SARASOTA, FL, (June 9, 2005) – University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee faculty and staff paid tribute to their own on June 2 at a celebration in College Hall. Campus CEO Dr. Laurey Stryker presented gifts to employees for individual and team accomplishments.

Stryker praised the teamwork and outstanding accomplishments that underlie the success of this regional campus. “It takes team effort to support the quality programs we offer on at USF Sarasota-Manatee,” she said. “The talents and dedication expressed here daily are what make our University family and students thrive.”

Eight employees received five-year length-of-service awards, and two earned 10-year awards. Celebrating five years were Dr. Peter French, Margie Gayle, Dr. Charlene Riggle, Jeff Smith, Gabriela Vega, Bethery von Dassow, Mary Beth Wallace and Dari Anne Willis. Honored for 10 years were Rhonda Moraca and Campus CEO, Dr. Laurey T. Stryker.

Dr. Robert Barylski was named Outstanding Professor for fall 2004 and spring 2005. Barylski has received outstanding evaluations every year since he began teaching full time and he received Outstanding Professor awards in 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2005. In addition to the student-determined honors, the University has awarded him two faculty-determined teaching honors: a State University System TIP Award for excellence in teaching in 1995 and an Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award in 1998.

Dr. Michael Richard, assistant professor of rehabilitation counseling, received tenure. The following had successful mid-tenure reviews: Drs. Kathy Black, Janice Eitelgeorge, Neset Hikmet and Barry Lin. Melba Sanchez was honored for her selection as an exchange advisor in residence in Costa Rica. She was one of two advisors selected university wide and this was the first time advisors were invited to participate in this exchange program.

Chris Rubal, 2004 Outstanding Employee of the Year was honored along with nominees Margie Gayle, Amanda Kulaw, Rhonda Moraca and Joe Riley. Gayle also was recognized along with other Quiet Quality Award winners Leah Cell, Micah Jordan and Steve Lambropoulos.

The College of Education team of Drs. Rosemarie Ataya, Judy Carr, Janice Eitelgeorge, Stephen Graves, Phyllis Jones, Sharon Miller-Keller, Elizabeth Larkin, Weimin Mo, Susan Sheffield and Pat Wilson, along with Anne Juola received kudos for collaborative efforts on the book “A Pig Don’t Get Fatter the More You Weigh It: Balancing assessment for the classroom.” Each team member contributed a chapter to the book.

The new team for the Center for Research in Healthcare Systems and Policies was introduced: Director Neset Hikmet, Drs. Kathy Black, Barbara Little and Jane Robert, and administrative personnel Maria Wallace.

The Faculty/Staff Campaign committee received honors for raising more than $71,000 much of which will go toward the new Crosley Campus Center opening fall 2006. This is the most ever raised on this campus in the history of the campaign, which usually only brings in about one-forth that amount. Committee members were Drs. Mary Cuadrado, Mary Burns, Stephen Rushton and staff members Ben Ellinor, Anwar Pople, Cathy Simmons, Alexis Upham and Mary Beth Wallace. Upham, Pople and Simmons also received recognition as members of the Crosley Campus Fundraising Team. Other members were Kathleen O’Shea Carla, Lynn Evensen and Diane Lewis.

Hugo Mazzoli headed up the United Way Campaign team of Sue Barbour, Rosana Ellana and Hatice Hikmet. Their fundraising efforts included a car wash, as well as a pie throw and dunking machine for with key campus members as targets.