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.

“This new facility is exactly the kind of strategic partnership that makes Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ a premiere choice for students with future-focused career goals.â€� — Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ President Alexander N. Cartwright

“This new facility is exactly the kind of strategic partnership that makes Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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,â€� says Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ President Alexander N. Cartwright. “It’s 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.â€�

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.

“It was a national conversation about power and the options being considered,� he says. “That’s where the conversation began for me.�

Opoku was originally drawn to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ after becoming aware of the RISES (Resilient, Intelligent and Sustainable Energy Systems) faculty cluster. The collaboration brings together Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ researchers from multiple colleges who are working to develop sustainable and resilient energy systems and storage.

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

“You don’t always have hardware available to test, and usually you use simulation only. This is as close to real-life as you can get,� he says.

Max Carroll ’21 completed his bachelor’s 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.

“When 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,� says Carroll. “I said to myself, ‘How do these things actually work?’ �

Now a graduate student studying electrical engineering at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, Carroll is planning on spending a lot of time in the new space.

“I’ll be doing my research there, as all the tools I need are in there. But I can also study there,� he says. “The computers have virtually all the programs there that I’ll need for my classes.�

“We are excited to bring this innovative research space to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ engineering students,â€� says Ed De Varona, FPL’s vice president of transmission & substation. “The 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.â€�

Currently, more than 1,400 undergraduate and graduate students at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ are studying electrical or computer engineering — disciplines that support energy systems and electricity grids. Another 500-plus Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ students have indicated they plan to pursue an electrical or computer engineering major once prerequisite coursework is completed.

±«°ä¹ó’s 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.

“The 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,� says Jim Walsh, general manager of GE Digital’s Grid Software Solutions. “As 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.�

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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ president

Tourism and Transportation

2019 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Honorary Alumni Award recipient, member of dean’s advisory board of the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and a charter member of the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Board of Trustees

Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in journalism

Politics and Government

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

Degree: Bachelor of Science in marketing

Entertainment, Sports and the Arts

Degree: Master of Business Administration

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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’s work has been making waves for over three decades. And now he’s 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.

“Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ is clearly a national and international leader when it comes to optics, lasers, and photonics. Professor Delfyett, through his amazing work, has proven that he is one of the very best laser and photonics researchers in the world,â€� Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ President Alexander N. Cartwright says. “This recognition honors his many contributions to society throughout his career and his leadership that has helped develop ±«°ä¹ó’s culture of innovation and discovery. I know he will continue to have an impact on the university and inspire his colleagues and our students to reach for the stars.â€�

A Monumental Honor

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

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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 ±«°ä¹ó’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, he is also the first Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ faculty member from the College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL) to join the organization.

“This 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ with graduate students,â€� Delfyett says. “I know this is something Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ has been wanting to grow toward, which is a really difficult task, and I’m honored to help the university fulfill this part of its vision.â€�

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.

“This 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ with graduate students.â€� — Peter Delfyett, Pegasus Professor

Delfyett’s induction, which will take place at the NAE’s annual meeting in October, means other current Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ faculty could be joining this rank in the near future.

Over the years, Delfyett has been awarded numerous honors — such as the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in 1996 and the American Physical Societies’ Edward Bouchet Award in 2011 — but his most recent accolades include the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ 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’s as easy to see why Delfyett was elected as it was to make the decision to hire him 27 years ago.

“With Peter, it’s 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,â€� says Soileau, the former vice president for research at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ for 17 years who describes Delfyett’s most recent honor as a phase change for Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½.

“I 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,� Soileau says. “Those were my first impressions of him, and they’ve been accurate over the years and then some.�

Before Joining Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½

That positive first impression was also informed by Delfyett’s 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.

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

After earning a bachelor’s in electrical engineering in 1981, he pursued a master’s 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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.

“With 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,� Delfyett says.

Delfyett’s 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Business Incubator Program and started at Central Florida Research Park in 2003. The company developed the world’s first software-controlled  laser before it was acquired by California-based Coherent in 2015.

“Photonics is an enabling technology — it’s not just powering the internet but influencing the whole spectrum of scientific discovery and advancement,� Delfyett says. “To know that I am contributing in my own special way to the area of optics and photonics is very rewarding to me.�

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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ he teaches classes from the undergraduate to doctoral level and is constantly supporting student research efforts as he leads CREOL’s Ultrafast Photonics Group.

“Every student that goes through [±«°ä¹ó’s optics and photonics] program and graduates will go on to do great things because they’ve had exposure to Peter,â€� Soileau says.

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

“I really do love having him as my advisor,� Bustos-Ramirez says. “Whether it’s been a failed experiment or something really personal, he has always been there, so I’m 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.�

When it comes to his own future, Delfyett says much like research, it’s 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.

“When I think about the future, I hope for more of the same,â€� Delfyett says. “I’m going to continue to try and do the best research I can at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ — in the community and beyond — with professional societies as well.â€�

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

“Everyone should have access to a high-quality college degree,â€� says Pam Cavanaugh, associate vice provost for . “Together with our partners, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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.â€�

Sixty-four percent of all transfer students completing an associate in arts degree at Florida’s 28 state colleges enroll at FIU, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, or USF and each year, over 50,000 transfer students attend one of the three Consortium universities.

Already established leaders in transfer student success, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, 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 “transfer shock;â€� 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.

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ to continue their studies, marking the highest one-year retention rate to date. Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ has the largest number of transfer students among all of Florida’s public universities with more than 11,000 transfer students entering during the 2020-21 academic year.

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ has the largest number of transfer students among all of Florida’s public universities with more than 11,000 transfer students entering during the 2020-21 academic year.

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, providing personalized support and guidance along the way. The coaches help students overcome challenges and stay motivated to reach academic, career and personal goals. Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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 ±«°ä¹ó’s 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.

“We know how critical it is for students to have individual, tailored assistance,â€� says Cavanaugh. “O³Ü°ù coaching model gives every transfer student a ‘go to’ person who serves as a constant and consistent presence for them. We’ve 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.â€�

More than 30% of new undergraduates enrolled each year at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ come through the to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ program, which guarantees admission to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ for students with an associate degree or articulated degree from one of six partner state colleges. Since DirectConnect to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ was established in 2006, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ has conferred 61,924 degrees to students participating in the program. A national model, DirectConnect to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ has significantly increased the number of minority, low-income and first-generation students who earn a college degree.

“Helios believes a high-quality education should be within reach of every student. Ensuring students experience a smooth transition between Florida’s state colleges and universities is essential to student success and degree completion,� 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’s resignation comes as he prepares for open heart surgery later this month, followed by a lengthy period of recovery and cardiac rehabilitation.

“I remain grateful to have been recruited to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ six years ago and am proud of our achievements in advancement. Working at the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ has been a professional privilege and a great personal adventure,â€� says Morsberger, adding that he and his wife will continue to be football season ticket-holders, donors and fans.

During Morsberger’s tenure at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Downtown, and secured more than $531 million in gifts and commitments as part of the IGNITE Campaign.

“Mike has spent nearly six years shepherding Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ down our path to excellence,â€� says President Alexander N. Cartwright. “His leadership — coupled with the investments our community has made to advance our mission and the hard work of many others — has led to incredible strides in recent years.â€�

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ will begin the process of launching a national search for Morsberger’s successor to continue advancing the university’s mission. In the meantime, Karen Cochran, the Foundation’s senior associate vice president for advancement, will continue to serve as acting vice president for advancement and CEO of Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ a great university that changes lives and livelihoods.

This year’s recipients are:

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Don’t 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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.

“He has done things I never thought were possible, and yet he accomplishes them,� Georgiopolous says. “Because of this, he inspires people around him and makes them better.�

If there is one thing Batarseh loves more than his research, it’s 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.

“Being a faculty member is the greatest thing in the world for me,� he says. “It is an opportunity to impact the lives of thousands of students.�

College of Medicine

Cristina Fernández-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.

“I had the example of hard work and that you can achieve anything,� Fernández-Valle says. “You can have everything taken from you, but you can never lose your education.�

She researches neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves and in the brain. It’s 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 —which is “like going to the Super Bowl,� she says.

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

Fernández-Valle doesn’t 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.

“I never stop learning,� she says. “I want to help our students become the best ‘them’ 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.�

College of Arts and Humanities

Luis Martínez-Fernández 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.

“My life has had historical complications,� he says. “I 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.�

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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ in 2004, he relaunched an academic program and has written two books. His work goes beyond the walls at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, 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.

“My perspective in academia has been marked by my background as an immigrant,� he says. “There is something we call immigrant’s work ethic and not taking anything for granted. We know we have to work hard to excel.�

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 — and he is one of the sincerest people you’ll 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ in 1999 to build the doctoral program in the College of Business.

“When you can influence doctoral students, you’re shaping their professional life for the rest of their career,� he says. “You make sure when they leave, they are good researchers, good professionals, good mentors and that they care about students.�

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’s 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’s worked in the private sector with Fortune 500 companies, but his real interest is working with students.

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

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’t know what kinesiology was until he was an undergraduate and a professor told him about the field. It has now become his passion.

“It’s all-encompassing,� he says. “It includes sports medicine, physical fitness, nutrition, movement and it applies to any age. Men, women, elite athletes, children and even the elderly.�

Stout’s 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.

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

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

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

For Stout, his advice for success is simple.

“Stay passionate and keep family first,� he says.

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

“Trustees Altizer, Christy and Condello are outstanding business leaders who serve our community so well,â€� said Board of Trustees Chair Beverly Seay. “O³Ü°ù entire board looks forward to continuing to work closely with President Cartwright to achieve our goal of becoming one of the nation’s and world’s leading metropolitan research universities.â€�

The new trustees replaced Alex Martins ’01²Ñµþ´¡, 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ in a manner that is dedicated to and consistent with the university’s 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 ’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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ alumna earned a Master of Science in taxation after receiving a B.S.B.A. (emphasis in accounting) from Auburn University.

Bill Christy ’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’s degree in business administration from Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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’s 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 Orlando Business Journal’s 2019 CEO of the Year and is a Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Legacy Circle Member, which recognizes loyal donors to the athletics program.

“O³Ü°ù 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’s top gaming companies,â€� says President Alexander N. Cartwright. “O³Ü°ù goal is to not just prepare students to enter the industry when they graduate, but to position them to excel in it.â€�

The interactive entertainment graduate program at Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA) and the digital media undergraduate program are offered at the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Downtown campus in Orlando’s Creative Village district, which will be home of the new Electronic Arts Tiburon studio later this year.

“We 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 Floridaâ€� says Ben Noel, FIEA’s executive director. “The 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, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ and industry, there will be 2,000 game developers and students within a few blocks of each other in 2021â€�.

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 — 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’s digital media hub.

“Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ continues to see opportunities in the areas of communication and media. This recognition is evidence of the success we’ve had and reflects the atmosphere of exploration and collaboration being developed at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Downtown that will enable us to meet and exceed our challenges in the next-generation of media,â€� 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’s 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’s 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 ’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 ’17, Biology, College of Sciences
• Emily Winchester ’17, Public Administration and Nonprofit Management, College of Community Innovation and Education

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