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April 14, 2017

USFSP Alum Receives Pulitzer for Investigative Journalism

A photo of Eric Eyre and Rob Byers standing and talking with drinks in their hands. Photo credit_ Kenny Kemp_ Charleston Gazette-Mail
Charleston Gazette-Mail reporter Eric Eyre, left, speaks with Executive Editor Rob Byers after the announcement that Eyre won the Pulitzer Prize. Photo credit: Kenny Kemp, Charleston Gazette-Mail.

Eric Eyre, a USF St. Petersburg journalism alumnus, was named a Pulitzer Prize winner this week. The prestigious award in the category of Investigative Reporting was given for his story series on the opioid drug crisis and related overdoses in West Virginia.

"It's really a testament to years of grinding it out as a beat reporter doing investigative projects on the side over the course of 25-plus years," said Eyre, 51, a statehouse reporter for the Charleston Gazette-Mail in Charleston, W.Va. Eyre  graduated with a master's degree in mass communication from USFSP in 1998. "So many people, including the profs at USFSP, have helped shape my reporting."

"When he applied to our program, I was very impressed by his interest in stories that impact ordinary people. His reporting and writing were always excellent,"  said Killenberg, emeritus professor and founding director of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies. Killenberg described Eyre as one of his favorite students. "I've been following his career, and I'm not surprised that he's reached the highest level of accomplishment for a journalist. The fact that he did it in a smaller newspaper market against strong competition from larger news organizations makes his achievement all the more impressive."

Learn more about Eyre and the Pulitzer Prize-winning article series.
USFSP Hosts USF System STEM Summit Featuring Local Industry Leaders

A photo of four panelists
From right: Ryan McNulty from Tech Data, Erica Litchfield from Citi, Debbi Stone from The Florida Aquarium, and Alicia Branon from Southwest Florida Water Management.

USFSP recently hosted the third USF System STEM Summit to assess the current state of STEM across the greater Tampa Bay area. The interactive dialogue highlighted the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in careers and the business environment. The summit also featured leaders from companies like Tech Data, Citi, The Florida Aquarium, Southwest Florida Water Management District, Raymond James, Gehant & Associates, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, and Jabil.

"STEM-related careers represent some of the fastest-growing sectors of the U.S. job market," said Regional Chancellor Sophia Wisniewska. "This summit is timely as we develop instructional strategies to improve academic achievement and create a 'culture of STEM' at USFSP to meet a critical need for skilled employees."

Learn more about the summit and view more photos in the USFSP Facebook photo gallery
'Anchor' Helps New Students, Families Find Their Way at USFSP

A photo of students gathered around the Anchor stand by the Sembler Family Fountain
New USFSP students and their families attended "Anchor" on April 1.
 
Partners from across the USFSP community joined together to welcome nearly 120 admitted students and 163 guests to the campus at the fourth annual "Anchor" event. Anchor, which aims to prepare new students for orientation and their first day of classes, was developed in response to parent feedback. It serves as a way for students and their families to get answers and experience campus life before Move-In Weekend.

Learn more about Anchor and view more images from the event in the USFSP Facebook photo gallery
Faculty Spotlight: Karin Braunsberger

A photo of Karin Braunsberger

Meet Karin Braunsberger, professor of entrepreneurship in the Kate Tiedemann College of Business. Nearly every spring since 2012, Braunsberger has traveled to San Juan La Laguna, Guatemala, with students enrolled in her "Social Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets" class. In the high-poverty region, USFSP students gain real-world experience helping local women's weaving cooperatives develop marketing plans and identify business opportunities.
 
Much of Braunsberger's academic research focuses on sustainability and consumer behavior, identity, and activism. Her most current research investigates the differences in beliefs, attitudes and opinions between meat-eating and vegan cultures.

Learn More about Braunsberger.
Upcoming Events at USFSP
 
Check out a list of upcoming events. All events are free unless otherwise specified. 

USFSP Open House: New Master of Conservation Biology Program
Saturday, April 15, 9-11 a.m. 
USFSP Lynn Pippenger Hall, room 123, 700 Fourth St S., St. Petersburg
Learn more about the new program and register now to attend the Open House.

USFSP Undergraduate Research Symposium
Tuesday, April 18, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
University Student Center Ballroom

USFSP Faculty Research Celebration: Faculty Lightning Talks
Thursday, April 20, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Nelson Poynter Memorial Library, Poynter Corner
Learn more about last year's Faculty Lightning Talks.

USFSP Spring 2017 Commencement
Sunday, May 7
College of Arts and Sciences, 2 p.m.
College of Education and the Kate Tiedemann College of Business, 6 p.m.
Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater
Tickets are required to attend.  Learn more

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Jessica Blais
Director of Communications

Casey Crane
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