The Friday Talks Business Advancement Series, a program of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership and the College of Central Florida, will feature Amy Osborne on Sept. 30, presenting “AI, IOT and Other Tech Trends in Business and Beyond.”

“The rapid pace of technology continues to change how we work, live and play,” Osborne said. “Staying ahead of the curve is essential for today’s businesses and tomorrow’s workforce.” She will discuss applications for artificial intelligence and will give attendees a sneak peek into the fascinating growth of new technology and implications for the future.

Attend in person at the CF Hampton Center, 1501 W. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, or virtually at Facebook.com/OcalaCEP. The in-person event will begin with a continental breakfast at 8:15 a.m. and the presentation will begin at 8:30 a.m. RSVP to andrea@ocalacep.com.

For more information about CF, visit CF.edu. For more information about the Ocala CEP, visit ocalacep.com.

The former Newton Perry Aquatic Center, which will soon house athletics administration, will be named the Bob Zelinski Athletics Building.

“The board and college leadership are proud to recognize Bob for his years of service and commitment to excellence,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “His expectations of hard work in the classroom as well as on the field ensured that his student-athletes were prepared for life after graduation.”

Zelinski retired from CF in June after 23 years of service to the college and 51 years in the Florida College System. Accomplishments while at the College of Central Florida include:

• 772 student-athletes named to All-Academic teams
• 78.5% graduation rate for student-athletes
• 39% of all student-athletes achieved a 3.00 GPA or higher
• 15 State Scholar-Athletes of the Year, more than any other college in Florida
• Two national championships (Tennis and Men’s Basketball)
• 11 national championship qualifying teams
• Six state championships
• 30 conference championships
• 46 All-Americans and 16 State Players of the Year
• In addition, CF student-athletes have been named National Junior College male athlete of the year, National Junior College female athlete of the year and National Junior College Scholar-Athlete of the Year, a combination of three awards that no other college in the nation has won.

Accomplishments at the state and national level include:

• Service as state commissioner for athletics for 18 years
• Service on the National Junior College Athletic Association Executive Committee and chair of the NJCAA Eligibility Committee for 10 years
• Two Distinguished Service Awards: Florida College System Activities Association and NJCAA
• Induction into six Halls of Fame

To learn more about CF, visit CF.edu.

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, announces its fall 2022 schedule of one-of-a-kind studio art offerings for children and adults. From art teacher-led, one-day workshops to multiweek classes, there’s something for everyone.

For children, the Art Explorations program begins the week of Sept. 7 with six-week painting and drawing classes for ages 7-12. Two options are offered: after school on Wednesdays, and Saturday mornings. In October, six-week sessions focusing on clay will begin. All materials are provided for drawing, painting and clay. The popular Museum & Me Pre-K Program returns on the first Tuesday of each month. Children ages 2-5 with an accompanying adult are invited for story time, a quick tour of an art gallery, and an art activity in the Artspace. This program is free and registrations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Just for teens and tweens, a two-hour AppleTeens workshop is scheduled for Nov. 12 and will focus on making ceramic mugs with faces. All materials are provided.

For adults, the Art 101 workshop series returns with Pen & Ink Barn Drawing on Sept. 13 and Fall Pastels on Nov. 15. All materials are provided for these three-hour workshops. Potters of all skill levels can join the Dig Into Clay Wheel Throwing class that begins Oct. 15. The six-week session is offered on Saturdays; registration fee includes 25 pounds of clay, glazes and firing. Fashion workshops on Saturday, Oct. 22, and Saturday, Oct. 29, will give participants the opportunity to turn their own clothing into uniquely upcycled wearable art.

“The Appleton’s fall art classes are for all skill levels, and with options for pre-K through adult, there’s something for every age and ability,” said Museum Educator Hollis Mutch.

For adults and teens, the Appleton Book Club continues meeting on Zoom. Read at your own pace, then join in an informative and fun online group discussion. At the next meeting on Nov. 8, the group will discuss “The Lady in Gold: The Extraordinary Tale of Gustav Klimt’s Masterpiece, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer” by Anne-Marie O’Connor. Book club meetings are free.

Advance registration is required for all classes, workshops and book club meetings. Visit AppletonMuseum.org for full class details and to register.

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. A campus of the College of Central Florida, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

College of Central Florida invites the community to join our students for an innovative educational series focused on the American colonial period. Through the “Patriot Project: Bringing History to Life,” CF instructors and guest speakers will take a deep dive into the history of the 17th and 18th centuries.

“The Patriot Project is particularly timely and relevant given the new state civics initiative,” said Dr. Sarah Satterfield, the CF professor of music who received a CF Foundation New Initiative Grant to develop the series. “The state now requires all incoming students to learn about American government including the colonial period. We invite the community to join us to learn more about colonial-era religion, literature, music, art, theatre, math and science.”

The series will kick off with “Art During the Colonial Period” on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Tyrus Clutter, CF professor of art, will discuss significant painters of the period as well as the folk art movement, including crafts like needlepoint.

On Wednesday, Sept. 7, Dr. Sarah Satterfield, CF senior professor of music and humanities, will present “Music in the Colonial Period.” She will discuss indigenous music, music of African slaves, religious music, folk music, concert music and the musical scene in Florida.

The Patriot Project lectures are free and open to the public. Light refreshments and event giveaways will be provided. Lectures will be held on Wednesdays from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the CF Webber Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala, unless otherwise indicated.

Series Schedule:
Aug. 31 – “Art in the Colonial Period” presented by Tyrus Clutter
Sept. 7 – “Music in the Colonial Period” presented by Dr. Sarah Satterfield
Oct. 5 – “Latin American History for Dummies” film screening facilitated by Wendy Adams, Building 8, Room 110
Nov. 2 – “Literature in the Colonial Period” presented by Sandra Cooper
Jan. 11, 2023 – “Theatre in the Colonial Period” presented by Nonalee Davis
Feb. 6, 2023 – “Math in the Colonial Period” presented by Mark Taylor
March 1, 2023 – “History of the Colonial Period” presented by Jay Thompson
April 5, 2023 – “Religion in the Colonial Period” presented by Dr. Ron Cooper

For more details, visit CF.edu/PatriotProject.

Visual art featuring words will take the spotlight in the College of Central Florida Webber Gallery’s “Next Text” exhibition on view Oct. 3-27. The collection of work by multicultural artists from across the country will showcase an intriguing display of storytelling through the use of text in the visual arts. The exhibition was curated by CF Professor of Art Tyrus Clutter and Sheila Goloborotko, an associate professor of printmaking at University of North Florida, whose artwork has been featured in past exhibitions at the Webber Gallery.

“We are excited to bring artwork from nationally known artists to our campus and our community,” said Amanda Lyon, Webber Gallery coordinator. “Many of the artists included in this exhibition have worked as visual arts professors and faculty at universities in Florida and throughout the United States.”

The community is invited to an opening reception on Thursday, Oct. 6, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

The Webber Gallery is located at the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and admission is free. For more information, call 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

The College of Central Florida Entrepreneurship Academy, an innovative program developed in partnership with Chick-fil-A of Ocala, will give students a new option for training to become business community leaders. CF students selected for the academy will receive two semesters of instruction in entrepreneurship-focused courses which lead to a Business Entrepreneurship College Credit Certificate. Each course will be complemented with hands-on experiential activities organized by Chick-fil-A of Ocala leadership.

“The CF Entrepreneurship Academy allows students to gain insight, experience and skills that are foundational to becoming entrepreneurs,” said Dr. Rob Wolf, dean of Business, Technology, and Career and Technical Education. “The program is a unique experience for students to receive a behind-the-scenes knowledge of one of the most successful franchise business models in the restaurant industry.”

Jeromy Williams, owner/operator of Chick-fil-A Ocala, and his wife, Amanda Williams, are both former educators and remain committed to providing opportunities for local students.

“This partnership and idea has been years in the making,” Jeromy Williams said. “We are thrilled to partner with CF on such a unique program that will certainly bring the classroom concepts to life.”

The CF Entrepreneurship Academy courses include Principles of Management, Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Opportunities, and Small Business Management. The first cohort of students will begin classes in spring 2023. Interested students should visit www.CF.edu/entrepreneurshipacademy for more information.

“We welcome our new board members and appreciate the service of our returning board member – all who have demonstrated commitment to our community,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “They have broad experience in workforce, health care, finance and more, and we look forward to their leadership in impacting our college, students and community.”

Russell Branson, from Ocala, is the president of SouthState Bank and has served as a member of the CF District Board of Trustees since 2015. He is a board member for AdventHealth Ocala Hospital, Marion County Hospital District, and Marion County Public Policy Institute and the treasurer of the United Way Marion County. Branson earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida State University and his master’s degree in banking from Louisiana State University. He previously served as a member of the CF Foundation Board of Directors.

Fredrick Roberts Jr., from Ocala, is a partner and attorney for Klein & Klein LLC. He is a board member for Oak Hammock at the University of Florida and a member of the Marion County Bar Association. Roberts earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from UF and his juris doctor from Stetson University. He also has served as a member of the CF Foundation Board of Directors.

Charlie Stone, from Ocala, is the president and owner of Stone Petroleum Products Inc. He was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2012-2020 and a Marion County Commissioner from 2004-2012. Stone is a member of the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership and the Marion County Roadbuilders Association and is past president of Silver Springs Rotary Club. He also has served as a member of the CF Foundation Board of Directors.

Dr. Michael Torres, from Ocala, is the vice president and Chief Medical Officer of AdventHealth. He is a Veteran of the United States Air Force. Dr. Torres earned a certificate in military leadership from Air War College, his master’s degree in business administration from Touro University International, and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Spartan Health Sciences University.

There are seven seats on the CF District Board of Trustees. Additional board members include Joyce Brancato, Bobby Durrance and Bill Edgar.

To learn more about CF, visit CF.edu.