The College of Central Florida has earned Tree Campus USA recognition for its dedication to campus forestry management and environmental stewardship. This is the 10th year that CF has been recognized.

Tree Campus USA is a national program that honors colleges, universities and their leaders for promoting healthy management of their campus forests and for engaging the community in environmental stewardship. Tree Campus USA is a program of the Arbor Day Foundation.

CF met the five core standards of tree care and community engagement in order to receive 2018 Tree Campus USA status. The standards are establishing a campus tree advisory committee; providing a campus tree-care plan; dedicating annual expenditures on the campus tree-care plan; participating in an Arbor Day observance; and instituting a service-learning project to engage students.

“The Arbor Day foundation requires we have a tree-care plan,” said Stephen MacKenzie, CF senior professor of Environmental Sciences. “We also report on the related service activities to qualify for tree campus.”

The Arbor Day Foundation launched Tree Campus USA 11 years ago and continues to honor colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and engaging students and staff in conservation goals. Currently, there are 364 campuses across the United States with this recognition.

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, will present a watercolor workshop with Sue Primeau as part of the Master Class Series, designed for those who are ready to take their work to the next level.

Whether a beginner, intermediate or advanced, it’s time to have fun painting with watercolor. In this four-part workshop, learn at your own pace with plenty of hands-on painting time in class and one-on-one instructor assistance with informative critiques. Materials not included; a supply list will be provided upon registration.

Workshop dates are Thursdays, Feb. 21, March 7, March 14 and March 28, 6-8 p.m. Cost is $125 for Appleton members; $150 for nonmembers.

To register for this workshop, visit AppletonMuseum.org or contact Hollis Mutch, mutchh@cf.edu, or 352-291-4455, ext. 1613.

Owned and operated by 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 the Appleton Museum of Art at 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

The College of Central Florida Foundation’s annual Taste of Ocala will have a new twist this year at a new location: CF’s newest campus Vintage Farm. “Taste at the Farm” will be on Saturday, March 2, from 6:30-9 p.m., at 4020 S.E. Third Ave, Ocala.

In 2016, the college received its largest gift on record from the Vintage Farm family. The gift of the 103-acre Vintage Farm has allowed CF to expand Equine Studies and Agribusiness programs to include a bachelor’s specialization in equine studies and plans are underway to begin a one-year cattle management certificate program.

Ocala’s favorite “food and philanthropy” event will feature live music and samplings from local restaurants. Guests will enjoy food, wine and craft beer tastings from Braised Onion, Brick City Southern Kitchen & Whiskey Bar, Cakes Come True, Chefs of Napoli IV, Eaton’s Beach Sandbar & Steam Shack, Edible Arrangements, Fox Den Tavern, Harry’s Seafood, Bar & Grill, The Mojo Grill & Catering Co., and Tony’s Sushi & Japanese Steakhouse.

Since its inception in 1989, Taste of Ocala has raised more than $1.4 million for College of Central Florida student scholarships.

For more information, visit www.TasteAtTheFarm.org. For information or sponsorship opportunities call the CF Foundation at 352-873-5808 or visit CF.edu/Foundation.

The first is an art, history and humanities trip to Paris and London from May 22-June 5.  Total cost is approximately $4,270 and includes 13 nights’ accommodations, all ground transportation, three traditional dinners, daily continental breakfast and full time guide. Program price is an estimate until tickets are finalized.

Trip highlights include a 10-day LondonPass, Westminster walking tour, St. Paul’s Cathedral, National Gallery, British Museum, market visits, Thames River Boat Cruise, Paris walking tour, Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Musee d’Orsay.

There are still seats available on the service learning Costa Rica trip from March 16-24. Program cost is $990 plus airfare and includes eight nights of accommodations, daily continental breakfast, nightly dinner and one lunch, all ground transportation and a full-time guide and assistance.

Trip highlights include 25 hours of service learning and volunteer projects, Bribri Indigenous community visit including medicinal plants, traditions and chocolate making, introduction to natural products, medicinal plants and artisanal jewelry, and introduction to calypso music. Participants will enjoy naturalist walking tours, a nocturnal wildlife tour hike, visits to Cahuita National Park, coral reef snorkeling, white water rafting the Rio Pacuare, surfing lessons and traditional Caribbean Cooking lessons.

For more information, call Wendy Adams at 352-854-2322, ext. 1546.

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, will present a bookmaking and printmaking workshop with CF Associate Professor of Art Tyrus Clutter. This workshop is part of the Master Class Series, designed for those who are ready to take their work to the next level.

Workshop participants will make relief prints and combine them into a one-of-a-kind handmade book. This two-day workshop is scheduled Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22-23, 1-5 p.m. Cost is $75 for Appleton members and $95 nonmembers; all supplies are included.

To register for this workshop, visit AppletonMuseum.org or contact Hollis Mutch, mutchh@cf.edu, or 352-291-4455, ext. 1613

The College of Central Florida District Board of Trustees has two new and two reappointed members, appointed by former Gov. Rick Scott during his final week in office.

“Our two returning members have demonstrated their commitment to our students by focusing on affordability and to our community through their expertise in workforce development,” said Dr. James Henningsen, CF president. “One new appointee is a strong community leader and has extensive experience serving on the CF Foundation. The second new appointee is a local business owner and has experience in higher education as a professor. I am excited to see how our new 2019 board will positively impact our college, our students and our community.”

Avis Craig, from Crystal River, is the grants and donations specialist for the Key Training Center. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Maine and her master’s degree from Nova University. Craig served on the CF Foundation Board in various roles from 1998 to 2010. She fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term ending May 2021.

Dr. Robert Winsler, from Crystal River, is the president of Winsler Consulting and Advocacy LLC and is an adjunct professor at the University of Tampa. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tampa, master’s degree from the University of South Florida, and doctorate from the University of Florida. Winsler succeeds Donald Taylor and his term ends in May 2019.

Robert Durrance, from Bronson, was first appointed to the board in 2009 and is reappointed for a term through May 2021. Durrance is retired from a 34-year career with Levy County schools. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and master’s degree from Nova University.

William Edgar, from Ocala, was first appointed to the board in 2015 and is reappointed for a term through May 2022. He is the Gainesville/Ocala area chairman at Vistage, a leading business advisory and CEO coaching organization. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida.

The CF District Board of Trustees is made up of seven members. Additional representatives include Joyce Brancato from Levy County, and Rusty Branson and Randy Ewers from Marion County. Trustee responsibilities include appointing, supporting and assessing the performance of the college president, approving long-range plans and educational programs for the college, and ensuring the well-being of faculty, students and staff.

The Webber Gallery at the College of Central Florida will adjust its hours of operation starting Wednesday, Jan. 16. The Gallery will now be open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

Upcoming exhibit information can be found at www.CF.edu/webber or by calling 352‑873-5809.

The College of Central Florida’s Visual and Performing Arts Department will present the lecture “Crude Life Portable Biodiversity Museum for the Gulf of Mexico” by Sean Miller on Thursday, Jan. 24, 12:30 p.m. in the Webber Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala.

Miller, associate professor of sculpture at the University of Florida, will discuss his latest works which include displays, paintings, sculptures, research and specimen collections for a portable pop-up museum.

Tickets are not required. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, call the CF Box Office at 352-873-5810.

The Student Activities Board at the College of Central Florida will host CF’s Got Talent Thursday, Feb 28, at the Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

The show will be held in the Ewers Century Center and will begin at 7 p.m. Admission is free for CF students, faculty and staff and $5 for others.

The Student Activities Board is made up of selected members who plan and carry out activities to promote the social, physical and educational well-being of students. Participating in the SAB and its activities gives students a chance to pursue their interests while developing new friendships and skills for the future.

For more information, call Marjorie McGee at 352-854-2322, ext. 1578.

The College of Central Florida is ranked No. 29 in affordability in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Education. CF tuition and fees for 2017-2018 were 69 percent below the national average of $8,256 for public four-year or above institutions.

The cost for associate level courses is $112.92 per credit hour, or approximately $2,824 per year for a student with a 12-credit course load for two semesters. This new ranking puts CF in the top 1% for affordability.

The U.S. Department of Education releases the College Affordability and Transparency Lists annually to make the costs of college more transparent for students and their families. Data for the rankings comes from the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Systems. Tuition reports include tuition and required fees, and are for full-time beginning students. The figures are based on a 12-credit course load for two semesters.

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.

To learn more about CF visit www.CF.edu. To learn more about the College Affordability and Transparency Center, visit www.collegecost.ed.gov.