Honorable Cliff Stearns Hosts Talk at CF

The College of Central Florida will host former Congressman Cliff Stearns on Wednesday, April 17, at 12:15 p.m. at Cliff’s Cyber Café in the Stearns Learning Resources Center on the Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

Stearns will share information about current cybersecurity threats and what the impact of augmented reality technology will be on education. Students will be treated to a free cup of coffee.

Administrative Professionals Workshop, April 24

The College of Central Florida’s Business and Technology Department will host a professional development opportunity for administrative professionals on Wednesday, April 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala.

Learn new skills during three training sessions and hear from keynote speaker Amy Osborne, CF instructor of Computer Information Technology. Sessions include Microsoft Office 2019 Tips and Tricks; Teamwork and Communication 2.0; and Advance Your Career with Social Media.

Cost is $35 and includes continental breakfast and lunch. To register, contact Bonnie Hays at 352-854-2322, ext. 1855, or haysb@cf.edu.

This event is sponsored by CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Sitel, Webster University Ocala Campus, Talent Center and VR Ocala.

Free Cancer Awareness Dinner at CF April 15

A Shop Talk Cancer Awareness event will be held Monday, April 15, at6:30 p.m. in the Ewers Century Center at the College of Central Florida Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

“Wellness for Cancer Prevention and Survival” will feature two guest panelists who will discuss brain health and what is new in cancer and stroke prevention and treatments. Hear from Praveen Reddy, MD, MCh, neurosurgeon with Ocala Health Neurosurgical Group and Iraj Nikfarjam, MD, interventional neurologist for critical care medicine with Ocala Health Florida Stroke Institute.

Reservations are required. Please reserve your seat for this free event by Wednesday, April 10. Call 352-854-2322, ext. 1236, or visit www.CF.edu/ShopTalk.

The event is a collaboration of CF, the Ocala Royal Dames for Cancer Research Inc. and Ocala Health.

CF Commencement Ceremonies May 3

The College of Central Florida will hold its spring 2019 commencement Friday, May 3, with two ceremonies to honor graduates. Both ceremonies will be held at First Baptist Church of Ocala, 2801 S.E. Maricamp Road. Tickets will be required for guests to attend and live streaming of the ceremony will be available.

At 3 p.m., students receiving certificates, Associate in Science and bachelor’s degrees will be recognized. The second ceremony, for students receiving an Associate in Arts, will begin at 6 p.m.

For the second time in CF history, tickets will be required for guests to attend the ceremonies to ensure adequate seating for everyone. For four years, CF has split May graduation into two ceremonies to accommodate the greatest number of guests possible. Each graduate who attends the ceremony will receive at least four tickets, and additional tickets may become available as students turn in those that they will not use. Since 2013, CF’s spring graduation ceremonies have been held at First Baptist Church of Ocala, the largest indoor venue in Marion County.

“We take great pride in the accomplishments of our graduates and look forward to commencement ceremonies,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “Every graduate deserves the opportunity to have someone in the audience to celebrate their achievement. We wish that we could allow an unlimited number of guests, but safety codes limit our capacity. Tickets are the most equitable way to ensure each graduate has someone in attendance.”

In addition to student speakers, the commencement address will be delivered by Kevin Sheilley, President/CEO of the Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership. John S. and Shirley B. Rudnianyn will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award.

For more information about CF graduation or to access the live stream, visit www.CF.edu/graduation.

Student Art Exhibition Opens at CF April 15

The College of Central Florida Citrus Campus will celebrate local veterans in the Citrus Speaks Veteran Voices auditory-visual display on Tuesday, April 23, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. in the Citrus Learning and Conference Center at the Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto. The program will start at 12:45 p.m. and there is no fee to attend the exhibit.

This auditory-visual display will feature listening stations with sound bites from the recordings as captured by CF students of eight veterans living in Citrus county, as well as a poster presentation based on the oral histories and some commemorative speeches. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information about the exhibit, contact Chelsea Watts at 352-746-6721, ext. 6197.

Veterans Voices Exhibit at CF Citrus, April 23

The College of Central Florida Citrus Campus will celebrate local veterans in the Citrus Speaks Veteran Voices auditory-visual display on Tuesday, April 23, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. in the Citrus Learning and Conference Center at the Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto. The program will start at 12:45 p.m. and there is no fee to attend the exhibit.

This auditory-visual display will feature listening stations with sound bites from the recordings as captured by CF students of eight veterans living in Citrus county, as well as a poster presentation based on the oral histories and some commemorative speeches. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information about the exhibit, contact Chelsea Watts at 352-746-6721, ext. 6197.

CF Presents Jazz Band Concert April 27

The College of Central Florida’s Visual and Performing Arts Department will host “Sing, Sing, Sing,” a jazz concert Saturday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the Dassance Fine Arts Center at the Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Enjoy the classics of swing band music juxtaposed against contemporary percussion compositions. The CF Percussion Ensemble, directed by John Wallace, will open the event and be featured in multiple collaborations with the Jazz Band. Additionally, enjoy the intricacies of jazz in the combo setting with the Patriot Blues Jazz Combo. This group directed by Greg Snider specializes in improvisation and group musical communication and has composed specific music for this concert.

Snider, a CF adjunct professor for saxophone, clarinet and jazz, directs the jazz band, jazz combo and saxophone ensemble. He was recently awarded a master’s in music education with a focus on jazz studies from the University of Florida. He holds a master’s in music in saxophone performance, also from UF.

Wallace has been a Visual and Performing Arts Department percussion adjunct professor since 2015 and is director of the CF Percussion Ensemble. He started his musical education at CF and transferred to Florida Southern College where he earned a bachelor of music and later a master of music from the University of Florida. Most recently, Wallace has become a principal percussionist with the Imperial Symphony Orchestra in Lakeland. He plays professionally with the Florida Orchestra, Brevard Symphony Orchestra, the Gainesville Orchestra and other professional orchestras throughout Florida.

Admission to the concert is $12 for adults, $6 for non-CF students. CF students, faculty and staff are free with valid ID. For tickets and more information, call the CF Box Office at 352-873-5810 or visit tickets.cf.edu. The box office is located in the lobby of the Fine Arts Center and is open from 1-4 p.m. and an hour before show time.

CAMPUS USA Credit Union is a proud partner of the College of Central Florida and the Visual and Performing Arts Department.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call the CF Box Office at 352-873-5810, or visit Tickets.cf.edu.

CF Corporate College Presents Equine Summer Camp June 10-13

The College of Central Florida Corporate College is hosting an equine summer camp for students in middle and high school June 10-13 from 9 a.m. to noon. The camp will be held at Vintage Farm Campus, 4020 S.E. Third Ave, Ocala. Registration fee is $130.

The camp will introduce middle and high school students to the world of equine science. Students with a passion for horses will improve their confidence, knowledge and experience around horses while gaining insight into the multi-faceted world of equine science. Students will be introduced to the variety of international equine sports that are represented in Ocala as well as the relationship between these activities and the supporting industry that accounts for almost a quarter of the local economy. Riding lessons are not part of the curriculum.

Register online at CF.edu/CorporateCollege, or call CF Corporate College at 352-873-5855.

CF Presents Equine Education Day April 6

The College of Central Florida’s Equine Studies program will present an Equine Education Day on Saturday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Vintage Farm Campus, 4020 S.E. Third Ave, Ocala.

Attendees will learn and practice skills needed to be successful in the equine industry. Workshops on a variety of topics will include hay evaluation, body condition scoring, feed management, basic first aid and routine veterinary care, and more.

“This event is an entirely student organized and conducted event, designed to showcase the Equine Studies program and Vintage Farm,” said Dr. Judy Downer, Equine Studies professors and program coordinator. “The students are in their final semester of the baccalaureate degree in Business and Organizational Management Equine Studies Specialization, and this is part of their Capstone course, designed to be a culmination of their educational experience.”

Admission is $40 in advance and $50 for walk-ins. Lunch is included.

For more information, contact Kaitlyn Grimes at grimesk@patriots.cf.edu, or visit cf.edu/equineeducation.

CAMPUS USA Credit Union Named CF Partner

The College of Central Florida was recently named a proud partner with CAMPUS USA Credit Union. As part of the partnership agreement, which will provide CF with $50,000 annually for five years, CAMPUS USA will be recognized as the premier sponsor and partner for the college and Foundation events and programs.

“CAMPUS USA has been a great friend to CF for several years and this new partnership agreement will add value to our college and community,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, president College of Central Florida. “Their gift will support our CF Reaching Higher comprehensive campaign.”

The CF Foundation’s Reaching Higher Campaign includes raising $8.5 million for scholarships to continue its mission to make higher education accessible and affordable to all. The Foundation also plans on raising $7 million for capital and new program initiatives in CF’s Health Sciences Department, and raising $1 million for enhancing the Appleton Museum of Art exhibition and educational programs so visitors have a first-class experience when viewing the museum’s world-class artwork and artifacts.

“This new partnership will provide funds for scholarships, which are the center of what we do at the CF Foundation,” said Chris Knife, executive director of the Foundation. “CAMPUS USA has been a supporter of student scholarships at the college, and through this partnership they will continue to help students.”

“We see the value CF brings to the community and felt that it was the perfect partner for CAMPUS USA. Making higher education more accessible to the students and families in our communities makes us all stronger and we are excited to help that mission any way we can,” said Jerry Benton, CEO CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

CAMPUS USA Credit Union was originally chartered in 1935 as Gainesville Florida Campus Federal Credit Union, and was the first credit union on a U.S. College Campus. CAMPUS serves over 100,000 members from all over the world.

CF offers more than 140 academic pathways including college credit certificates, postsecondary adult vocational programs, associate and bachelor’s degrees. Several programs, including the Associate in Arts, can be completed online. The CF Foundation has more than 400 scholarships, 363 of them endowed, for CF students in Citrus, Levy and Marion counties.