Thank you: USF Day at the Capitol

We had another amazing

USF Day at the Capitol!

Over 200 students from across the USF System traveled to Tallahassee on October 26th to learn more about Florida's state government through interactive panels and by networking with State Legislators. Special thank you to all of the panelists, alumni and administrators who joined us!

The first activity of the day: a Lunch and Learn panel on How to Get Involved in Politics moderated by USF Assistant Director of Government Relations, Lauren Hartmann with panelists (right to left) CEO of Volunteer Florida Foundation, Clay Ingram, and two USF alumni lobbyists, Principal of Government Relations at Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney, Jim Magill and Partner at Capital City Consulting, Andrew Ketchel.

USF System President Steven Currall, USF Sarasota-Manatee Regional Chancellor Karen Holbrook, USF St. Petersburg Regional Chancellor Martin Tadlock and USF Vice President for Athletics Michael Kelly with USF System students who attended USF DATC in the House Chamber. Thank you to all of the leadership who helped lead us in painting the Capitol Green and Gold!

USF alumnus, State Rep. and House Speaker-Designate Chris Sprowls (Political Science '06) facilitating an engaging mock debate with all the students.

USF alumna and State Rep. Jackie Toledo (Civil Engineering '00) stopped by our House Chamber tour to share her personal story of why she decided to get involved in politics and the accomplishments she is most proud of during her time serving in the Florida House of Representatives.

State Rep. Jamie Grant speaking to students about what is he passionate about in the Florida Legislature and sharing advice on how they can get involved in politics.

Students enjoying an educational tour of the Florida Supreme Court where they learned about the operations of the highest court in the state and the site of such landmark decisions such as Bush v. Gore.

Our students got to hear from (left to right) USF alumna Rebecca DeLaRosa, Legislative Director for Palm Beach County, Matthew Blair from Corcoran Partners and Holly Moore and Eddie Metzger from TECO Energy during our Lobbying panel moderated by Seth McKeel, Managing Partner at the Southern Group-Florida (not pictured here).

We had a great Mass Media panel with (left to right) Brad Swanson from Florida Internet & Television, Sarah Bascom from Bascom Communications and Consulting, Peter Schorsch from Extensive Enterprises & floridapolitics.com, and moderated by Jena Kingery, Legislative Assistant to Senator Janet Cruz.

Our evening reception honored our USF Alumni in the Florida Legislature. Thank you to (left to right) Rep. Jennifer Webb (MA '15), Rep. Jackie Toledo (Civil Engineering '00) and Rep. James Buchanan (MBA '09) pictured here between President Currall and the Executive Director of the USF Alumni Association, Bill McCausland.

The historic all female USF Student Body Presidents making their remarks at the Reception. Britney Deas from USF Tampa, Jazzy Duarte from USF St. Pete and Isabelle Starner from USF Sarasota Manatee (left to right).