The lab, which is co-sponsored by Florida Power & Light (FPL) and GE Digital, is a state-of-the-art research facility for faculty and students. Located on the first floor of Research 1 on the main campus, it features control-center equipment and software that students can use to simulate and test real-life grid control operations, including finding ways to optimize and secure the grid of the future.

鈥淭his new facility is exactly the kind of strategic partnership that makes 麻豆原创 a premiere choice for students with future-focused career goals.鈥� 鈥� 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright

鈥淭his new facility is exactly the kind of strategic partnership that makes 麻豆原创 a premiere choice for students with future-focused career goals. GE Digital and FPL have been both philanthropic investors and design collaborators in this lab, ensuring our students in this field will be industry-ready on day one of their careers,鈥� says 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a win-win. Our students get a leading education in a lab environment, and both companies open up a pipeline of incredible talent for their workforce.鈥�

Kwasi Opoku, a doctoral student studying electrical engineering, was one of the students FPL and GE Digital sought input from during the design phase of the lab to provide feedback on the equipment and furnishings that would be helpful for students.

Opoku, who is from Ghana, says for years he has been intrigued by power systems, and the idea of incorporating renewables, like solar and wind. He recalls living in Ghana when conventional power sources were insufficient and supplies had to be rationed.

鈥淚t was a national conversation about power and the options being considered,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 where the conversation began for me.鈥�

Opoku was originally drawn to 麻豆原创 after becoming aware of the RISES (Resilient, Intelligent and Sustainable Energy Systems) faculty cluster. The collaboration brings together 麻豆原创 researchers from multiple colleges who are working to develop sustainable and resilient energy systems and storage.

Opoku鈥檚 area of research is power system protection and specifically finding new ways to detect faults in microgrids and renewables. He鈥檚 looking forward to using the lab鈥檚 testbed and hardware-in-the-loop simulation.

鈥淵ou don鈥檛 always have hardware available to test, and usually you use simulation only. This is as close to real-life as you can get,鈥� he says.

Max Carroll 鈥�21 completed his bachelor鈥檚 degree in the summer in electrical engineering with focus on power and renewable energy. He was inspired to pursue a career in energy after experiences in Germany, where he grew up and still visits frequently.

鈥淲hen you drive through Germany you see windmills and renewable energy sources everywhere, and when I went back, they were expanding on it, and adding panels,鈥� says Carroll. 鈥淚 said to myself, 鈥楬ow do these things actually work?鈥� 鈥�

Now a graduate student studying electrical engineering at 麻豆原创, Carroll is planning on spending a lot of time in the new space.

鈥淚鈥檒l be doing my research there, as all the tools I need are in there. But I can also study there,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he computers have virtually all the programs there that I鈥檒l need for my classes.鈥�

鈥淲e are excited to bring this innovative research space to 麻豆原创 engineering students,鈥� says Ed De Varona, FPL鈥檚 vice president of transmission & substation. 鈥淭he lab is a terrific training ground for rising engineers to work directly with the latest technologies and help refine and innovate the way energy is transmitted and distributed across the grid now and in the future.鈥�

Currently, more than 1,400 undergraduate and graduate students at 麻豆原创 are studying electrical or computer engineering 鈥� disciplines that support energy systems and electricity grids. Another 500-plus 麻豆原创 students have indicated they plan to pursue an electrical or computer engineering major once prerequisite coursework is completed.

鲍颁贵鈥檚 College of Engineering and Computer Science offers a power and renewable energy track as part of its undergraduate programs. In addition, a graduate certificate is offered in sustainable and resilient energy systems.

鈥淭he Microgrid Control Lab provides unprecedented access to a modern grid control center that enables some of the brightest young minds in the country to collaborate, learn and help reimagine the energy grid of tomorrow,鈥� says Jim Walsh, general manager of GE Digital鈥檚 Grid Software Solutions. 鈥淎s renewable energy sources, like solar, continue to expand and evolve, the technology behind the grid has to keep up. It is critical that electrical and computer engineering talent have real-life experiences with the hardware and software that underpins the modern grid helping utilities securely deliver reliable clean energy.鈥�

GE Digital is also beginning a new internship program that invests in the development of its team and future grid engineering leaders. The program will offer 麻豆原创 students an intensive experience in the utilities and power sectors and help students develop analytical and software development skills using emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning.

FPL and GE Digital together employ approximately 400 麻豆原创 alumni in their workforces.

Meet the alumni, leadership and faculty singled out in various industries.

Education

Degrees: Bachelor of Science in elementary education; Master of Educational Leadership; Doctorate of Educational Leadership

麻豆原创 president

Tourism and Transportation

2019 麻豆原创 Honorary Alumni Award recipient, member of dean鈥檚 advisory board of the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and a charter member of the 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees

Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in journalism

Politics and Government

Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies;听Master of Nonprofit Management; Master of Public Administration

Degree: Bachelor of Science in marketing

Entertainment, Sports and the Arts

Degree: Master of Business Administration

麻豆原创 School of Performing Arts faculty

Business

Degree: Master of Business Administration

Degree: Bachelor of Science in accounting

Degree: Master of Business Administration

Degree: Bachelor of Science in computer science

The Ones to Watch

Bachelor of Science in finance

Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice

From lasers that are used to cut Gorilla Glass for Samsung phones to fiber-optic cable technology that allows the internet to operate more efficiently, Delfyett鈥檚 work has been making waves for over three decades. And now he鈥檚 received one of the highest honors in the scientific community as one of 106 inductees this year to the National Academy of Engineering.

into the National Academy of Engineering Saturday, Oct. 2, at noon.

鈥溌槎乖� is聽clearly a national and international leader聽when it comes to optics, lasers, and photonics.聽Professor Delfyett, through his amazing work,聽has proven that he聽is one of聽the very best聽laser and photonics聽researchers聽in the world,鈥� 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright says.聽鈥淭his recognition honors his many contributions to society throughout his career and his leadership聽that has聽helped develop 鲍颁贵鈥檚聽culture of innovation and discovery. I know he will continue to have an impact on the university and inspire his聽colleagues聽and our students to reach for the stars.鈥�

A Monumental Honor

Established in 1964, the NAE鈥檚 network of more than 2,300 members work together to advance the United States鈥� global reputation by providing guidance to policymakers and government institutions on decisions related to engineering and technology.

麻豆原创 now has eight faculty members who are a part of the NAE, but Delfyett has the distinct honor of being the first to be inducted while a current faculty member at the university. While the seven other faculty members were inducted before joining 鲍颁贵鈥檚 College of Engineering and Computer Science, he is also the first 麻豆原创 faculty member from the College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL) to join the organization.

鈥淭his is very special to me, not only because it is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a scientist or engineer, but all of the work that is being recognized has been done here at 麻豆原创 with graduate students,鈥� Delfyett says. 鈥淚 know this is something 麻豆原创 has been wanting to grow toward, which is a really difficult task, and I鈥檓 honored to help the university fulfill this part of its vision.鈥�

Becoming an NAE member is a monumental accomplishment in part because of how difficult it is to be elected into the organization. New members must be nominated by current members and are evaluated on a range of critera, including scientific and real-world impact, involvement with professional societies and major awards.

鈥淭his is very special to me, not only because it is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a scientist or engineer, but all of the work that is being recognized has been done here at 麻豆原创 with graduate students.鈥� 鈥� Peter Delfyett, Pegasus Professor

Delfyett鈥檚 induction, which will take place at the NAE鈥檚 annual meeting in October, means other current 麻豆原创 faculty could be joining this rank in the near future.

Over the years, Delfyett has been awarded numerous honors 鈥� such as the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in 1996 and the American Physical Societies鈥� Edward Bouchet Award in 2011 鈥� but his most recent accolades include the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers鈥� 2020 William Streifer Scientific Achievement Award and the 2021 Arthur L. Schawlow Prize in Laser Sciences from the American Physical Society. He is also a fellow of the International Society for Optics and Photonics and the Optical Society of America.

For M.J. Soileau, a university distinguished professor of optics and photonics and former director of CREOL, it鈥檚 as easy to see why Delfyett was elected as it was to make the decision to hire him 27 years ago.

鈥淲ith Peter, it鈥檚 a monumental task [to summarize his impact] because you take any dimension of what a faulty member is supposed to be and he has excelled at it,鈥� says Soileau, the former vice president for research at 麻豆原创 for 17 years who describes Delfyett鈥檚 most recent honor as a phase change for 麻豆原创.

鈥淚 think anyone who encounters Professor Delfyett would have the same impression and that is one of enthusiasm and boundless energy in the pursuit of science and engineering, and he is just a really nice guy, someone you want to be around,鈥� Soileau says. 鈥淭hose were my first impressions of him, and they鈥檝e been accurate over the years and then some.鈥�

Before Joining 麻豆原创

That positive first impression was also informed by Delfyett鈥檚 strong background in academics and the industry.

While an undergraduate at the City College of New York, the Queens native was searching through a catalog when he found a description for an introduction to lasers course that he says seemed interesting.

鈥淭he description said it would introduce me to concepts of fiber optics communications and my thinking was 鈥楾his is so far out, so futuristic, if I pursue a Ph.D. in this field, this will carry me through my career,鈥� 鈥� he says.

After earning a bachelor鈥檚 in electrical engineering in 1981, he pursued a master鈥檚 in the same discipline from the University of Rochester before earning an M.Phil and doctorate from The Graduate School & University Center of the City University of New York in 1987 and 1988, where his research focused on ultrafast spectroscopy. He then began working at Bell Communication Labs, which was among the most competitive technology research companies at the time.

When Delfyett joined 麻豆原创 in 1993, the Center for Research in Eletro-Optics and Lasers, or CREOL, had only been on campus for six years. Seven years later it would become the School of Optics and then in 2004 it expanded to the College of Optics and Photonics, which is one of the top programs of its kind in the world and began offering an undergraduate degree in photonic science and engineering in 2013.

Scientific and Economic Impact

While CREOL remains a small college, with 278 current students, the impact of the research conducted and talent fostered there is exponential.

鈥淲ith each increase of stature and visibility [of optics and photonics education and research] within the university is a statement of the impact CREOL is having not only with the scientific community and internationally, but also with the economic sector of Central Florida,鈥� Delfyett says.

Delfyett鈥檚 personal contributions to the base of scientific knowledge include 44 patents that apply directly to the advancement of everyday life. Many of these discoveries use lasers for precision timing, fiber optics communication, and signal processing, which helps information move faster on the internet and in devices such as cell phones, laptops, tablets and autonomous vehicles. Another major group of patents is related to the generation and amplification of very short pulses of light using semi-conductor lasers that help build smartphones, medical stents for surgical procedures and micro-precision holes to make car engines more fuel efficient.

Delfyett has also created Raydiance, a multi-million-dollar company that was developed through the 麻豆原创 Business Incubator Program and started at Central Florida Research Park in 2003. The company developed the world鈥檚 first software-controlled聽聽laser before it was acquired by California-based Coherent in 2015.

鈥淧hotonics is an enabling technology 鈥� it鈥檚 not just powering the internet but influencing the whole spectrum of scientific discovery and advancement,鈥� Delfyett says. 鈥淭o know that I am contributing in my own special way to the area of optics and photonics is very rewarding to me.鈥�

Advancing the Future

While prestigious awards and fellowships are certainly rewarding, Delfyett says the real honor lies in molding students into scientists.

As someone who was curious about the sciences from a young age, he knows the importance of helping children develop an interest in STEM fields early on to increase the likelihood they pursue those fields in college. This is why he helped the National Science Foundation develop the Scientists and Engineers in the School Program, an outreach effort that teaches middle-schoolers about the importance of STEM in society.

At 麻豆原创 he teaches classes from the undergraduate to doctoral level and is constantly supporting student research efforts as he leads CREOL鈥檚 Ultrafast Photonics Group.

鈥淓very student that goes through [鲍颁贵鈥檚 optics and photonics] program and graduates will go on to do great things because they鈥檝e had exposure to Peter,鈥� Soileau says.

Those students who work closely with him, also recognize the benefits of his guidance. One of Delfyett鈥檚 current doctoral students, Ricardo Bustos-Ramirez 鈥�18MS says he鈥檚 an enormous resource because of his more than 30 years of knowledge in the field and infectious excitement for research.

鈥淚 really do love having him as my advisor,鈥� Bustos-Ramirez says. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 been a failed experiment or something really personal, he has always been there, so I鈥檓 really grateful to have someone as a boss who is there for me when I need him. He cares a lot about his students and their futures.鈥�

When it comes to his own future, Delfyett says much like research, it鈥檚 difficult to predict what exactly the next big thing will be. However, he is certain that his excitement and love for science will keep him inspired to find it.

鈥淲hen I think about the future, I hope for more of the same,鈥� Delfyett says. 鈥淚鈥檓 going to continue to try and do the best research I can at 麻豆原创, to share my enthusiasm in the classroom, try to instill that enthusiasm and ambition in my graduate students in my lab, and maintain my service activities at 麻豆原创 鈥� in the community and beyond 鈥� with professional societies as well.鈥�

We are excited to welcome you to our campuses next month! To help us provide high quality classes, student services, extracurricular activities, and athletic programs in a healthy environment, we strongly recommend that all students get vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus before arriving on campus.

Since the onset of the pandemic, our successes are a result of our campus
communities accepting a shared responsibility for their health and well-being and
practicing recommended precautions. Being vaccinated can protect your health
and you are likely to avoid disruptions in your semester if you are exposed to COVID-19.

Thank you for doing your part to help our campus communities prepare for a healthy fall semester.

View the official letter as a PDF

鈥淓veryone should have access to a high-quality college degree,鈥� says Pam Cavanaugh, associate vice provost for . 鈥淭ogether with our partners, 麻豆原创 has the opportunity to collaborate and discover ways to strengthen support for transfer students and help them identify the right pathway to earning a degree that will change their lives, and the lives of their families, for generations to come.鈥�

Sixty-four percent of all transfer students completing an associate in arts degree at Florida鈥檚 28 state colleges enroll at FIU, 麻豆原创, or USF and each year, over 50,000 transfer students attend one of the three Consortium universities.

Already established leaders in transfer student success, 麻豆原创, FIU and USF will utilize the funds to identify and address the barriers to student success, reduce the time needed for students to complete a degree, and increase campus involvement. The Consortium will create solutions in three areas: increased coaching and advising to reduce 鈥渢ransfer shock;鈥� the development of a dashboard to help students with degree planning; and targeted retention strategies to ensure students are engaged and connected to each campus community.

麻豆原创 has for years placed a priority on ensuring transfer students have access to resources and support. Last year, 87.5% of the 2019-2020 transfer student cohort returned to 麻豆原创 to continue their studies, marking the highest one-year retention rate to date. 麻豆原创 has the largest number of transfer students among all of Florida鈥檚 public universities with more than 11,000 transfer students entering during the 2020-21 academic year.

麻豆原创 has the largest number of transfer students among all of Florida鈥檚 public universities with more than 11,000 transfer students entering during the 2020-21 academic year.

麻豆原创 has more than 30 success coaches and peer coaches who assist transfer students from before they enroll at their state college through their graduation from 麻豆原创, providing personalized support and guidance along the way. The coaches help students overcome challenges and stay motivated to reach academic, career and personal goals. 麻豆原创 will use its portion of the grant to enhance its Coaching Academy, which will serve as a training and resource center for other universities and amplify 鲍颁贵鈥檚 model across the state. The Academy will provide customized training to individuals, teams and organizations to further develop a culture of coaching within an institution.

鈥淲e know how critical it is for students to have individual, tailored assistance,鈥� says Cavanaugh. 鈥淥耻谤 coaching model gives every transfer student a 鈥榞o to鈥� person who serves as a constant and consistent presence for them. We鈥檝e seen what a difference this makes for our students, and we look forward to working with our partners to scale this model across the state.鈥�

More than 30% of new undergraduates enrolled each year at 麻豆原创 come through the to 麻豆原创 program, which guarantees admission to 麻豆原创 for students with an associate degree or articulated degree from one of six partner state colleges. Since DirectConnect to 麻豆原创 was established in 2006, 麻豆原创 has conferred 61,924 degrees to students participating in the program. A national model, DirectConnect to 麻豆原创 has significantly increased the number of minority, low-income and first-generation students who earn a college degree.

鈥淗elios believes a high-quality education should be within reach of every student. Ensuring students experience a smooth transition between Florida鈥檚 state colleges and universities is essential to student success and degree completion,鈥� says Paul J. Luna, president and CEO, Helios Education Foundation.

The Florida Consortium of Metropolitan Research Universities and Helios Education Foundation have partnered since 2016 to elevate the success and degree completion of first-generation, minority and underserved students in the most populous metropolitan regions of South Florida, Central Florida, and Tampa Bay.

Morsberger鈥檚 resignation comes as he prepares for open heart surgery later this month, followed by a lengthy period of recovery and cardiac rehabilitation.

鈥淚 remain grateful to have been recruited to 麻豆原创 six years ago and am proud of our achievements in advancement. Working at the 麻豆原创 has been a professional privilege and a great personal adventure,鈥� says Morsberger, adding that he and his wife will continue to be football season ticket-holders, donors and fans.

During Morsberger鈥檚 tenure at 麻豆原创, the Foundation increased fundraising, enhanced national outreach, began working more closely with deans and administrators to engage donors, raised funds that enabled the opening of 麻豆原创 Downtown, and secured more than $531 million in gifts and commitments as part of the IGNITE Campaign.

鈥淢ike has spent nearly six years shepherding 麻豆原创 down our path to excellence,鈥� says President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淗is leadership 鈥� coupled with the investments our community has made to advance our mission and the hard work of many others 鈥� has led to incredible strides in recent years.鈥�

麻豆原创 will begin the process of launching a national search for Morsberger鈥檚 successor to continue advancing the university鈥檚 mission. In the meantime, Karen Cochran, the Foundation鈥檚 senior associate vice president for advancement, will continue to serve as acting vice president for advancement and CEO of 麻豆原创 Foundation.

The group of Pegasus Professors crosses all disciplines from playwrights who captivate audiences, to scientists who explore the planets, to storytellers who keep history alive. They are selected by the president and provost, and are given a $5,000 award.

The men and women who are Pegasus Professors leave a lasting impact on students, their colleagues and our world. In a year where a global pandemic has changed how we live, 麻豆原创 faculty have been at the forefront of research to improve lives.

The 2021 Pegasus Professors are first-generation students, immigrants, groundbreaking researchers and embody what makes 麻豆原创 a great university that changes lives and livelihoods.

This year鈥檚 recipients are:

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Don鈥檛 judge a book by its cover. Issa Batarseh might be an accomplished engineer but he has fought a bull in Spain, where he was kicked airborne. He says that may not have been his wisest decision, but coming to 麻豆原创 nearly 30 years ago was.

After earning a small grant to open a lab, Batarseh began his research to discover how to take forms of energy and make them usable. That small lab is now the Florida Power Electronics Center. Batarseh has created devices that allow us to use solar energy in our homes. His has created products that are cost-effective, safe and reliable, and he and his team have been called on by NASA to help fix power issues on the International Space Station.

Michael Georgiopolous, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, says Batarseh goes for his goals with determination until he reaches them.

鈥淗e has done things I never thought were possible, and yet he accomplishes them,鈥� Georgiopolous says. 鈥淏ecause of this, he inspires people around him and makes them better.鈥�

If there is one thing Batarseh loves more than his research, it鈥檚 his students. Many of them have gone on to lead companies and create products that Batarseh has helped influence. He says the young students inspire him with their bright attitudes and willingness to learn.

鈥淏eing a faculty member is the greatest thing in the world for me,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t is an opportunity to impact the lives of thousands of students.鈥�

College of Medicine

Cristina Fern谩ndez-Valle left Cuba as an infant and moved to Miami with her sisters and parents to escape communism. Even though her father had been an attorney in Cuba, they had to rebuild their lives from the ground up in the United States. She remembers rolling newspapers with her mother for a paper route in the predawn hours. Her father put himself through law school again while working full time to support his family. The perseverance of her parents shaped her life.

鈥淚 had the example of hard work and that you can achieve anything,鈥� Fern谩ndez-Valle says. 鈥淵ou can have everything taken from you, but you can never lose your education.鈥�

She researches neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves and in the brain. It鈥檚 extremely painful and debilitating, and there is no cure. She is trying to find a therapy that can stop tumors from growing. Recently, a drug that she has been working on began a clinical trial 鈥攚hich is 鈥渓ike going to the Super Bowl,鈥� she says.

鈥淲hat she has done is given hope to people who have a chronic disease that is deforming and painful,鈥� says Deborah German, dean of the College of Medicine and vice president for Health Affairs.

Fern谩ndez-Valle doesn鈥檛 take her work lightly and says lives depend on her and what she discovers in her lab. She mentors students and scientists and tries to create opportunities for everyone.

鈥淚 never stop learning,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 want to help our students become the best 鈥榯hem鈥� they can be. I open the doors to everyone I can. Having the opportunity to walk through an open door is the first step to building a successful career as a scientist.鈥�

College of Arts and Humanities

Luis Mart铆nez-Fern谩ndez fell in love with history from listening to stories told to him by his grandmother, an immigrant who left Spain at the age of 15.

鈥淢y life has had historical complications,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 was born in Cuba, we fled to Peru in exile but then had to leave again after a military coup, to Puerto Rico. So from an early age, I have seen the power of history.鈥�

It was his professors at the University of Puerto Rico that kept him in academia. He says they were true role models, and he knew he would be a historian and pass on what he had learned to future generations. He says he loves the curiosity that students bring to the classroom.

Since coming to 麻豆原创 in 2004, he relaunched an academic program and has written two books. His work goes beyond the walls at 麻豆原创, working with teachers in K-12 schools to give underserved students more opportunities, and he serves on the College Board and the National Council for History Education.

鈥淢y perspective in academia has been marked by my background as an immigrant,鈥� he says. 鈥淭here is something we call immigrant鈥檚 work ethic and not taking anything for granted. We know we have to work hard to excel.鈥�

College of Business

Marshall Schminke grew up in Iowa as one of six children. He is a proud first-generation college student, who also owned a bar at age 24. Paul Jarley, dean of the College of Business, says Schminke has had a life and a career of purpose and impact 鈥� and he is one of the sincerest people you鈥檒l ever meet.

Schminke left school twice before picking his path of business ethics. He and his wife, Maureen Ambrose (also a Pegasus Professor), came to 麻豆原创 in 1999 to build the doctoral program in the College of Business.

鈥淲hen you can influence doctoral students, you鈥檙e shaping their professional life for the rest of their career,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou make sure when they leave, they are good researchers, good professionals, good mentors and that they care about students.鈥�

He says his role models are his parents, who both grew up on farms. In one generation they raised six children who now all hold at least a master鈥檚 degree. His parents stressed that education was an important track in life.

His field of business ethics is making sense of what is right and wrong, and continuing to enforce what is right in the workplace. Schminke says people sometimes lose sight of what is right when faced with difficult decisions. He鈥檚 worked in the private sector with Fortune 500 companies, but his real interest is working with students.

鈥淎 lot of success comes in life from tenacity,鈥� he says. 鈥淢any people are smart but not eager to work towards something. If you want to accomplish something meaningful, put your head down and work.鈥�

College of Health Professions and Sciences

Jeffrey Stout had an expectant feeling twice in his life: when he first discovered the field of kinesiology, and when he was introduced to his wife. In those instances, he knew what his career would be, and who his life partner would be.

Stout, a first-generation student, didn鈥檛 know what kinesiology was until he was an undergraduate and a professor told him about the field. It has now become his passion.

鈥淚t鈥檚 all-encompassing,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t includes sports medicine, physical fitness, nutrition, movement and it applies to any age. Men, women, elite athletes, children and even the elderly.鈥�

Stout鈥檚 latest research has been to find ways through nutrition and exercise to improve the quality of life for older people who have lost muscle tone and movement. Stout says he also has a passion for teaching, and he has served in various leadership roles, including as interim dean.

鈥淏eing a first-generation student has made me more aware of the students who are like me,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 was probably a little behind other students who had parents who went to college. So I look for them and try to mentor them.鈥�

Christopher Ingersoll, dean of the College of Health Professions and Sciences, says one word describes Stout: humble.

鈥淛eff is the most widely published, frequently cited scholar in our college, but very rarely talks about himself,鈥� Ingersoll says. 鈥淗e is more interested in holding people up and supporting them. He is a natural-born leader who leads from behind.鈥�

For Stout, his advice for success is simple.

鈥淪tay passionate and keep family first,鈥� he says.

New trustees Tiffany A. Altizer 鈥�90MS, Bill Christy 鈥�86 and Jeff Condello will participate in their first regular Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday.

鈥淭rustees Altizer, Christy and Condello are outstanding business leaders who serve our community so well,鈥� said Board of Trustees Chair Beverly Seay. 鈥淥耻谤 entire board looks forward to continuing to work closely with President Cartwright to achieve our goal of becoming one of the nation鈥檚 and world鈥檚 leading metropolitan research universities.鈥�

The new trustees replaced Alex Martins 鈥�01惭叠础, David Walsh and William Yeargin, who reached the end of their terms earlier this year after nearly 20 years of combined service. Walsh and Yeargin were honored at Thursday’s meeting.

Martins rejoined the Board of Trustees in March after he was appointed by DeSantis. He replaced Trustee Ken Bradley, who had served on the board since 2016.

Under the Florida Constitution, each state university is administered by a board of trustees consisting of 13 members.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the administration of 麻豆原创 in a manner that is dedicated to and consistent with the university鈥檚 mission and with the mission and purposes of the State University System. This responsibility includes cost-effective policy decisions, the implementation and maintenance of high-quality education programs, and oversight of university performance, financial management and accountability, personnel, the reporting of information and compliance with laws, rules, regulations and requirements.

Learn more about the board at .

Meet the new trustees

Tiffany A. Altizer 鈥�90MS, of Orlando, is a certified public accountant and managing shareholder of Keith Altizer and Company, P.A. She began her career in public accounting in 1991 with the international accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP and joined Keith Altizer and Company in 1997.

Altizer serves as a trustee for the Southern Federal Tax Institute and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In addition, she serves on the boards of directors for the Orange County Sheriff Foundation and the Seminole County Sheriff Foundation. She has also been active in other community organizations such as the Junior League of Greater Orlando, Maitland Presbyterian Church Foundation and Florida Citrus Sports.

The 麻豆原创 alumna earned a Master of Science in taxation after receiving a B.S.B.A. (emphasis in accounting) from Auburn University.

Bill Christy 鈥�86, of Daytona Beach, is CEO of Cognitive Kinetics, a spinal implants and orthopedic joints distributorship. He is also CEO of Challenge North America, an organization led by athletes to help enhance race experiences for athletes and their families. He has extensive experience leading medical instrument and clinical start-ups and also played a key role in the design and market launch of more than 20 medical devices and is the holder of more than 25 issued and published patents.

Previously, he was CEO of both AOI Medical and SpineMatrix, and he has been involved with the Halifax Health Foundation and New Era Orthopedics.

He earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration from 麻豆原创 in 1986 and his MBA from the Rollins College Crummer School of Business in 1997.

Jeff Condello, of Windermere, is president and CEO of Randall, a company he started with his wife, Debra, in 1986. Based in Apopka, the commercial and industrial contractor now employs roughly 1,400 people and has worked on some of the largest and most influential projects in Central Florida; including the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts; Terminal C at Orlando International Airport; SunRail stations; and buildings at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Amazon.

He is an active member of the Central Florida community, volunteering his time with Project Opioid, Faine House, Florida Hospital and the Children鈥檚 Home Society. And, recently, he launched the Randall Academy in partnership with Orange County Public Schools and the City of Apopka. The pilot program enables high school students to gain experience in manufacturing, construction, accounting and human resources at Randall.

In addition, he was named the聽Orlando Business Journal鈥檚聽2019 CEO of the Year and is a 麻豆原创 Legacy Circle Member, which recognizes loyal donors to the athletics program.

鈥淥耻谤 game design programs have state-of-the art equipment and facilities, talented and experienced faculty and the advantage of being in physical proximity to some of the nation鈥檚 top gaming companies,鈥� says President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淥耻谤 goal is to not just prepare students to enter the industry when they graduate, but to position them to excel in it.鈥�

The interactive entertainment graduate program at Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA) and the digital media undergraduate program are offered at the 麻豆原创 Downtown campus in Orlando鈥檚 Creative Village district, which will be home of the new Electronic Arts Tiburon studio later this year.

鈥淲e are again excited that the Princeton Review and PC Gamer have recognized the tremendous growth and success of the video game industry and education in Central Florida鈥� says Ben Noel, FIEA鈥檚 executive director. 鈥淭he vision 15 years ago was for a creative higher-wage district with sustainable jobs and a pipeline of talent. Through the commitment of the state, city, 麻豆原创 and industry, there will be 2,000 game developers and students within a few blocks of each other in 2021鈥�.

The graduate program, which started in 2005 with 12 students, now has over 800 graduates at over 300 companies in 45 different states and countries around the globe 鈥� with an average starting salary over $70,000 and Iron Galaxy, Electronic Arts and Epic Games being the top three employers. The limited-access program is home to state-of-the-art studios and world-renowned faculty. Each year, students from around the world apply, and remain in Florida where they continue to expand the region鈥檚 digital media hub.

鈥溌槎乖� continues to see opportunities in the areas of communication and media. This recognition is evidence of the success we鈥檝e had and reflects the atmosphere of exploration and collaboration being developed at 麻豆原创 Downtown that will enable us to meet and exceed our challenges in the next-generation of media,鈥� says Robert Littlefield, director of the Nicholson School of Communication and Media.

The 2021 recipients were selected from a pool of 83 nominations. The 2021 class includes 15 Burnett Honors College students, six LEAD Scholars, six Student Government leaders, three President鈥檚 Leadership Council members, one Greek member, one student-athlete and three transfer students.

Undergraduate students are chosen for Order of Pegasus each year based on their outstanding achievement in the areas of academic achievement, university involvement, leadership and community service. Graduate students are selected based on the same merits as well as publication or research experiences.

Because of the breadth of accomplishments required for this award, the Order of Pegasus is the highest student award that can be attained at the university.

The winners will be honored at a ceremony March 26.

The names and a picture of the inductees will be added to the wall showcasing past and present Order of Pegasus recipients in the Pegasus Lounge located on the second floor of the Student Union.

This year鈥檚 recipients are:

• Nikki Anne Ballelos, Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Natali Barakat, Chemistry, College of Sciences
• Stephanie Blanco, Political Science (Pre-Law), College of Sciences
• Francesca Burri, Hospitality Management, Rosen College of Hospitality Management and Burnett Honors College
• Corey Clancy, Entertainment Management, Rosen College of Hospitality Management and Burnett Honors College
• Padmavathi Ganduri, Integrated Business, College of Business and Burnett Honors College
• Eva Gluck, Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College
• Gillian Gomer, Biology, College of Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Romina Homayoun, Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Mariana Kellis, History, College of Arts and Humanities and Burnett Honors College
• Fatema Khondker, Biomedical Sciences and Social Work, College of Medicine, College of Health Professions and Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Jasmine Masri, Political Science and Legal Studies, College of Sciences, College of Community Innovation and Education and Burnett Honors College
• Bryan Medina, Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Chantale Ninah, Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College
• Julie Poulsen 鈥�20, Human Communication, College of Sciences
• Sadie Richards, Nursing, College of Nursing and Burnett Honors College
• Abdullah Saqib, Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Riya Shah, Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Madeleine Smith, Music Education, College of Arts and Humanities and Burnett Honors College

• Jordan Dowell, Conservation Biology, College of Sciences
• Cole Friedes, Doctor of Medicine, College of Medicine
• Dakota Lewis 鈥�17, Biology, College of Sciences
• Emily Winchester 鈥�17, Public Administration and Nonprofit Management, College of Community Innovation and Education

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