Randy Hanna

Shortly after graduation in May, I took a couple of weeks  off to have some elective surgery.  I am not someone who generally talks a lot about my health issues.  Fortunately, I have few medical issues to talk about in the first place, but I believe they are generally private issues.  However, my experience this summer has made me think my story is  worth sharing in case it may help others dealing with similar issues.  This was not your standard elective surgery – it was elective brain surgery.

For more than 30 years, I have had tremors in both of my hands, with the left hand being worse.  My father, who died in 2012, had a similar tremor.  Every two or three years for the past 30 years, I would go to my neurologist and be tested.  Every time, I got the same report – “you do not have Parkinson’s or another more serious neurological disorder.  You have a familial or essential tremor – they are often genetic and there is nothing we can do for them except trying some medication.”

I have several  friends with  Parkinson’s and have been amazed to see all the progress made in treating it over the past few years.  Most people with Parkinson’s die with it, not from it, and people function at the highest levels with the disorder.  However, after every visit to the neurologist, I was still thrilled to get the report that I did not  a major neurological disorder.

That, however,   did not keep others from noticing my shaking.  The inability to eat soup was pretty evident.  In earlier years,  my  inability to hold a rope line on a mountain climb without shaking was unnerving to my fellow climbers.  And it was impactful in my career.

One of my former law partners approached me after watching me argue a case before the Florida Supreme Court.  She noticed my left hand shaking when I reached for a glass of water and wanted to make sure I was ok.  During an interview for a position in higher education that I thought was a perfect fit, one of the selection committee members leaned over and told another member that I must have Parkinson’s or some other health problem.

Though my tremors haven’t been life-threatening, they’ve  impacted my life in a major way.  Millions of people have essential tremors and they do often get worse as you age.

A couple of years ago,  I went to my annual checkup at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.  The neurologist during the visit surprised me when he said he could solve my shake with a “simple” surgery.

Simple and brain surgery did not fit together in my mind, so I continued to try different medications, but none worked.  I finally got up the courage to suggest to my family that I wanted to try the surgery.  Believe it or not, their response was not especially positive.    My wife Jerri asked, “who in their right mind has elective brain surgery?”

The surgery – Deep Brain Stimulation – is pretty simple, at least as far as brain surgery can be considered simple.    The doctors describe it as routine. 😊.  The risk from the surgery is minimal and there is no impact on your cognitive functions.  While you are awake, they drill a small hole into your head and drop a wire into your thalamus gland – which is deep in the brain.  Then, they send a small electrical charge through the wire to ensure they placed it correctly.  The idea is that, provided everything is where it’s supposed to be, this will stop the tremor.  Though I had seen videos of this being done, actually watching as my own hands went from shaking to being completely stable was amazing.  The entire operating team was great.  They even played some Billy Dean music during the surgery.  After they were sure they had the wire in the right place, they put me to sleep and inserted a battery pack just under my collarbone.

While they did the surgery on the right side of my brain to help my left hand, I also received some benefit on my right hand.  I am thrilled.  I can now eat soup, hold a glass, or make a presentation without folks wondering why my hands are shaking.  The doctors at Mayo have done 3000 of these surgeries with amazing success.  Dentists, musicians, and others who need their fine motor skills are typical patients.  Others include priests who need stability to offer the sacraments.  I’m glad to be a part of that group now!  I have no restrictions on activities and feel great.

I know I put my family through a lot of stress  – especially my wife.  I am so grateful for their  support.  I am also so grateful for the major advances in medicine and the great team at Mayo Clinic.  I have enjoyed being back at work and especially working with the great students at Florida State University Panama City.  It is going to be an amazing new academic year!

 

As we prepared to enter the Tucker Center for the summer 2021 graduation, I saw Jean Thrasher, the wife of 56 years of FSU President John Thrasher.  President Thrasher will retire on August 14, 2021, but FSU will lose the active service of two members of the Thrasher family.  I will spend a little time talking about the tremendous influence Jean Thrasher has had on this university. 

I remember entering the Tucker Center for graduation in 2016 and seeing Jean Thrasher sitting there.   Little did I, at that time, realize the impact she would have on the future of FSU.

Jean Thrasher has attended every graduation since the two of them agreed to take on the presidency in the fall of 2014.  I have seen her at football and basketball games and other sporting events.  She has attended hundreds of academic events and has been a strong partner with our president.

I have seen her cheer when our students do well in academics, athletics, and life.  And I have seen her shed a tear when they have struggled.  Florida State is big on student success.  Jean Thrasher helped lead the way

A grandmother, with at least one granddaughter in school at FSU, Jean  has had a natural connection with our students.  Many of them call her “Gi Gi.”.  She never fails to stop to talk to a student, regardless of how busy she is.

Outside of her focus on students, I am most appreciative of the fact that she is always willing to talk and at the most appropriate time, provide excellent advice.  Sometimes, my wife, Jerri, and I did not even realize she was providing that advice at the time.  But later, it became very clear.  Others in leadership positions at FSU have had the same experience.

She has not only provided support and advice across campus, but has been a a great advocate for our university.   Because of her strong connection to the students and the entire FSU family, she has been a formidable advocate in business and governmental circles, including the Florida Legislature.

During the most recent Friday afternoon graduation ceremony, President Thrasher’s voice cracked as he introduced Jean.

I chuckled as he said thank you to Jean for saying yes when he told her seven years ago that he wanted to apply to be president of FSU at 70 years of age.

Seven years later, the two of them have made a huge difference for our university and our state.  Florida State is now a Top Twenty public university and has the highest four-year graduation rate among Florida’s universities.  Across the country, everyone in academic knows FSU is on the rise.

It is a tradition to have a statute of former FSU presidents placed on campus and John Thrasher is so deserving.

In my heart there will also be a statute of Jean Thrasher commemorating her wonderful service to the university, its students, and the State of Florida.

 

Today was the memorial service for Dr. Frederick Humphries, the former president of Florida A&M University.

Although I have been involved in higher education in one way or another for most of my professional life, one of the most rewarding experiences I have had was to serve on the initial Board of Trustees of Florida A&M University.

In 2001, I was finishing a term on the State Board of Community Colleges.  A new system of higher education governance had been put into place by the Florida Legislature.  The Governor had the opportunity to appoint the members of the new boards at each of Florida’s then 11 universities.  I was fortunate to be named to the initial board of FAMU.

You cannot be a lifelong resident of Florida and not understand the importance of FAMU and the significant impact that Dr. Frederick Humphries had not only on FAMU, but on the state and nation.  Having been actively involved in higher education and the Tallahassee community, I knew Dr. Humphries, but we were not, at that time, close friends.

About six months before the change in the governance structure and the new board appointments, he and I were in the Tampa airport and our flight home was canceled.  I rented a car and we drove back to Tallahassee late in the evening along with the then lobbyist for FSU, Mary Kaye Cariseo Detzner.  I can still remember much of what we talked about that night.

I got home that night exhausted, but also amazed at the discussions the three of us had during those five hours in the car.  Fred Humphries had the amazing ability to have a keen understanding of national and state issues, but also know about some of the more detailed information that was happening on his campus.  This was not long after FAMU had been named the Time Magazine Princeton Review College of the Year.  FAMU was on the rise and ranked number one in the nation (ahead of Harvard) in the number of enrolled National Achievement Scholars in the nation.

Fred Humphries told us about his vision for FAMU during that drive, which included increasing the number of PhD graduates in the STEM fields.  But he believed that if you placed the right support around a student who may have struggled in high school, that student could be successful at a top ranked university.

And he believed in the mission of HBCUs.  He firmly believed that students, especially those with different experiences, should spend time at a university where people had shared experiences.

Shortly after I was appointed to the board, I heard from someone that Dr. Humphries was concerned about my loyalty because I had a degree from Florida State University.  The history between the two institutions had certainly been rocky over the years.  However, during his tenure a joint engineering college approved shortly before he took office, grew in stature.  In addition, there is a strong political connection between the establishment of the College of Medicine at FSU and the reestablishment of the FAMU College of Law.  Today the relationship between the two institutions is strong.

Fred Humphries was, in many ways, larger than life.  He was not only a large man – he was a brilliant scholar and had a strong desire to help students succeed.  I will never know if he ever became convinced that I was committed to the FAMU mission, but I can tell you that I spend a good amount of my time today at FSU leading a campus working to emulate some of the very positive initiatives that I saw and continue to see FAMU put into place.

Florida A&M is a national treasure.  Fred Humphries deserves significant credit for many of the great things the university is know for today.   Rest in peace Mr. President.  Let all of us (graduates or not) who are part of the FAMU Family  continue to fight for the mission and success of this great university.

 

 

Yesterday was a very difficult day. I tried hard to remain focused on work as I watched law enforcement attempt to stop  rioters who overtook the Capitol for only the second time in history (the first being in the War of 1812). As I arrived home, I continued to watch the events on television and then the Congress as the members restarted the debate on accepting the Electoral College votes.

My heart broke as I saw this horrible violence directed at our nation’s house of democracy and the people we all elected to represent us. As concerned as I was about the state of our nation and the deep divisions in our country, things got even harder when I received a note that my friend John Robbins had just passed away from COVID-19 complications.

John Robbins loved Bay County. He generously devoted his time and resources to help make Bay County a great place to work and live. He and his wife, Gail, shared a commitment to this community, to each other, and to their family that was exceptional. I cannot think of a stronger bond than one shared by John and Gail.

John and Gail loved Florida State University Panama City. John served on the Dean’s Council and previously chaired the Development Board.   Gail led the Advancement Office at FSU PC for more than 20 years. John was not flashy. He loved to tell people that he was a “telephone man” since he actually started as a technician working on the lines. One of his co-workers was former Panama City Beach Mayor Philip Griffitts who passed away from COVID before Christmas. John worked his way up through Southern Bell and AT&T, ultimately leading governmental relations in northwest Florida.

John was also an elected official, having served on the Bay County Board of County Commissioners. He never met a stranger. He treated everyone he met with the same level of respect. He gave of his time to Habitat for Humanity, Bay County Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and numerous organizational and community boards. He was a faithful worshiper at Forest Park United Methodist Church.

John wanted to help others succeed. When I first came to Florida State University Panama City, he was one of the first people I met. After peppering me for 90 minutes at lunch with questions about my plans for FSU PC, I was able to grab a few bites to eat. John Robbins cared about people. He cared about our students. Together, Gail and John helped fund the Robbins Center on campus where students could gather to work on innovative projects, to receive tutoring, and meet with advisers and faculty members. This gift was a celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. He and Gail did this because they wanted to help others succeed.

There may never be a road or a big building named after John Robbins. (It was hard enough to convince him to let us put his name on the Robbins Center on campus). His legacy will be the impact he had on the lives of so many and the community he loved. He truly helped change lives.

John had been in the hospital for several weeks. I received daily updates. Even though the reports had not been positive the last few days, I never expected John to pass. As they say in Alabama where John was raised, he had too much “spit and vinegar.”

In the spirit of following John’s leadership and not being afraid to offer advice, please be safe.

Wear your mask. Wash your hands. Stay six feet apart. This virus is real. No matter how healthy you are, it can kill you.

Over the last year many lives have been lost, Americans have struggled, and all of us have been changed forever. We all have a lot of work and a lot of healing to do. Here at FSU PC, we know we have an obligation to help more students in this area receive a postsecondary degree and reach their dreams. We will work hard to play our role in both areas.

We sure do need John Robbins right now. However, he led by example and helped show us the way forward. May he rest in peace. May his family find comfort in God’s love and care.

 

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  While it is a normally a time to relax and enjoy family, the holiday has an interesting history.

As my friend Rev. Candace McKibben recently wrote in the Tallahassee Democrat, the history of the holiday is connected to trying times.   Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday during the Civil War and Franklin Roosevelt set the holiday on the last Thursday in November just before the U.S. entered World War II.  As Rev. McKibben noted, gratitude is a helpful thing especially when dealing with trying times.

Clearly we have been in trying times.  At the start of 2020 no one expected that we would have more than 250,000 deaths in the country from COVID-19.  Here in Northwest Florida, our folks have felt the pain from Hurricane Michael which devastated our area a little more than two years ago.

Candace is right about expressing gratitude.  In fact, it is one of the things I always admire about my wife, Jerri.  She is always looking for the positive things and does her best to express gratitude for things that others have done.

I find myself always wishing I had done better in expressing gratitude.  This year there are many things I am thankful for, especially the health of my family.

I am especially thankful for the opportunity I have to work with a group of very dedicated and student centered professionals.  As Hurricane Michael hit our shores, we realized that our students would be spread out all over the Southeast trying to find refuge.  And as part of our FSU PC Promise, we committed to them that that we would be their partners.  So our faculty worked hard to be able to not only teach students who were able to return to classes in person, but also those who were dislocated.

Things seemed very similar earlier this year as we realized that we may be living with this virus for a while.  Not only did they turn on a dime to teach their classes remotely, but our faculty and staff prepared for the summer and fall semesters using the game plan they developed after the hurricane.  Students were given the opportunity to attend classes in person or remotely and no student was left behind.

This was hard work.  Every member of our team stepped up to the plate and the results have been remarkable.  Student retention rates have remained just as strong as prior to the pandemic.  In fact, FSU just posted a 95% freshman to sophomore retention rate, one of the best in the country.  Professors improvised to deliver lab courses in a virtual format and in many cases having students conduct experiments at home.  Our nuclear science camp became a virtual event with middle and high school students working on projects without outside entities, including the Los Alamos National Laboratory.  Our nurse anesthesia graduate students had to work around the closing of clinical sites.  Our faculty and students in our acclaimed Early Childhood Autism Program Clinic found ways to teach the parents until we were able to reopen under safe conditions.

Our student advisers worked with students through Zoom and other virtual means.  Our recruiters located potential students any way they could.  Our student affairs workers created virtual activities for students who had returned to their homes.  The technology workers made sure the virtual experience was as close as possible to the in-person experience.  Our custodial and facilities crew made sure the buildings were safe for those taking in person classes.  And our  mental health and disability professionals have faced unforeseen challenges and met them head on.

I know that every business, university, college, school, or organization has had to deal with similar situations.  And I know we did not get everything right.

However, there is no group  that I would have rather been working with to help our students succeed than the faculty and staff at Florida State University Panama City.  A special thank you to all of them and Happy Thanksgiving.

 

At Florida State University Panama City, we work hard every day to to meet the needs of the residents of Northwest Florida.  Those needs have changed with the impacts of both Hurricane Michael and the current global pandemic.

One thing that has not changed is the need for people to work in and the strong desire of people to pursue a career in healthcare.  If anything, the desire of students to pursue a degree in this area has increased over the past two years.

Today we announced the offering at FSU PC of a bachelor’s degree in public health in conjunction with the FSU College of Social Sciences and Public Policy.  Students pursuing this policy degree will study epidemiology, environmental health, biostatistics, and health policy and pursue careers in healthcare facilities, government agencies, and private and nonprofit corporations.  Those students hoping to move into a graduate professional health degree, such as medical school, will have the opportunity to include the required science courses right here at FSU PC.

For most of 2020, many of us have been focused on the impact of the coronavirus.  While this deadly virus has changed our daily lives, I am convinced that we are all more aware of the impact of many of our daily decisions and the importance of our healthcare system.  The opportunities in the public health and healthcare field are many.  As our area continues to recover from Hurricane Michael, we are seeing significant expansion of our healthcare facilities and hospitals and the strong focus by both the state and federal government on healthcare issues in Northwest Florida.  A degree in Public Health will provide a great foundation for those wanting to work in this critical field.

Our ability to provide this new degree would not have been possible without the strong support of the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy (COSS).  The COSS has played an important role with the City of Panama City in the development of its recovery plan after the hurricane.  This new degree shows the strong commitment of the COSS of the continued growth of our area.  A special thanks to Dean Tim Chapin and to the faculty in the COSS.

For more information please visit www.pc.fsu.edu.

FSU Panama City to offer bachelor’s degree in public health

 

My good friend and FSU Rockstar communication professor Mark Zeigler tweeted Saturday that it “would be nice to have one day with some good news”.  I could not agree more.  And while I will not be able to announce a breakthrough in a Corona Virus vaccine or make all of the blue tarps still on houses after Hurricane Michael go away, I do have some good news to share about student success here at Florida State University Panama City.

Student Housing – Good News No. 1

For a number of years we have been working to have residential housing for our students and the students from Gulf Coast State College.  The data is clear that a residential experience enhances student success.

On July 16, FSU President John Thrasher and Jeff Zimmer of Zimmer Development Company signed a 40-year lease agreement where Zimmer will build a 382-bed student housing complex facing North Bay on the west end of our campus.  If everything goes as planned, construction will start on July 20 and the facility will open in August 2021 and will be available for both FSU and Gulf Coast State College students.  We are looking forward to a great partnership with Zimmer.  I am especially appreciative of the support from the President Thrasher, Provost Sally McRorie, Vice President Kyle Clark and their teams for the hard work over the past several years getting up to this point.   The project had to be approved by the FSU Board of Trustees and the State University System Board of Governors.  The FSU Office of General Counsel, the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Panama City, the Bay County Commission, the Bay County Property Appraiser, and many others (including a bunch of lawyers) helped us get to this point.  Our team at FSU PC worked wonders, in addition to doing their regular work (which has included recovering from Hurricane Michael and preparing for a fall semester that will look much different than past semesters).

One group played a major role in getting us to this point – our students.  They continually asked and pushed and sometimes complained about the lack of progress.  Our students have fought hard for this project.  When we began negotiations with Zimmer, we asked students to serve on the committee.  Billy Bradley and Kyle Greer were the members of the committee that worked on the lease.  However, every member of the Student Government Council attended the Board of Governors meeting where the project was approved, and several attended the Board of Trustees meeting to express support.   We called on them many times to date and they will continue to be involved in the design and completion of this project.  Their active participation was critical!

Nuclear Physics Camp — Good News No. 2

Student success does not start in college.   We have been engaged in STEM activities for middle and high school students for many years with the support of the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) at Panama City.  With the Support of the NSWC and Dr. Jim and Jan Cook, we have been at the forefront of secondary school STEM activities.

This summer we moved our STEM activities to a virtual format and this past week we hosted a Nuclear Science Camp.  While it was virtual, it was very hands-on.  FSU PC adjunct professor and Bozeman School teacher Denise Newsome joined with her fellow Bozeman teacher Paige Johnston to lead this effort.  Students received a box of equipment, including radiation monitors and a gamma ray absorber set.  More information about the camp can be found at news.fsu.edu and bridgetotomorrow.wordpress.com.

During the week middle and high school students measured radiation intensity, conducted other experiments, and ran a spectrometer through FSU’s Virtual Lab facility.  The students also made virtual visits to the Loa Alamos Neutron Science Center in New Mexico and to the nuclear medicine facility at Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center.

A special thanks to Denise Newsome and Paige Johnston and the entire team at FSU PC, FSU PC STEM Coordinator Ginger Littleton, and the IT and HR team who performed miracles to make all of this work.  Dr. Paul Cottle has a passion for helping middle and high school students succeed in STEM and worked with the Center of Excellence for Nuclear Training and University-based Research and the FSU Physics Department to provide funding.  Paul has dedicated many hours of his time working with schools in Bay County.

This past week’s camp was a great example of flexibility during this trying time and provided middle and high school students a great learning experience.  We look forward to the possibility of expanding this program in the future and watching these students succeed in their academic careers.

Plans for Fall – Good News No. 3

I am so proud of our faculty.  They have worked hard to deliver their courses remotely, while also preparing for the fall.

We announced this week our current plans at FSU PC for the fall. We are working hard to have the majority of our classes delivered in what we are calling the PC-FLEX mode, where the class will be held face-to-face, but students who are unable to attend classes can participate remotely.  Depending on the class, this will be done either synchronously or asynchronously.  This is a lot of work for our professors and they have taken on the challenge.  We have also worked hard to provide the technical and design support in order that professors can focus on their content.

We will remain in close contact with state and local health officials as we get closer to the fall semester.

Smart Scholars – Good News No. 4

We are very proud of our strong working relationship with the NSWC.  A significant number of our graduates in engineering and computer science start their careers with the Department of Defense (DOD) at the NSWC in Panama City.   The NSWC has provided significant funding for our master’s in systems engineering degree from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and we graduated our first class this past spring.

The Department of Defense also provides generous opportunities for students to continue their graduate education through a variety of programs, including the Science Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship program.    We recently heard that three of our  graduates have received SMART scholarships for this year which will allow them to continue their graduate studies.  At the completion of their studies, the scholars work for the DOD.  Jackie Jermyn received her bachelor and master’s degrees from FSU Panama City and is now a doctoral student at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering in Tallahassee where her research is on mobile robot navigation.  Toni Weaver was a member of the first cohort of mechanical engineering graduates from FSU PC this past fall and will continue her studies at the University of Florida.  Jackie and Toni received their SMART Scholarships from the NSWC in Panama City.  Marshall Sowell will receive his Electrical Engineering degree this summer and received a SMART Scholarship from the NSWC in Dahlgren, Virginia.  Marshall will be in graduate school at Oklahoma State University where his research will focus on electromagnetics.  By the way, Marshall and Jackie studied under Dr. Geoffrey Brooks here at FSU PC.  Dr. Brooks was the first recipient of a PhD from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

Congratulations to Jackie, Toni, and Marshall!

Some Concluding Thoughts

Even though students and faculty are not on campus right now, as you can see it is a busy time at FSU PC.  We are looking forward to classes starting in the fall.  About 10 days ago we had the first meeting of the revised Dean’s Task force on Diversity.  I am very appreciative of the large number of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members who have volunteered to work on this task force.  I plan to write more about the task force in the future.

While this post is about good news, I was, however, saddened by the loss of U.S. Rep. John Lewis this weekend.  While I had met him once, I did not know him.  However, his courage and determination and continued fight until the end of his life has made a significant difference in our country.  A special thanks to his family for sharing him with our country.  We are all thankful.

Finally, I am a big believer in online education when done properly.  However, many students do better when they are in a face-to-face class where they can interact with their professors and fellow students.  We must all do our part and accept our individual responsibility to help stop the spread of this virus.  Please wear your mask, practice social distancing, and wash your hands (a lot).  On our end, we will do our part to make sure that students are able to study in an environment that meets all state and local safety protocols.  #FSUPCPromise

As always, I can be reached at rhanna@fsu.edu.

Go Noles!

Together with college students all across the country, thousands of Florida State University students will graduate this weekend. While much has been and will be written about the fact that almost all of these graduation ceremonies will be virtual, this does not diminish in any way the great accomplishments of these college students.
I am especially proud of our graduates here at Florida State University Panama City. This week I will have the opportunity to speak with many of them (ok it will be through Zoom). I love seeing our students grow and succeed. While my mind this week will be on graduation, I have been thinking a lot about the people who helped these graduates get to this point. One of the things I will miss this weekend will be seeing the joy in the eyes of the spouses, parents, grandparents, children, and friends of all of the graduates.

Impact of Teachers

As we approach this graduation, I have been thinking about a very special group of people – the people who have dedicated their lives to public service and taught these graduates over the years. I have been told by many people in the last month how much they really appreciate teachers after having spent the last month helping to teach their children at home.
Each year, every K-12 teacher spends thousands of hours working with our children during their formative years. They see the fear in the eyes of their students when challenged with a new task. They see joy on their faces when they are successful. They work extra hard to find ways to help their students succeed, even when the challenges are great. And they generally do it for very little pay.
I am so grateful for the many K-12 teachers who helped shape my life. From my kindergarten teacher Janice Butler, Earnestine Larkin and Kay West in elementary school to Carolyn Thompson and Ruby Hutley in middle school and Buddy Deas, Wilbert Caldwell, Geraldine Holt, and Litha McGill in high school, I can remember the personal impact that every one of them had on my life. The list could go on.

Providing That Special Attention

The impact of a local elementary teachers and Florida State University Panama City graduate, Katie Ricca, was recently highlighted on Good Morning, America. Katie, a kindergarten teacher at North Bay Haven, noticed that one of her students appeared sad during a virtual classroom meeting. Katie understood the importance of personal interaction. So, instead of setting up another virtual discussion with the student, she showed up at her house and read with the student (sitting more than 6 feet away).  https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/family/story/teacher-sits-sidewalk-show-struggling-student-cares-70046979

I saw that passion in my teachers, and see that passion in our graduates providing instruction in classrooms today, and in our students who are working toward a degree in education. This week we will graduate a very special group of elementary education majors with master’s and bachelor degrees who are excited about the opportunity to impact lives. Not only have they survived a Category 5 hurricane and a global pandemic while receiving both their degrees, they faced the added burden of losing a beloved classmate, Reana Velez, who died in a car accident. We were honored to be able to present her posthumous bachelor degree to her husband and mother. The impact of Reana is felt by her classmates every day and will impact their commitment to service.

Thank you

I am so thankful for the work that our K-12 teachers do. They are truly changing our communities here in northwest Florida and I am so appreciative. I am also encouraged that the Florida Legislature saw the impact of our teachers and raised, subject to potential budget concerns caused by the pandemic, teacher salaries across Florida.
To our students who are graduating, to the teachers in the field today, and to those who impacted my life, thank you

This past week was really interesting. Although we have been aware of and preparing for the possibility of having to take specific actions because of the Coronavirus, it seemed like everything went from zero to 100 overnight.
In many ways, this week seemed like the period immediately after Hurricane Michael. However, this time we have air conditioning, cell phones, internet service, and running water. After Michael, we were able to learn fairly quickly how many members of our region had lost their lives or were hurt. This time, however, we are preparing for an event where the ultimate spread of the virus is not known. This time, we also know if we do not “flatten the curve,” many Americans will die. If it is not contained, many health officials tell us that all of us may know someone who dies.

Flatten the Curve

I am all in for “flattening the curve” and helping to ensure the virus does not spread. And our students, faculty, and staff at FSU Panama City have risen to the challenge.
Under the leadership of FSU President John Thrasher, all classes will be taught online until at least April 6. Our faculty did not hesitate when they received the news. In fact, the work they did after Hurricane Michael provided the foundation for the academic continuity plan FSU has put into place today. They have spent this past week getting up to speed on technology and even preparing for online labs. I am confident our students will be pleased with the course delivery and what will be our continued focus on student success.
We have the classroom and academic delivery part handled. I am confident of that.
What I am less confident of is whether everyone understands the potential severity of the situation. Students at most universities all across Florida are out on Spring Break and have generally been advised not to return to their campuses for two weeks after the break. Travel restrictions have been imposed by FSU and the Governor. For weeks we have been posting measures about appropriate precautionary measures.
While I hope I am wrong, something is telling me that it will take many more deaths until we all realize the seriousness of the situation. I hope that is not the case.  We have a student in Italy who is enrolled in an online program taught here at FSU PC. As of the writing of this post, Italy has a little more than 21,000 confirmed cases and almost 1500 deaths. He wrote his professor this week that “everything that is not a necessity seems to be closed, all [gatherings] or travel are not permitted unless for a very good reason … and we are not allowed to even go out of the house unless it’s for food or health related.

Highly Transmissible

While there are various opinions about the virus, everyone agrees that it is highly transmissible and can have a catastrophic impact on older people and those with underlying health conditions. Anyone, including students, can spread it.
Our students have been great. They have taken the news of no events for the next three weeks in stride. Our incoming Student Government Council President Lucy Rodriguez did not hesitate when I told her two hours in advance that a student event she had planned for months may be cancelled. While we were able to have that event, campus will be pretty quiet for three weeks.
However, services will continue. Almost every service at FSU PC will be available in person or virtually. In addition to classes, this will include academic and career advising, class registration, mental health services, tutoring, and financial aid. We know that our FSU PC family and our community is still dealing with the mental health impacts of Hurricane Michael. We will continue to meet those needs and be ready to help people deal with the issues caused by this crisis. In addition, early next week we expect to announce policies regarding remote work for certain duties.

Don’t Act on Rumors

One thing that caused confusion this past week was the constantly changing nature of information and advice in the media (especially social media). Please only pay attention to official announcements from the Center for Disease Control, the Governor of Florida and his agencies, and Florida State University. We will make sure that FSU information is provided to students, faculty, and staff on a frequent basis. Please see pc.fsu.edu or alerts.fsu.edu for continued information.

Partners

As we all begin to implement  “social distancing” (a new term that I am sure will soon be in the dictionary), taking care of our health, getting plenty of rest, and washing our hands (20 seconds seemed like a much shorter period by the end of the week), please make sure that you check in on your loved ones, run an errand for the older folks, and call someone in the nursing home who can no longer have visitors.

We are all in this together. Let’s flatten that curve together. We will be your partner not only in making sure our students can achieve their academic goals, but also in helping to “flatten the curve”.

 

*A special thanks to Cloud Level Photo (www.cloudlevelphoto.com) for the right to use the photo.  Cloud Level Photo is owned by a student at FSU Panama City