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USF Sarasota-Manatee Alumni Association sees success with Salsa on the Bay 

Carol Gilbert and her dance partner, 98-year-old “Mambo Max” Halpern, smile for the camera after winning the Salsa on the Bay dance contest.

SARASOTA, FL (May 11, 2006) – On May 5, the USF Alumni Association put on its dancing shoes to help USF Sarasota-Manatee celebrate USF Weekend and the 50^th anniversary of the USF system.  

The event, called Salsa on the Bay, was the first event of its kind sponsored by the Manatee/Sarasota Chapter of the USF Alumni Association. Based on the success and positive reactions of those in attendance, the event may become an annual tradition. 

Held on the Cinco de Mayo holiday and located along beautiful Sarasota Bay behind College Hall, the event kicked off the weekend with a night of Latin cuisine and dancing to music by Nueva Generacion.  Additionally, almost 200 guests received a lesson in Latin dance from Dance Palace, a ballroom dance studio and school. Included in the price of admission was a full buffet of Latin cuisine from Two Senoritas restaurant, drinks, and even a cigar bar provided by Bennington Tobacconists. 

Proceeds from the event will benefit scholarships for Sarasota and Manatee County students. 

“We were very impressed with the turnout,” said Dr. Laurey Stryker, Campus CEO.  “USF Sarasota-Manatee continues to grow and engage new people and businesses, which gains more alumni participation and support.” 

The USF Sarasota-Manatee campus serves traditional and non-traditional students, and the guests at Salsa on the Bay reflected that diversity.  The winners of the Salsa dance contest were Carol Gilbert and her dance partner, Max Halpern, who was celebrating his 98^th birthday. 

“I’m Latin at heart,” Halpern said. “I’ll be back to defend my title next year!” 

Salsa on the Bay joined Sunset on the Bay and Comedy Pre-Party, Comedy on the Bay, and Spring 2006 Commencement to make up USF Weekend May 5-7.  

The USF Weekend of events invites alumni, business partners, students, friends and families to visit the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus.   

“Our continuing goal is to advance the awareness and involvement of our campus within the community University,” Stryker said.  “This year, we were able to work with several sponsors and businesses to make Salsa on the Bay a success.”

For more information about the USF Sarasota-Manatee Alumni Association, please call Derek Williams, chapter President at (941) 745-2799 or visit www.usfalumni.net 

USF Sarasota-Manatee is an upper-level campus for people with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree who are interested in getting a baccalaureate or master’s degree, professional certification, or continuing education credit.  The regional campus offers the prestige of a national Research 1 university with the convenience of a hometown campus, including classes in south Sarasota County at the Manatee Community College Venice site.