political science, provided a guest post addressing the State Department’s recently created Commission on Unalienable Rights. Welch writes about the concerns that he has that the Commission will be used to redefine rights through a natural law lens that will limit LGBTQ+, reproductive, social and economic rights. “Like an oil industry lobbyist heading the Department of Interior, a climate skeptic atop the EPA, and a charter school advocate running the public education department, most believe this another cynical instance of an institution being used to dismantle its own raison d’être”.
Univ. of Tampa Orchestra Holding Auditions for Local Musicians
By Robert Boyd
WFTS
Aug. 29, 2019
UT’s orchestra offers local community members the opportunity to audition for a spot. It’s not too often that you see a ninth grader and a grandmother sharing the same music stand, but that’s the magic of the UT’s Community Symphony Orchestra. UT offers local community members the opportunity to audition for a spot. “I love the connection between the community members, both the high school students and adults, with the university students, and I think that enriches the entire group,” said Susan Robinson, orchestra director.
Tampa Bike Shop Feeling Pain as U.S.-China Trade War Continues
By Ashley Paul
Bay News 9
Aug. 27, 2019
As the trade war between the United States and China continues and tariffs on an expanded range of Chinese imports are set to go into effect on Sept. 1, followed by another wave in mid-December, Michael Coon, UT assistant professor of economics, explains what this will mean for American families and household budgets. "Most of these goods in here will be finished products, so the burden is going to be much more on average households," said Coon. He expects the first wave of tariffs will cost the average household $1,000 per year on anything from food to clothing to appliances to bikes.
Colleges Warn Students to Protect Themselves from Sexual Assault During ‘Red Zone Period’
By Melissa Marino
WFLA
Aug. 27, 2019
The start of school is also the start of what’s called the “red zone,” a six-week period when college students are most at risk for sexual assault, from August to November. According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, more than 50% of sexual assaults take place during this time. “The first six weeks is called a red zone. That’s when there’s a lot of safety issues with new students, because they’re new on campus, they’re unfamiliar with the policies and the culture. So, we do a lot of programming around safety and sexual violence during the first six weeks,” said Monnie Wertz, UT assistant vice president of operations and planning. UT educates students about the dangers before they even get on campus, and again when they arrive.
The same story appeared on WTTA.
Why Shakedown Artists Find It So Easy To Bamboozle Florida Cities Out of Cash and Data
By Veronica Penney
Miami Herald
Aug. 23, 2019
Over just eight weeks, four Florida cities announced network security breaches. Riviera Beach and Lake City respectively paid $600,000 and $460,000 ransoms to online shakedown artists to recover their systems. Money is motivating, but hackers aren’t always after quick cash. Personally identifiable information, known as PII, can be used for identity theft. “A lot of data ends up on the dark web, and it’s disturbingly cheap to buy,” says Miloslava Plachkinova, UT assistant professor of cybersecurity. Cities, which are required by law to disclose contracts, budgets and employee information, are susceptible to highly targeted phishing operations. If a city does get hacked, Plachkinova says that paying the higher costs to restore systems is preferable, regardless of the expense.
A similar article appeared in Government Technology.
Snacks to Help You Recover from Every Type of Workout
By Kimberly Zapata
She Knows
Aug. 23, 2019
Physical activity can elevate your mood, heart rate, reduce your risk of contracting a chronic disease and improve the quality of your skin. These benefits are moot if you fail to eat properly. When it comes to weight training, lengthy workouts, prolonged aerobic activity and/or endurance runs, eating after a workout isn’t optional, it is essential. Melissa Morris, UT professor of instruction of health sciences and human performance, says you should have a plan. “The goal should be a ratio of 2:1 or 4:1 (carbs to protein). A 2:1 ratio would be more for strength or muscle building and a 4:1 ratio would be more for recovery for endurance or aerobic activities,” said Morris.
A similar story appeared in HealthLine.
USF and UT Soccer Combine for Good Cause
By Katherine Smith
Bay News 9
Aug. 22, 2019
UT and USF men’s soccer teams will face off in the 41 st Rowdies Cup, an exhibition match that benefits the Children’s Cancer Center of Tampa. Admission to the match is free, but donations will be accepted, and they will go directly to the Children’s Cancer Center.
The same story appeared on CF News 13.
Princeton Review Names University of Tampa One of Nation’s Best
Tampa Bay Reporter
Aug. 22, 2019
UT has been again named by the Princeton Review as one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduate education, a distinction that only about 13 percent of America’s four-year colleges receive. The rankings, listed in The Best 385 Colleges, are based on surveys of 140,000 students at 385 top colleges. “We salute the University of Tampa for its outstanding academics, and we are truly pleased to recommend it to prospective applicants searching for their personal ‘best-fit’ college,” said Robert Franek, the Princeton Review’s editor-in-chief.
A similar story appeared on WFLA.
Would Free College End the Student Debt Crisis? Tampa Area University Leaders Divided
By Kerry Sheridan
WUSF
Aug. 16, 2019
Americans owe $1.5 trillion dollars in student debt. About 20 states have or are working toward free tuition programs, but such proposals have failed to gain traction in the Florida Legislature. During a panel discussion at the Manatee Tiger Bay Club, Liv Coleman, UT associate professor of political science, said Tennessee has made it work, under what’s called a “last dollar policy.” “What that means is money from the state in this case–it would be the state of Florida, doesn’t kick in until students use all available funds, including federal Pell Grants,” said Coleman.
HCSO Deputy Accidentally Shot a Woman During Undercover Operation, New Documents Reveal
By Isabel Rosales
WFTS
Aug. 16, 2019
A set of new documents reveal that a deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office accidentally shot a woman during an undercover gun-buy operation in 2018, leaving her permanently injured. "We give police a lot of power, we give them a lot of authority, and they have to wield it responsibly. And is there a lot of pressure on them? Yes. Are they under a microscope? Often times yes. Do they take a lot of public pressure? Yes." said Anthony LaRose, UT associate professor of criminology and criminal justice. "But that comes with the job when you want to be someone who has the ability to deny someone their liberty and to use deadly force."
Instant Classics: 50 Greatest College Football Games Involving Florida Teams
By Joey Knight
Tampa Bay Times
Aug. 16, 2019
The Tampa Bay Times put together a list of the 50 greatest college games involving at least one Florida team. Ranked at number 15, UT’s Nov. 29, 1969, game against FAMU. This year marks the 50-year anniversary for the first interracial football game ever played in the South. Old Tampa Stadium’s sellout crowd of 46,477 fans was treated to a riveting back-and-forth showcase (1,135 combined yards). On the west side, all the fans were white; on the east side, all were black. FAMU, a historically black college outlasted the overwhelmingly white Spartans to a final score of FAMU 34, UT 28. Fran Curci, the UT coach, said he’s still proud his school scheduled such a meaningful game in the South, which grappled with school integration and civil rights.
Fabulous 50: State’s All-Time Greatest College Football Players
Tampa Bay Times
Aug. 4, 2019
The Tampa Bay Times ranked the State of Florida’s 50 best players. Ranked at number eight, UT QB Freddie Solomon. The ever-elusive "Fabulous Freddie" accounted for 5,803 total yards (then 16th all-time in the NCAA), while rushing for 3,299 yards (then first among all-time college quarterbacks). As a senior, he was 12th in Heisman Trophy balloting (13 first-place votes) while playing for a small-school program that finished 6-5. He played 11 NFL seasons as a wide receiver, twice winning a Super Bowl ring with the 49ers.
Prescription Drug Safety on Campus
By Madelyn Murphy
Associate for Accessible Medicines
July 2019
A 2018 report from The Ohio State University finds the rate of misuse or abuse of prescription stimulants among college students is about 75% higher than that of other classes of medications, and more than 1-in-4 college students says that prescription stimulants are somewhat easy or very easy to obtain. “Studies show that when students take stimulants that aren’t prescribed to them or when they misuse their own prescriptions to help them study, it can have adverse effects and in some cases can have negative implications on their academic outcomes,” says Gina Firth, UT associate dean of wellness.
National Geographic's 'SharkFest' Examines 1916 LBI Shark Attack
By Josh Bakan
Barnegat-Manahawkin Patch
July 30, 2019
One century ago, American scholars doubted that sharks could kill a person without provocation. That changed after the original Jersey Shore shark attacks, when sharks killed four people and injured another in a series of attacks from July 1-12 of 1916. The initial attack at Beach Haven took place at around 5 p.m. Recent research suggests sharks can use the angle of the sun to give themselves a predatory advantage at dawn and dusk. "They'll position the sun behind themselves so if the prey were to look where the shark is coming from, it's going to be blinded by the sun," said Daniel Huber, UT professor of Biology.
How Strong is the Idea of Canceling All Student Debt?
By Zackary Swoboda
Indiana Daily Student
July 27, 2019
With the presidential election looming, candidates are rolling out their new plans for a variety of topics, including student debt loan forgiveness. Many candidates have presented plans that differ in the amount of money covered and what section of society is helped the most. Abigail Hall Blanco, UT associate professor of economics, and said it would not be ideal academically or economically to cancel student debt totally. “If schools knew the government would forgive the cost of their students’ education, they’d face no incentive to cut costs to keep tuitions down,” Blanco said. “By forgiving loans, the government would encourage students to undertake education that may be a poor investment, because they would not face the consequences of their choices. Who would pay for all this? The taxpayers.”
Elon Musk, Keep the Hell Away from My Brain
By David Wheeler, UT associate professor of journalism
Newsweek
July 18, 2019
When Elon Musk speaks, people listen, even when it's not too clear if he has any idea what he's talking about. That's why we should all be concerned that Musk is asking for government approval to start hacking people's brains. His company NeuraLink, which attempts to connect the human brain to a computer interface, has applied for permission to start testing the device on humans. Musk is undoubtedly a superb businessman, but that doesn't mean that he is qualified to dictate SEC regulations, national security policy or how our brains should connect to artificial intelligence.
The same story appeared on att.net.
Jail Surveillance Video Released in Pinellas County Guard Inmate Intimidation Case
By Erik Waxler
WFTS
July 17, 2019
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s office says surveillance video show deputies intimidating and demeaning inmates. The sheriff’s office suspended the deputies. “They knew they were being video taped. They knew they’d eventually be caught. And clearly, they didn’t care,” said Anthony LaRose, UT associate professor of criminology and criminal justice. LaRose says the sheriff’s office needs to use these examples as a teaching moment for everyone in the department. “You have to enforce ethics. You have to have these procedures. And you have to make sure they are being followed. And clearly mistakes were made along the way.”
Understanding Is Key to Effective Faculty Communication
NACE
July 15, 2019
Tim Harding, UT associate dean of career development and engagement, was featured in an article by National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) about overcoming the disconnect that exists between the language used by career services professionals and that which is understood by faculty. “While it may seem like trivial semantics, it is important to understand that the terminology we use can make the difference in developing collaborative faculty relationships,” said Harding. He explains that to be effective in developing mutually beneficial partnerships with faculty, career center staff members must have a clearer understanding of the faculty’s daily work and then speak in their language.
Tampa Bay’s Top Business Women Spill the Secrets to Getting on a Corporate Board
By Margie Manning
St. Pete Catalyst
July 12, 2019
Networking, professional associations and in-demand skills are among the factors that five local women executives say helped them win spots on corporate boards of directors. Private equity-backed company boards also are distinct from those of publicly traded companies, said Rebecca White, UT professor of entrepreneurship. She’s been on the boards of the venture capital-backed companies she founded early in her career, and currently serves on the board of MarineMax (NYSE: HZO). “There was a lot more focus in private equity on immediate outcomes and more of a sense of urgency. That’s not to say public companies don’t have to perform, but the shareholders were a lot closer [at PE backed firms] so shareholder impatience was also an issue in the private equity companies. It felt to me a bit more intense,” said White.
Executive MBA Program Emphasizes International Business
By Mary Johnson
Tampa Bay Business Journal
July 12, 2019
In June, a group of students enrolled in the Executive MBA program at The University of Tampa headed to Prague. With an average age of 40 and 16 years of professional experience in a variety of fields, the students went to consult with two companies considering an entrance into the U.S. market. “For the companies, it’s great because they’re essentially getting free consulting,” said Amy Harris, UT associate professor of management. “For the students, it’s great experience from an awareness standpoint, but also from an international and intercultural competencies perspective. All business is global now. You can read about things, but until you can experience it and live it, you don’t really understand it.”
Continuity and Change in Gender Frames: The Case of Transgender Reproduction
Nik M. Lampe, Shannon K. Carter, J. E. Sumerau
Sage Journals
July 3, 2019
J.E. Sumerau, UT assistant professor of applied sociology, co-authored this article examining the ways gendered frames shift to make room for societal changes while maintaining existing pillars of systemic gender inequality. They analyze how media outlets make room for increasing societal recognition of transgender people and maintain cisnormative and repronormative traditions and beliefs in the process.
University of Tampa, US Army Train Combat Medics
Military Simulation & Training Magazine
July 2, 2019
The Army Medical Department School of Health Readiness and UT’s physician assistant medicine program collaborated on a training for combat medics. Known in the military as “68 Whiskeys” (68W), combat medics are often called upon during peacetime to provide humanitarian aid during natural or other disasters or during wartime to provide medical care to foreign nationals. They must therefore maintain their primary care knowledge and skills as well as emergency medical skills.
The same story appeared in Medical Training Magazine.
Former Tarpon Takes Multiple National Titles at Tampa University
By Ben Baugh
Port Charlotte Sun
June 28, 2019
Marisa Beisner, UT senior, completed a unique double. She won both the NCAA Division II indoor and sand volleyball national championships this past year. In this interview, Beisner discussed the battles she faced on the court and in the sand.
What Embarc’s New Strategy Means for The Tampa-St. Pete Startup Community
By Margie Manning
St Pete Catalyst
June 24, 2019
About two dozen young technology companies in Tampa-St. Pete now have connections to entrepreneurial support organizations across the country, under a new partnership strategy unveiled by Embarc Collective. “We know the more successful entrepreneurial ecosystems are the more connected ones,” said Rebecca White, UT professor of entrepreneurship and director of the John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center.
A similar story appeared in the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
University of Tampa Opens Applications for New Startups
By Lauren Coffey
Tampa Bay Business Journal
June 21, 2019
UT has already helped over 60 companies in the Tampa Bay ecosystem, and now officials are looking for 18 more. Applications for the Spartan Incubator are now open to anyone with an early, most likely pre-revenue business in Tampa Bay. "This is the biggest opportunity for Tampa’s ecosystem," said Kevin Moore, UT assistant professor of management. "Any closed system dies. The power of getting young, smart energetic companies going — they use the space that's available, they service our bigger customers and client base, and generate taxable income for the city."
Tyranny Comes Home: The Domestic Fate of U.S. Militarism
CATO Institute
June 19, 2019
For many Americans, the distinction between military policy and domestic law enforcement is clear: the U.S. military is deployed abroad and tasked with defense of vital national interests, while at home police officers protect life, liberty, and property by investigating and deterring crimes. But as Abigail Hall Blanco, UT assistant professor of economics, and Christopher Coyne explain in their book Tyranny Comes Home: The Domestic Fate of U.S. Militarism, years of policy decisions at home and abroad have eroded this distinction.
Tips for Teens: Jobs and Internships
WTSP
June 11, 2019
Paid or unpaid, full- or part-time, internships can help students get a jump on the competition. Ahn Tran, a University of Tampa graduate student, offered advice. Tran advised that students start as soon as possible. For summer internships, start looking in October. The process takes a lot longer than you might think.
Tampa Bay’s Got Talent
By Paul Guzzo
Tampa Bay Times
June 9, 2019
Independent films and commercials are flocking to the Tampa Bay are, and the payoff is more than good publicity. They are creating jobs too. Local industry professionals often move to places like Hollywood and Atlanta where work is plentiful, but talent is starting to stay put. Aaron Walker, UT associate professor of film, animation and new media, said students are sticking around and some who left have returned. “Students want to be on a big set,” said Walker. “Up until recently, it was difficult.”
University of Tampa Baseball Wins 8th National Championship
By Brett Friedlander
Tampa Bay Times
June 8, 2019
UT beat top-seeded Colorado Mesa 3-1 to capture the baseball program’s eighth NCAA Division II national championship. Yorvis Torrealba. UT junior, broke a seventh-inning tie with a two-out, two-run single, and tournament MVP Jacinto Arredondo pitched the final two innings for the victory that completed the Spartans’ undefeated run (9-0) through the postseason. “This is the reason we all decided to come to Tampa,” said Torrealba. “It’s to be part of history, to win a national championship and have our names in the record book.”
Similar stories appeared on WFLA, WFTS, WTVT, WTTA, Bay News 9, WTSP, KREX (Grand Junction – Montrose, CO), Sarasota Herald-Tribune, NCAA, The Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction, CO), Daily Times (Swarthmore, PA), Daily Republic (Fairfield – Suisun City, CA), Blog Talk Radio (New York, NY) and Gilchrist County Journal (Gilchrist County, FL).
'I grew up at Coors': Torrealba Follows Dad to Rox
By Manny Randhawa
Colorado Rockies
June 5, 2019
As a boy, UT junior Yorvis Torrealba, son of former Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba, ran through the Rockies clubhouse at Coors Field countless times while Yorvit played there from 2006-2009. He would always be trying on his father's giant catcher's mask and getting high-fives from the likes of Troy Tulowitzki, Matt Holliday and Carlos Gonzalez. Yorvis was officially made a member of the Rockies' organization after Colorado selected the 21-year-old outfielder in the 20th round.
A similar story appeared in The Denver Post.
For Young, Black Professionals, Code-Switching is Still a Way of Life
By Monique Welch
Tampa Bay Times
June 2, 2019
For many young, black professionals, the sense that they must hide their cultural preferences to succeed at work, in social situations or when interacting with police still exists. They are code-switchers trying to offset stereotypes that African-Americans are aggressive, loud, angry or all of the above. "Despite the advancements we've made, we still bear the burden — the weight of the past, which was we weren't good enough, or somehow we weren't socially acceptable if we were being true to ourselves. It's so much of our history, it's so much of our story that other people wrote for us, that it's hard to see past that when it's almost internalized in our identity at this point," said Erica Dawson, UT associate professor of English and writing.
Four Spartans Selected in the 2019 MLB Draft
June 2019
The University of Tampa baseball program was represented by four Spartans in the 2019 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. This marks the 17th consecutive MLB Draft in which a Spartan has been selected. A total of four players were selected, including Sammy Peralta in the 18th round by the Chicago White Sox, Yorvis Torrealba in the 20th round by the Colorado Rockies, Keven Pimentel in the 28th round by the Colorado Rockies, and Tyler Beck in 30th round by the Minnesota Twins.
Restaurateur Wary of 5 Percent Tariff Plan on Mexican Goods
By Ashley Paul
Bay News 9
June 5, 2019
President Trump said in a tweet that starting June 10, prices of Mexican imports will increase by five percent and will continue to rise by five percent each month, reaching up to 25 percent by October. That is, unless Mexico finds a way to keep illegal immigrants out of America. But Michael Coon, UT assistant professor of economics, says tariffs tend to hurt local consumers more than the country where the tariff is imposed. Coon says Florida imported $6.6 billion worth of goods in 2017. If those numbers stay the same for this year, that would equal an extra $300 million Floridians would have to pay for the same goods.
SportCenter Top 10
ESPN
June 4, 2019
UT’s outfielder, Danny Blair, made the SportCenter Top 10 list at number five with a spectacular diving catch during the Spartan’s win over UC San Diego.
Florida Imagined
WTVT
May 30, 2019
The UT’s Scarfone/Hartley Gallery is hosting a new exhibit titled, “Florida Imagined.” The exhibition was organized by groups that work with people with disabilities and all artists are either physically or mentally disabled. Art allows people to express themselves, and the exhibit provided the opportunity for the community to experience and enjoy these works of self-expression.
Perspective is Everything
By Annie Sabo
WFLA
May 29, 2019
Yorvis Torrealba, UT junior majoring in business information technology and Spartan outfielder, is a team leader despite joining the baseball team this spring. “He doesn’t take anything for granted and works hard every day, and the guys look up to him,” said Joe Urso, UT head baseball coach. Torrealba was recently named the South Region Player of the Year and is geared up to help the Spartans claim their eighth collegiate world series title.
University of Tampa's Dynamic Coaching Duo Enjoys Lasting Success
By Kevin O’Donnell
WTVT
May 29, 2019
UT’s Joe Urso, head baseball coach, and Sam Militello, assistant baseball coach, were the fastest staff to reach 500 wins in Division II history. Now the Spartans are within five wins of another Division II national title. "It's two head coaches, basically, in the dugout,” said Urso. "We bounce things off each other. If I'm going to go with a bunt play or whatever it may be, I'm asking him his thoughts before I even put it on."
University of Tampa Advances to Division II World Series
Tampa Bay Times
May 25, 2019
The top-seeded University of Tampa advanced to the Division II World Series with a 6-3 11-inning win over No. 2 Delta State in the South Super Region on Saturday. The Spartans will go for their fifth national title in the 19-year tenure of coach Joe Urso when the Series begins June 1 in Cary, N.C.
Similar stories appeared on WFXP (Erie, PA), WTVT, WABG (Greenville, MS) and in the Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction, CO).
Lynn, Tampa Win Sunshine State Conference Mayors Cups
By Ray Beasock
The Lakeland Ledger
May 21, 2019
The Sunshine State Conference announced the winners of the Mayors Cup for men’s and women’s programs. UT won the Women’s Mayors Cup for the first time since the 2013-2014 season. Teams are given points based on how they fare during the course of the regular season. Tampa racked up 75.5 points to easily outdistance second-place Nova Southeastern with 57. Tampa won regular-season titles in cross country, volleyball, swimming and lacrosse.
The same story appeared in the News Chief (Winter Haven, FL).
Tampa Professor Warns E-Cigarettes Can Harm Young People's Brains
By Libby Hendren
WTSP
May 21, 2019
E-cigarettes started off looking more like conventional cigarettes, marketed to adults as a way to try to kick the traditional habit. But in the past few years, more and more children are vaping. Mary Martinasek, UT associate professor of public health, was a respiratory specialist for more than 20 years before she started studying the effects of smoking hookah and now vaping. “The brain develops from the back to the front, and the prefrontal cortex doesn't develop until about the age of 25,” said Martinasek. High levels of nicotine can have negative effects. “It affects cognition, it affects memory, it affects executive functioning.”
The same story appeared on WFMY (Greensboro, NC)
Viruses Can Scatter Their Genes Among Cells and Reassemble
Elexonic
May 21, 2019
Viruses can scatter their genes among cells and reassemble. FBNSV, for instance, depends on aphids that eat fava bean plants to transmit it. But the little insects must collectively capture all eight segments of FBNSV and introduce them to the same plant to successfully pass on the infection. Why a virus would benefit from a multipartite lifestyle is also up for debate. Eric Freundt, a virologist and UT director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, speculates that if a host plant’s innate defenses destroy only those cells that express certain viral proteins, then distributing the genes for the proteins into different particles might guarantee that the virus goes undetected in some cells.
Indivisible Groups to Protest Vern Buchanan
By Jacob Ogles
Florida Politics
May 20, 2019
Progressive activists will on Monday protest outside U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan’s offices in Sarasota and Bradenton. Local chapters of Indivisible will demand the Longboat Key Republican hold a district-wide town hall to address a “Constitutional crisis” underway. “The Mueller Report brings serious charges of obstruction of justice against President Trump that the Department of Justice itself cannot prosecute, but which Congress should evaluate,” said Liv Coleman, UT associate professor of political science.
InFocus
By Allison Walker Torres
Central Florida News 13 (Orlando, FL)
May 19, 2019
Abigail Blanco, UT assistant professor of economics, appeared on InFocus as part of a panel discussion debating the pros and cons of the ballot initiative to add a proposed constitutional amendment increasing Florida’s minimum wage to $15/hour. “When you mandate paying people a higher wage than what their productivity demands, then what we would expect to see is exactly what has already been discussed, is higher prices get passed on to consumers for the products they enjoy. Also, business are going to get creative in how they cut cost. One way of doing that is cutting labor,” said Blanco. “At the end of the day, for those workers in Florida, this is a blunt policy instrument that may actually wind up harming the very people that we’re intending to help.”
The same story appeared on Bay News 9.
American Express Credit Cards
Wallet Hub
May 2019
American Express credit cards account for nearly one-quarter of all U.S. credit card spending – more than any other issuer. Amex has built this lead thanks to a reputation for strong customer service and attractive rewards. But an American Express credit card isn't for everyone. You need good or excellent credit to get one. When asked if Amex will start offering credit cards to people with less-than-good credit, Gary Beemer, UT marketing faculty, said, “If they allow outstanding balances with high interest rates to justify the increased level of default, they certainly could.”
Alpha, Omega, and the Letters in Between: LGBTQI Conservative Christians Undoing Gender
By Dawn Moon, Theresa W. Tobin, J. E. Sumerau
Sage Journals
May 16, 2019
J. E. Sumerau, UT assistant professor of sociology, co-authored an article showing how the movement for LGBTQI acceptance within U.S. conservative Protestant churches works to make gender not always relevant by challenging conservative complementarity narratives. The authors explore this movement’s contradictory ideas about relationship with homonormativity, highlighting three ways this movement resists projecting binary gender narratives into scripture and examining how some in this movement see the pursuit of social justice as a Christian mandate. The efforts of LGBTQI conservative Christians exemplify how reshaping sex/gender/sexual narratives can create possibilities for undoing gender.
UT Spartans Baseball Dancing Toward Playoffs, Possible National Title
By Kevin O’Donnell
WTVT
May 15, 2019
University of Tampa Spartans Head Coach Joe Urso has created a championship culture at The University of Tampa. He's taken a team to the playoffs every year of his 19 years at the helm. With a winning tradition, it's easy for the players to buy into the program, but even within a team concept, there is room for individual expression. "We have some special dances," smiled Spartans outfielder Yorvis Torrealba. "Spanish dances, Spanish words that we say. The rituals are staying loose, not think too much. Just have fun."
These Power Skills Are Key to Success for Students Throughout Their Careers
By Mary Johnson
Tampa Bay Business Journal
May 15, 2019
About four years ago, The University of Tampa went through a cultural shift. School administrators analyzed the core competencies identified by the National Association of Colleges and Employers as those most valued by employers and created a plan to integrate them into the foundation of the school. Those skills have become the so-called “Pillars of Spartan Readiness” and are now woven into academic programs, extracurricular activities, residential training and campus recreation. The goal is for professional development to start the moment students set foot on campus during freshman year. “We’re trying to identify those skills that are important for students, how they can improve on those skills and how they can articulate those skills to a future employer,” said Mark Colvenbach, UT director of career services.
'This is Awesome': Benet Graduate Emily Eshoo Closes Out Career at Tampa as Academic All-American
By Matt Le Cren
Chicago Tribune
May 3, 2019
Four days before playing in her last game, Emily Eshoo '19 picked up the most prestigious award of her career. She was honored as a third team NCAA Division II Academic All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America. “I just didn’t really consider it as something big,” Eshoo said. “The more people told me, ‘Congratulations, this is awesome,’ I started to realize this is something I should be proud of. Now I appreciate it a little bit more.” Eshoo is tied for first in program history for career free-throw percentage (85.0) and tied for third in career 3-point field goal percentage (39.6).
Why Did Bebe Rexha Wear a University of Tampa Sweatshirt to Michelle Obama's College Event?
By Jay Cridlin
Tampa Bay Times
May 2, 2019
On Wednesday, former first lady Michelle Obama hosted an event at UCLA called College Signing Day, celebrating high school students from diverse and low-income backgrounds who were pledging to attend college. Lots of celebrities attended, many in university-themed gear. Bebe Rexha chose to represent UT. The Grammy-nominated singer popped up on stage in a black Spartans sweatshirt with block red and white lettering, singing her smash hit Meant to Be. She later posted a photo of her outfit to Twitter and Instagram, attracting more than 200,000 likes on Instagram alone, plus a whole lot of comments from UT students, alums and fans.
Similar stories appeared on TMZ and WFLA.
Strahan and Sara Love #ATL
By Strahan and Sara
WABC (New York, NY)
May, 1, 2019
During an episode of Strahan and Sara, Jordan Nixon announced that she plans to attend The University of Tampa. Nixon, a high school senior, was accepted to 45 colleges and universities and was awarded 1.7 million dollars in scholarships. “I’m choosing this school because of their amazing international business program,” said Nixon.
Similar stories appeared in the Douglas County Sentinel, 11 Alive (Atlanta, GA) and WXIA (Atlanta, GA).
Coral Grown in Tampa Bay Helping Rescue Florida Keys Reefs
By Steve Newborn
WUSF
April 28, 2019
Florida's once-colorful coral reefs are under siege. Warming seas, ocean acidification and diseases like coral bleaching and Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (White Plague) are leaving parts of the world's third-largest reef a ghostly white. The Florida Aquarium may have an answer. In early April, divers transplanted about 3,000 tiny Staghorn corals throughout the reef, where they'll be glued to existing coral beds. Gabby Vaillancourt '19, who is majoring in marine science, is an intern at the aquarium and she’s tending to various forms of coral fragments that are suspended from hangars in the water stream. "And so they're hanging down," Vaillancourt said. "And this orientation helps them grow ten times faster in here than in the wild, so they can grow, I believe a year in here, and then they can send those pieces back out to be planted in other coral trees out in the wild."
The same story appeared on WGCU (Fort Myers, FL), WFSU (Tallahassee, FL) and WJCT (Jacksonville, FL).
University of Tampa to Break Ground on New Performing Arts Center
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
April 26, 2019
UT’s construction boom will next add a new performing arts center to the campus. The new Ferman Center for the Arts is slated to be completed for Fall 2020. The new building will include a 200-seat theater, a black-box theater, sound insulated music classrooms, music practice rooms, recording studios, various types of art studios and many other features. "UT's reputation is rapidly escalating nationally and internationally," said Ron Vaughn, UT president. "Continuing to advance our fine and performing arts programs is very much part of this effort." This building will elevate this whole set of college programs as well as further enhance UT's reputation."
A similar story appeared in GlobeSt.com, American School & University Magazine, Tampa Bay Reporter and 83 Degrees.
Bracelet Can Detect Date Rape Drugs
WTVT
April 25, 2019
Alexsandra Wolfe, UT first-year student and inventor, is launching a jewelry line she says can detect date rape drugs. The device is discrete and looks like a normal bracelet. However, the locket opens to reveal a test for common date rape drugs. Wolfe made the device into a bracelet so women can have this tool available at the touch of a wrist. “No matter how loud or dark it is, you can test at any given time,” said Wolfe.
A similar story appeared on KTBC (Austin, TX), KMPH (Fresno, CA), KOMO-AM (Seattle, WA), WVUE (New Orleans, LA), WTTG (Washington D.C.), KOKH (Oklahoma City, OK) and many others.
Haslag Wins Beach Volleyball National Championship at Tampa
News Tribune
April 24, 2019
Erica Haslag, UT graduate student, helped the Spartans to an NCAA Division II national championship at the AVCA Small College Beach Championships at Hickory Point Beach. During the tournament, Haslag was paired with Jordan Duffy, UT sophomore, in the two-on-two matches, and the duo combined to go 6-0 in their matches at the No. 5 doubles position. UT did not lose an individual match during the national tournament, outscoring its opponents 18-0.
Beach Bytes: FIVB, AVCA Small College Champs, NORCECA, U21 qualifiers
By Ed Chan
Volleyball Magazine
April 24, 2019
UT’s beach volleyball team swept defending champion Texas A&M Kingsville in the final at the Small College Beach Championships, becoming the only school to win both NCAA DII indoor and outdoor in the same year.
A similar story appeared on The Weather Channel.
University of Tampa Student Invents #1 Spy Pen
By Gayle Guyardo
WFLA
April 24, 2019
A rising entrepreneur at UT is the creator of the No. 1 spy pen sold worldwide. iSpy Pens are hugely popular, because they capture a clear, high-resolution picture and pick up clear sound. "It's a fully functional pen that records HD video and audio. We sell these all over the world. We've shipped to 20 countries and every state," said Andrew Gilliland, founder of iSpy Pens and UT senior. Gilliland also has office space at the University's Lowth Entrepreneurship Center.
Ask the Experts: Cashing in on Credit Card Rewards
Wallet Hub
April 2019
Elio Alfonso, UT assistant professor of accounting, provided expert advice for credit card consumers looking for the best cash back credit card. Alfonso said consumers should be aware that the best cashback benefits are usually available to those with good or excellent credit. If you have poor or fair credit, you should generally avoid cash back cards because of the combination of higher interest rates, annual fees and lower cash back rewards. No matter which card you choose, do not forget to always pay off your balance. If you forget, the high interest rates will consume all of the cashback you worked so hard to earn!
Thursday’s Letters: Teachers Carrying Weapons Would Pervert the Profession
By Liv Coleman, UT associate professor of political science
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
April 18, 2019
Liv Coleman, UT associate professor of political science, writes about the Florida Legislature’s proposal to allow teachers to carry guns in public schools. Coleman believes that teachers should teach, and law enforcement should provide security. The idea that a teacher could carry a “service weapon” is a perversion of the teaching profession.
Combatting Invasive Species in Florida
By Stephanie Colombini and Robin Sussingham
WUSF Public Media
April 16, 2019
Florida is home to more than 500 invasive species. They can harm the state’s native wildlife, and a lot of time and money is spent fighting them. Todd Campbell, UT associate professor of biology, and his team found gopher tortoises in the stomachs of argentine tegu lizards they trapped. Gopher tortoises are a protected species that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission lists as threatened. Campbell stressed the importance of early detection and rapid response. Only in the last couple decades did wildlife groups start taking a more proactive approach to controlling invasive species.
The same story appeared on WJCT (Jacksonville, FL) and WGCU (Fort Myers, FL).
19-Year-Old Woman Meets 22-Year-Old Stranger Who Donated His Liver to Her
By Katie Kindelan
Good Morning America
April 16, 2019
An emotional reunion more than three months in the making took place live on “Good Morning America” when Madison Ricci, UT sophomore, met Jaelin Highsmith, the complete stranger who gave her his liver. Ricci was diagnosed with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, at age 12. Doctors told her family that the best hope for survival for Ricci was to find a living donor who would give her a piece of their liver. Ricci and Highsmith underwent a liver transplant surgery in December that took a total of more than 20 hours. "I’m speechless," said Ricci, who just had two words for Highsmith: "Thank you."
Similar stories appeared on WTOP, 17Ok.org, NewsLive.com, Health Medicine Network and CentreDailyTimes.org.
Jewelry with Drug Detector Wins UT's Annual Entrepreneur Expo
By Lauren Coffey
Tampa Bay Business Journal
April 12, 2019
Alexsandra Wolfe, UT first-year student and newest member of UT's entrepreneurship accelerator program, pitched the winning product at the third annual UT entrepreneur expo. Wolfe's product is jewelry that incorporates date rape drug testers within it. Rebecca White, director of the John Lowth Entrepreneurial Center, said for budding entrepreneurs, the event gives students a crash course in pitching to the public, gauging the feasibility for the business and fostering friendly competition.
Florida Lawmakers Consider Raising Legal Smoking Age to 21
By Libby Hendren
WTSP
April 10, 2019
Florida lawmakers are talking about raising the legal smoking age from 18 to 21. That's part of an effort to keep young people from vaping. In 2018, nearly 5% of children reported trying e-cigarettes within the last 30 days. That's one in 20 middle school students in the U.S. Mary Martinasek, UT associate professor of public health, says parents should educate themselves on what's out there and talk with their teens when there’s an organic opportunity to open the lines of communication. "And have that caring attitude that you should with your child if they are trying the product or they have tried it, express your concern that they’re using this product," said Martinasek.
"Life After Life" Premiers at Sarasota Film Festival
By Alejandro Romero
SNN News
April 8, 2019
Christopher Boulton, UT associate professor of communication, will premier his film, Life After Life, at the Sarasota Film Festival. The film follows three grandmothers as they embark upon a challenge to create a modern dance based on their life stories in one week. The name of the film was inspired from one of the interviews in which one of the main characters learns valuable life lesson from her granddaughter. "She hoped being in the performance would make her grandmother realize that there is life after life, in the sense that when someone retires and stops either raising a family or stops having a job, sometimes people think that's it, you're done. But you can start anew, you can try something different, you can reinvent yourself and have life after your life is supposedly over," said Boulton.
Tampa-St. Pete’s Innovation Culture Draws Praise
By Margie Manning
St. Pete Catalyst
April 8, 2019
The Tampa-St. Pete area has plenty of reasons to brag about its innovation culture. Workforce, access to experts, a culture that is open to taking risks and a fun vibe were among the factors cited by a panel of people involved in the startup community who talked about what is needed to further connect the two major cities on either side of Tampa Bay. “In the three years I’ve been here, I have had more access and more conversations and more productive work done with folks at high levels of industry and government and academia than I’ve had in 20 years in senior leadership positions in large organizations elsewhere,” said panelist Thomas Pittz, UT assistant professor of management. “If you want to build a company here, you will find that you will have access to people quickly and often.”
Why Local Law Enforcement Should Not Enforce Federal Immigration Law
By Michael Coon, UT assistant professor of economics
Tampa Bay Times
April 5, 2019
The Florida Senate is considering a bill, SB 168, that would require local law enforcement agencies to carry out all federal immigration enforcement requests. This bill is part of a two-year long national push to co-opt local authorities to divert limited law enforcement resources toward enforcing federal law. Michael Coon, UT assistant professor of economics, says this law is unnecessary and will hurt the state of Florida. “The reality is that, if passed, SB 168 would divert resources away from the prosecution of serious crimes toward deporting individuals who pose no serious threat to the public,” said Coon.
Masterful Performance from Area Business School
Business Observer
April 5, 2019
A graduate-level degree program offered by UT’s Sykes College of Business has received a hearty pat on the back. CEO Magazine ranked UT’s executive MBA (EMBA) program No. 34 out of 91 institutions worldwide that offer an EMBA course of study. “This ranking validates the increasing worldwide reputation and prestige of the Sykes College of Business and its MBA program,” said Frank Ghannadian, dean of the Sykes College of Business. “Our program is proven to help students develop the sophisticated strategic mind-set demonstrated by successful executives.”
Sarasota Concert Association Matinee Event Showcases Strong Partnership
By Marty Fugate
Your Observer
April 3, 2019
Pianist Grigorios Zamparas and soprano Hein Jung, both associate professors of music at UT, delight in creating music together. Jung and Zamparas met at UT about 10 years ago. They quickly began performing and recording together. “We had our first concert at the University and discovered a natural musical chemistry,” says Jung. “Music is always a journey — a process of discovery,” says Zamparas. “Hein and I take it together, and it’s always a new experience.”
UT Students Ready to Perform Spring Musical, 'The Theory of Relativity'
By Charley Belcher
WTVT
April 3, 2019
Theatre students at The University of Tampa are preparing for their spring musical, “The Theory of Relativity.” It’s a fairly new show, written in 2015, about college students preparing for a physics test. They soon begin to question everything, including how they relate to each other and how we all exist in today’s world. It’s part comedy, part drama, with a modern music. This show has become a bit of a cult classic, even though it’s never made it to Broadway.
Miss Florida Citrus 2019 Steps up into the Spotlight
By Paul Rusnak
Growing Produce
March 28, 2019
Juliana Fray, UT sophomore majoring in political science, took the title of Miss Winter Haven, a Miss America preliminary pageant. She will vie for the title of Miss Florida. Fray is seeking a career in campaign management. Fray’s career plans also double as her platform, “Your Vote, Your Voice,” which encourages youth voters to perform their civic duty and vote, as well as become educated voters to facilitate discussion and participate in public discourse.
A similar story appeared in The Arcadian (Arcadia, FL).
Why Don’t More American Men Get Vasectomies?
By Christina Caron
The New York Times
March 28, 2019
A study last year found a peak in the number of vasectomies performed during March. Every year, men schedule their vasectomies in conjunction with the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, so they can watch the games while recovering on the couch. However, in the U.S., female sterilization is twice as prevalent as vasectomy, despite the fact that vasectomy is equally effective, less invasive and carries a lower risk of complications. Even though it is estimated that about half a million men receive vasectomies in the United States each year, Ryan Cragun, UT associate professor of sociology, said it isn’t something men tend to talk openly about.
UT Sculpture
WFTS
March 26, 2019
WFTS showed footage of a 6,000-pound stainless steel sculpture arriving at UT. The sculpture came from Sarasota and was installed on the east side of the Southard Family Building.
Newsroom Shooting Survivor Still Rejects ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ Unless Action Comes with Them
By Paul Guzzo
Tampa Bay Times
March 25, 2019
Selene San Felice, UT Alumnus, has earned a distinguished alumnus award from UT for her perseverance in the face of tragedy. San Felice is among the Capital Gazette's reporters honored collectively as Time magazine’s "Person of the Year,” hailed as a "guardian" of the truth, in part, for returning to work the day after a shooting that killed five of her coworkers. John Capouya, UT associate professor of journalism, had San Felice as a student. Capouya said overcoming the newsroom massacre is just one reason she deserves the accolades. She also is a talented journalist. "She is having a great career and shows a passion for local news, which is endangered all over the country," he said.
Study Predicts High Costs for Pre-Trial Release
By Jacob Ogles
Florida Politics
March 24, 2019
As Florida lawmakers consider expanding pre-trial release programs, a new study by David Krahl, UT assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice, suggests that the cost could be prohibitive. “There is no indication whatsoever that pretrial release defendants are systematically languishing away in pretrial confinement because they cannot, for some reason, afford some type of secured pretrial release mechanism,” Krahl wrote. “These data show the exact opposite.” Beyond the burden or lack thereof for any program on inmates, Krahl stresses pre-trial release could bring tremendous public costs. His study shows surety bonds cost the state almost nothing. Other forms of unsecured pretrial release, meanwhile, cost more than $95 million over a three-year period.
Health Care Simulations at The University of Tampa
By Alfred Bonati, Kimberly Bermel and Ethan Youker
American Medicine Today
March 23, 2019
Marisa Belote, associate professor of physician assistant medicine, was interviewed on American Medicine Today about some of the new technology in UT’s Graduate and Health Studies building. Belote talked about how healthcare training simulators are being used to provide students with hands-on training before they ever work with their first patients.
Bach Bash Fundraiser in Tampa Celebrates the Birthday of the Johann Sebastian Bach
By Philip Morgan
Tampa Bay Times
March 21, 2019
Ryan Hebert, UT associate professor of music, is one of five organists performing at Bach Bash this year. This annual event celebrates the birthday of the 18th century composer, Johann Sebastian Bach. Hebert said it's thrilling to play a massive pipe organ in church, accompanying the choir and congregation. "It's a singing instrument. It has wind that goes to a pipe, and the human voice is kind of the same thing,'' he said. "I think the organ imitates the human voice in so many ways.''
'We Will Miss the Warm Winters.' Retirees Are Fleeing Florida as Climate Change Threatens Their Financial Future
By Rebecca Mordechai
Money
March 19, 2019
Florida, with its plentiful beaches, warm weather, and lack of a state-income tax, is the most popular destination for older adults in the U.S. But some who have lived in the Sunshine State for years are moving in the opposite direction. Damaging storms and other effects of climate change have hit Florida particularly hard in the past few years. Jessa Madosky, UT assistant professor of biology, is especially attuned to how global warming is affecting and will continue to affect Florida. “With an increase in global temperatures and an increase in ocean temperatures, hurricanes are becoming more severe,” Madosky says. “Warmer air can also hold more water, so hurricanes will be dumping a lot more water when they come through.”
The same story appeared on att.net and MSN.
University of Tampa Celebrates the 200th Anniversary of Henry Plant's Birth with a Year's Worth of Events
By Jennifer Ring
Creative Loafing
March 19, 2019
On Oct. 27, 2019, Henry B. Plant, were he still alive, would be 200 years old. Plant is known for bringing the railroad down Florida’s west coast. “What a lot of people don’t realize is that without Plant and his system of steamboats and railroads, Tampa wouldn’t have had a cigar industry,” said Lindsay Huban, UT’s Henry B. Plant Museum membership, museum relations and operations manager. The city was literally just a village before Henry Plant came to town and built the Tampa Bay Hotel. The hotel thrived for 40 years, from 1891 to 1933, before the building was acquired by the newly formed University of Tampa. Now we call the hotel Plant Hall, and it’s home to the Henry B. Plant Museum, UT classrooms and faculty offices.
A New 'Wearout' Standard for a New Era of Advertising
WARC
March 15, 2019
Jennifer Burton, UT assistant professor of marketing, co-authored a study in the Journal of Advertising Research, "Revisiting the Relationship Between Ad Frequency and Purchase Intentions," arguing against the established assumptions about advertising wearout in today’s media ecosystem. The findings suggest consumers have a higher threshold for advertising repetition than suggested by prior research. If the aim of media planning is to maximize purchase intent, the new research indicated that companies should strive for an average frequency of beyond 10 exposures.
The Best Colleges in Florida 2019
By Melissa Dimon
University Magazine (Canada)
March 15, 2019
University Magazine ranked UT #8 for their list of Best Colleges in Florida. Schools were ranked on several criteria, include data provided by the U.S. Department of Education, outstanding academic programs, accomplished faculty and strong job placement rates.
IWLCA Div. II Digest: Battle for Bragging Rights in the Sunshine State
By Amari Pallard
Inside Lacrosse
March 14, 2019
It would be a mistake to overlook all the lacrosse power teams within the Sunshine State. “I tell the girls that we play in this region and we play in this conference for a reason,” said Kelly Gallagher, UT women’s lacrosse coach. “I totally believe that the Sunshine State Conference is the best, top to bottom conference in the country right now for Division II.” The conference has helped develop numerous top players who hold IWLCA honors, its teams garnered 83 wins altogether and was responsible for 1,379 goals last season, and saw two fierce competitors in Florida Southern and UT make it to the NCAA Tournament, where they faced off in a tight second round game.
Tampa Poet Erica Dawson Named a Gold Medalist in Florida Book Awards
By Colette Bancroft
Tampa Bay Times
March 14, 2019
Erica Dawson, UT associate professor of English and writing, won the gold medal for poetry in the Florida Book Awards for her book-length poem When Rap Spoke Straight to God. “ When Rap Spoke Straight to God was inspired by, and written in response to, my almost-nine years in Tampa, FL — the good and the bad. I am incredibly honored to receive this recognition. It means the world to me,” said Dawson.
Vernetti Rows Her Way to Success with Spartans
By Brian Lester
Navarre Press
March 12, 2019
Hanna Vernetti, UT senior, was a standout weightlifter, but tried rowing when she arrived at UT in 2016. “The only thing I knew was that it had sometimes been called weightlifting on the water, which is what sparked my interest in joining a rowing team in college,” said Vernetti. “Boats are very reactive, so rowing takes very intense focus and every moment counts.”
Spartan Swimmers and Baseball Players Featured in the Toronto Observer
By Marcus Rebelo, Thomas Williams, Brandon Cameron, Andy Clark, Mark Fisher, Dannika Russell, Joshua Howe, Ryan MacEachern, Wesley Cheng and Pierre Sanz
Toronto Observer
March 8, 2019
The Toronto Observer's sports journalism post-graduate program recently spent time in Florida covering spring training. In addition to covering Major League Baseball, the Observer staff wrote feature stories about UT baseball players Keven Pimentel, Yorvis Torrealba, Danny Maynard, Nick DeTringo, Drew Ehrhard, Alex Passarella as well as UT swimmers Molly O’Hara, Brian Valedon, Luke Hene and Jessie Tobin.
Higher Education: MBAs
By Cindy Krischer Goodman
Florida Trend
March 2019
This article features UT’s Sykes College of Business MBA programs, including the recent addition of the professional MBA. UT continues to refine existing programs by adding more content to build “softer” skills such as interpersonal communications, cross cultural competencies and career management strategies.
Tampa’s Most Influential Women 2019
By Kacy Vance
So Tampa
March 7, 2019
The Tampa Bay area is propelled forward each year by the women in our community. Erica Dawson, UT associate professor of English and writing, was named as one of the women who keep the ball rolling in Tampa. Dawson is the director of the low-residency Master of Fine Arts program and has brought writers like Colson Whitehead to the area for readings and lectures in an attempt to further the community’s experience with poetry and writing. She recently appeared on PBS NewsHour, discussing African-American poetry. Dawson also works with children in several local schools promoting poetry, art and the power of English.
Contingency Planning for the Red Team
By Jordyn Short, UT graduate student
Info Security Magazine
March 2019
Jordyn Short, UT graduate cybersecurity student, has studied contingency planning and provides tips on how to be efficient in preventing, responding and post-activity actions. Her focus in this article is on contingency planning strategies for an organization participating in a Red Team exercise. "I think that the cybersecurity community may benefit from integrating 'playbook' concepts when developing contingency plans. My goal with this article is to provide a snippet of the aforementioned 'playbook' notion," said Short.
The History of Soul Music in the Sunshine State
By Mike Kiniry and Julie Glenn
WGCU (Fort Myers, FL)
Feb. 27, 2019
John Capouya, UT associate professor of journalism, was interviewed about his book, Florida Soul: From Ray Charles to KC and the Sunshine Band. The book explores Florida’s contribution to soul music and highlights some of the most noteworthy Floridian musicians.
The same story appeared on WJCT (Jacksonville, FL) and in The Daily Ridge (Winter Haven, FL).
Medical Simulators Help Train Healthcare Providers on Simulated Patients
By Lloyd Sowers
WTVT
Feb. 27, 2019
New medical simulator technology allows students to sharpen their skills while no life is on the line. 3-D holograms are projected in patient simulator mannequins. The student puts a viewing device on their head, which allows them to see internal organs and learn treatment procedures. "The great news for folks like you and I, who are consumers of healthcare, is that our students will have worked on simulated patients long before they touch a real human being," said Marisa Belote, UT associate professor of physician assistant medicine.
Gasparilla Festival of the Arts Returns to Curtis Hixon Park This Weekend
By Maggie Duffy
Tampa Bay Times
Feb. 27, 2019
The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts returns to Curtis Hixon Park showcasing the work of 235 of the nation’s top fine art and fine craft artists. The festival includes the Emerging Artist Showcase, which features 15 artists who were mentored by Duncan McClellan. For Nneka Jones, the mentoring session provided valuable information about how to price her mixed media work. “I’m looking forward to the reaction of people to my art, because in terms of people seeing my art, it has mostly been my professors and my classmates,” said Jones, UT junior majoring in fine art and minoring in marketing.
Assessment and Implications of Article Comparing E-cigarettes to Nicotine Replacement Therapies
By Mary P. Martinasek, UT associate professor of public health and Caroline Bakyta, UT student researcher
American Association for Respiratory Care
Feb. 22, 2019
Mary P. Martinasek, UT associate professor of public health and Caroline Bakyta, UT student researcher, published work regarding the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as a nicotine replacement therapy. e-cigarettes are advertised to aid individuals in tobacco cessation. There remains much debate and discourse over the effectiveness of e-cigarettes for cessation, as advertised.
A similar story appeared in State News Service.
Swimmer Joe Show with Tampa’s Jimi Kiner
By Diana Pimer
Swimming World Magazine
Feb. 17, 2019
UT men’s swim coach, Jimi Kiner, appeared on the Swimmer Joe Show. Kiner swam for the Spartans and was the assistant coach before transitioning into the head coach position.
Florida’s Oldest Place to Grow Old
By Jeff Neely, UT assistant professor of journalism
Christianity Today
Feb. 15, 2019
Jeff Neely, UT assistant professor of journalism, writes about the history of American retirement communities. Many of Florida’s retirement communities were founded by religious groups to provide a close connection to the denomination. Today, more than 81 percent of the nation’s largest nonprofit retirement organizations are faith-based.
Trump’s Emergency Declaration Won’t Help the Overdose Crisis, Say Narcotics Experts
By Dan Vergano
BuzzFeed
Feb. 15, 2019
President Trump’s decision to build part of the wall along the Mexican border with Defense Department counternarcotics funds produced strong criticism from international drug trafficking experts. Trump declared the national emergency to make “available additional troops and funding for military construction,” saying he would redirect some $8.1 billion in federal funds, including $2.5 billion in money now allocated to military drug interdiction efforts. “It would be really ill-advised,” said Alex Toth, UT visiting assistant professor of criminology.
The Taliban-Linked Man Accused of Trying to Funnel Heroin into NYC
By Francisco Alvarado
VICE
Feb. 13, 2019
Trafficking cases involving Afghan heroin into the US have historically been rare. But two recent busts paint a picture of the Taliban as an increasingly ambitious opioid cartel at a time of intense national demand for those drugs. Some experts believe that it was US policy in the region that arguably made the opioid explosion there possible. “The US and Afghan governments created a strong prohibition policy that led to the conditions allowing the Taliban to act as a cartel,” said Abigail Hall Blanco, UT assistant professor of economics. “They [the Taliban] provide protection to poppy farmers, accepting payments they then use to fund terrorist activities.”
Tampa Artist Joe Testa-Secca's Life in Art on Exhibit at UT Gallery
By Jennifer Ring
Creative Loafing
Feb. 12, 2019
Former UT professor Joe Testa-Secca’s career retrospective exhibition, Modernism Reimagined: Joe Testa-Secca in Full Color, opened at the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery. On display is 60 years of work by Testa-Secca with many of the pieces came from the homes of private collectors. Curating the exhibition was a challenge for Francesca Bacci, UT associate professor of art and design. Even a 4,500-square-foot exhibition space wasn't enough to display it all.
Talking with Warren Cockerham of the Florida Experimental Film/Video Festival
By Ben Wiley
Creative Loafing
Feb. 6, 2019
FLEX, or the Florida Experimental Film/Video Festival, has just recently moved from Gainesville to UT/Tampa, under the direction of Warren Cockerham, UT media production coordinator. It’s a juried festival of many moving parts involving diverse filmmakers, varied venues, American and international submissions, all with an experimental, avant-garde approach. As the programmer and artistic director of FLEX, Cockerham brings dual skill sets in theory and production to the table. “I’m afraid that the shared experience of film is slipping away because of iPhones and individual media. FLEX means that students and the film-going public and filmmakers can share and converse and argue and inspire one another,” said Cockerham.
People Who Attend Worship Services Regularly Are Happier Than Others, Study Suggests
By Carol Kuruvilla
HuffPost
Feb. 6, 2019
After analyzing data from over 20 countries, Pew researchers concluded that people who regularly participate in religious congregations tend to be happier and more civically engaged than their peers who are infrequent attendees or who don’t identify with a religion at all. Ryan Cragun, UT associate professor of sociology, was concerned that the data about religious activity and happiness didn’t include reports from Nordic countries. These countries are often rated as some of the happiest places in the world, despite also having large numbers of religiously unaffiliated or inactively religious people. “This report strikes me as religious fearmongering,” Cragun said. “It is designed to make people think that the declines in religiosity that are occurring in the U.S. are going to lead to something bad.”
Nerf the Dog Helps University of Tampa Student Achieve Her College Dreams
By Sean Daly
WFTS
Feb. 5, 2019
Leigh Dittman, UT first-year student, suffers from brittle bone disease. It makes her prone to fractures and has kept her in the hospital for many of her 18 years. All Leigh wanted since she was 7 years old was pay back all the love and support she received and become a nurse herself. Nerf, a Golden-Lab mix from Canine Companions for Independence, is helping Dittman achieve that goal. “He’s considered a pull dog,” says Dittman. “So, he has strap on the back of his harness that I can grab onto, and he’ll actually pull me and my wheelchair, and we’ll get a quicker pace.” Nerf understands some 40 commands and helps Leigh navigate busy college life.
Similar stories appeared in The Laker/Lutz News, One News Page and on WPLG (Miami – Fort Lauderdale), KHBS (Fort Smith, AZ), WDIO (Duluth, MN – Superior, WI) and WFTX (Fort Myers – Naples, FL).
Catching Up with the Ray’s Kevin Kiermaier
By Kevin O’Donnell
WTVT
Jan. 30, 2019
The Tampa Bay Ray’s outfielder Kevin Kiermaier has spent the past few preseasons training with the UT Spartan baseball team. He initially came to UT for an opportunity to train, but now he is also an unofficial coach to the Spartans. He has found his future calling in coaching. “After my playing career is over, it’s something that I definitely want to do because I get a lot of satisfaction out of helping these guys out here,” said Kiermaier.
The Digital Revolution is Coming to Tampa Bay with Fab Labs
By Jennifer Ring
Creative Loafing
Jan. 29, 2019
They don’t make things like they used to, but that’s not such a bad thing. The University of Tampa will be joining the ranks of universities with digital fabrication labs “fab labs” this spring. This new development will allow students to turn their digital designs into realities. GE and Siemens are already manufacturing parts with 3-D printers. But 3-D printers and their associated fab labs are still quite rare in a university setting. Only four percent of colleges and universities in the U.S. have a fab lab. UT’s Bailey Art Studios rebuild also includes a new photography studio and darkroom, a re-imagined printmaking studio with more digital tools and enhancements to the Scarfone/Hartley gallery.
Spartan Outfielder Recalls Childhood Kidnapping; Thankful for Life in Tampa
By Kevin O’Donnell
WFLA
Jan. 29, 2019
It's been a long and tumultuous road to UT for Spartans outfielder Yorvis Torrealba. He feels very fortunate to be in Tampa and playing baseball after being kidnapped at the age of 11 in his home country, Venezuela. "It was pretty scary. All I did was cry. I wanted to speak to my mom, They wouldn't let me. I wanted to see my dad, they didn't let me," said Torrealba. Shortly after his release, his parents moved Torrealba to South Florida. "I don't take a day for granted whether it's with family or with baseball, anything," he said.
The Best Big College Towns in America
By Andrea Powell
MSN
Jan. 28, 2019
The City of Tampa ranked #2 in MSN’s list of The Best Big College Towns in America. One of Tampa’s biggest attractions for college students is The University of Tampa. Other factors that make Tampa a popular destination to attend school are warm weather year-round, relatively low cost of living and a number of corporate offices.
Top 10 IT Issues, 2019: The Student Genome Project
By Susan Grajek and the 2018-19 EDUCAUSE IT Issues Panel
EDUCAUSE Review
Jan. 28, 2019
The EDUCAUSE 2019 Top 10 IT Issues addresses the data challenges confronting educational institutions. This list was created by Tammy Clark, UT vice president of information technology and security, and the other 2018-2019 EDUCAUSE IT Issues panel members. The list of issues is focused on organizing, standardizing and safeguarding data so that educators can use it to address their most pressing priority: student success. These 10 issues cluster into three themes: empowering students and improving student outcomes, safeguarding data and preparing the institution to use data meaningfully and ethically, and addressing today's funding challenges and preparing for tomorrow's more competitive ecosystem.
Running Motivation: North Attleboro's Ryan Poholek Uses Past Setbacks to Drive His Success
By Peter Gobis
The Sun Chronicle
Jan. 25, 2019
The best motivation middle distance runner Ryan Poholek, UT graduate student majoring in entrepreneurship, had was not being selected to The Sun Chronicle All-Star team. In the fall of 2013, he was having one of his best cross-country seasons ever and was sure that he would be picked as an all-star. But he was awarded honorable mention instead. “I owe a lot of my success to that ( Sun Chronicle) article. It really did change my life, seeing all my friends in the newspaper, and seeing what giving up looked like motivated me to be successful,” said Poholek. He will compete as a member of UT’s track team and will run the 800 and 1,500 meters.
UT's Riverside Center Nears Completion as the University Plans for Future Projects
By Lauren Coffey
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Jan. 25, 2019
The Riverside Center at UT which began construction in May, will have people moving into the space in the next two to three weeks, according to Eric Cardenas, UT Director of Public Information and Publications. The space will be a multi-use building, with classrooms, a language lab, a post office space and an admissions office all being housed in the space. "We’re certainly thinking about the future in different ways and preparing for the future," Cardenas said. "It's very exciting and continuing on with the transformation of campus."
City of St. Pete to Honor the Legacy of Ray Charles
By Roy Peter Clark
St. Pete Catalyst
Jan. 17, 2019
It all started about two years ago with the book Florida Soul, written by John Capouya, UT associate professor of journalism. The book traces the legacy of 40 musical artists who created soul music in the Sunshine State. The first chapter is about Ray Charles. Many people associate Ray Charles with the State of Georgia, but Ray Charles grew up in Florida. In 1950 Ray Charles wrote and recorded a song called “St. Pete Florida Blues.” The City of St. Petersburg, FL, is getting ready to issue a proclamation. It will cite Charles' many accomplishments. It will proclaim him an adopted son of St. Petersburg, and his song “St. Pete Florida Blues” as an official song.
Birdman: UT’s Richard Schmidt is a Rare Bird
By Scott Smith
WTVT
Jan. 17, 2019
UT men’s basketball coach, Richard Schmidt, has been coaching UT basketball for more than three decades. He has collected over 700 wins. Schmidt is also a rare bird collector, housing some 250 colorful birds at his home aviary. “I imported probably the rarest birds maybe that’s ever come into this country,” said Schmidt.
Destination Forecast: Tampa
The Weather Channel
Jan. 15, 2019
The Weather Channel’s destination forecast featured UT’s Vaughn Center webcam. The webcam displays the iconic Plant Hall with downtown Tampa in the background, as well as the Sykes College of Business.
Adding to the Family Legacy
By Brett Saunders, UT senior
FANWORD
Jan. 14, 2019
Brett Saunders, UT swimmer and senior finance major, writes about his family’s many athletic achievements and the success that’s in his genes because of it. “Four generations of provincial, national and international athletic achievements in numerous sports such as badminton, tennis, swimming, curling and sailing run in my mom’s side of the family. When I step up to the blocks, I can feel the weight of being part of a family legacy. Despite the pressure however, it gives me a sort of ease and confidence knowing that success is already in my genes.”
Teaching Entrepreneurship – The Now and Next
UNC Innovate Carolina
Jan. 11, 2019
Can you teach entrepreneurship? The explosion of successful entrepreneurial education programs has answered this question with a resounding “yes.” Yet, many questions remain. Renowned entrepreneurial education expert Rebecca White, UT professor of entrepreneurship, lends her insights to these questions, talks about the need for resiliency and discusses key factors in communities that are emerging as entrepreneurial hotspots.
University of Tampa's Anthony Gamble Displays Artistry Beyond the Arc
By Jeff Tewksbury
WTVT
Jan. 11, 2018
For UT Spartan Anthony Gamble, three-point shots seem completely effortless. He ranks in the school's top five all-time for 3-point accuracy. He leads the Spartans in scoring and has started every game this season. Gamble says endless hours of practice, ball after ball launched into the air, makes shooting from beyond the arc appear easy. His mindset makes the difficult appear routine. "I honestly just let it go," explained Gamble.
More Top US Business Schools Share Their 2019 New Year Resolutions
QS TopMBA
Jan. 11, 2019
When asked about 2019 resolutions for UT’s Sykes College of Business, Paul Venghaus, UT international graduate admissions counselor, said, “Our resolution is to welcome our first group of international students to our M.S. in cybersecurity program.” Fall 2019 will be the first time international students are approved to enter UT’s M.S. in cybersecurity program. The program is housed in the college of business, making graduates extremely competitive in the private industry of cybersecurity and cyber intelligence.
Curricular Changes Show Success by Fourth Year
Science Daily
Jan. 11, 2019
In a four-year study, a group of science faculty found that student buy-in to a new curriculum, and therefore satisfaction, increases with each successive undergraduate cohort – and learning gains did not suffer. The results of their study should help encourage college faculty and administration to create, adapt and support innovative courses for their students. Over the past few decades, biologists have learned that the most effective ways of teaching biology are to move away from lecture-based classes and to be more inclusive to students across majors, with student-centered curricula and hands-on discovery as a critical component to learning. "Students were able to increasingly attribute specific components of the new student-centered course to their learning,” said Jeffrey Grim, UT assistant professor of biology.
Similar stories appeared in Health Medicine Network, Elexonic, News Wise, EurekAlert!, SCIENMAG Science Magazine, BrightSurf.com and PHYS.org.
Can Student Journalists Teach the Media a Lesson About Neutrality?
By David R. Wheeler, UT assistant professor of journalism
Columbia Journalism Review
Jan. 3, 2019
David Wheeler, UT assistant professor of journalism, writes about how students in his class are disappointed by what they see as a lack of neutrality in political reporting, particularly on social media. “To be clear, my students fervently support the media’s tenacious reporting on the Trump administration. They also applaud reporters’ aggressive face-to-face questioning of the president,” said Wheeler. His students have a clear expectation that news outlets that claim neutrality should strive for neutrality in all headlines and articles in the news section, as well as all social media feeds of all news reporters.
The same story appeared in Editor & Publisher.
Innovocative Theatre’s Production of Columbinus
MOR
Jan. 2, 2019
America will mark the 20th anniversary of the mass shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado in a state of contradiction. In response, Innovocative Theatre’s first production this season is Columbinus, a docu-drama based on the watershed 1999 Colorado attack. Ryan Fisher, UT first-year student majoring in theatre and communication, will lead an eight-person ensemble in the role of Dylan Klebold. Columbinus confronts us with the fatal consequences that result when a culture succeeds in weaponizing the alienation and angst of its own children.
A similar story appeared in Broadway World.
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