MARCH 2022 | HARBOR NOTES NEWS | USF ST. PETERSBURG CAMPUS
HISTORIC FUNDING
USF leaders thank state legislators for historic support in this year's session
The University of South Florida community is celebrating a historically successful legislative session by thanking the state legislators who have proposed hundreds of millions of dollars in new funding for USF across all three campuses and USF Health. This includes $75 million to fully fund the state share of the construction cost of the new Environmental & Oceanographic Sciences Research and Teaching facility at the USF St. Petersburg campus. This investment will position St. Petersburg as a world-class center of marine and environmental science, education and community engagement. READ MORE
LEARNING BY DOING
Students uncover Florida's past at archaeological site
On a warm, sunny day, about eight miles north of the St. Petersburg campus, students gather at Weedon Island Preserve, an expansive nature area along the western shore of Tampa Bay. The group has excitedly come together to excavate one of Florida's most significant archaeological sites. The field school – where students learn the proper methods to conduct digs and identify artifacts - is held every two years and is part of a course at USF called Florida Archaeology. No other university has a course quite like it in the state. READ MORE & WATCH VIDEO
START YOUR ENGINES
Alum returns to race in his hometown during Grand Prix of St. Pete
Drivers come from around the world to compete in the annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. This year, one came from right next door.
 
During the Mazda MX-5 Cup race held on February 26, alum Dante Tornello got his first opportunity to race in his hometown. Tornello was born and grew up in St. Petersburg and attended USF’s St. Petersburg campus, which is next to where the race takes place. READ MORE
MIND & BODY
USF St. Petersburg campus wins national award for prioritizing student health
The USF St. Petersburg campus received the 2022 Active Minds Healthy Campus Award, which celebrates U.S. colleges and universities that provide access to quality healthcare, serving students’ physical health while giving equal priority and investment to mental health.

The USF St. Petersburg college campus joins four other colleges and universities in receiving the national award: Auburn University, Barstow Community College, Stevens Institute of Technology and Virginia Tech. READ MORE
VISIT FROM D.C.
NOAA Administrator visits College of Marine Science, inspires crowd at Hub ribbon-cutting
On March 2nd, the USF College of Marine Science welcomed the Honorable Dr. Richard “Rick” Spinrad, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans & Atmosphere and the 11th NOAA Administrator, to St. Petersburg for a short visit.

After a conversation with faculty and students to discuss coastal resiliency and the ways science can help inform policy, Dr. Spinrad attended a ribbon-cutting event held at the new Maritime & Defense Technology Hub. READ MORE
LAW FOR UNDERGRADS
First honors law class now being offered on USF's St. Petersburg campus
A partnership with Stetson University College of Law has brought the first honors law class to USF’s St. Petersburg campus and its students.
 
The honors college class titled “Text, Tweet, Take to the Street: Dissent and the First Amendment” focuses on the relationship between citizen dissent and free speech by analyzing U.S. Supreme Court opinions and discussing topics like protesting war, joining civil rights movements and tweeting provocative statements. READ MORE
RACISM COSTS EVERYONE
Economic expert makes 'cents' of equity for all residents
Heather McGhee, a renowned economist and NY Times best-selling author, gave a public talk on campus earlier this month regarding the economic impacts of structural racism.
 
Equity and structural racism are more common in the public sphere, but residents may struggle to identify local impacts to their lives. In this Speakers Who Inspire series, hosted by the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg and the USF St. Petersburg campus, Ms. McGhee lent a data-driven lens to explain the impacts of structural racism for people of all demographic backgrounds. READ MORE
PIONEERING RESEARCH
DNA from ancient skeletons shine light on how early humans lived and interacted
DNA from a 4,500-year-old skeleton discovered by USF professors has contributed to a new continent-wide analysis of human remains buried in African archaeological sites, revealing a fascinating story of how early humans lived, traveled and even found their significant others.
An interdisciplinary team of 44 researchers, including USF St. Petersburg campus Anthropology Professors Kathy and John Arthur, released findings of their far-reaching analysis in a paper published in Nature. READ MORE
FRIES & FAFSA
Free FAFSA event helps college-bound students apply for financial aid
If you or your family members are considering a higher education degree, counselors with the Pinellas Access to Higher Education program will be on hand to help you apply for financial aid at the Fries & FAFSA event on March 22 and 30.

Such aid is essential for many students, but the forms can be overwhelming. This event will help simplify the process. READ MORE
IN THE NEWS