RECOGNITION
■ Bob Zelinski, director of Athletics, introduced Marty Smith, who is finishing his 25th season as head baseball coach. He has amassed 764 wins to date and became just the third active coach in the state to reach the 700-win mark. Coach Smith has led the Patriots to two state championships and six conference titles and is a two-time State Coach of the Year. Next month, he will be inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association Baseball Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Grand Junction, Colorado, site of the Junior College World Series.
■ Dr. Allan Danuff, associate vice president, Arts and Sciences, introduced CF students Danielle Bryan, Corey Evans, Hanya Noussier and Angelique Aarcon, who were recognized on the 2019 All-Florida Academic Team at the international Phi Theta Kappa convention. Students Jessica Pollare and Layna Freilich were unable to attend the meeting.
■ Dr. Vernon Lawter, vice president of Regional Campuses, introduced student leaders from the Citrus Campus. Ja’Onna Brown, Madison Hess and CJ Adams are CF Ambassadors. Alejandra Fernandez is Student Activities Board President and Caitlyn Dye and Emily Butler are SAB members.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
■ Approved a Proclamation on Free Expression as requested by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who asked that all 28 Florida College System institutions support the guidelines from the University of Chicago. Dr. Jim Henningsen explained that the proclamation takes a position which will allow CF to review policies and include some of the language. General Counsel Rob Batsel will review the Facility Use policy, among others.
■ Acknowledged receipt of the Monthly Financial Summary Report.
■ Received a review of Auditor General Report No. 2019-194 from Joe Mazur, vice president of Administration and Finance. The report is a financial audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018.
■ Received a review of Auditor General Report No. 2019-186, State of Florida Compliance and Internal Controls over Financial Reporting and Federal Awards, from Joe Mazur. The report is for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018.
■ Received a Citrus Campus update from Dr. Vernon Lawter, who shared that students released their “In The Write Mind” literary publication and SAB held a Stress Busters event to help prepare for final exams. After receiving many requests from staff and students over several years, the Dorothea Jerome Building now has a designated fitness room equipped with four spin bikes. Two treadmills, weights and other fitness equipment will also be added. To help address hunger and food insecurity among students, the campus is creating a food pantry with the Community Food Bank of Citrus County as a designated partner. Shelving is installed and the pantry should be stocked for fall semester. Citrus Conference Services will be hosting several high school banquets and AP exams in the next month. The Citrus 2020 on-campus dual enrollment cohort was so successful that Citrus County Schools will be sending a new group of high school juniors for a Citrus 2021 cohort this fall. The Community of Scholars program is preparing to offer an expanded curriculum this fall of six honors courses. Citrus has once again submitted a grant request for $120,000 to the Citrus County Community Charitable Foundation to fund the purchase of two patient simulators for the nursing program. CF is a partner with the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce in the development of the new Citrus 2030 Community Visioning project. The Citrus Campus has already been identified as the host site and title sponsor for the Oct. 5 event.
■ Received a legislative update from Jessica Kummerle, director of Governmental Relations, who reported that the legislative session ends next week. We are monitoring the veto list and multiple bills which can affect higher education. Trustee Dr. Robert Winsler asked about board appointments and Dr. Henningsen said none have been made except for one college in south Florida. General Counsel Rob Batsel is reviewing the process for appointment holdovers to determine if we will have a quorum to approve the budget in June.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT TO THE BOARD
Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus Update. On April 9, the Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus hosted 40 juniors from Chiefland Middle/High School for a “Day on Campus.” Students spent half a day on the Levy Campus. Activities included a campus tour, shadowing 3 different lectures for 20 minutes each, an information session with the LRC Coordinator and student tutors, a team building competition, lunch, and a Q&A session with members of the Levy SAB.
Shop Talk Cancer Awareness Program. On April 15, Marketing and Public Relations hosted a Shop Talk Cancer Awareness program on “Brain Health: What’s New in Cancer and Stroke Prevention and Treatments.” More than 150 community members attended the program that is held in partnership with the Ocala Royal Dames for Cancer Inc. and Ocala Health. The next Shop Talk program will be held in October and will focus on breast cancer.
Higher Education Happenings Show. The WOCA Higher Education Happenings radio show on April 19 focused on “Researching Career Paths.” Dr. Victoria Colleli, Director of Access Services, and Cori Wiygul, Career Pathways Coordinator, represented CF and were accompanied by Crystal Flynn from Webster University. The talk radio show is facilitated by CF Marketing and Public Relations.
Marketing and Public Relations Awards. Tina Banner, Manager of Marketing and Public Relations, brought home several awards from the Florida Public Relations Association Image Awards ceremony on April 17. Banner earned the Grand Image Award, Image Award and Judges’ Award for CF social media platforms in the Online Audience Engagement category, and an Image Award and Judges’ Award for the Insider employee e-newsletter in the Online Newsletter category.
Community Outreach. The Marketing and Public Relations team represented the college at Marion County’s 175th Anniversary Celebration on March 30 and Dunnellon Boomtown Days on April 13. On May 4, the MPR team will share college information at the Kirby Farms Big Birthday Bonanza. The annual event is held at Kirby Farms in Williston in partnership with the Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy and is open only to foster children.
Friday Talks Business Advancement Series. The Friday Talks Business Advancement Series on April 26 will feature Leann Manley, CF Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, who will discuss “Better Nutrition for a Healthy Gut.” The program is held at the Hampton Center and begins at 8:30 a.m. The March 29 Friday Talks presentation featured “Where Education Meets the Horse Industry,” with 27 attendees. The presentation included Dr. Judy Downer, Professor and Program Manager of Equine Studies; Tammy Gantt, Associate Vice President of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association; and CF graduate and intern Kaitlyn Grimes. Friday Talks is facilitated by Marketing and Public Relations.
American Association of Community Colleges. The 99th AACC National Convention was held in Orlando April 12-16. Dr. Saul Reyes, Dr. Mark Paugh, Dr. Jillian Ramsammy and Dr. Henningsen attended the conference. Drs. Henningsen and Ramsammy also gave a presentation on the CF experience of implementing AACC’s 21st Century Initiative at CF. Dr. Henningsen also attended the AACC Board of Directors meetings.
Student Life/Student Activities Board. Three members of the Ocala Student Activities Board (Deonte Smith, Kervin Scotland and Jada Moody) along with their advisor, Marjorie McGee, attended the Florida College System Student Government Association Year-End Conference at Hillsborough Community College. They heard presentations from Dale Mabry Campus President Dr. Allen Witt and keynote speaker Daniel Caron, a professional speaker and photographer. The students participated in a Region 2 business meeting, presidents’ assembly, awards banquet and had 23 different educational sessions to choose from over the two-day conference. Mikel James, Student Life Coordinator, was inducted into the FCSAA Hall of Fame during the awards ceremony for his time at CF as a student involved with SAB.
Torch Run. On April 19, Dr. Charles McIntosh, Dean of Public Service/Criminal Justice, Kat Kelley, Criminal Justice Coordinator, along with 35 law enforcement academy students participated in the Marion County Torch Run. Law enforcement officers from over 300 Florida agencies participated in the state-wide Torch Run to benefit the athletes of the Special Olympics Florida.
Vintage Farm. Three BAS Equine Specialization students, Kaitlyn Grimes, Nicole Dawson and Angelica Farrel-Jensen, staged the first Equine Education Day on Saturday, April 6, at Vintage Farm. Students in the program are required to organize an equine event as part of their capstone project. Participants in the daylong event learned about handling, first aid, and feeding of horses. These will be the first three bachelor-level students to graduate with an Equine Specialization at the spring ceremony in May.
Campus Suicide Prevention. On April 1, Tom Walsh, Director of the Campus Suicide Prevention, presented at Mega Monday held at the Learning Resources Center. There were 60 students/staff/faculty in attendance.
CF Counseling Office. The current issue of CF’s Patriot Press features Club Advisor Madelyn Ballard, LMHC, Coordinator of Counseling and Community Resources, and the P.R.E.P. club she established at CF in 1998. The purpose of the Psychological Rehabilitation Education Program is to help students with psychological challenges achieve their academic goals. P.R.E.P. assists with college retention and focuses on setting goals, motivational techniques, and leadership skills. The P.R.E.P. Club engages all CF students to accomplish their endeavors.
Educational Opportunity Center. Dr. Leonard Everett, Director, Student Success and Educational Outreach Programs, along with Educational Outreach Program Coordinators, Regina Darling-James, Keith Bracey and Dejuan Mills, continue to make presentations in schools and community organizations in Citrus, Levy, and Ocala to assist prospective students with college admission and financial aid applications. Hampton Campus EOC Coordinator Dejuan Mills provided EOC services display and information at the Greater Ocala Community Development Corporation, Jobs and Job Skills Expo for West Ocala on April 11.
Academic Affairs. On March 29, CF Teacher Education partnered with the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County to host the 31st Annual Early Childhood Education Conference. Over 450 participants spent the day receiving professional development and continuing education in the field of early childhood education. Dr. Mike Jordan, received the Children’s Champion award for his work in the community as an advocate for young children. Dr. Jordan is a retired physician and was the executive director of the Marion County Children’s Alliance for nearly two decades.
Corporate College. College of Central Florida and the CF Corporate College sponsored the ExCEPtional Mornings breakfast on April 17 by the Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership. Dr. James Henningsen and Dr. Jennifer Fryns shared information on how CF continues to collaborate with the business industry in Marion County to produce a skilled and talented workforce which meets local needs.
Workforce Conference. CF was one of the sponsors of the first State of the Workforce Conference: Cultivating Your 21st Century Workforce hosted by CareerSource Citrus/Levy/Marion on April 18. Topics included state and regional economic and labor market growth projections, creating an intergenerational work place, and effective business and education partnerships. Dr. Henningsen participated on an education panel with the school superintendents from Citrus, Levy, and Marion counties.
Career and Professional. Dr. Jennifer Fryns represented CF on the first inter-city visit between Ocala and Lexington, KY, hosted by the Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership. Forty-three community representatives participated and attended on-site sessions demonstrating how Lexington approaches issues such as business and education partnerships, farm preservation, homelessness, arts and culture, diversity and equine tourism.
Stearns Learning Resources Center. The Grand Reopening of the Stearns Learning Resources Center took place on March 27. Dr. James Henningsen and Dr. Tammi Viviano-Broderick addressed the standing-room only crowd, welcoming over 300 guests and offering information on the history of the building, the year-long construction, and the new space. The ceremonial ribbon was cut by Dr. Jim Henningsen, Mr. Randy Ewers, Dr. Mark Paugh, Dr. Tammi Viviano-Broderick, Ms. Karla Wilson, Mr. Tommy Morelock, and Ms. Katie Hunt. Free food and branded give-away items were given to attendees throughout the day. Guests were invited to participate in a scavenger hunt and attend mini-information sessions throughout the building. Over 1,100 students, staff, faculty and patrons entered the building throughout the day. The renovated space, paid for primarily from the $2.1 million Title III grant and using internal facilities resources, now includes the Learning Commons space, an information desk, a mindfulness room, a conference room, and Cliff’s Cyber Café with extended hours.
Library Out Loud. CF alumna Sandra Friend, author of 40 books on hiking and travel in Florida and elsewhere, was the featured speaker for the Library Out Loud speaker series during National Library Week in April. Sandra presented two programs, one on hiking opportunities in Central Florida, and one on writing about the outdoors, to 65 attendees, on April 10, in the new Learning Commons area of the Stearns Learning Resources Center.
Cyber Security and Virtual Reality. Former U.S. Congressman Cliff Stearns presented on Cyber Security and Virtual Reality on April 17 to 40 attendees in the new Learning Commons area of the Clifford B. Stearns Learning Resources Center, which houses Cliff’s Cyber Café.
Foundation Update. Distinguished alumni, John (1970) and Shirley (1971) Rudnianyn, will be recognized at graduation on May 3. The invitation only reception begins 5:15 p.m. prior to the 6:00 p.m. ceremony. The foundation received an estate gift totaling $699,420 from the estate of Dr. and Mrs. William H. Anderson, Jr. These funds are being directed to create an endowed scholarship focused on retention and completion and equipment purchase for the health sciences programs. The CF Reaching Higher Campaign has 89% of the $20 million goal committed.
Records/Registrar.
Spring Total Graduation Applications 1,429
Spring Unduplicated Student Applications 1,135
Spring Student Self Applications 708
Spring Auto Grad* 721
DE Student Graduation Applications 113
Spring Commencement Walkers 674
(includes summer graduates)
Summer Total Graduation Applications 254
Summer Unduplicated Student Applications 237
60% of students have claimed tickets for graduation
Summer graduates can elect to participate in spring or fall commencement ceremonies.
* AutoGrad is a Jenzabar process to find any student eligible for graduation that did not self-select and apply.
Admissions/Recruitment. Dr. Raphel Robinson, Director of Admissions and Student Recruitment, met with 50 Citrus County guidance counselors and administrators to discuss career pathways and college admissions. Recent high school recruitment visits include West Port High School, North Marion High School, Dunnellon High School, Lecanto High School, Belleview High School, and Vanguard High School.
Student Success Advising Center. A college-wide advisor staff meeting was held March 27, which included instructional staff presentations from the CF business and technology department, lead by Dean Dr. Rob Wolf. Dr. Rob Wolf’s staff have presented at the last 3 meetings and will present at the upcoming 4/24 and 5/29 meetings. The advisors appreciate the program presentations, updates, and opportunity for small group questions and answers. Susan Thomas, Assistant Director of First Year Success, and Chenita Hart, Assistant Director of Advising Services, attended the UCF Direct Connect meeting on Friday, April 12, and took a college-wide advising team to the UCF Transfer Summit on Monday, April 15.
Financial Aid. Patrick Hoffman, Director of Financial Aid, reported that during the 2018-2019 aid year, a total of $27,309,081 in financial aid has been disbursed to students. During spring 2019, $12,921,961 in financial aid has been disbursed to 3,786 students. On April 11 and 12, Patrick Hoffman attended the Florida College System Financial Aid Directors Spring meeting at Broward College. The financial aid directors from the Florida College System institutions meet twice a year to receive federal and state financial aid updates, discuss best practices, and collaborate on topics such as communication planning, emergency planning, and financial literacy as well as preparing for the fall meeting which will be held in October.
Athletics. Baseball, with a record of 42-7, has won the Mid-Florida Conference Baseball Championship for the first time in 12 years. The team set an all-time record for most wins in a season and will head to the state tournament to be played at Tigertown Stadium in Lakeland, Florida, on May 9-14.
Softball is 48-8 and has won the Mid-Florida Conference Softball Championship for the third time in the past four years. Softball will play in the state tournament beginning on May 2 in Sanford, Florida, and will open the double elimination tournament facing Eastern Florida State College.
Men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball are all in their recruiting periods for 2019-2020.
Appleton Museum of Art.
Exhibits
• Through May 26
America’s Everglades: Through the Lens of Clyde Butcher
This exhibition of large format black and white photographs spans three decades and captures the rugged and remote beauty of the Everglades.
• Through July 7
Familiar Beauty: Drawings by Vicki Jones
Jones’ realistic and sometimes surreal works vary in subject matter including landscapes, portraiture, still-lifes and architecture.
Education
• March 1-31
1,094 people visited the ARTSpace during the month of March.
• March 1
First Friday Art Walk
The museum’s booth and art making station was visited by more than 130 people.
• March 24
Camp Expo
The museum partnered with the Ocala Civic Theatre to present the annual Summer Camp Expo. Over 200 people visited the ARTSpace, Art Lab and Clay Lab and received information on our Summer Art Camps.
• March 29
Appleton–on-the-Go
Hollis Mutch, Museum Educator, and Naomi Ballard, Education Assistant, presented an Appleton-on-the-Go program for 26 students at the New Leaf Center.
• March 30
Over 800 people attended the reception for the Young in Art Exhibition. The exhibit showcased artwork created by elementary and high school students in Marion County public schools.
Events
• March 30
Senior Expo
More than 125 people visited the museum’s booth at the Senior Expo at On Top of the World.
• April 4
After Hours
Over 350 people attended the April After Hours event. Music was performed by Southern Express Big Band and La Cuisine provided food samplings.
• April 6
Food and Fashion Event
Over 100 people attended a haute couture fashion show organized by the museum and a four course brunch organized by the Ocala Culinary Festival.
• April 19
Magical Night at the Museum
More than 650 people attended our fourth annual Magical Night at the Museum event on Saturday, April 20. Attendees enjoyed the museum’s artwork coming to life, creating wands and orbs in the ARTSpace and being mesmerized by the magician and mermaids. Attendance for the 2018 event was 550.
Next Board Meeting. Our next meeting will be held Wednesday, May 29, 2019, at 3 p.m. on the Ocala Campus.