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Back                                Continued

Best Waves on Campus
     A new kind of surf is up at the Florida Institute of Technology. Students no longer have to go to the beach to catch a wave—they just go to class. Located on an open field on campus, the world’s largest all-glass wave tank helps Ocean Engineering students study coastal processes, hydromechanics, and water wave theory. "Research in the multi-disciplinary facility will include studies of nearshore ocean circulation and beach erosion, development of new state-of-the-art ocean instrumentation, and development of improved wave generation and absorption systems," says Eric Thosteson, assistant professor in Ocean Engineering. At 60 meters long and 2 meters tall, the tank is outdoors with clear walls, allowing students to view the wave channel’s entire length. After four years of construction, the completed tank now stands with a hydraulic pump that can generate waves 1 meter high.

Best Seismic Activity
     When the ground shakes, you can bet that University of Florida students will help you get back on your feet, even if it’s not their "fault." Last fall, an earthquake with a 7.6-magnitude hit Taiwan, killing 2,274 people and injuring 8,300 more. UF’s Taiwanese Student Association and the Chinese American Student Association co-raised $5,000 for a relief effort to help those left homeless by the upheaval. Among those club members staffing campus information booths and collecting donations were Gators whose families actually live in areas hit by the tremor. "When a natural disaster happens, we all have to get together and help out," says Phillip Sheu, president of the Taiwanese Student Association.

Most Palatable Palace
     You can’t find any stone, brick, or sand in the castle Brevard Community College-Palm Bay Campus students built. Last fall, Phi Theta Kappans constructed a kingdom of more than 1,500 cans. Starting in October, the Beta Alpha Theta chapter collected and stacked canned goods in the campus lobby. Members dismantled the tower of treats once before Thanksgiving and again in December to distribute the food to needy families in the community. PTK plans to make the food drive a permanent service project, according to Susan Yonce, assistant advisor. "Like the crew of a ship, we all pulled together to make this service project quite a success," Yonce says.

Best "Tell Us" Communications Act
     Last fall, the University of Miami Student Government urged students to reach out and touch someone when they have a gripe by launching a first-ever Approach Student Government Week. With the goal of bridging the potential long-distance gap between SG and its constituents, President Ileana Espinosa and her staff kicked off festivities with a party on the University Center Patio. SG senators and e-board members collected students’ suggestions and gave away free refreshments and publicity materials such as cups, pens, and magnets. The organization collected more than 300 student proposals and 2,000 comment cards. In addition, a forum at the University Center brought all SG officers together at the lunch hour to speak with students about parking on campus, dining services, and on-line registration. Now, the discussions are held once a month. "Instead of Student Government being this organization in an office, our Student Government approachability has made it the way it should be at every university," says Joe Cozzi, SG vice president.

Best Get Together
     Florida Gulf Coast University student volunteers found out more is merrier when meeting their mandatory service-hour requirement. After several attempts to launch group projects, Sabrina Langlois, SGA’s director of community service, tried once more. Langlois used word-of-mouth advertising to recruit an FGCU delegation of about 25 students for a community-wide Habitat for Humanity project. Together, they kicked off house raises, similar to old barn raises, in which students joined with community officials and media to build homes. Students were so excited about serving as a team that in November a second group of FGCU volunteers helped "Raise the Roof," along with 200 local residents to construct the framework for five more Habitat homes. "It’s really nice to be a part of something that is a hand-up rather than a hand-out," Langlois says. "Group service projects allow people to unite in the name of community and care." Before, most students worked alone to earn the 80 hours required to graduate. "It’s more well-received by students, because it’s done by a student," says Linda Summers, service learning coordinator. "A big part of Sabrina’s focus has been to reach out to student groups and get group projects started. When we tried to do group projects before, there wasn’t really a huge response."

Best Greek Chapter
     Zeus would be proud of these lads, if he knew how much they’ve accomplished this year. Topping Mt. Olympus, the brothers of the Delta Eta chapter of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity shine at the University of West Florida. Frat members donated 3,000 community-service hours for Boy Scouts of America, Special Olympics, Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and Milk and Honey after school program. Sigma Alpha Mu, better known as Sammy, also helped with Make-a-Difference Day, Big Argos/Little Argos, and a campus cleanup. "SAM is a group of leaders who are very diverse and express tightness amongst brotherhood," says Tim Moore, fraternity president. Moore says the number of Sammy members also has increased thanks to a crafty recruitment tool. When freshmen come for an open house and orientation, SAM members often take the newcomers out for dinner or a movie.

Best Parents’ Weekend
     When students hear that their folks are coming into town, the usual response is, "Aw, shucks!" But University of North Florida students might say, "I can’t wait!" During Parents’ Weekend in October, 350 students and their parental units bonded as spectators at a home volleyball game. Later, parents went back to school, taking the same UNF courses as their children. The lineup of events included the egg-toss competition, updates on study-abroad programs, shirt tie dying, an oversized boxing gloves game, and a pumpkin-decorating contest. The weekend highlight was a first-ever swing dance, in which parents and students both boogied down. "The large turnout of attendees has tripled since last year and proved that high-spirited and enjoyable events can bring all generations of a family together for a fun-filled weekend," says Jeanne Middleton, assistant alumni director.

Best Shopkeepers
     Q: What’s the best way to teach undergrads how the business world works? A: Have them go out and experience it for themselves. At Flagler College, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) leapt at the chance to run the new Ponce Shop, which opened in June. The store is a gift shop in the old Ponce de Leon Hotel, a turn-of-the-century luxury resort built by millionaire Henry Flagler that’s now the school’s primary building. When funding from the Tourist Development Council for the free summer visits was no longer available, SIFE students voted to staff and manage the tours and Ponce Shop. As Donna Webb, director of alumni and college relations, says, "The students’ opportunity for entrepreneurial field work was immense and so successful that another store will be opened year-round." Besides keeping the landmark open for visitors, SIFE members learn about marketing, profit and loss, inventory, and dealing with suppliers.

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