College Celebrates Fall Commencement on Dec. 12

AVON PARK, Fla. – Nov. 22, 2024 – South Florida State College (SFSC) celebrates its new graduates with a Commencement ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

The Commencement speaker is Christopher Peragine, who is graduating from SFSC with his Associate in Arts degree.

Approximately 308 students will have met the SFSC requirements by fall Commencement. Of these, 14 will receive their Bachelor of Science in Supervision and Management (BAS-SM), six will receive their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 90 will receive their Associate in Arts, 69 will receive their Associate in Science, 33 will receive their State of Florida High School Diploma, 24 will receive their College Credit Certificate (CCC), and 72 will receive Career Technical Certificates. Students participating in the Commencement ceremony will total 149.

Mace bearer and chief marshal for Commencement is Mlisa Manning, and marshals are Kelly Fairfield Dec, Courtney Green, Robert Hampton, Candy Jones, Garrett Lee, Michelle Macbeth, Sofia Ochoa, Ricardo Pantoja, Michael Pate, Lena Phelps, Andrew Polk, and Megan Togno.

The Commencement rehearsal will be held on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts. The event will be live-streamed with access through SFSC’s website at southflorida.edu.

Avon Park, Fla.—Nov. 21, 2024—Members of the South Florida State College (SFSC) Community Relations and Marketing Office garnered recognition and awards for their commitment to furthering the Florida College System (FCS) and its students during the 75th Annual Association of Florida Colleges (AFC) Meeting and Conference in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 4-7.

During the conference, the SFSC Community Relations and Marketing Office received these Communications and Marketing Commission Awards of Excellence:

Gold Award for the category “Article in a College-Produced or Third-Party Publication” for a story about SFSC alumnus Daniel Duque who took his nursing practice to the South Pole. The story was written by Deborah Bell Latter.

A Silver Award for the category “Social Media, Paid” for the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Teacher Education promotion. The advertisement was created by Melissa Kuehnle.

A Silver Award for the category “Redesign” for a Pete’s Pantry promotion. The piece was created by Sharon Jones.

A Bronze Award for the category, “Social Media, Paid” for the 9-1-1 dispatcher jobs promotion. The advertisement was created by Melissa Kuehnle.

A Bronze Award for category “Single Sheet Flyer” for the promotion of an SFSC baseball and barbecue event. The flyer was created by Sharon Jones.

AFC is a 7,500-member nonprofit organization that advocates for Florida’s 28 community and state colleges who are members of the FCS.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Nov. 21, 2024 – Christopher Peragine has the job of his dreams – he’s a fitness coach training clients in his own gym. However, the journey to success took him along a rocky path. Through his own determination and because of angels along the way, the Sebring resident will earn his Associate in Arts during the College’s Commencement ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park. In fact, he will be the graduation keynote speaker.

Like many young people, Peragine wanted to be an athlete, perhaps, even an NBA player. However, early in life, he was diagnosed with a genetic condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). According to the CMTA website, CMT degrades the nerves, so people with CMT suffer lifelong progressive muscle weakness and atrophy of the arms and legs and progressive sensory loss. “It’s something that you have the rest of your life,” Peragine said. “It, typically, gets worse as you get older, so if you don’t start training, it eats away muscle tissue.”

At age five, Peragine had double hip surgery to combat the effects of the disease. “It was a two-year recovery process of therapy,” he said. “I had a body cast from the waist down.”

Multiple doctors told him that he would never walk again. “I couldn’t think of myself going to school in a wheelchair. Within a year after surgery, I was walking. From that time forward, I never wanted that feeling of being taken care of.”

Peragine started working out in his family’s garage. When he was old enough, he got a membership to a gym.

The idea of becoming a fitness coach came to Peragine when he participated in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program while a student at Lake Placid High School. The AVID program helps students prepare for college. They learn skills, such as note-taking, time management, and organization, and receive support from AVID-trained tutors and peers. “When we were career searching during the AVID program, we were asked to take on assignments to see what we were good at or passionate about,” he said. “For me, one of those things was training clients. I was already training clients in high school for free. Whatever sports I played, I trained my whole team for free. So, it just became natural for me.”

After graduating from high school in 2018, Peragine enrolled as a student at SFSC, taking three or four classes each term. Although he had been a dual-enrolled student at the college during his senior year of high school, he says that it didn’t help him out. “I didn’t really care,” he said. “I had a high school mentality and I paid the price every semester after that to try to raise my GPA.”

When the pandemic hit in 2020, Peragine took a break from classes. In time, he returned to the classroom; however, family issues arose and he had to work three jobs. “I worked at a bar at night and on weekends, at Burger King, and I had a work-study job at the College. If I had classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, for instance, I would just stay at the College and complete my homework between classes. I realized quickly, that working in an office wasn’t for me. Eventually, I became a certified trainer and, financially, did well as a trainer. Later, I became a contractor, working for gyms.”

During his time away from his studies, Peragine met his mentor. “He saw potential in me and that’s when everything kind of opened up,” he said. “I learned business skills, the legal aspects of a business, how to set up a business, and he put me in touch with an accountant.”

Peragine opened his own gym in 2021, when he was living in a client’s garage. He found success early on and, then, a hurricane struck in September 2022, flooding and destroying the facility. Although deep in debt, he picked himself up and opened a second gym later in 2022. That gym, Innovative Fitness Studio, thrives and was recently lauded for excellence in a local newspaper poll. Peragine is completing his associate degree at SFSC, while running two businesses – a gym and an online training app.

But Peragine isn’t done yet. He is the first person in his family to earn a college degree. He plans to continue his education and would like to get a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy with a minor in Psychology and continue toward a master’s degree in Physical Therapy.

Peragine’s success came by learning how to find balance in his life. “It’s an understanding that you’re going to have to make sacrifices,” he said. “Create a schedule and routine and stick to it. We’re not talking about a 30-day challenge. Understand that some days, whatever is most important to you, such as family, gets more of the time. I’m 26 years old and I missed out on a lot of things. I missed out on time with my family, on Thanksgiving, on Christmas, my own birthdays, and through that, I learned that that was the price I paid for the stage I’m at. I learned how to find balance through painful lessons and created a routine to help me find balance in life.”

AVON PARK, Fla. – Nov. 20, 2024 – William Lee Golden and The Goldens are scheduled to perform A Country Christmas at the Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts at South Florida State College (SFSC) in Avon Park on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. “Expect some gospel music, holiday songs, and a little southern rock featuring William Lee Golden’s famous baritone vocals,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs at SFSC.

William Lee Golden is a legendary figure in American music. Since joining the Oak Ridge Boys in the 1960s, Golden has become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, been inducted into both the Country and Music Halls of Fame, and won five Grammy Awards, one American Music Award, four Country Music Association Awards, four Academy of Country Music Awards, 10 Dove Awards, and the 2010 President’s Honor.

The Goldens all-star band includes Golden’s sons Chris and Craig and his grandchildren Elizabeth, Rebekah, and Elijah. The family band tours when Golden isn’t performing with the Oak Ridge Boys. Their music brings fresh interpretations to longtime favorite hymns and holiday songs.

William Lee Golden and The Goldens celebrated their first No. 1 single with “Come and Dine” off their “Old Country Church Gospel” album. The hymn is a favorite of the family, because it’s an upbeat classic about feasting at the table with Jesus. “This is an exciting time for us as a family,” Golden said. “I am so proud of The Goldens reaching No. 1.”

“This is their only performance in Florida on their holiday tour,” Garren said. “It’s a rare treat for folks who love old-timey music, great harmonies, and musical excellence.”

Tickets are $30-$45 plus a $3 per ticket processing fee, and are available online at sfscARTS.org, by calling 863-784-7178, or by visiting the Box Office at the SFSC Highlands Campus on 600 West College Drive in Avon Park. Groups of 12 or more can save 20%.

Upcoming performances include Menopause the Musical®- Cruising Through the Change, Always Loretta featuring Emily Portman and The Coalminers, Turnstiles – Music of Billy Joel, Lee Greenwood, Mutts Gone Nuts, The Drifters, So Good: The Music of Neil Diamond, and Three Dog Night. For a complete list of shows, visit sfscARTS.org.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Nov. 15, 2024 – During a ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 14, South Florida State College’s (SFSC) Basic Corrections Academy Class 112 graduated 28 new correctional officers at the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

From the SFSC University Center Auditorium stage, Michael Austin, coordinator of SFSC’s Criminal Justice Academy, called up the 28 and handed each new officer a certificate. Those receiving a certificate were class leader Courtney Dyer; executive officer Hercule Robinson; Destany L. Beck; Brian T. Best Sr.; Tai’Kiandria S. Boldin; Logan H. Bottari; Adam P. Capps; Santos C. Cleto Jr.; Fedner Delhomme; Chad A. Duncan; Ilionise Fils-Aime; Epifania Guzman; Joana Hernandez Rincon; Zachary N. Johnson; Tamara T. Jones; Krystal E. Leon; Ariana Lisbon; Donavan S. Minor; C. Errol Mundle; Lucas A. Perez; Nikiki M. Sheppard; Charles A. Swink; Skye M. Talley; Stephon Talley; Dyshana Tompkims; Sarrah J. Turba; Amy D. Varrone; and Chaquoyal Willis.

Three cadets were singled out for their achievements during the program. Earning top honors for academic excellence was Hercule Robinson, and for Honor Grad was Lucas A. Perez. Courtney Dyer was given special recognition as class leader as was Hercule Robinson as executive officer.

Guest speaker for the ceremony was Crystal Snead, senior classification officer with the Florida Department of Corrections.

Addressing the cadets, Snead said, “As leaders, we face obstacles personally and professionally. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition; however, the key to success is knowing your leadership ABCs — accountability, boundaries, cohesiveness, self-evaluation, integrity, and respect.”

The Basic Correctional Officer Program is 420 contact hours or approximately 11 weeks. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn a Career Certificate and are eligible to take the state certification examination to become certified officers.

For more information about these programs, visit southflorida.edu or call SFSC’s Criminal Justice Academy at 863-784-7285.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Nov. 13, 2024 – South Florida State College (SFSC) Performing Arts will present award-winning blues artist, Selwyn Birchwood on Friday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park. The performance is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and South Arts, which advances Southern vitality through the arts.

“While the performance is free, tickets are required,” explained Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs at SFSC. “Music lovers can RSVP at sfscARTS.org.” 

Although award-winning Florida musician Selwyn Birchwood is firmly rooted in the tradition, the young guitarist, lap steel player, songwriter, and vocalist sets a course for the future of the blues with his visionary, original music. Birchwood, whose band features the pulsating interplay of his blistering guitar with Regi Oliver’s driving baritone sax, deploys a singular sound and style all his own. He calls it “Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues,” an intoxicating mix of deep blues, psychedelic-tinged rock, booty-shaking funk, and sweet Southern soul, played and sung with the fire-and-brimstone fervor of a revival tent preacher with a hellhound on his trail. Tastemaker Americana music magazine, “No Depression,” wrote, “Selwyn Birchwood reaches back in the blues tradition to launch something out of this world.”

Birchwood, with his father from Tobago and his mother from the UK, was born in 1985 in Orlando, Fla. He first grabbed a guitar at age 13 and soon became proficient at mimicking what he heard on the radio. But the popular grunge rock, hip hop, and metal of the 1990s didn’t move him. Then, he discovered Jimi Hendrix. “He was larger than life. What he did was mind-blowing,” said Birchwood. As luck would have it, just as he was learning Hendrix’s guitar playing was steeped in blues, legendary bluesman Buddy Guy, a major influence on Hendrix, was scheduled to perform in Orlando. Birchwood was there, front and center. “I was floored,” he recalls. “I completely connected with the blues. I knew this was my path and I had to make this music.” He dove deep, listening to icons including Albert King, Freddie King, Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and of course, Buddy Guy. “The flood gates opened,” said Birchwood, “And at that point, I started trying to absorb as much as I could.”

At 19, Birchwood met and connected with veteran blues guitarist Sonny Rhodes, who was instantly impressed by the enthusiastic young guitar slinger. Within one month, Rhodes asked Birchwood to pack his bags and join him on the road. Rhodes took the young man under his wing, teaching him not only guitar and lap steel, but also how to conduct business, how to run a band, and how to reach an audience. “Sonny always said, ‘Play what’s in your heart.’ I’ve never lost sight of that,” said Birchwood.

Birchwood treasured his time with Rhodes but was adamant about completing his college studies. Rhodes, as a tribute to Birchwood’s drive and talent, made it clear to the young musician that he would hold the rhythm guitar spot in his band open for Selwyn whenever he was available. Birchwood, through hard work and scholarships, received his MBA from the University of Tampa. Combining the musical lessons learned from Rhodes and his business acumen, Birchwood created The Selwyn Birchwood Band in 2010, featuring seasoned, veteran musicians who had chosen to play with the new kid; a testament to Birchwood’s talent and leadership skills.

In 2011, the self-released, self-produced “FL Boy” helped the band land gigs outside of their Florida base, where they were already becoming local heroes. After winning the 2013 International Blues Challenge in Memphis (beating 150 other bands), Birchwood found doors swinging open. He took a giant step forward in 2014 with his Alligator Records debut album, “Don’t Call No Ambulance.” Rave reviews ran in publications from “Rolling Stone“ to “The Wall Street Journal,” from “The Chicago Tribune” to “The San Francisco Chronicle.” The album won both the Living Blues Award and the Blues Music Award (BMA) for Best New Artist Debut. He followed in 2016 with fan-favorite “Pick Your Poison” and, in 2021, with the groundbreaking “Living in a Burning House.” He won the coveted BMA Song of The Year Award for that album’s “I’d Climb Mountains.”

The Selwyn Birchwood Band tours nonstop. They have performed at The Chicago Blues Festival, Portland’s Waterfront Blues Festival, The Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, The Tampa Bay Blues Festival, The North Atlantic Blues Festival, The King Biscuit Blues Festival, as well as on The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise and Joe Bonamassa’s Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Cruise. Internationally, they have appeared at The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival, Jazz a Vienne in France, the Rawa Blues Festival in Poland, the Moulin Blues Festival in the Netherlands, the Ottawa Blues Festival and the Montreal Jazz Festival in Canada, and the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, as well as playing concerts in Spain, Norway, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Belgium, and Mexico.

The Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts is located at 600 West College Drive on the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park. Tickets can be ordered online at sfscARTS.org, by phone at 863-784-7178, or in person at the SFSC Box Office.

Upcoming performances include William Lee Goldens and The Goldens: A Country Christmas, Dec. 10; Menopause the Musical® 2: Cruising Through the Change, Jan. 5; Always Loretta featuring Emily Portman and The Coalminers, Jan. 17; Lee Greenwood, Jan. 24, Invincible: The Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson, Feb. 1; The Drifters, Feb. 4; One Night in Memphis, March 4; and The Righteous Brothers, March 7. The complete schedule is available online at sfscARTS.org.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Nov. 12, 2024 – South Florida State College (SFSC) Performing Arts presented Play Your Part, a fundraising performance for local nonprofits and schools on Sunday, Nov. 3 at the 1,460-seat Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts.

“This is a project that we launched in 2019 to support local non-profits,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs at SFSC. “The Children’s Museum of Highlands County, Sebring Historical Society, Mason G. Smoak Foundation, Hope Haven Transitional Housing, St. Catherine School, and Walker Memorial Academy raised almost $5,000 at this year’s event.”

“The Play Your Part event helps Hope Haven by allowing less fortunate families and individuals to experience a show that they normally would not be able to,” said Leslie Behm, director of Hope Haven. “This is also an easy fundraiser for us and a way to give these folks a feeling of normalcy,”

New York-based TheaterWorks USA performed a musical production of “Charlotte’s Web.” The story centers on Charlotte, a spider, and Wilbur, a pig, and explores friendship and loyalty. Children attending the performance received a free piggy bank and complimentary snacks, created a spider craft, and had photos with Pete the Panther and Wilbur.

Deena Wright, director of the Mason G. Smoak Foundation said, “Our Foundation is blessed to be a recipient of the Play Your Part program. We appreciate the support of the South Florida State College Performing Arts Center for our program by allowing us to participate. The show itself was a great event for young and old alike and the pre-performance activities for children were wonderful.”

Children were invited to make an animal mask at home and wear it to the show. Several children made pig masks. Three children each won $25 in a random drawing. “The response was excellent,” said Pamela Roebuck, SFSC cultural events specialist. “We saw a lot of smiling faces at the Wildstein Center.”

Jason Green correctly guessed the number of spiders in a large bottle, winning a plush pig pillow and a hardcover copy of E. B. White’s classic, “Charlotte’s Web.” “It was such a wonderful day at the theater,” said parent Heather Green.

SFSC Performing Arts has raised $32,270 for local schools and nonprofits. Participating organizations sell $10 tickets to the performance and keep 100% of their ticket sales. The Mason G. Smoak Foundation has participated every year and has raised nearly $5,000 for their organization.

For information on future shows at SFSC, visit sfscarts.org.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Nov. 11, 2024 – During the Florida Nursing Students Association (FNSA) Convention in Kissimmee, Fla., Nov. 3 – 6., the South Florida State College (SFSC) Student Nurses Association (SNA) was presented the Diamond Chapter Award for a second year in a row. The FNSA is a student-run organization that represents over 5,000 nursing students across Florida.

To win the Diamond Chapter Award, college chapters must meet specific criteria. The college must: be a member of the FNSA or National Students Nurses Association (NSNA), submit an annual report and a portfolio of all activities and achievements that it acquired over the past year, participate in FNSA events and initiatives throughout the year, promote nursing as a profession, and mentor new students. For example, SFSC’s second-year Nursing students will mentor its first-year Nursing students. Also, members of the chapters must engage in community health service projects and legislation.

“As the SNA advisor, I understand to win the prestigious Diamond Chapter Award, an extensive application is submitted and scored, then compared with multiple other college applicants,” said Candy Jones, SFSC Nursing instructor and SNA advisor. “Our local chapter worked diligently to excel in community service, continuing education, and advocate for health care improvement, along with rebuilding our local membership so that we can be a chapter that others can look up to.”

At the 2024-25 Convention, M’Alee Sauvey was named vice president of FNSA and Colten Denby now holds the position of Region 4 director for the 2024-25 session. During last year’s Convention, three SFSC Nursing students were installed as members of the 2023-24 FNSA executive board. Mikala Armioia served as president of FNSA, Clara Sooknanan began her second year as second vice president of FNSA, and M’Alee Sauvey was the FNSA treasurer.

“For our small community, bringing home this award again should be recognized,” Jones said. “This award allows the SFSC SNA to be acknowledged for its community outreach, mentorship, professional development, and leadership opportunities, along with faculty and advisor support that we embody in our Nursing program. We believe in teamwork, honesty, integrity, advocacy, and leading by example. It is truly the greatest feeling watching these Nursing students learn and grow not only professionally but personally. They strive to do what is right and just for our community and health care. They are true examples of what leadership is. They display teamwork, integrity, advocacy, compassion, and commitment, and always strive to lead by example for all students. I am so proud and they deserve to be acknowledged for their hard work and dedication.”

Nov. 4, 2024 – South Florida State College (SFSC) will host its annual Veterans Day Commemoration on Monday, Nov. 11 at 10:45 a.m. This year, the event will be held inside the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for Performing Arts, SFSC Highlands Campus, in Avon Park. The Wildstein Center has 1,460 seats available.

This year’s event will include an address by David Leidel. After graduating high school, Leidel enlisted in the United States Army where he completed Basic Training and Infantry Training at Fort Benning, Ga., and specialized as a heavy weapons anti-tank crew member. He then attended the Army’s Airborne School and served with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. as a paratrooper. During his time at Fort Bragg, Leidel was deployed to Panama for Jungle Warfare Training, to Holland for the 50th anniversary of Operation Market Garden, and participated in Operation Restore Democracy, a military operation aimed at reinstating democratic governance in Haiti. He was honorably discharged in November 1994.

Currently, Leidel is a partner at Swaine & Leidel Wealth Services and Heartland Tax & Accounting. His civic engagement includes serving as the chairman of the Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency, a board member and past chairman of the Highlands County YMCA, and being involved with the Sebring Firemen Incorporated. Leidel is also a former member, Paul Harris Fellow, and past president of the Sebring Noon Rotary Club. Additionally, he has served on a variety of industry boards, graduated from Leadership Highlands, and is a former member and chairman of the SFSC District Board of Trustees. He is married to Michelle Leidel, dean of applied sciences and technologies at SFSC, and they have two adult children.

Dr. John McLaughlin, director of SFSC’s criminal justice programs, will serve as the emcee for the event and attendees will enjoy songs by the Sebring High School Show Choir and experience the Presentation of the Colors by the Avon Park High School JROTC. SFSC’s student veterans will also offer brief remarks. This event is free and open to the public.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Nov. 1, 2024 – Through a grant from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, South Florida State College (SFSC) students and faculty, in partnership with Bok Tower in Lake Wales, will continue their studies on the endangered plant, Florida Ziziphus (Pseudoziziphus celata). The agency awarded $12,000 to be available for 13 months as of Oct. 31, 2024. The grant funds originated through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Florida Ziziphus is one of the rarest and most endangered plants in Florida. This woody shrub is endemic to Florida’s Highlands and Polk counties within a 35-mile stretch of the Lake Wales Ridge. Since its rediscovery in 1987, 16 wild populations with 45 known unique genotypes of Florida Ziziphus have been discovered. However, the plant faces threats due to degraded habitat and the inability to produce seedlings. Its populations are small and genetically limited, with only a fraction secured on protected lands. Wild populations continue to decline. Two populations have had no plants since 2017 and are considered lost. Conservation efforts are needed for habitat restoration, propagation, and the introduction of genetically diverse clones to ensure long-term survival.

The grant monies from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will be used to focus on habitat restoration, genetic diversity enhancement, research, and public education. SFSC’s undergraduate students began research on the Florida Ziziphus under the mentorship of Chemistry Professor Dr. Kate Calvin, in conjunction with Bok Tower, three years ago and will use the grant money to do further research.

Dr. Calvin explained the importance of protecting an endangered species, such as Florida Ziziphus. “Florida Ziziphus is a vital part of the scrub,” she said. “One of its most important roles is to die back and invite fire. The scrub is one of those habitats that relies on fire for self-renewal.”

Further, the gopher tortoise plays a key role within the scrub and the sandhill habitats and has a symbiotic relationship with the Florida Ziziphus. The gopher tortoise has a meal of fruit and the Florida Ziziphus can propagate.

“The gopher tortoise eats the fruit from the Florida Ziziphus, the fruit passes through its gut, and it is released,” Dr. Calvin said. “The acid process and grinding in the tortoise’s stomach helps the Florida Ziziphus seeds germinate. Also, when fire comes, the gopher tortoise’s burrows serve as safe havens for all the creatures in that habitat. All the animals survive. They rely on the tortoise’s burrows.”

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services supports and promotes Florida agriculture, protects the environment, safeguards consumers, and ensures the safety and quality of food.

For information about undergraduate research at SFSC, contact Dr. James Hawker, dean of arts and sciences, at james.hawker@southflorida.edu or call 863-784-7329 or contact Dr. Kate Calvin at Kate.Calvin@southflorida.edu.