The top film in its category was created by students in the 2013 and 2015 advanced documentary workshop class of The Burnett Honors College. This was the first time a 麻豆原创 film was nominated for a college Emmy, and it beat out films from Chapman University in Orange, Calif., and Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

The movie is about Florida lawmakers and religious activists in 1928 who sought to ban classes and books on evolution at the school that later became Florida State University. Professors and college administrators were accused of “corrupting young women’s minds” and critics called the students 鈥渇ilthy dreamers.鈥� Ultimately the college prevailed.

The 麻豆原创 student filmmakers researched, wrote and filmed the documentary. They said they wanted to inform viewers about the history of censorship on campuses because nearly 100 years later, public figures and activists are still trying to control academic curriculums.

Robert Cassanello, an associate professor of history, and Lisa Mills, an associate professor of film in the School of Visual Arts & Design, were faculty advisors for the project. Connie Lester, director of the history department鈥檚 RICHES (Regional Initiative for Collecting the History, Experiences and Stories of Central Florida) was the narrator, and voice-over acting included theatre associate professor Christopher Niess and journalism associate professor Steve Collins.聽

Bob Graham, a former Florida governor and U.S. senator whose mother was among the so-called “filthy dreamers,” also was featured in the film.

This was the third documentary produced by honors students after Alvin Wang, dean of The Burnett Honors College, sought a collaborative effort with the College of Arts & Humanities in 2010.

The 2013 students involved were: Will Chorvat, Jason Clarke, Carter Howard, Beverly Nwokoye, Amber Pietrowski, Rachel White聽and Orlando Porro. The 2015 students were Ernesto Calderon, Louis-Christophe Fortier, Kristin Keefer, Ramsey Khawaja, Derek Loucks, Carmen Malca, Shannon Specie, Antony Zeng, Nichole Santana, Emma Duncan, Tiffany Campbell, Alex McKeel, Kristina League聽and Michael Reed.

Loucks, League and Khawaja traveled to the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles to accept the Emmy. They also participated in a summit and development workshops at the Television Academy with industry professionals.

To see the trailer for 鈥淔ilthy Dreamers,鈥� go to .

The film, Filthy Dreamers, is about state lawmakers and religious activists who tried to ban certain textbooks and the teaching of evolution in 1928 at the school that became Florida State University. The critics accused professors and administrators at the college of “corrupting young women’s minds” and labeled them 鈥渇ilthy dreamers,鈥� but ultimately the college prevailed.

The students from The Burnett Honors College said they made the film to educate and inform viewers about the long history of censorship in classrooms, libraries and campuses because nearly 100 years later, public figures and activists are still trying to control curriculum.

鈥淭his film is about academic freedom and why it was important in 1928 as well as 2016,鈥� said history associate professor Robert Cassanello. 鈥淚t should be a cautionary tale for lawmakers and activists who demand聽academic聽content conform to a majority or even minority opinion.鈥�

Cassanello and Lisa Mills, an associate professor of film in the School of Visual Arts & Design, were faculty advisors for the film, which is one of three finalists in the Television Academy Foundation鈥檚 documentary category.聽This is the first time a 麻豆原创 film has been nominated for a college Emmy.

“What is so gratifying is the way students worked together to visualize a very complicated part of Florida’s history, and make it relevant to what is still happening today,鈥� Mills said. 鈥淭he film’s strength lies in showing audiences what can happen when higher education becomes politicized. These two documentary classes wanted to show us when students, faculty, and administrators stand together, they can bring important changes and make the system better for all.”

This was the third documentary produced by honors students after honors college Dean Alvin Wang sought a collaborative effort with the College of Arts & Humanities in 2010. The film was started by the honors advanced documentary workshop class in Fall 2013 and then the Fall 2015 class finished it in December.聽The film will also receive an honorable mention at the Broadcast Educators Association Festival of Media Arts in April.

The 2013 students involved were Will Chorvat, Jason Clarke, Carter Howard, Beverly Nwokoye, Amber Pietrowski, Rachel White聽and Orlando Porro. The 2015 students were Ernesto Calderon, Louis-Christophe Fortier, Kristin Keefer, League, Ramsey Khawaja, Derek Loucks, Carmen Malca, Shannon Specie, Antony Zeng, Nichole Santana, Emma Duncan, Tiffany Campbell, Alex McKeel, Kristina League聽and Michael Reed. Loucks and League are scheduled to travel to Los Angeles in May, when the winners will be announced.

The film was narrated by history associate professor Connie Lester, and voice-over acting included theatre associated professor Christopher Niess and journalism associate professor Steve Collins.聽

The film also featured retired Sen. Bob Graham, whose mother was among the so-called “filthy dreamers” in the 1920s.

鈥淚 think one of the things we tried to do with the film is give the student perspective because we often have discussions of academic freedom in regards to the teacher, the professors and the administrators. But what about the students? Students themselves have a stake in academic freedom as well,鈥� Cassanello said. 鈥淭he classroom should be and students should expect it to be an environment for the free exchange of ideas.鈥�

Student Emmy winners are invited to participate in a summit at the Television Academy, where they are exposed to industry professionals and participate in development workshops. Students also become part of the Television Academy Foundation alumni network, which provides access to year-round networking opportunities and events.

“Dr. Cassanello and I congratulate all of the students who worked on Filthy Dreamers. Producing a good historical documentary is not an easy task,鈥� Mills said. 鈥淛ust getting a nomination for this award is a huge honor.”

To see the trailer for Filthy Dreamers, go to .

The Florida College System 聽announced a new partnership that will take the voter registration service to 28 state colleges, increasing the total number of participating institutions in Florida to 35. 聽

Since 2012, more than 11,000 Florida students have used the TurboVote service through partnerships at colleges and universities,including those established at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida and the Lou Frey Institute for Politics and Government at the 麻豆原创. Nearly 1,600 麻豆原创 students have registered for the service.

Former Florida Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham voiced his support Saturday for the bipartisan effort to institutionalize voter engagement on college and university campuses and noted that Florida is well positioned to lead the charge.

鈥淚 believe Florida has established itself as model for the rest of the country,鈥� Graham said to an audience of more than 200 at the 2014 Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Civic Learning and Democratic and Engagement Conference.

鈥淏y integrating the TurboVote service into critical student interactions we were able to register more than 3,400 University of Florida students last year,鈥� the Democrat said. 鈥淲e have seen first-hand the substantial impact this can have on youth engagement.鈥�

Former U.S. Rep. Lou Frey, a Republican and longtime supporter of the TurboVote effort, echoed Graham鈥檚 sentiments on the importance of providing young people with easy access to the tools they need to be active participants in their democracy. Frey sponsored legislation leading to the adoption of the 26th聽Amendment in 1970s that lowered the voting age to 18.

鈥淭he adoption of TurboVote by the Florida College System provides a clear pathway for a lifetime of participation by the state鈥檚 youngest citizens,鈥� Frey said. 鈥淚 challenge every student to help shape the future of America by voting in every election.鈥�

Florida鈥檚 higher-education institutions hope to break down barriers to youth participation in the democratic process, particularly around local elections. While nearly two-thirds of college students voted in November 2012, only 27 percent did so in 2010. And turnout drops even lower in primary and municipal elections.

“TurboVote鈥檚 role is especially important in the years between the presidential elections, where much of democracy happens on the local level,鈥� said Alberto Ibarg眉en, president and CEO of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, one of TurboVote鈥檚 early funders. 鈥淭he lack of youth participation in local elections is not a partisan issue 鈥� it is a threat to democracy. To have a healthy democracy we need an informed an engaged public.鈥�

According to a study by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University, 27 percent of students who did not register in 2012 simply failed meet the deadline, and 23 percent of registered students did not cast a ballot because they were out of town or away from home. By helping students request an absentee ballot and sending text and email reminders with election dates and deadlines, TurboVote addresses logistical challenges that negatively impact youth participation.

TurboVote鈥檚 college partnerships program has grown to include more than130 institutions nationwide since its launch in January 2012.

To access TurboVote, go to .

The event at 麻豆原创鈥檚 Morgridge International Reading Center is free and open to the public, courtesy of the College of Sciences Distinguished Speakers Series.

Graham has dedicated 38 years of his life to public service, including 12 years in the Florida聽Legislature. As governor and senator,聽Graham was a centrist, committed to bringing his colleagues together behind聽programs that served the broadest public interest.

Florida residents recognized his service when they gave him an 83% approval rate when he concluded聽eight years as Governor.

Graham is recognized for his leadership on issues ranging from education,聽economic development, health care and environmental preservation to his 10 years of service on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence 鈥� including聽18 months as chairman in 2001鈥�2002.

Following the release of the joint聽inquiry鈥檚 final report regarding Iraq in July 2003, Graham steadfastly advocated聽reform of the intelligence community and sponsored legislation to bring about聽needed changes. In the fall of 2004, Graham authored 鈥淚ntelligence聽Matters.鈥�

Graham retired from public service in January聽2005, following his presidential campaign in 2004.

Through the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship聽鈥� a partnership between the 麻豆原创鈥檚 Lou Frey Institute聽and the University of Florida鈥檚 Bob Graham Center 鈥� the balloting will be a part of the My Voice National Student Mock Election,聽the聽 largest student-driven civics project in the United States. Students will have the opportunity to cast their votes for candidates in both the federal and state elections, and to talk about the issues they care about this fall and beyond.

The program is a digital initiative of the Pearson Foundation. It builds on the 30-year history of the National Student/Parent Mock Election and My Voice. More than 50 million young voters have participated while learning about the importance of using their own voice to share perspectives on important issues.聽

Florida student voting begins Oct. 22 and ends on National Mock Election day, Nov. 1

The Florida Student Mock Election will take place online. Teachers will be able to add ballot items on national topics, social issues, education, and local issues and are encouraged to register their classes to take part at www.floridastudentmockelection.com.聽

Teachers are encouraged to use the free materials and curriculum developed for the program to create thoughtful lessons leading up to and around the upcoming elections.

More than 60 national civic, educational, and business organizations serve as cooperating organizations and partners. Along with the Pearson Foundation, this year’s partners include: American Association of School Administrators, Barquin International, BrainPOP, Council of the Great City Schools, Don鈥檛 Forget Ed, National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation,聽National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Association of Secretaries of State,聽National Association of Student Councils, National Council for the Social Studies, National School Boards Association, NIE Institute, Rand McNally,聽SAGE, and USA Today.

鈥淎s a co-sponsor of the 26th Amendment that permitted 18-year-olds to vote, I have always believed that the participation of young people is critical to the future of our democracy,鈥� said former Congressman Lou Frey. 鈥淭he Florida Student Mock Election builds the habits that will help produce a lifetime of participation.鈥�

Former U. S. Senator and Florida Governor Bob Graham agreed. 鈥淧articipation in elections is an essential responsibility of citizenship and a requirement to fulfill democracy鈥檚 promise that the government will be of 鈥渨e, the people.鈥� By taking part in mock elections, students learn that choosing leaders is the essence of democracy.鈥�

The National Student Mock Election was co-founded by Edward Stanley and Gloria Kirshner in 1980 as the National Student/Parent Mock Election. Teachers can get more information and register their classes to vote at http://www.floridastudentmockelection.com.

Contact for additional information: Valerie McVey, valerie.mcvey@ucf.edu, 407-823-4018.

Hosted by Diane Trees, director of the Metropolitan Center for Regional Studies at 麻豆原创, Metro Center Outlook explores issues impacting Florida鈥檚 economic prosperity and development.

The new season will kick off with a two-part interview with Graham to air consecutive weeks.

Graham will discuss his novel, 鈥淜eys to the Kingdom,鈥� and war in the Middle East during the first show, which will premiere Jan. 18.

The second part of the interview focuses on homeland security and terrorism. That episode will broadcast at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25.

Metro Center Outlook will re-air on Thursdays at 10 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Additional guests on this season鈥檚 Metro Center Outlook include former U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, 麻豆原创 President John C. Hitt and PBS NewsHour host Judy Woodruff.

Trees鈥� Metro Center, in partnership with other institutions and organizations, was established in 2001 to serve as a link between 麻豆原创 and the community in a regional approach that encompasses 13 Central Florida counties. It was founded by former Orange County Mayor Linda Chapin.

W麻豆原创 TV is a partnership between the 麻豆原创 and Brevard Community College, created to keep PBS in Central Florida. The station launched July 1 for more than 3.5 million viewers with the promise of providing the community PBS favorites and high-quality local programs.

W麻豆原创 TV airs on Bright House Networks digital cable channels 1 and 1001 in Orange, Brevard, Seminole, Osceola, Flagler, Volusia, Lake, Marion and Sumter counties.

For more on where to find and what to see on W麻豆原创 TV, go to .