USF St. Petersburg is an urban university that aims to integrate seamlessly into the fabric of the city and region, enhancing opportunities for students, businesses and the public. This community roundup series highlights the ways that USF faculty, staff, students and administration are active in the community. If you’d like to engage with USF St. Petersburg, or are a campus staff, faculty or student interested in engaging with the community, please contact Caryn Nesmith, Community Relations Director.
STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS SHINE AT PITCH COMPETITION
Florida’s brightest student entrepreneurs gathered at USF St. Petersburg on April 12 for the prestigious Governor’s Cup Statewide Pitch Competition, hosted by the Muma College of Business’ Nault Center for Entrepreneurship. The event brought together students from 10 Florida universities to pitch their startup ventures for a chance at top honors and significant cash prizes. Daniel Guido, a student from Florida Atlantic University, claimed first place and a $5,000 prize for his startup Firecodes AI, a tech venture focused on fire prevention and safety. USF’s own Unique and Cherish Alston earned second place and a $2,000 award for their innovation, Ridly, while Robert Stroud from Florida Gulf Coast University took third place and a $1,000 prize for his company Legacy Handrails. The event was organized by Frank Nunez, a USF Master’s student in Entrepreneurship, with support from Justin Heacock of Florida Southern College.
SNOWBIRD’S BIRTHDAY BASH & GIVING WEEK SUCCESS
USF St. Petersburg celebrated a significant achievement during Giving Week, April 7-13, by surpassing the goal of 50 donors to the Campus Comfort Dog Fund. This milestone unlocked a $3,000 matching gift from alum Chloe Firebaugh, ensuring continued support for the campus comfort dog program. The week also featured Snowbird's 3rd birthday celebration, bringing joy to the campus community. Dogs from across the community were on campus to celebrate with Snowbird.
Students deepen knowledge of local government and their role in it during Day at City Hall
Students from USF St. Petersburg recently participated in USF Day at City Hall, engaging with Mayor Ken Welch and gaining insights into the workings of local government. The event highlighted the university's commitment to civic engagement and community involvement. Many thanks to Mayor Welch and city leaders David Thompson, Johnny Quaranty, Sarah Lucker, Maeven Rogers and Brejesh Prayman, and City Council Chair Copley Gerdes, Vice Chair Lisset Hanewicz, and Council Member Cory Givens.
CAMPUS LEADERS EXPLORE URBAN DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS
In early April, representatives from USF St. Petersburg visited New York City with the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership to explore urban development initiatives. The trip included visits to the High Line and Bryant Park, offering insights into successful urban revitalization projects. These experiences aim to inspire similar collaborations and developments in St. Petersburg.
CAMPUS SPONSORS ACT BREAKFAST
USF St. Petersburg sponsored the 13th Annual Champions for the Arts Conservatory for Teens (ACT) Breakfast on April 3. Teens performed a variety of songs and dances and the event showcased what an asset ACT is to the community. ACT is a non-profit organization founded in 2012 that provides arts education to middle and high school students, especially those from underserved communities in St. Petersburg. ACT aims to educate, empower and enrich the lives of youth through a holistic approach to arts education, fostering creativity, critical thinking and self-esteem.
FRIENDS OF ALBERT WHITTED AIRPORT AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS TO USF STUDENTS
Friends of Albert Whitted Airport have awarded scholarships to three outstanding USF St. Petersburg students. Emilia Wrucke and Lizabeth Corrado each received $5,000 intermediate scholarships. Samuel Craft received a $10,000 advanced scholarship. These scholarships are intended to support students pursuing careers in aviation and were presented during a ceremony at the airport.
LEADERSHIP USF VISITS CAMPUS
USF St. Petersburg hosted members of Leadership USF, welcoming community leaders from across the region. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the campus's programs and initiatives. Leadership USF brings together 15 community leaders for a dynamic exchange of insights and experiences among USF and area leaders throughout the Tampa Bay region – enriching both the university and the greater community.
SUSTAINABILITY CLASS TOURS THE VINOY
Professor Rebecca Harris took students in the sustainability capstone course to the Vinoy Resort and Golf Club on April 8. On the tour, students saw that implementing sustainability measures is more complicated than one might think. Students met with Vinoy staff to discuss sustainability in action as well as learning about sustainable, local, healthy food in cooking.
UPCOMING EVENTS
#CREEKSHED EVENT TO LAUNCH MAP ON HUMAN AND NATURAL STORIES THAT DRAIN INTO TAMPA BAY
“What are the human and natural stories that drain into Tampa Bay?” Working in collaboration with USF libraries, poets, authors and creators enter into a dialog with an item from USF's archival collections, helping to re-map the bay's history and future. The goal is to present the watershed as one system. On April 22nd (Earth Day), an online map will be launched that showcases the new work. Featured writers include Julie Armstrong, Pedro “el Poeta” Jarquin, Tyler Gillespie, Sheree Greer, Amanda Hagood, Thomas Hallock, Gary Mormino, Gloria Muñoz, Diane Roberts, and musical guest Rita Youngman.
FACULTY FEATURED AT FLORIDA HUMANITIES EVENING OF HURRICANE HISTORY, STORYTELLING
Hurricanes are a natural part of life in Florida. However, our relationship with these storms has been an ever-evolving story. That’s why Florida Humanities and Sacred Lands Preservation and Education are giving the public the opportunity to explore this complex relationship during an evening of history and storytelling on April 26 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Sacred Lands, a Tocobaga archaeological site at 1700 Park St N in in St. Petersburg. Activities include: guided tours of the Tocobaga site and a trivia-style game show focused on hurricane folklore, history and preparedness. The event will feature Florida State Folklorist Dr Dominick Tartaglia, Rui Farias, executive director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History and USF St. Petersburg Professor and Historian Dr. Catherine Wilkins. Guests will be able to contribute their own hurricane experiences to an oral history project.
USF NIGHT WITH THE THRESHERS
The USF Pinellas County Alumni Association is organizing USF Night with the Clearwater Threshers on May 17. Tickets are $17 and include open seating in a corner picnic terrace and Section 120, as well as unlimited hot dogs, hamburgers, snacks, drinks and $3 draft beers from 5:30-8 pm. Learn more here.