Saint Leo University honoring veterans
ST. LEO – Saint Leo University’s Office of Military Affairs and Services will host events honoring veterans, military personnel and their families as part of National Veterans and Military Families Month.
The Veterans Appreciation Month Opening Ceremony takes place from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 5 at Glen E. Greenfelder and Janet L. Denlinger Boardrooms in the Student Community Center. Master Sgt. Frank Hernandez, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), will deliver the keynote address. Hors d’oeuvres and desserts will be served.
The fifth annual Chili Cook-Off will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Student Activities Building Loggia. Guests can sample chili recipes and vote for their favorites as the college honors veterans, military personnel and military-connected families. Email by Nov. 6 to enter the chili cook-off.
“Saint Leo has a long tradition of supporting those who serve our country and the families who stand alongside them,” President Jim Burkee said. “These events provide an opportunity to express our gratitude for their service and recognize the important contributions of our military-connected students, alumni, employees and community members.”
On the web: saintleo.edu
Pasco County teachers win water resources grants
TAMPA – The Southwest Florida Water Management District awarded $113,735 in grants to 56 educators as part of the Splash! school grant program.
The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.
Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities as well as engagement of the greater school community through awareness campaigns.
Each school district allocates a portion of its annual youth education funding to support the Splash! grants.
The district awarded grants to the following schools/teachers in Pasco County:
- Centennial Elementary – Sarah Street
- Cypress Elementary – Breanne Wicklein
- Deer Park Elementary – Joenell Nolf
- Mary Giella Elementary – Amy Torre
- Shady Hills Elementary – Ashleigh Johnson
Grants are available to support water education programs and activities that are focused on water cycle basics, ecosystems, water quality and water conservation.
On the web: WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants
University of Tampa names interim president
TAMPA – The University of Tampa has appointed Harris Pastides, former president of the University of South Carolina, as interim president following the resignation of Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg.
Pastides will transition into the role during the remainder of the fall semester as the university searches for a permanent president.
“My focus will be on listening, building on the university’s considerable strengths and working together to sustain its momentum and position it for continued success,” Pastides said.
He served as South Carolina’s president from 2008 to 2019 and returned as interim president from 2021 to 2022. During his tenure, the university completed a fundraising campaign exceeding $1 billion.
Brainstorms sees need for science center
NEW PORT RICHEY – The Community Redevelopment Agency Board has directed city staff to begin negotiations with Main Street Reserve for redevelopment of the Main & Bank property.
The decision leaves out a competing proposal from Brainstorms Science Discovery Center, which sought to establish a permanent, family-oriented science discovery center downtown.
“We didn’t propose a science discovery center downtown simply because we needed a building,” said Daisy Thomas, vice president of the Brainstorms board of directors. “We proposed it because we believe children and families belong at the center of our community’s future, and downtown should reflect that.”
Brainstorms thanked its community supporters and said it will continue developing educational programs, partnerships and opportunities for a permanent location in New Port Richey.
Student Achievements
- Lutz residents Joseph Cerise and Hunter Starkey graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta at the end of the summer semester.
- The Hernando Healthcare Foundation delivered a giant check for $23,000 in September to the PHSC Foundation. The money will support scholarships.
- The PHSC Foundation will hold its Golf Classic at 10 a.m. March 2 at the Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville. Register at giving.phsc.edu/golf.
- Mikayla Croissant, of Lutz, made the President’s List at Flagler College in St. Augustine. Students must earn a 4.0 GPA while completing at least 12 semester hours of graded credit.
- JoAna Mucklow, of Odessa, graduated from the University of Mississippi in August with a Master of Business Administration.
- Odessa residents Royce Porter and Lewin Richards as well as Timothy Santoro of Lutz, made the dean’s list at the University of Maryland Global Campus in Adelphia, Maryland. Students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 for the term.
