Best of Florida Schools 2005
General Categories—Page 2

Best Overnight Guest
UNF Parties with the Provost
It seemed like a typical night in the University of North Florida’s residence halls: pizza, late-night chats, and video games until 2 a.m. On this particular night in August, though, one of the partygoers was a little…well, older. It wasn’t a junior or senior stopping by to hang out—it was UNF’s new Provost Gerry Giordano.

“I know I have a responsibility to reach out to the student body, so I decided to leave the comfort zone of my office in the administration building to stay in a residence hall for a night,” Giordano says. “So, despite fears of a mob demanding action for reducing student frustrations, I grabbed my overnight bag and headed for The Crossings.”

At 6:30 p.m., the provost arrived at the dorm and met his roommates. He hung out with 40 students in a lounge, making pizzas and discussing issues that concerned the students—namely, the need for more places to hang out and socialize on campus.

“The good news is that funding has been secured for a student union, and construction could begin as early as next fall,” Giordano says.

After chowing down on pizza, he moved on to a different lounge, where he chatted about improvements for academic advising with another group of students.

By midnight, the provost had munched on cupcakes with students, hung out with residence hall leaders, and milled about campus, getting both positive and negative feedback from the students. Exhausted, he returned to the dorm where his roommates were playing a video game. There, Giordano shared oriental snacks and talked with more students until the wee hours of the morning.

By 3 a.m., the provost says, he realized he lacked the stamina to be a late-night TV show host.

“Although the students tested my abilities to stay awake into the early hours, they made me feel welcome in their home,” he says. “I had a great time and got invaluable advice. It was a perfect way to help me understand firsthand the student culture.” –LD

Contact Giordano at ggiordan@unf.edu.

Best Superheroes
Comic Relief
I just feel better when I’m wearing my bullet-proof bracelets, gold bustier, and cape, don’t you? With all the recent comic-book-inspired movies and shows, even the gang over at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale caught the super-hero bug. They decided it was time to suit up as their favorite comic characters and throw a party—hence, the dawning of “Comic Bash,” hosted by Student Government.

Last year’s cape-and-tights event was such a success that it spawned a repeat. “The Comic Bash was so successful that it warranted a sequel, just as many of the movies have in the past years,” says Joel Nemes, director of student and alumni relations. “When you host a unique event for the first time and it works out so well, you must decide if having it again will improve on or detract from the original. This time, the sequel was much better!”

The rules were few, but one was set in kryptonite—party-goers had to dress as comic-book or superhero characters, whether famous or original. But these are art students we’re talking about here—not exactly the kind of folks who’d be content to all show up in the same Batman suit or Powerpuff outfit from Toys R Us. Thus, a slew of new superheroes was unleashed upon unaware South Florida: She-Hulk, Burger Boy, Wal-Mart Man, Bath Man, and even kosher hero Captain Jew.

There’s just something about strapping on those boots and that cape that brings out the wild side in mild-mannered students. Entertainment included a dance contest that brought out the beast in participants—students went all out to get the judges’ votes. “During the dance contest, several students did things they really shouldn’t have done—in public or in private,” says former SG President Kris Knof. But the wild event came together after some seriously organized promotions, including video footage starring last year’s costume winners. “This campaign was a series of commercials that ran in the Student Center and led to the ‘Final Battle’ that was seen live at the event,” says former SG President Dan Figueroa. “The advertising campaign really drove sales up this year and created a buzz with the students. It was the first advertising of this kind that was ever done for an event at AiFL.” –SRR

Contact Nemes at jnemes@edmc.edu.

Best Student Programming Board
An Event-full MDC
Members of the Student Programming Board at Miami Dade College—North aren’t experiencing delusions of grandeur when they claim to plan events that students will actually attend. From pre-election activities involving celebrities like “P. Diddy” Combs to hosting world-renowned speakers, the SPB doesn’t let up on the excitement.

“The goal of the Student Programming Board is to develop, coordinate, promote, and produce a variety of educational, informative, and entertaining programs for the entire college community with an emphasis toward building student leadership,” says Evelyn Rodriguez, SPB coordinator.

The board has taken advantage of every opportunity to make each program count toward its goal. It put on a Unity and Pride Day in order to remember the 9/11 terrorist attacks with a poetry recital for faculty and students to express themselves through literature. Programs starring celebrity personalities include a voting rally featuring the musical group the Black Eyed Peas as well as a “Vote or Die” Rally featuring rap artist Combs.

However, Rodriguez says the “Civic Revolutionary Series,” impact students the most. The SPB works with the English and communications department to have a different speaker come to campus every month. The first guest was world-renowned speaker Eve Ensler, who discussed the importance of female voters.

The board starts planning functions for the academic year in the summer, when members survey the students to see what events they want. But, the board only plans a portion of activities in order to work in partnership with the student body and other student organizations during the year. “Students love the uniqueness of each and every activity,” Rodriguez says. “They always say that we cater to our diversified campus and never forget to mention that it’s great when all of our events are free of charge.”

While some might think it would take many people to organize so many activities, the board only has 15 members. The SPB is similar to an independent organization run by students with the collaboration of faculty, staff, and administrators. They’re given a budget and work with the Student Life Department in planning these events.

“We would like to encourage other colleges that even though your funds might be limited, you can still provide numerous activities through fund raising and event sponsorship,” Rodriguez says. “Just because we’re all students doesn’t mean that we have to be limited. We can go as far as we allow ourselves to go by working as a team and keeping in mind that we’re doing this to serve our student body.” –RG

Contact Rodriguez at erodrig6@mdc.edu.

Best Scholarship Program
Edison Gives Hope
When Tony Molina graduated high school, he wasn’t sure how he was going to pay for college or if college was even the right path for him. He got some motivation in 2000 when Edison College awarded him a scholarship that would not only help pay for his college education, but also give him the support he needed to succeed. Molina was awarded Edison’s HOPE scholarship. “I believe it helped me a lot,” Molina says. “It helped me take the next step.”

HOPE, which stands for Help One Person Excel, is different from other scholarships because it really prepares you for college and gives you continued support, Molina says. Before the students enter Edison, they must take a summer course called Student Life Skills that teaches the basics of college life. They also meet fellow recipients and advisors, which Molina says was a huge advantage. “I was more relaxed once fall came along,” he says. “I wasn’t just a new person on campus, because I actually knew people.”

Molina, a first generation college student, says the family atmosphere was kept up by field trips to places like Busch Gardens, check-ins by their advisors, and constant support. Without such a strong backing, Molina says, he wouldn’t have had the courage to run for student body president his sophomore year and win.

Molina is only one of the 1,200 students who have received this opportunity. In 1993, Edison district president Dr. Kenneth Walker created the scholarship. It’s awarded to students who are at risk of not attending college. Walker says that not everyone who wants to go to college has the means, resources, and faith to do so.

“It was my intent from the beginning that the HOPE scholarship program would provide a path toward success to those whose lives are beset with difficulty,” Walker says. “The HOPE program provides promise and opportunity to students who have none. It changes lives for the better, one person at a time.”

The scholarship pays for tuition and books, and it is known for the family atmosphere it creates. By fostering such a network, which has become the backbone of the scholarship, students feel they have the support and help they need to succeed.

“Those who have received the scholarship become part of a community of like-minded colleagues, and through their collective energy they realize they can achieve great things,” says Dr. Edith Pendleton, district vice president for student services.

Students are eligible for HOPE if they’re graduating seniors, legal citizens, and are at a potential risk of not attending college due to personal circumstances. Students from Edison’s five county areas of Hendry, Glades, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties are all considered for the scholarship.

This past year, 87 scholarships were given to area students. Now, they have to make the most of their educations—just as Molina has. After graduating from Edison in 2002, Molina, from the small town of Immokalee, moved on to the University of Central Florida where he will be graduating in May 2005 with a 3.5 GPA.

“It opened the door for me,” Molina says of the HOPE scholarship —JW

Contact Coordinator of Student and Alumni Relations Nancy Greene at ngreene@edison.edu.

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