New dean announced
Hillsborough Community College (HCC) has announced Chris Paynter as the new Dale Mabry Campus dean of associate of science programs.
Paynter has served as a higher education leader and advocate for community college students for 16 years, including most recently at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina, as dean of educational partnerships and dean of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, according to a news release.
Paynter holds an Ed.D in adult and community college education and a bachelor of arts degree in political science from North Carolina State University, as well as a master of arts degree in geography from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
The new dean assumed his position at HCC on Jan. 17.
Little Shop of Horrors
The Land O’ Lakes High School drama students will perform “Little Shop of Horrors The Musical” on Jan. 19, Jan. 20 and Jan. 21, at 7 p.m., at the Wesley Chapel Performing Arts Center, 30651 Wells Road. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
The show is rated PG-13. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door or online at LOLHS.pasco.k12.fl.us.
Classes for home-schoolers
The Land O’ Lake Library, 2828 Collier Parkway, will offer these upcoming classes for home-schooled youth:
- Jan. 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Introduction to Machine Sewing for Junior Sewers
This class is for ages 9 to 18 who have not previously used a sewing machine. Participants can learn to thread a machine; fill a bobbin; sew straight, zigzag and curvy lines; learn the names of basic sewing tools; and use an iron. There is no project for this introductory class. Registration, as well as safety and waiver forms are required (these can be picked up at the Service Desk before the class). A guardian must sign all forms for minors.
- Jan. 25 from noon to 2 p.m.: Introduction to Tools for Homeschooled Junior Woodworkers
This class is for ages 9 to 15. This month’s project is an old-style carpenter toolbox. All materials, tools and safety equipment will be provided. All minors must have waiver and safety form completed by a guardian prior to the class. Forms are available at the Service Desk.
Registration is required for both classes, online at PascoLibraries.org.
Student achievements
• Abigail Greene, of Lutz, was recognized to the Dean’s List at Pennsylvania Western University, California, Pennsylvania.
• Leia Randall, of Land O’ Lakes, was named to the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
Associate professor named
Dr. David Kilmnick, PhD, MSW, a national advocate and organizer for the LGBT communities for more than 30 years, has joined the faculty of the University of South Florida School of Social Work, according to a news release.
Kilmnick will be joining the USF School of Social Work as an assistant professor of instruction and chair of the online MSW program.
As founder, president and CEO of one of the largest LGBT nonprofit organizations in the New York area, Kilmnick has worked to defend and protect LGBT rights while raising awareness and being a voice for many social issues on the local, national and international level, the release said.
The professor meets with government officials, community leaders, and business and education executives to discuss the latest issues and concerns affecting the LGBT community.
He appears in the media as a spokesperson for both well-established and underserved LGBT communities, discussing the wide range of equity, social, advocacy, and policy issues.
Kilmnick has more than 25 years of teaching experience and more than 15 years of expertise and practice in online instruction, learning management systems, and course and curricula development.
New course offered
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of South Florida will offer a new course entitled, “Imprisoned Without Trial: Japanese Internment in WWII,” presented by Denny Kato, starting on Jan. 26 and ending on Feb. 16.
There will be four classes each Thursday, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Unisen Senior Living, 12401 N. 22nd St., in Tampa.
The course will discuss the fear, hatred and racism toward the Chinese and Japanese that began in the mid-1800s, culminating with the incarceration of more than 120,000 people of Japanese descent in designated camps throughout the country during WWII.
Thirteen members of Kato’s family were sent to those camps.
The cost of the course is $40 for OLLI members.
For more information, contact Denny Kato at or 727-215-5345.
Stick bridge competition
Saint Leo University’s Department of Natural Sciences will host its annual Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition on March 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in Selby Auditorium in Lewis Hall, at the campus at 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.
Saint Leo University and Pasco County high school students are invited to design and build bridges to compete in the contest.
The winners will be selected in two categories: the strongest bridge that can hold the most weight and the most aesthetically pleasing bridge that receives the most votes from the audience.
Teams of one to three students may compete, and members should come up with a name for their bridge.
The goal of the contest is to build the strongest bridge using only Elmer’s glue and no more than 200 standard Popsicle sticks. Entries must bridge a 1.2-meter span as described in the contest rules.
Last year’s winner was “Bridge to the Starz” that held 66 pounds.
High school faculty who would like to enter their students, as well as interested students, may participate by emailing by Feb. 18, then pick up a kit, design a bridge build (test if you want to) and then join in the competition on March 9.
The public is invited to attend the event to watch the teams compete.