Greetings from Tallahassee! I’m coming to you today directly from the Florida Capitol Complex, where I have an important date with the state legislature – as well as with dozens of our students as part of our annual USF Day at the Capitol.
For students, this is a wonderful opportunity to meet with legislators, take tours, observe debates, and see the workings of government firsthand. I’m inspired by the high level of passion and interest of the students who have traveled to be here today. And I’m confident this will be a rewarding experience for them all.
Meanwhile, I’m here on important work of my own: Meeting with legislators to, among other things, advocate for important funding to support an innovative and groundbreaking endeavor: the Environmental & Oceanographic Sciences Research & Teaching Facility on the USF St. Petersburg campus. The state-of-the-art, four-story building will house an interdisciplinary center of excellence that will benefit our students, faculty and community, and make an impact both nationally and internationally.
This is truly a game-changing project – for USF, the region and beyond. The $80-million facility, covering some 80,000 square feet, will address challenges posed by climate change, including sea level rise, high-tide flooding events, and other coastal hazards. The center of excellence will open new opportunities for the broad range of environmental expertise that we have at USF across numerous disciplines and colleges. You can take a deep dive to learn more in our latest podcast linked below.
And now, time to get to work!
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