Special USF Day at the Capitol Edition Newsletter

2023 USF Day at the Capitol

On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, students, leadership and alumni from the University of South Florida visited Tallahassee for our annual USF Day at the Capitol to advocate for university priorities and show our Bull Pride.

Pictured is the USF Day at the Capitol student group, President Rhea Law, USF St. Petersburg Chancellor Christian Hardigree, Executive Vice President for USF Health Charly Lockwood, House Majority Leader Michael Grant, Rep. Susan Valdes, and Rep. Traci Koster.

Senator Burgess Honors USF on the Senate Floor

During Florida Senate proceedings on Feb. 8, Senator and USF alumnus Danny Burgess and members of the Tampa Bay Area Legislative Delegation made a special recognition on the Senate floor, honoring USF, President Law and our students who were sitting in the Senate Gallery.

Pictured: Senator Danny Burgess speaking on the Senate Floor surrounded by his fellow Senators and USF supporters.

President Law Meets with Lawmakers

Throughout the day Board of Trustees Vice Chair, Mike Griffin, President Rhea Law, USF St. Petersburg Chancellor Christian Hardigree and USF Morsani College of Medicine Dean, Charly Lockwood, met with many legislators to advocate for USF's priorities.

Pictured from left to right: Exec. VP Charly Lockwood, SP Chancellor Christian Hardigree, Senator Darryl Rouson, President Rhea Law, and BOT Vice Chair Mike Griffin.

Pictured from left to right: SP Chancellor Christian Hardigree, Representative Will Robinson, and President Rhea Law.

Pictured from left to right: BOT Vice Chair Mike Griffin, SP Chancellor Christian Hardigree, President Rhea Law, Senator Jay Collins, and Exec. VP Charly Lockwood.

Pictured from left to right: SP Chancellor Christian Hardigree, Representative and USF alumna Linda Chaney, and President Rhea Law.

Greeted on the House Chamber Floor

The students were treated to a tour of the House Chamber where they were joined by Representative Traci Koster, Representative Susan Valdes, House Majority Leader Michael Grant, and Representative Mike Beltran.

Pictured: Representative Susan Valdes with horns up and Representative Mike Beltran greeting Rocky D. Bull.

Pictured: Representative Traci Koster and Representative Susan Valdes taking a selfie with Rocky D. Bull.

Pictured: House Majority Leader Michael Grant standing with Rocky D. Bull.

Panels at the Governors Club

The students attending USF Day at the Capitol enjoyed two different panel discussions about Advocacy & Lobbying and Academic Freedom.

Pictured from left to right: Matthew Blair of Corcoran Partners, Brian Burgess of The Capitolist, Jamie Wilson of Moffitt Cancer Center, and Lauren Hartmann of USF Government Relations.

Pictured from left to right: Senator Shevrin Jones, House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, Representative Juan Fernandez-Barquin, and Representative Spencer Roach.

USF Day at the Capitol Reception

Pictured: Representative and USF alumna Lindsay Cross introduced by USF Government Relations and USF Sarasota-Manatee's Casey Welch.

Pictured: President Rhea Law, Rocky D. Bull and the Chancellor of the State University System of Florida, Ray Rodrigues.

Pictured: Representative and USF alumna Karen Gonzalez Pittman and President Rhea Law.

Pictured: President Rhea Law addressing students, alumni and guests.