The College of Central Florida Citrus Campus invites the public to a virtual presentation from the Gulf Archeology Research Institute on Wednesday, April 21, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. to celebrate Earth Day.

Researchers will highlight the importance of and connections between our shared natural and cultural resources stretching from pre-history to the present. After a brief review of GARI’s mission, purpose and reach, presenters will share results from sites in Citrus, Marion, Levy and Hernando counties and the increasing peril of disintegration of local landscapes and possible solutions.

Visit www.zoom.us on a desktop computer or search for “Zoom” in the app store on your phone or mobile device. Use the following login information for the talk: Meeting ID 972 6206 4246, Passcode 021497.

This presentation has been made possible by the CF Foundation, Jerome Cultural Endowment.

For more information, contact Michele Wirt at 352-746-6721, ext. 6131, or wirtm@cf.edu.

The College of Central Florida’s Business and Technology Department will host four free virtual career connection webinars featuring local companies using new technologies in unexpected ways Monday-Thursday, April 5-8.

• Monday, April 5, from 12:15-1:15 p.m. Associate Director and Senior Research Scientist Bonnie Dorr from the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition on how artificial intelligence will affect the future.
• Tuesday, April 6, from 11:15 a.m.-noon, presenters from The Villages Grown will talk about technology applications in a hyper-local food system that benefits local residents, the environment, and the economy as well as careers in agriculture.
• Wednesday, April 7, from 2:15-3 p.m., Paul Porter, Human Resources manager from Dollar Tree Distribution Center, will present about technology applications and careers in logistics and supply chain management.
• Thursday, April 8, from 12:15-1 p.m., Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel Julie Sheppard from the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition will present practical steps to prepare for a future career in technology.

Register now at CF.edu/BusTechEvents. Each day one participant will be eligible to receive a gift. For more information, contact Bonnie Hays at haysb@CF.edu.

This event is presented by CAMPUS USA Credit Union and sponsored by the CF Foundation, the Talent Center and CF Alumni Association.

The College of Central Florida has been ranked among the best in the state and the nation for academic programs, affordability and overall quality.

“CF continues to deliver a high-quality learning experiences and is committed to student success,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “The recent rankings are a testament to the work of our faculty and staff.”

• CF is recognized among the top 50 Community Colleges in the nation for 2021 by Intelligent.com., and among those colleges was recognized for the Best Job Placement Rate. In evaluating the institutions, they prioritized affordability, program selection, reputation, faculty, and course delivery methods, including online, in-person, and hybrid classes. The comprehensive research was based on an assessment of 1,187 accredited colleges and universities in the nation.
• In a separate ranking, Intelligent.com ranked CF’s Associate in Business Administration Degree Program among the top 50 in the nation for 2021. Among those 50 colleges, CF was also named Best for Certificates. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 188 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.
• The CF Nursing program is ranked No. 6 for Best RN Programs in Florida by RegisteredNursing.org. Nursing programs were assessed on several factors which represent how well a program supports students toward licensure and beyond. The nursing advocacy organization analyzed past and present first time NCLEX-RN “pass-rates” weighted by year.
• Best Value Schools has ranked CF No. 11 on its 2020 Best Colleges in Florida list. CF joins the ranks of University of Florida, University of Central Florida and University of West Florida, which appear in the top five. Rankings are based on the number of online programs, graduation rate, and tuition cost.

CF offers more than 150 academic pathways including college credit certificates, postsecondary adult vocational programs, associate and bachelor’s degrees.

The College of Central Florida Citrus Campus invites the public to attend a virtual tour of the Citrus County Old Courthouse Heritage Museum on Wednesday, April 28, from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

This unique institution preserves and shares the history of Citrus County and the state of Florida. Participants can explore the exhibits, artifacts, architecture, research archives and more during the presentation given by historical resources manager Katherine Turner Thompson and staffer Lindsey Gilbert.

Visit www.zoom.us on a desktop computer or search for “Zoom” in the app store on your phone or mobile device. Use the following login information for the talk: Meeting ID 934 4591 0108, Passcode 649022.

The tour has been made possible by the CF Foundation, Jerome Cultural Endowment.

For more information, contact Michele Wirt at 352-746-6721, ext. 6131, or wirtm@cf.edu.

College of Central Florida students won numerous awards for CF’s student newspaper and literary magazines at the Florida College System Publications Association awards last month.

In the Write Mind, CF Citrus Campus literary magazine, placed second for best Staff Page which was produced by Ja’Onna Brown, Marjorie Johnston and Jessica Burns.

Imprints, CF Ocala Campus literary magazine, received second place for its Two-page Spread and for Editing, in addition to third place for the Contents page.

The Florida College System Publications Association brings students and advisors together to provide a common ground for discussion of publications and mass media. The association provides responsible guidance to student publications to ensure their growth as a medium for the education of future citizens of a free society and to obtain the best thinking on problems in publications and mass communications and to share this thinking.

College of Central Florida students won numerous vocal awards in February at the virtual Central Florida National Association of Teachers of Singing chapter audition.

Jillian Capps received first place in her category, Second Year Music Theatre Treble Voice; Kelli Piel received second place in her category, First Year Music Theatre Treble Voice; and Madi DeLonge received third place in her category, First Year Musical Treble Voice. More than 100 students competed this year across various categories.

Each year the National Association of Teachers of Singing celebrates the art of singing through a series of competitions and programs that are designed to showcase the talented singers and performers who are soon to be rising stars in the profession.

The College of Central Florida continues the International Film Series with “Metropolis” on Tuesday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m. Online discussion on Wednesday, March 31, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. will be hosted by Mark Neumann. Screenings will take place at the Ocala Drive-In theater, 4850 S. Pine Ave., Ocala, for free. Each film can also be screened from the safety of one’s own home at a time of convenience via free internet streaming services.

This German expressionist science fiction film presents a highly stylized futuristic city where a beautiful and cultured utopia exists above a bleak underworld populated by mistreated workers. When the privileged youth Freder discovers the grim scene under the city, he becomes intent on helping the workers. He befriends the rebellious teacher but this puts him at odds with his authoritative father, leading to greater conflict. The film is regarded by many critics as one of the most innovative and influential films ever made. We will be screening Giorgio Moroder’s 1984 painstaking restoration of “Metropolis,” which includes a pop soundtrack and previously deleted scenes and images. This film has a total run time of 83 minutes.

Neumann, the host for the Wednesday discussion, is a professor of Creative Media and Film at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on visual culture, documentary studies, audio and archival storytelling, and media studies. His photographic and film work have been exhibited nationally and internationally, and his audio work has been broadcast on national public radio programs. He has published numerous articles and book chapters on culture, media, technology and art in a variety of venues. His books include “On the Rim: Looking for the Grand Canyon” and “Recording Culture: Audio Documentary and the Ethnographic Experience.”

For links to the screening and discussion, and for a full series list and more information on the International Film Series, contact Wendy Adams at 352-873-5800, ext. 1546, or visit www.CF.edu/filmseries.

 

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, announces an additional community program this March with the Community Heroes Free Admission Program.

Through 2021, the state of Florida’s first responders, health care professionals, and educators can enjoy free admission to the Appleton Museum of Art as a “thank you” for their leadership, lifesaving work and heartfelt dedication to keeping our communities safe.

Effective immediately, the following professions are encouraged and welcome to visit the Appleton for free by showing their official work ID to be part of the Appleton’s Community Heroes Free Admission Program: law enforcement, firefighter, EMT, 911 operators, as well as health care, hospital and hospice professionals, and K-12, college and university instructors.

“Our community heroes on a daily basis share their will to be strong and courageous with everyone, even though one may not know their names,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “We call them heroes since we harvest the fruits of their sacrifice and work.”

Appleton Director Jason Steuber says, “Since 1987, the Appleton has been a community partner. Honoring our Florida and Marion County heroes is part of our everyday lives.” Appleton Assistant Director Victoria Billig adds, “Working with CF President Henningsen and our Advisory Council, the Appleton continues to be a leader among museums in Florida to offer year-round free admission to these heroes.”

Other free-admission categories at the Appleton include veterans and active-duty military; CF faculty, staff and students; children 5 and under; and Appleton members. Those with reciprocal memberships from other museums through Southeastern Museums Conference and North American Reciprocal Membership programs also receive free entry to the Appleton.

College of Central Florida students won numerous public speaking and interpretation awards, including eight state titles, at the Florida College System Activities Association Forensics State Championship Feb. 5-6 and at the Florida Intercollegiate Forensics Association state championship Feb. 19-21.

The CF Forensics team won the Readers Theater State Champions and finished in second place in Overall Team Sweeps and Individual Events Team Sweeps in the FCSSA competition. CF student Eileen Hernandez was named State Champion in three events – Poetry (interpretation), Persuasive and Communication Analysis (speaking). Additionally, Edgar Soto (first-year member) took home three awards, Macy Ryan (first-year member) two awards, and Sayjal Jaimungal second place in Programmed Oral Interpretation. Forensics Coach Dr. Matthew Maddex was voted FCSSA Coach of the Year.

At the FIFA competition, the CF team was named State Champion in Readers Theater and in the Limited Entry Division. Hernandez was named State Champion in both Communication Analysis and Persuasive Speaking. In winning the Persuasive Speaking event, she earned an invitation to compete at the Interstate Oratory Association, the oldest speaking competition in the United States. Hernandez and one other Florida representative will compete in the national contest in April. Additionally, Ryan took sixth place and was named Top Novice in Poetry interpretation. Jaimungal took sixth place in Programmed Oral Interpretation. The team took fourth place in Individual Events sweeps and fifth place in Overall Team sweeps.

The CF Forensics team has never won this many state titles at the two Florida state competitions. For the first time, CF has won Readers Theater at both state competitions and won Persuasive speaking at both state competitions and qualified a student to compete at IOA. For the first time, CF has won Communication Analysis at FIFA.

“When the pandemic hit, I was concerned about what our 2020-2021 season would be like. However, the students on this team have been there for each other throughout this pandemic. Forensics has been an outlet for them to express themselves in many different speaking formats,” said associate professor of Speech and director of Forensics, Dr. Matthew Maddex. “The online competitions have allowed our students to compete more and develop their voices more throughout this season. In total we have competed at 12 forensics competitions and earned 60 individual event awards and 13 team sweeps awards.

“When I started coaching this team two years ago I could not imagine that we would have a season like this,” said Maddex. “We still have some big dreams to achieve before this season is done but it has been amazing to see these students embrace the challenge of COVID-19 – embrace each other – and continue to Find Their Voice through forensics.”

Students will compete at a couple of tournaments in March and then the Phi Rho Pi two-year National Championship in April. In intercollegiate forensics, which includes speech and debate, students compete in team and individual events in a variety of areas including interpretation of literature (prose, poetry), public address (informative and persuasive), limited prep events and several platform speeches. The forensics team enables students to not only improve their speaking skills but also develop a stronger understanding of the communication field as a whole.

The College of Central Florida’s Visual and Performing Arts Department presents “Motherhood Out Loud,” Friday-Sunday, March 12-14, starting at 7:30 p.m. online.

If you have a mother, know a mother, are a mother or are even thinking of becoming a mother, you need to see “Motherhood Out Loud.” Conceived by Susan R. Rose and Joan Stein, the play is comprised of short scenes, many of which are monologues, authored by 14 playwrights, including Beth Henley “Crimes of the Heart” and Lisa Loomer “In the Waiting Room”. The result of entrusting the subject of motherhood to such a dazzling collection of celebrated American writers is a joyous, moving, hilarious and altogether thrilling theatrical play.

The pieces are grouped chronologically, as in life stages — “Fast Births,” “First Day Fugue,” “Sex Talk,” “Stepping Out” and “Coming Home.” Together they shatter traditional notions about parenthood, unveils its inherent comedy and celebrates the deeply personal truths that span and unite generations. Beautiful, poignant, funny, real, emotional, optimistic, heartfelt and tear producing, this play will make you laugh out loud and bring tears to your eyes.

The play is being presented for free by CF and is available to the public. Tickets can be ordered at showtix4u.com/events/TheatreCF.