InsideSeptember 2021

Whether on Move-In Day, Week of Welcome events, in our classrooms or at Market Days, seeing Ospreys back on campus for the Fall 2021 semester is certainly a welcome sight! 

 

The Florida Board of Governors confirmed Dr. Pam Chally this week as UNF's interim president. Chally will begin her term on Sept. 18 following President Szymanski's transition to his new position as CEO and executive director of UNF MedNexus.

Chally, who was recommended for the position by UNF Board of Trustees Chair Kevin Hyde, has been with UNF for 28 years, most recently serving as the interim provost and vice president of academic affairs from 2017 to 2019. She was previously the dean and a professor of nursing in UNF’s Brooks College of Health and has a doctorate in nursing from Georgia State University, a master’s in nursing from Emory University and a bachelor’s in nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

“Dr. Chally has had a long and distinguished career at the University of North Florida, serving UNF with excellence since she arrived on campus back in 1993,” said Hyde. “I am very grateful that Pam is willing to take on the role of interim president, and the board is confident in her ability to lead UNF while the search is completed for the University’s next president.”

“It’s an honor to be named UNF’s interim president. I’m confident our amazing and hard-working team of faculty and staff will continue the University’s relentless pursuit of student success,” said Chally. “The University’s momentum has never been greater, and I look forward to building on its strong foundation.”

Chally has worked tirelessly and successfully as an academic administrator and nursing faculty member during her long and distinguished career. During her tenure as dean, Chally raised over $30 million in support of the Brooks College of Health, increased enrollment by over 20%, and added three new doctoral programs (nursing, nutrition and physical therapy). As the interim provost, Chally integrated Student Affairs into the Academic Affairs Division, coordinated teams to improve student success rates, and improved state performance metrics by 34%. A respected academic and researcher, Chally has also been published in a wide variety of prominent journals on vital subjects, including ethics in nursing and eating disorders.

In addition to her work at UNF, Chally has been an active leader in the Jacksonville community for several decades serving on multiple boards and advisory councils, including the I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless, Baptist Health System, Brooks Rehabilitation and Ronald McDonald House. Chally has been honored by many local and state organizations, most recently as a Women with Heart Honoree by Volunteers in Medicine Jacksonville in 2018.

Vice President and Chief Information Officer Brian Verkamp started at UNF last week, after relocating from the Ohio/Kentucky region. Just before he moved, we had the chance to talk with him over Zoom. Here are some things you might like to know.

What was his previous position?
For the past two years, Verkamp has served as CIO at Murray State University, a public school with an enrollment close to 11,000 students. There he oversaw all technology operations including infrastructure systems, enterprise applications, academic technology, research computing and the shared IT services used across campus. In addition, as chair of the IT and data governance committees, Verkamp collaborated with the campus community to make decisions about technology. He and his team accomplished a complete digital transformation, successfully taking the campus to remote operations in response to the pandemic. Prior to Murray State, Verkamp spent 18 years at the University of Cincinnati in key IT roles including assistant vice president for enterprise shared services and assistant dean for innovative technology.

Why UNF?
Verkamp will tell you that he likes to look ahead and focus on what’s next. So when he was researching UNF, he was pleased to read the University’s “forward thinking” strategic plan. Verkamp said the goals of being in the Top 100 public universities in the nation with a focus on research excellence immediately grabbed his interest. “The information outlined in the strategic plan really aligns with me personally and professionally,” he said. “I’m a problem solver. Everything about me is geared to find where we’re going and how to get there.” In addition, Verkamp learned while interviewing that the University wants to put technology first and ensure that it’s part of everything on campus. “Incorporating technology into all aspects of UNF is very exciting and ultimately what brought me to this great institution,” he said.

What are his initial plans in this new role at UNF?
Though Verkamp certainly will spend time getting to know his team of close to 120 employees, you also can expect to see him around campus talking with people in all areas to understand their technology needs. “Having conversations with campus stakeholders will allow me to map out our first year and set a true strategic IT roadmap for the University,” he said. “It will also provide me with feedback on what we’re doing well so we can build on those successes.”

What are the priorities of the job?
As UNF’s CIO, he will be responsible for leading and managing all aspects of the University’s technology services and providing executive leadership and strategic vision. Of course in today’s environment, it’s no surprise that information security and cyber security will be at the top of the list. The next priority for the IT team will be to focus on finding the technologies that will move the University forward to achieve its goals, whether academic, research or business. He is eager to learn more about the data strategies that exist today at UNF and will look at initiatives to enhance the University’s business intelligence and operations through technology transformation.

How did he initially get into IT?
Verkamp said he owes a great deal of gratitude to a high school teacher whose advice was probably the most important he would ever receive. The teacher took him aside and suggested that he had the ability to do well in college and should consider getting a degree. “In my family, going to college wasn’t necessarily an option, so the topic was rarely discussed,” Verkamp said. Yet he decided to enroll in the area community college and found work through a co-op program at the University of Cincinnati, where he received his first experience in the digital world by conducting computer conversions to correct the Y2K flaw of 1999 and to ensure that when the New Year arrived, systems would recognize 00 as 2000 rather than 1900. After earning his associates degree, the University hired him. The first-generation graduate kept studying and earned a bachelor’s degree in information engineering technology and an MBA and is now a dissertation away from receiving a doctorate in education.

And there’s more …
Verkamp helped to form competitive e-sports at Murray State, which gained popularity during COVID and grew into a campus club. Personally, however, Verkamp would rather spend his free time traveling with his wife, Michelle, or restoring his classic Trans Am. Now, with the coast nearby, the couple plans to visit the beach often with their two dogs.

Dr. Karthikeyan Umapathy, associate professor of computing, and Dr. Dan Richard, associate professor of psychology, took a leap of faith in 2017. Both now acknowledge that starting a data science summer internship program — Florida Data Science for Social Good — included a fair amount of risk.

“Deep down, we had a gut feeling that Data Science for Social Good was going to be big in the future,” Richard said. “But there were so many challenges to doing this work, we realized that we could spend a lot of energy and then fail. But we knew the concept was likely going to blossom because there was such a great need for it, so we decided to move forward.”

Five years of success later, the program has assisted 18 area nonprofits and provided hands-on training to 38 students. And around the country and the globe, other universities have now started similar programs, an affirmation that Umapathy and Richard made the correct choice.

UNF’s 2021 Internship
This summer, seven interns spent 12 weeks working in teams with three clients: Barnabas of Nassau County, which provides health services, crisis assistance and food programs to vulnerable populations; League of Women Voters of Florida, a nonpartisan organization that focuses on ensuring voting rights and education; and Jewish Family & Community Services, which provides social and community counseling services to those coping with challenges. Each client asked the students to help solve difficult problems.

In August, the interns presented their solutions in what is called the “Big Reveal.” During the presentation, Dr. Sherif Elfayoumy, professor and director of the School of Computing, praised the program and its founders.

“Five years is really not easy to be successful, not only in doing one project but in doing multiple projects the whole time,” Elfayoumy said. “Karthik and Dan decided to take a very challenging route, and the amount of success is incredible … This is uniquely UNF, and I’m really proud of the effort that they did.”

Clients added more praise. Eric Forestal, chief operating officer at Barnabas during the project, said the organization can now use a research-informed approach to create interventions. “I think any nonprofit leader can relate to this,” Forestal said. “Barnabas has a limited size leadership team … there’s no way they could have undertaken such a massive project, so again, thank you for this.”

Umapathy attributed much of the success to the interns, describing them as high achievers who are highly motivated and able to keep pace with the high-intensity program. He and others who work with them simply provide direction, he said, so they are not spending time pursuing the wrong focus. “Both Dan and I jump in when we need to, but otherwise it’s all their work, their contribution and their staying power.”

Student Takeaways
In addition to working with Richard and Umapathy, the interns met weekly with clients. When they needed additional expertise, they relied on UNF faculty members and industry experts who had agreed to serve as advisors. For several students, the greatest takeaway was the benefit of this teamwork. Madisen Reasonover, psychology sciences and UNF Master of Science student, said she enjoyed working on an interdisciplinary team. “We all viewed the same problem in different ways and each idea had its strengths and weaknesses based on everyone’s background … that was a really cool experience.”

Payal Agarwal, computer science and UNF Master of Science, said through teamwork she was able to learn from other people with different backgrounds. “I consider this platform a very good platform for data science lovers who want to make their careers in data science, because it is the future of technology.” Mark Zamani, biostatistics and doctoral philosophy student at FSU, said the project was successful because it was a collaborative effort. “There was no way we would be able to accomplish anything we accomplished … It was all around a team effort.”

He said he also discovered the complexity of working with real-world data, which is not at all like data used in the classroom, which tends to be clean and always provides a solution. “In the real world, data is really difficult,” Zamani said. “Things are not standardized, people input things incorrectly, so it’s a lot of work to get the data set to the point you can actually do any modeling or evaluation. That was my biggest takeaway. In the real world, data scientists are really needed.”

The 2021 Big Reveal recording is available on YouTube. Find more information about the data science program and this year’s client challenges online.

There is no doubt that the transition to remote learning in 2020 created challenges for students and faculty. Yet two higher education surveys conducted in March 2021 revealed that students preferred some of the strategies used by faculty during that time and would like to see those continued during in-person instruction.

What do students want to see continue?

The most popular wish-list item for 84% of the survey respondents was to have access to instructional materials in one place, according to the Top Hat Field Report. Additionally, 75% and 79% indicated they wanted lectures to be available online, as shown in the Top Hat Field Report and the Student Voice Survey, through Inside Higher Ed and College Pulse. And at least half said they would like to continue to have the option of virtual office hours.

These survey results and other remote teaching experiences were discussed at a round table in late August presented by the Center for Instruction and Research Technology and the Office of Faculty Excellence. Attendees on the Zoom forum shared what worked well and discussed what the new normal might look like in higher education.

In presenting the survey results, Mitra Asgarinik, senior instructional designer with CIRT, said she wanted to share practices that students found helpful during remote learning in the hope that it would also be helpful to faculty. “So, if faculty are teaching a face-to-face course, they can still accommodate students with these elements they were exposed to during remote instruction, such as using an online Canvas course to host learning materials and assignments, which is something all faculty have available to them regardless of modality,” she said. 

 

What do students want from their instructors?

Asgarinik also presented a Top Hat Field Report on what students want from their instructors. Survey results showed 85% wanted instructors to provide feedback to promote academic success, and 79% wanted instruction to include development of transferable skills, such as communication, collaboration and analysis. Another 76% hoped to make learning relevant by addressing real-world issues.

 

Forum co-presenters included Katie Commissaris, coordinator of training at CIRT, and Dr. Gordon Rakita, distinguished professor of anthropology and associate vice president of faculty excellence. The discussion covered a variety of techniques that the participants found successful and what they hoped to continue.

 

Here are several recommended links to available University resources:

 

Course Design and Instructional Resources

• Online Course Templates: A course template can be copied into your Canvas course to give you a head start on your course design. Each template comes with a customizable home page, course orientation module, icebreaker activity, and module structure.
• Canvas Instructor Guides: How-tos and tutorials for just about every feature in Canvas. You can also contact CIRT for individualized support with setting up and using your Canvas course and discussing best practices for teaching online or face-to-face.
• COVID and Beyond: Teaching Exemplars

Individualized Support
You can also contact CIRT for individualized support with setting up and using your Canvas course and discussing best practices for teaching online or face-to-face.

• Canvas Support
• CIRT Lab | cirtlab@unf.edu | 904-620-3927 | Building 10, Suite 1200
• Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (email and telephone only)
• CIRT Events and Workshops
• Instructional Design Consultations

Center for Instruction and Research Technology (CIRT) 

• Points of contact: Mitra Asgarinik, Senior Instructional Designer; Katie Commissaris, Coordinator of Training

Office of Faculty Excellence (OFE)

• Point of contact: Dr. Gordon Rakita, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, Associate Vice President of Faculty Excellence and Academic Engagement
• OFE Events and Workshops

Dr. Grant Bevill is an assistant professor of mechanical engineering in the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction. He teaches Introduction to Engineering, Dynamics, Strength of Materials, Modern Computational Methods and Biomechanical Engineering. Bevill recently was recognized with the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, as a 2020-21 Faculty Association Award winner. His research lab is called the Safety and Injury Biomechanics Laboratory, and his primary area of research is prevention of head/brain injuries in sports and occupational settings.

What brought you to UNF? After spending 10 years in Jacksonville working in private industry, I knew that I wanted to stay here when I changed careers into academia. Teaching is also my favorite part of this job — UNF was a perfect fit!

What do you like most about UNF? The people. Both my colleagues and the students are unlike any other place I’ve been.

Describe your teaching style. Do you like to integrate tech, or are you more comfortable with a lecture-style classroom? Most of my classes have a traditional lecture component, but I like to augment that with active learning methods, such as discussing concepts, having students guide the solution process to example problems, etc. Since engineering is an applied science, I also like to use real-world problems for projects and exams.

What’s one thing in your field of study that people might not know? Serious brain injuries can occur with little-to-no objective evidence, which means they may not show up in medical images. Take care of yourself any time you hit your head!

What’s the most rewarding academic experience you’ve had at UNF in or out of the classroom? I have shelf on my office where I keep letters from students — most of them thanking me for the help/guidance I’ve provided throughout their time at UNF. It’s humbling to think that my interactions with students can influence the trajectory of their entire lives. Each one of those letters means more than I can express.

If you weren’t teaching, what else would you be doing? I would love to operate an inshore fishing charter. Being on the water is therapeutic.

What is your personal philosophy? How many pages do I get for this? Never stop growing, learning and reading. But more important than that, be mindful of the people who you meet and can help along the way. Have empathy and try to put yourself in someone else’s shoes before you judge their actions.

Who has been the biggest role model in your life? My parents.

Do you have a favorite spot on campus? I have a few. UNF’s nature trails (especially the lakes) are probably my favorite. Beyond that, I’ve always enjoyed the atmosphere of libraries, and Thomas G. Carpenter is a great place to get some work done. It doesn’t hurt that there’s coffee right next door, either. Lastly, from a research perspective, there are a couple of engineering research labs on campus that have world-class equipment and research capabilities — our faculty are really fortunate to have access to these!

If the world were silent for 20 seconds and all ears were turned to you, what would you say? I would start by giving people 10 seconds of silence. I don’t think we get enough of that in our culture. After that: Be patient, be generous, be forgiving.

What advice would you give a student who is about to graduate? You should be excited for everything in front of you. I hope that your degree sets you down a path that you love, but never be afraid to change careers (or go back to school) to find that thing you’re meant to be doing.

If you could witness any historical event, what would it be? There are a lot of important historical events involving discoveries in engineering/physics that would be fun to witness, but they are generally well documented. I would prefer to go for something more mysterious — perhaps Roswell?

What is your favorite memory from your undergraduate days? The friendships. That was my first time living away from home, and the friends you make become like family.

Who is your favorite fictional character? Atticus Finch

Where is the best place you’ve visited? Greece. Amazing food, architecture, history and islands make for a great combination.

How do you recharge? I skew towards the ‘introvert’ end of the spectrum and like to spend time to myself. Some of my favorites are fishing, golfing, surfing, reading or watching a movie.

What do you like most about Jacksonville? Where else have you lived? I grew up in Colorado and stayed there through my first four years of college. After that, I lived in northern California for five years. My first job after graduating was in Jacksonville, and I’ve really enjoyed living here — it’s a bit of a hidden gem. I love the beaches/ocean, access to outdoor activities and the city itself.

What would you most regret not having done by the end of your life? My wife and kids are my priority, and I hope my life shows that. Beyond that, I hope I make many people’s lives better for having known me.

Sheila Lopez is the assistant director of UNF’s Physical Facilities. In her position, she manages the Custodial Services Department for the entire campus, except for Housing. Her department’s responsibilities include the cleanliness and sanitation of all classrooms, personal offices for staff, business offices, reception areas, restrooms, hallways, stairwells, common use areas, lounges/break rooms, teaching labs, lecture halls and conference rooms. She and her team have had an especially vital role since the pandemic began. Lopez was recently honored at the Professional Development Forum as a 2020 Presidential SPOT Award winner.

What do you enjoy about working at UNF? My workers and the “Can Do” attitude of the staff.

How long have you lived in Jacksonville? 21 years

 
Where else have you lived? Chicago, Illinois; Memphis, Tennessee; Charleston, South Carolina; Annapolis, Maryland; Kings Bay, Georgia; and San Diego, California.

What one memory do you most treasure? Friday night potluck card parties and Sunday Dinners with my family where we gathered to laugh, play cards, celebrate milestones and welcome new family members

If you could have a dinner party and invite any four people, from the past or present, who would be on your guest list? Oprah Winfrey to talk about her many interesting guests she has interviewed; Prince because he was a musical genius and I love music; Maya Angelou, she had a very interesting life, and I would love to hear how she formulated her poetry; and Colin Powell, I would like to hear his insight on the political climate of today

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? Kindergarten teacher; I love the inquisitive minds and imagination of 5-year-olds.

 

What superpower would you like to have? How would you use it?
Insight, I would love to know what could happen beforehand and get the best possible outcome.

If you ruled the world, what would you change on Day 1? Equity of Pay, there is a large gap that needs to be filled, old traditions of jobs based on gender roles and not the best fit for the job needs to end.

What would be the title for the movie version of your life? “Live, Love and Laugh.” Every day of your life should be filled with love and laughter so you can appreciate the greatness, kindness and beauty of people of the world.

What’s at the top of your bucket list? Take a world cruise; I love traveling and going to new countries to experience the culture and food.

What one food do you wish had zero calories? Bread

Tell us something that might surprise us about you. I was a Quality Assurance Inspector in the Submarine Repair Shop and a Master Diesel Mechanic while in the Navy.

Where would you like to go on a dream vacation? Bali to experience the beauty of the land

Tell us a few of your favorite things.
Band: Earth, Wind & Fire
Childhoodmemory: Weekend walks in Lincoln Park Zoo
Ice cream flavor: Pralines & Cream
Quote: “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger”
Season: Fall

Walk the Trails on Campus

Lace up your shoes and join fellow UNF students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends on campus for the 2021 First Coast Heart Walk Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 5 p.m. at Eco Adventure. There are a number of walks around the city this year, and we are excited to support the American Heart Association while we walk the trails together here on our UNF campus. 

 

Walking to Honor an Osprey

Our University of North Florida team will be walking in honor of Andrew Baker, a devoted alum and former shining star at UNF who passed away in April. Let’s honor his memory while making a difference. 

 

New date: UNF's walk is Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 5 p.m.  Register online today. (Please note the Heart Walk date of Sept. 11 shown on the website link is referencing the First Coast community Heart Walk. UNF's Walk is Sept. 14)

For more information, contact Ashley Ballard at a.ballard@unf.edu.

This coming weekend has been designated 904 Weekend, a three-day campaign created to support Athletics and the Strength and Conditioning Department at UNF. Donations of any size made online from Thursday, Sept. 2 through Saturday, Sept. 4 will impact all student-athletes across all UNF programs. The goal of 904 Weekend is to enhance utilization of space in the training facility, ensure safe/cutting-edge performance training, and improve overall aesthetics, which will aid in recruitment of future student-athletes. 

 

Learn more about the need and how the donations will be used.

Art, Art History and Design Annual Faculty Exhibition
Open now through Oct. 1
UNF Gallery of Art
Exhibiting faculty artwork from the Art, Art History, and Design Department in ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and video.

New MOCA Project Atrium Art Installation: ‘Molecule Dance’
Open now through Jan. 16; UNF employees and one guest are free with ID card
MOCA Jacksonville proudly presents Mexican artist Damián Ortega’s Project Atrium installation, “Molecule Dance.” Suspended from the skylight in MOCA’s 40-by-40-by-40 feet of Atrium space, "Molecule Dance" is a concentric helical structure that slowly furls and unfurls in continuous movement. Read more about the exhibition on MOCA’s website.

 

Techno-Intimacy Exhibition
Open now through Feb. 13

UNF Gallery at MOCA Jacksonville;  UNF employees and one guest are free with ID card.

Techno-Intimacy showcases the work of artists Lena Chen, Myra Lilith Day, deSolidState, Edgar Fabian Frias, Michael Neumann, and Tabitha Nikolai. Through the use of digital and internet platforms, these artists attempt to carve out new pathways for knowledge-production, aesthetics, cognition, spirit and viewership. Curated by Jessica Borusky, UNF Gallery Director and Instructor. Read more about the exhibit.

 

Science Café
Friday, Sept. 3, noon – 1 p.m., Zoom
Join Dr. Sean Freeder, assistant professor of political science and public administration, as he presents "Malice and Stupidity – The Role of Attribution in American Politics." Register online.

Lawson Ensemble Concert: All Mozart
Friday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
The Recital Hall in the Fine Arts Center
Concert performed by the Lawson Ensemble: Aurica Duca, violin; Clinton Dewing, violin and viola; and Nick Curry, cello; with guest Ingang Han, violin.

 

 

 

 

Book Readings at the UNF Gallery of Art
Thursday, Sept. 9, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Building 2, Founders Hall, Art Gallery
Dr. Chris Gabbard, English, will read from his memoir, “A Life Beyond Reason: A Disabled Boy and His Father’s Enlightenment,” which won the UNF 2020 STARS Award. Emily K. Michael, San Jose Prep, will read from her book of poems, “Neoteny.”

Art with a Heart in Healthcare and MOCA Jacksonville Present New Exhibition: ‘Behind The Mask’
On exhibit Sept. 11 through Jan. 2
MOCA Jacksonville continues its partnership with Art with a Heart in Healthcare with “BEHIND THE MASK,” a special exhibition of artwork by pediatric patients at Wolfson Children's Hospital, Nemours Children's Clinic, St. Vincent’s, Mayo Clinic and Baptist Medical Center. Patients created self-portraits behind a unique mask exploring new ways of communicating and self-expression. Learn more about this special exhibition on MOCA’s website.

COAS Scholars Lecture featuring Sheila Goloborotko

Time Will Tell: Herstory, Practice, and Research
Wednesday, Sept. 15, 5 – 6 p.m.; Online
In this presentation, landmark artwork illustrates how growing up under the hardship of a dictatorial military regime in São Paulo, Brazil, and arriving in New York for an MFA shaped Sheila Goloborotko’s creative path—and is a theme that pulses throughout her material and social practice. Registration required.

 

UNF Classical Faculty Scholarship Concert
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m.
The Recital Hall in the Fine Arts Center
The Cummer Family Foundation Chamber Music Series presents UNF Classical Faculty Scholarship Concert, with Dr. James Hall, artistic director.

UNF Wind Symphony presents 'A Chamber Recital'
Wednesday, Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m.
The Recital Hall in the Fine Arts Center
Dr. Erin Bodnar, conductor

Here are important updates for the campus community about COVID-19 testing:

• COVID-19 Testing will be available to students and employees Monday through Friday from 1 – 4 p.m. at Building 62 / Lot 17.  

• Student Health Services has assumed the COVID-19 testing operations. All questions regarding testing can be sent to studenthealth@unf.edu.

• Vaccinated persons with an exposure will be offered a PCR test and should seek testing on Day Three to Five following exposure. The CDC recommends that vaccinated persons who have an exposure wear a mask until a negative test result is received and monitor their symptoms for 14 days following exposure.

• Unvaccinated persons with an exposure will be instructed to quarantine for seven days. A PCR test will be offered on Day Five or later following exposure. If no symptoms are developed and the PCR is negative, they may release from quarantine on Day Seven and should continue to wear a mask and monitor symptoms for 14 days following exposure.

• Vaccinated or unvaccinated persons with COVID-19 symptoms will be offered a Rapid Antigen test. If the result is positive, they will be instructed to Isolate for 10 days. If the result is negative, a confirmatory PCR will be completed, and they will be instructed to self-isolate (stay home while sick) until the result of the PCR is known. If the PCR is negative, their symptoms are likely not COVID-19 related. They should stay home while sick, returning when they are 24 hours without a fever and symptoms are resolving. 

FBI Presents UNF Information Technology Services with FBI Director’s Award
Information Technology Services was the recipient of the 2020 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award. On behalf of FBI Director Christopher Wray, FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Rachel L. Rojas presented the award to the UNF-ITS staff during a ceremony held on campus Aug. 23. Learn more about the award.

2022 OneJax Humanitarian Awards call for nominations

OneJax, an Institute of the University of North Florida, is seeking nominations for the 2022 Humanitarian Awards. The annual awards honor those who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the community through service. Learn more about how to submit a nomination.

 

Student Academic Success Services programs receive international certification
Two Student Academic Success Services — Peer Tutoring, Supplemental Instruction and Peer Assisted Student Success — have received official designations as internationally certified higher education learning programs through the College Reading and Learning Association. Learn more about the designation each program received.

Physics researchers discover new electronic phenomenon
Physics researchers at UNF’s Atomic LEGO Lab discovered a new electronic phenomenon they call “asymmetric ferroelectricity.” The research led by Dr. Maitri Warusawithana, physics assistant professor, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Illinois and the Arizona State University, demonstrated this phenomenon for the first time in engineered two-dimensional crystals. Learn more about the discovery.

Lewis Promoted to Deputy Athletics Director
North Florida Director of Athletics Nick Morrow announced the promotion of 12-year UNF veteran Ervin Lewis as Deputy Athletics Director. Lewis, who previously held the titles of Senior Associate AD of Facilities and Operations and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, will still carry the duties entrusted in those positions to his new role as deputy athletics director. In this role as second in command, Lewis is charged with overseeing UNF's internal operations including academics, sports performance, facilities and operations as well as event management. Learn more about Ervin Lewis.

 

University to play key role in ground-breaking dementia research funded through NIA Grant
UNF will be the third largest site out of six research-focused universities across the U.S. chosen to participate in the Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training (PACT) study. The UNF portion of the grant, $5 million expected across five years, represents the largest competitive grant in the University’s history and was awarded to Dr. Jody Nicholson, UNF psychology associate professor, who will lead the UNF PACT study. Learn more about the study.

Brooks College of Health
A group of Brooks College of Health faculty wrote a Florida Times-Union guest column on “How COVID-19 has changed healthcare forever.” Read the guest column online.

Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof, nutrition and dietetics, and Dr. Jasper Xu, health administration, have recently co-published a study examining how registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) providing individualized medical nutrition therapy (MNT) in the home impacted nutrition, physical activity and food security. Read more about the study. Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof also discussed 10 tips to increase your water intake with Florida Newsline.

Dr. Beven Livingston, associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy associate professor, recently graduated from a prestigious leadership fellowship program, the American Physical Therapy Association Fellowship in Education Leadership. This fellowship provides developing and aspiring program directors in physical therapist education programs with the skills and resources they need to be innovative, influential and visionary leaders. Learn more about the fellowship program.

Coggin College of Business

Dr. Lakshmi Goel, professor and associate dean of the Coggin Graduate and Executive Programs department, has been named a 2021 Woman of Influence by the Jacksonville Business Journal. The annual award recognizes women leaders in Northeast Florida whose leadership has helped their organizations grow and has shaped the next generation by providing a model for the community. Learn more about the award.

Mike Zaccardi, finance instructor, discussed ways to be smarter with retirement savings with Clark.com.

College of Arts and Sciences
English
Dr. Bart Welling, English associate professor, discussed “Educating for a future we didn’t want” in The Florida Times-Union. 

Art, Art History and Design
Stephen Heywood, associate professor of ceramics, participated in the Cheers! Drink Up!
National Juried Exhibition at the Commonwheel Gallery, Manitou Springs, Colorado.

Christopher W. Trice, associate professor of photography, had work accepted to the 23rd International Krappy Kamera Exhibition at Soho Photo Gallery in New York City. The exhibition was juried by Ann Jastrab, MFA, Director of the Center for Photographic Art in Carmel, CA.

Biology
Dr. Cliff Ross, professor of biology and the chair of the department, and his colleagues published, “Physiological responses to short-term sediment exposure in adults of the Caribbean coral Montastraea cavernosa and adults and recruits of Porites astreoides” in the journal Coral Reefs (2021). 

Dr. Fatima Rehman, biology lecturer, published “Intranodal Sirolimus Induces Regulatory T cells in Human Hepatic Lymph Nodes via IL10 Signaling,” June, Liver Transplantation, doi: 10.1002/lt.26214

English
Dr. Clark Lunberry, professor of English, presented “PostCardPoems” as part of the Collage in Practice panel at Kolaj LIVE Milwaukee, July.

Marcus Pactor, associate instructor of English, published “A Restless Sensibility: Marcus Pactor Talks to John Domini, Author of The Archaeology of a Good Ragu” in Heavy Feather Review, July.

Dr. Michael Wiley, professor of English, published "MacMurphy Unbound" in Die Laughing (Mystery Weekly Press), July.

Mathematics and Statistics
Dr. Tyler Grimes, assistant professor of statistics, and his colleague published a paper:
Grimes, Tyler, and Somnath Datta. "SeqNet: An R Package for Generating Gene-Gene Networks and Simulating RNA-Seq Data." Journal of Statistical Software 98.12.

Dr. Michelle DeDeo, associate professor of mathematics, with Elinor Velasquez, published “The Heat Equation on the Poincaré Upper Half Plane,” Proc. of the American Mathematical Society 149 No. 10 (2021) pp. 4171-4180. doi: 10.1090/proc/15610. Also, with Maansi Garg, DeDeo published “Early detection of pediatric seizures in the high gamma band.” IEEE Access, V. 9, pp. 85209 – 85216, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3087782

Dr. Beyza Aslan, associate professor of mathematics, published a paper titled “Crocheting Mathematics Through COVID-19” in the Journal of Humanistic Mathematics, Vol. 11, Iss.2, doi:10.5642/jhummath.202102.14.

Philosophy/Religion Studies
Dr. Andrew Buchwalter, professor of philosophy, published “Hegel y la concepción intercultural de los derechos humanos universals” in the inaugural issue of Antítesis - Revista Iberoamericana De Estudios Hegelianos, (1), 7–42. Buchwalter also presented "Objective Spirit, the Autonomy of Reason, and the Logic of Philosophical Self-Reflection" at the online meeting of the 33rd International Hegel Congress, coordinated by the Department of Philosophy, University of Warsaw, Poland.

Dr. Jonathan Matheson, professor of philosophy, co-edited the book "Epistemic Autonomy" published with Routledge, Aug. 6.

Psychology
Dr. Tracy Alloway, psychology professor, discussed staying connected with your college kids on News4Jax. 

College of Computing, Engineering and Construction
Dr. Jonghoon Kim, assistant professor in construction management, received a $16,519 research fund from the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology to help study the Preliminary research on advanced facility management (FM) scenario investigation and reverse engineering data collection. This research study examines the case studies currently applied to the facility management industry and guidelines in the United States. It can provide not only the technological prowess of the advanced FM industry in the United States, but also basic information for effectively integrating the latest technology in the related industry into South Korea. 

Dr. Albina Mikhahova, MSERF, won first prize in the Robert Simmons Micrograph Competition with her scanning electron microscope image of the eye of a bee.

Dr. Ryan Shamet, civil engineering, was officially awarded a FDOT project grant titled “Validation and Update of the Sinkhole Index.” It’s a joint project between UNF and UCF with $90,259 coming to UNF, as well as some new equipment coming to UNF labs. New equipment consists of A Large-Scale Soil Box, allowing us to recreate and monitor the geotechnical and hydraulic mechanics of sinkholes forming in central Florida. This type of large-scale laboratory testing of the sinkhole mechanics will be the first of its kind in Florida.

Dr. Steve Stagon, mechanical engineering associate professor, who recently received a patent for his new 3D printing tool, was featured by Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News.

 

Sean Sukys, associate director of Career Services, published “Leveraging Short-Form Sessions to Engage Students” in NACE Journal. Fall 2021. [Online Serial]. Available to members. 

Dr. Sal Vamsi, construction Management, is co-pi on a $15,000 award, “Multifaceted Education for Creating Engineering Awareness Among Middle and High School Girls,” from the Engineering Information Foundation.

College of Education and Human Services
Dr. Stacy Boote, associate professor of mathematics education, and Dr. Steven Williamson, professor of management, published with their UCF co-author, Dr. David Boote, "Assessing Graph Comprehension on Paper and Computer with MBA Students: A Crossover Experimental Study" in Taylor & Francis' Open Access Journal, Cogent Education. 

Dr. Shaqwana Freeman-Green, associate professor, participated in a national panel of experts discussing how to support students with disabilities from diverse backgrounds during the pandemic. The virtual event Aug. 26 was a part of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Critical Conversations Webinar Series.

Dr. Mark Halley, American Sign Language/English Interpreting, with Linda Connelly, nursing, wrote “It made me think like a nurse:” Virtual simulations with interpreters, forthcoming in the Journal of Nursing Education.

Dr. David Hoppey, associate professor and program director Exceptional, Deaf and Interpreter Education, recent UNF ESE graduate Karley Mills, Dr. Debbie Reed, associate instructor, and Chris Collinsworth, instructor, recently published a manuscript within a special issue of School University Partnerships, the flagship journal of National Association of Professional Development Schools. This mixed methods research focused on understanding teacher candidates perceptions of coupling trauma informed practices with innovative pedagogical practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Dr. Amanda Blakewood Pascale, higher education administration, Dr. Dan Richard, psychology, and Karthikeyan Umapathy, published “Am I STEM? Broadening participation by transforming students’ perceptions of self and others as STEM-capable” in the Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 21(7), 147-159. 

Dr. Christine Weber, professor, with K.D. Lewis and A. Novak, published “Using case studies to develop equity-driven professional learning for gifted educators” in Gifted Child Today. Weber also made five virtual presentations for the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children International Conference: “Engaging teachers in professional learning about content area curriculum” with E.L. Mofield; “Professional learning strategies for educators working with gifted and diverse learners” with W.A. Behrens, and C. Boswell; “Incorporating Case Studies in Equity-Driven Professional Learning with Educators of Gifted Children” with A. Novak and K.D. Lewis; “The Seven Guiding Principles of Equity-driven Professional Learning for Gifted Teachers” with K.D. Lewis and A. Novak; and “Best Practices in Professional Learning and Teacher Preparation” with A. Novak. 

 

Continuing  Education
Every year, more than 6,000 students take advantage of the variety of UNF Continuing Education offerings to enhance their lives. Watch a recent conversation with Dr. Edythe Abdullah, dean, as she discusses the various program offerings and their impact on the Northeast Florida community on Buzz TV’s “On a Mission.”

Counseling  Center
UNF Counseling Center staff member Dr. Dina Ricco discussed art therapy and mental health on the podcast Mind Redefined. 

 

Information Technology Services

UNF’s Information Technology Services was recognized by the FBI in the fight against cybercrime. Action News Jax and the Jacksonville Daily Record had the story.

Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville

The exhibition “Drowning World” by internationally renowned photographic artist Gideon Mendel, which was presented at MOCA and curated by Executive Director Caitlin Doherty, is now on view at the Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University in Philadelphia. The exhibition is kicking off Drexel's "Year of Climate Change." 

 

Thomas G. Carpenter Library

Maria Atilano, student outreach librarian, recently published the feature article “How to Make Memes and Influence Students” in the May/June 2021 issue of Marketing Library Services (MLS). Atilano was invited to write and submit an article on how libraries can create and utilize social media memes in order to better reach their users, especially Millennials and Gen Z. Learn more about the article.

 

Sarah Moukhliss, STEM Online Learning Librarian, successfully defended her dissertation, titled "Exploring Librarians’ Pedagogical Methods in Teaching Library Technology to At-risk Students.”

Marielle Veve, Metadata librarian, published the article “ETDs in ProQuest and the institutional repository: A descriptive study of the current workflows available for dual online submission” in The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 47(5), 1-9.

Milestones
Congratulations to the following employees with a milestone anniversary in August:

35 Years
Simone Wilson, Data Processing Associate, Registrar's Office

20 Years
Marianne Jaffee, Executive Assistant Director of Planning, Academic Affairs
Richard James, Coordinator, Training Programs, Training and Services Institute

15 Years
Deborah Baker, Assistant Director, Counseling Center
Howaida Mousa, Senior Grants Specialist, Florida Institute of Education
Liza Provenzano, Mental Health Counselor, Counseling Center

10 Years
Andrea Adams-Manning, Dean of Students
Tracy Alloway, Professor, Psychology
Adianez Garcia Campos, Assistant Director, Student Affairs, Center for International Education
Catherine Trask, Coordinator, Academic Support Services, Academic Affairs

Welcome
The following employees were either hired by UNF or were promoted from OPS positions recently:
David Acevedo, Groundskeeper, Osprey Fountains
Natalie Badgett, Assistant Professor, Exceptional Deaf and Interpreter Education
Andrew Barnes, Assistant Professor, Construction Management
Felicia Boyd, Lecturer, Physics
Jelena Brezjanovic-Shogren, Instructor, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work
Jackson Butikis, Maintenance Mechanic, The Flats
Beomyoung Cho, Assistant Professor, Public Health
Szymon Ciesielski, Assistant Professor, Chemistry
Paula Mariel Coelho Neto, Assistant Professor, Physics
Matthew Coker, Instructor, English
Casey Colin, Assistant Professor, Nutrition and Dietetics
Amy Conner, Instructor, UNF MedNexus, Nursing
Anne Crowthers, Instructor, Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
Mai Dahshan, Assistant Professor, School of Computing
Phaedra Dejarnette, Program Assistant, Student Affairs
Peter Denyer, Coordinator, Academic Support Services, International Business Curriculum
Michelle DiStefano, Assistant Professor, Political Science and Public Administration
Brittney DiVittore-Goodrum, Lecturer, Biology
Jacqueline Feller-Jolley, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Shaqwana Freeman-Green, Associate Professor, Exceptional Deaf and Interpreter Education
Brianna Ganzini, Coordinator, Residence Life Osprey Landing
Tamara Gibson-Alonso, Instructor, Public Health
Jonathan Grant, Assistant Professor, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work
Michele Heffner, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Stacey Hobbick, Assistant Professor, UNF MedNexus, Nursing
Amy Howell, Instructor, UNF MedNexus, Nursing
Hiba Husein, Network Analyst, Telephone Services
Johnny Jones, Instructor, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work
Katherine Kanupp, Faculty Administrator, Florida Institute of Education
Travis Kearse, Groundskeeper, Grounds
Virginia Kemption, Event Planning Specialist, SG Student Union
Marie Larose, Assistant Professor, Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Jong Eun Lee, Assistant Professor, Leadership, School Counseling and Sport Management
Rachel Levy, Assistant Athletic Coach, Women's CC/Track
John Liu, Assistant Professor, Political Science and Public Administration
Megan Lynch, Instructor, COEHS Faculty Buyouts
Katrina Magyar, Instructor, UNF MedNexus, Nursing
Adrien Malek, Assistant Professor, Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
Rakesh Maurya, Assistant Professor, Leadership, School Counseling and Sport Management
Megan McMillan, Instructor, Exceptional Deaf and Interpreter Education
Shanker Menon, Assistant Professor, Psychology
Tetiana Momot, Visiting Instructor, Economics
Marie Mooney, Assistant Professor, Biology
Rachel Mullins, Instructor, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work
Dylan Myers, Coordinator, Residence Life Apartments
Haley Nesto, Executive Secretary, Alumni Engagement
Arthur Omran, Assistant Professor, Chemistry
Raine Osborne, Instructor, Physical Therapy
Morgan Owens, Office Manager, The Flats
Jan Phillips, Coordinator, Administrative Services, OneJax - OneYouth
Derrick Robinson, Assistant Professor, Leadership, School Counseling and Sport Management
Rob Robinson, Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinical and Applied Movement Science
Carol Roland, Assistant Professor, Nurse Anesthesia
Robert Rose, Instructional Designer, Distance Learning 
Salika Sar, Instructor, Mathematics and Statistics
Maria Schedin, Instructor, Public Health
Brendan Steffen, Instructor, English
Amy Suralis, Assistant Professor, Nurse Anesthesia
James Tarantino, Senior Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Katarzyna Tarnowska, Assistant Professor, School of Computing
Nicolas Tatro, Instructor, Communication
Reuben Thomas, Groundskeeper, Grounds
Khia Thomas, Instructional Designer, Distance Learning Fee
Melissa Tilelli, Academic Support Services Coordinator, One-Stop Center
Dawn Turk, Assistant Professor, UNF MedNexus, Nursing
Laura Viafora Ray, Instructor, Public Health
Monique Villamor, Clinical Research Associate, College of Arts and Sciences
Owen Visser, Instructor, Mathematics and Statistics
Judith Walz, Faculty Administrator, Marketing and Logistics
Bryanna Wargat, Lecturer, Biology
Gerald Watson, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Christine Jane, Young Child Development Teacher, UNF Preschool

Great Job
The following employees were promoted recently:
Kristine Amatuli, Associate Lecturer, Biology
Paul Argott, Associate Lecturer, Psychology
Ameera Ayubi, Associate Director, Academic Support Services, Enrollment Services 
Julie Baker-Townsend, Clinical Associate Professor, Nursing
Mikayla Beaudrie, Associate Instructor, English
Michael Binder, Professor, Political Science and Public Administration
Stephan Boka, Associate Instructor, English
Grace Bosse, Associate Instructor, Physics
Justin Burdette, Associate Athletic Director, Business Operations, Athletic Ticketing
Paul Clark, Associate Professor, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work
Karen Cousins, Faculty Administrator, Academic Affairs
Aaron Creller, Associate Professor, Philosophy and Religious Studies
James Curry, Professor, Music
Michelle Drinks, Director, Development College Development Officers
Alina Dumitru, Professor, Mathematics and Statistics
Suzanne Ehrlich, Associate Professor, Leadership, School Counseling and Sport Management
Anita Fuglestad, Associate Lecturer, Psychology
James Garner, Interim Dean, Arts and Sciences
Daniela Genova, Professor, Mathematics and Statistics
Elizabeth Gregg, Professor, Leadership, School Counseling and Sport Management
Caroline Guardino, Professor, Exceptional Deaf and Interpreter Education
Jongsook Han, Associate Instructor, Mathematics and Statistics
Aidan Harnett Jr., IT Security Engineer, IT Security
Cynthia Hoffer, Office Specialist, University Police Department
Morgan Holbrook, Marketing Publications Specialist, SG Student Union
Katherine Hooper, Associate Lecturer, Psychology
Tobias Huning, Associate Professor, Management
Ryan Hunter, Assistant Director, ES Communications Systems
Dilek Kayaalp, Associate Professor, Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
Tara Kelley, Associate Instructor, English
Heather Kite, Director of Operations, Field House 
Kevin Kurtz, PACT Coord, QC and Training Psychology
Amy Lane, Professor, Chemistry
Ervin Lewis, Deputy Athletics Director
Jim Littleton, Associate Instructor, School of Computing
Ross McDonough, Associate Instructor, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work
LaRee Moody, Associate Instructor, Health Administration
Jennifer Murray, University Librarian, Library
Kaitlin Parsons, Associate Athletic Director, External Operations, Athletics
Amanda Pascale, Associate Professor, Leadership, School Counseling and Sport Management
Anne Pfister, Associate Professor, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work
Megan Porter, Associate Director, Operations, College of Education and Human Services
Gordon Rakita, Associate Vice President, Faculty Development and Research
Fatima Rehman, Associate Lecturer, Biology
James Roarty, Coordinator, Academic Support Services, English
Robin Robertson, Office Manager, SG Business and Accounting Office
Nataliya Roman, Associate Professor, Communication
Diane Scott, Administrative Assistant, Internal Auditing
Sheila Spivey, Assistant VP, Diversity Inclusion, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Jaimee Stewart, Associate Instructor, Mathematics and Statistics
Jenny Stuber, Professor, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work
Russell Triplett, Associate Professor, Economics
Andrea Venet, Associate Professor, Music
John White, Professor, Urban Internship
Geoffrey Whittaker Sr., IT Security Engineer, IT Security
Robert Zeglin, Associate Professor, Public Health

Goodbye
Heartfelt wishes in their new endeavors for the following employees who left UNF recently:
Lee Anderson, Director of Development, College of Education and Human Services
Logan Arke, Senior Groundskeeper, Physical Facilities
Tamara Baker, Assistant Professor, Construction Management
Summer Barber, Coordinator, Residence Life, Cove
Jordan Batchelor, Assistant Athletic Coach, Men's Golf
Cheryl Bethune, Administrative Assistant, Florida Institute of Education
Sanita Bozeman, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Joseph Butler, Professor, Biology
Gloria Cobb, Senior Custodial Worker, Physical Facilities
Wayland Coppedge, Associate Instructor, Economics
James Couch, Parking Services Technician, Parking and Transportation Services
Tonya Freeman, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
LaVonne Frison, Office Manager, Human Resources
Natalia Gallimore, Administrative Assistant, MOCA Jacksonville
Gerard Giordano, Associate Professor, Exceptional Deaf and Interpreter Education
Lainey Graber, Academic Support Services Coordinator, Undergraduate Studies
Lisa Green, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Erica Guerrero, Student Financial Aid Coordinator, Financial Aid Office
Louanne Harris-Bryant, Financial Aid Specialist, Financial Aid Office
Dekira Hemingway-Blanks, Coordinator, Outreach and Recruitment, Graduate School
Patricia Kapcio, Director, UNF Online
Kylie Katers, Assistant Athletic Coach, Strength and Conditioning
Brendan Kelly, IT Software Engineer, Enterprise Systems
Lisha Kievit, Psychologist, Counseling Center
Arthur Kimball, Professor, English
Marcia Ladendorff, Associate Instructor, Communication
Ryan LaFoy, Assistant Athletic Trainer, Trainer
Gerald Lee, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Cynthia Livingston, Assistant Professor, Exceptional Deaf and Interpreter Education
Kelly Marton, Academic Advisor, Coggin College of Business Advising
Patricia Miller, Instructor, Mathematics and Statistics
Tiffany Ohlson, Director, Research Program Services, Florida Institute of Education
Abagail Padgett, Administrative Secretary, Psychology
Jessica Perriera, Parking Services Associate, Parking and Transportation Services
Amanda Radtke, Coordinator, Sports Media Relations, Athletic Ticketing
Peter Rivera, Coordinator Research Program Services, Small Business Development Center
Patricia Robbins, Executive Secretary, College of Education and Human Services
Victoria Rocanelli, Assistant University Librarian, Library
Susan Russo, Coordinator, Administrative Services, Brooks College of Health
Mark Samon, Recycle Refuse Worker, Recycle
Nicole Sayers, Assistant Director, Research Integrity, ORSP
Robert Schupp, Associate Professor, Management
David Schwam-Baird, Associate Professor, Political Science and Public Administration
Shira Schwam-Baird, Professor, Languages Literatures and Cultures
Julia Seaton, Coordinator, Web Services, Marketing and Communications
William Self, Assistant Professor, Nursing
Madeline Sims, Assistant Athletic Coach, Beach Volleyball
Michael Stathas, Maintenance Mechanic, Physical Facilities
Charcy Stiller, Assistant Athletic Trainer, Trainer
Juliet Streaty-Varnum, Academic Advisor, College of Computing, Engineering and Construction
Alina Verdeja, Assistant Athletic Trainer, Trainer
Christine White, Instructor, Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
Santina Willis, Senior Library Services Associate, Library
Sonya Yates, Custodial Supervisor, Custodial Services
Lifan Yu, Assistant Professor, Psychology
Michael Zaccardi, Instructor, Accounting and Finance
Varaidzo Zvobgo, Assistant Professor, Political Science and Public Administration
Devin Zvosec, Assistant Athletic Coach, Women's Soccer

In Memoriam
The UNF community is saddened to learn of the recent deaths of a UNF employee:

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Calvin Smith, who passed away Aug. 3 at the age of 64. Calvin worked in the Physical Facilities Department at UNF for 13 years. Read his obituary.

Ospreys Best Bears 1-0 in Home Opener

North Florida women's soccer got a goal from Thais Reiss midway through the second half to secure a hard fought 1-0 victory versus Mercer in their 2021 fall home debut. Learn more about the win.

Ospreys Bring Home Season-Opening Victory at Georgia State

North Florida men's soccer opened their season in electric fashion Aug. 26 with a 3-1 victory against Georgia State. Learn more about the win.

Estes Selected to Preseason All-Conference Team
The ASUN Conference has announced on Monday that graduate defender LJ Estes has been selected to the 2021 Men's Soccer Preseason All-Conference team, which is voted on by all eight head coaches in the league. This is the second straight year that Estes has been dubbed with Preseason All-Conference team honors. Learn more about Estes’ accomplishments.

Gabrelcik Concludes Historic Run in Semifinals at US Amateur
North Florida standout golfer Nick Gabrelcik completed a history-making run at the 121st U.S. Amateur in August at the legendary Oakmont Country Club. Gabrelcik, a rising sophomore for the Ospreys, capped off an honor-laden debut collegiate season by reaching the semifinals of the prestigious amateur national championship event. He posted the best performance ever by a North Florida golfer in the event, eclipsing the Round of 16 finish by former Osprey Andrew Alligood in 2018. Learn more about Gabrelcik’s accomplishments. 

Gabrelcik Named to GCAA All-Nicklaus Team
The 24 honorees for the 2021 All-Nicklaus Team presented by True Spec Golf have been announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America with the prestigious list including Osprey standout Nick Gabrelcik. Players selected represent Divisions I, II, III, NAIA and NJCAA, and are being recognized for their outstanding play during the 2020-21 collegiate season. The honor adds another program first for Gabrelcik following his debut season at North Florida. Learn more about Nick Gabrelcik’s honors.

Kachler Signs Independent Ball Contract With New Jersey Jackals
Alex Kachler took off on a 1,000-plus mile trip up north on I-95 after signing an independent league contract with the New Jersey Jackals of the Northeast Division in the Frontier League.
Kachler signed with the Little Falls, N.J., based team July 31. In his first game he provided a two-RBI single in a 5-3 victory against Sussex County. Learn more about Alex Kachler in the pros.

Over the past few years, carbohydrates have really gotten a bad rap. The reason is that when people think of carbohydrates, they think about carb-rich foods that have lost nutritional value during processing such as white bread, pastries and pasta.

However, it is important to note that all carbohydrates are not created equally! In fact, a recent study found participants who consumed three servings of whole grains a day had lower blood pressure, better controlled blood sugar and healthier weight.

So, what is the magic of whole grains? First, whole grains contain fiber, which lowers blood sugar and keeps you “full,” so you don’t overeat. Second, whole grains are rich in B-vitamins, potassium and magnesium that lower your blood pressure.

Bottom line is that whole grains deserve a place on your plate. Here are some suggestions to “up your game” of whole grains:

• Breakfast – try oats, whole grain English muffins with avocado spread or a cereal with at least 5 grams of fiber per serving
• Lunch – sprinkle beans on your salad or have a bean and vegetable soup
• Dinner – swap out white rice for brown rice or an ancient grain like farro
• Snack on nuts, popcorn or whole grain crackers

Submitted by Dr. Lauri Wright, Ph.D., RDN, LD/N, Assistant Professor, Nutrition and Dietetics, Chair and DCN Co-Director.

The University of North Florida joins seven U.S. universities in adopting a new international charter dedicated to campus health and wellness. Created in June 2015, the Okanagan Charter provides institutions with a common language, principles and framework to effectively promote health and well-being on their campuses. As part of the United States Health Promoting Campuses Network (USHPCN), UNF has evolved its wellness initiative into Healthy Osprey 360 to help students flourish in and outside the classroom. Read more about the initiative.