Pollen and the Paleoecologist
Mark Bush, paleoecologist and professor of biological sciences, is participating in a multi-university study of climate change in the cloud forests of the eastern Andean slopes. His work, extracting three-foot-long sediment plugs, was reported in the August 2006 issue of Smithsonian. When analyzed in his Florida Tech lab, the distribution of pollen in the sediment layers will provide evidence of how life in the region has altered since the last ice age. He and fellow researchers are concerned that many of the area’s species may be threatened if the rapid climate change predicted for this century occurs.
Diving for Diversity
A Miami Herald and San Jose Mercury News story about the biodiversity of Florida’s Indian River Lagoon featured Evans Library faculty member Nicole Hoier. A frequent underwater explorer of “one of the world’s richest and most diverse ecosystems,” Hoier is one of several Florida Tech researchers to document all four species of snook in the inlet—common, fat, tarpon and swordspine. It is hoped that improving the inlet’s navigation channel will have ecological as well as public safety benefits.
In Other News
Also ... Richard Griffith, School of Psychology faculty member, was featured in a Wall Street Journal article on faking job applications … The Washington Post and Detroit News ran stories on the Washington Monthly university rankings, which included Florida Tech’s highly rated ROTC program … UPI, SpaceDaily.com and Aerospace Online featured a Florida Tech student rocket launch at Cape Canaveral. This was the first launch of a university student rocket at the site … New York’s Newsday quoted Athletics Director Bill Jurgens on the growth of women’s rowing programs around the country … The Orlando Sentinel covered a renewable energy expo, noting that a panel discussion on sustainable energy for Florida’s future would be moderated by Frank Leslie, Florida Tech professor of renewable energy … The Times of London quoted Matthew Wood, of the department of physics and space science, in a story about the crash of a space probe on the lunar surface.
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| International students take a close look at the new Panthereum. They are, from left: Adrian Wilson, Jamaica; Camille Junet, France; Natalie Kohler, South Africa; and Thierry Sarr, Senegal. |
The campus becomes better equipped and better defined with two recently completed projects. Behind Panther Plaza, a new amphitheater will become the site for key university events, band concerts and—possibly, soapbox orators—and a decorative fence now delineates the university’s Babcock Street borders.
The open-air facility, named the “Panthereum,” offers a 716-square-foot stage under a durable fabric roof. Panther head fountains flow on either side of the stage in tribute to the university mascot and seating is “bring-your-own” on the grassy verge. Trustee John Slack donated the funding to build the amphitheater. It was named, in a contest, by sophomore Alp Ozanda.
Travelers down Babcock Street now know where the campus begins and ends. Black aluminum fencing accented by white stuccoed posts, ends at the Columbia Village residence hall at the north end and at Florida Avenue at the southern border. Monument-style signs mark the boundary at
either end.
Also, sun-soaked soccer fans welcomed another renovation just for them. A shade structure covering the soccer field grandstand was finished in early October.
For the 17th consecutive year, U.S. News and World Report has ranked Florida Tech among the nation’s top doctoral universities. For the second straight year, Washington Monthly magazine has done the same, ranking Florida Tech as the top private university in the state.
The U.S. News and World Report guide notes two areas of growth in its rating scale for Florida Tech. First, the percentage of incoming freshmen who rank in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class is at 32 percent, a six-year high. Second, alumni giving is on the increase, having grown to 12 percent.
Washington Monthly’s ratings, while incorporating some of the factors used in U.S. News and World Report, use a broader system to determine quality.
Amid the fragrance of incense, more than 200 faculty, staff, students and community members helped Florida Tech celebrate Saudi National Day in September in the Gleason Performing Arts Center. Guests were welcomed traditionally, with Saudi coffee and Middle Eastern sweets.
The program offered a welcome by Abdullah Al-Subhi, an ocean engineering doctoral student; videos depicting the history, culture and cities of Saudi Arabia; speeches by Muzaffar Shaikh, professor and co-adviser of the Saudi Students House, Florida Tech President Anthony J. Catanese; and concluding remarks by Saudi student Bander Alrogi. On display were Saudi artifacts, magazines, incense, artwork and home décor. Professor Hamid Rassoul co-advises with Shaikh.
Florida Tech and the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) signed a Space Act Agreement that paves the way to create a computational model of the KSC workforce climate. The model, to be designed and implemented by a combination of industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology faculty at Florida Tech and organizational development staff at KSC, will help the center as it prepares for transition in its mission during the next two decades. Richard Griffith, Florida Tech associate professor and program chair of I/O psychology, said the model is similar in application to a flight simulator.
To build the model, Florida Tech faculty and students will conduct research into the current workforce climate at KSC. While Griffith and the Florida Tech faculty see tremendous research benefits, including a possible National Science Foundation grant in the future, KSC Organization Development Manager Phillip Meade said there will be immediate benefits for the center.
The agreement between KSC and Florida Tech, signed in August, is scheduled to last for one year, but may continue beyond as conditions warrant.
Florida Tech has purchased six new Basic Aircraft Training Devices (BATD) for use in the lab that supports aeronautics courses on campus. The new equipment helps students visualize and practice what they learn in the classroom and reinforces their private, instrument and ground courses. Students with instrument ratings can use the BATD lab to practice instrument procedures and maintain instrument proficiency.
Additionally, the college purchased two Advanced Aircraft Training Devices. Put to use by F.I.T. Aviation at the Melbourne International Airport, this equipment provides cockpit and wrap-around visuals to give the look, feel and capability of a much more expensive simulator.
Albert “Al” M. Thomas, the new director of F.I.T. Aviation LLC, brings to his post more than 35 years of experience in the military and civilian aerospace programs. Thomas oversees flight training and operations at F.I.T. Aviation’s Melbourne International Airport location. He is also an assistant professor in the College of Aeronautics.
Thomas was a U.S. Air Force pilot and the commander of the Eastern Test Range at Patrick Air Force Base before retirement from the Air Force in 1988.
At the Spaceport Florida Authority (SFA), now Space Florida, Thomas was the deputy director and acted as the director of operations. He retired from the SFA in 1991.
Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Alabama and an M.B.A. in research and development management from Florida State University. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with six oak leaf clusters and the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
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In November, Florida Tech and Valencia Community College signed a memorandum of understanding to offer dual admission status to high school seniors. The agreement allows students to transfer to a Florida Tech bachelor’s degree program for which the prerequisites have been met. Pictured here, from left, are Valencia Community College President Sanford C. Shugart and Florida Tech President Anthony J. Catanese. |
Florida Tech, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Florida State University have signed an agreement to cooperate on space research and technology programs. This includes the creation of a joint institute to coordinate their activities.
The three universities will combine their capabilities to pursue emerging research, technology development and educational opportunities associated with government and commercial space and aerospace initiatives. They signed the agreement last October.
“This is a winning partnership of public and private institutions, building on the strengths of some of the top space-related research and education programs in the United States. With Florida Tech’s roots planted deeply in the U.S. space program, we welcome a collaboration that will further this mission,” said Frank Kinney, Florida Tech vice provost for research.
The first three students graduated from the Master of Science in Systems Management (M.S.S.M.), with a concentration in information systems, online degree program. The program, which began in 2004, is a partnership between University College of Florida Tech and University Alliance, a leader in online education.
The graduates were Michael Bower of Pensacola, Fla.; Gregory Navarro of Mesa, Ariz.; and Ernest Barclay of Norcross, Ga.
Bower is a software developer who aspires to become a Marine Corps officer. He believes that his new degree will distinguish him. “I was unaware of the fierce competition and needed something to make my application stand out. I felt that completing a graduate degree would do just that,” he said. “I’ve known about Florida Tech since I was in high school and wanted to attend even then.”
The M.S.S.M. program is designed to help professionals in technical information systems and from other fields gain expertise in the management of information systems.
The corridors of Florida Tech have come alive with the sound of music with the launch of a new music curriculum. Mark Maslin, new full-time instructor and coordinator of music programs, led the way last fall, teaching two new courses. Maslin taught the new fall humanities courses, “Fundamentals of Music” and “Music Literature Survey.” Another music course and long-standing fall semester staple, “Masterworks of Music,” was taught last fall by Robert Shearer. In spring 2007, Maslin will offer a course in concert choir, in preparation for building a University Chorale. He will also organize instrumental groups and teach a course in music theory. As in previous spring semesters, Peter Uhr will offer a course on opera, enhancing his lectures with a night of opera at the King Center for the Performing Arts.
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State Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson (left) visited Florida Tech in October to learn about a chemical engineering project led by Paul Jennings (right) to turn algae into biofuel. Graduate student Lisa Patton also lent a hand to discuss the project.
The visit and research drew attention from Central Florida News Channel TV-13, CBS
affiliate WKMG TV-6 in Orlando and from Florida Today. |
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