Best of Florida Schools 1999 Issue

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Most Creative Courses. Students at Ringling School of Art and Design aren’t just watching Saturday morning cartoons—they’re learning how to create them. One of the nation’s first computer-animation programs, started in 1991, teaches students how to produce commercials, feature films, and video games. Department alums have worked on the films Titanic, Toy Story, and the new Babe and Star Wars flicks. Maria Palazzi, head of the Computer Animation department, says students use a virtual 3-D space to create models and bring them to life with motion. The four-year courseload offers classes such as Historical and Contemporary Issues in Electronic Art, Traditional Animation, and Production Concepts and Methods. The program accepts 45 students a year who get personal attention and experience with special effects, lighting, sound, and editing.

Most Puzzling Profs. "I’m often seen with my hand in someone else’s mouth," or "I sang in a coffee house in the sixties." These aren’t comments from some weird folk singer. They’re a sampling of the clues that Lake Sumter Community College professors have given students in the Mystery Instructor of the Month contest. The Student Activities Board originated the game to help students view their instructors as real people. Tabitha Richards, former coordinator of student activities, says whoever submits the first correct guess wins prizes that have included a reserved parking spot for a month, a Chili’s gift certificate, and a T-shirt. "We have had a really good response," Richards says. "Especially since we added the parking spot prize."

Best Fundraiser. What began as a memorial for the family and friends of a little girl who lost her fight to cancer has turned into a fair that draws thousands to celebrate her life. For the past eight years, Nova Southeastern University honors the memory of Jennifer Masi, who struggled with cancer for 11 years. The Love Jen Family Festival raises money for educational support services to families whose loved ones are diagnosed with the illness. According to Darcy Mechling, public affairs coordinator, the event has grown each year. Along with food and entertainment, the festival also includes kiddie rides, arts and crafts, and health and safety demonstrations.

Best Big Bad Wolf. Unless you’re wearing a little red riding hood, you probably needn’t beware the midnight howls heard near Lake City Community College. It’s just Lobo the Timberwolf, LCCC’s recently renamed mascot practicing his game-day cheers. The name "Lobo" was submitted by second-grader Chani Morris and was the top choice. Rejected suggestions including Timmy the Timberwolf, Tyson, and Rambo. Lobo alternately wears holiday gear, local high school attire, or his new official timberwolf costume for special appearances. According to Director of Public Information Sonja Yarbrough, Lobo is "sensitive, fun, and mischievious, and the crowds love him."

Most Friendly Campus Cops. At Florida State University, students don’t run the other way when they see a police officer. They stop and say "Hi." Since fall 1998, UPD officers have been assigned to create educational programs and befriend students who live in each of the 15 halls and in Alumni Village, as part of Adopt-A-Copp (Campus Oriented Policing Program). According to Lt. Linda Riley, supervisor of crime prevention programs for FSU’s police department, the program has significantly strengthened relations between students and police officers. "It helps establish a rapport where the students have a name and a face that helps them feel more at ease," she says. "It encourages them to report criminal activity and it provides officers with more information. One of the officers is so well liked that he goes on retreats with the housing staff." In addition to their regular shifts, the special officers coordinate Operation ID, to help students engrave their stereos, computers, and bicycles, and the RAD program (Rape Aggression Defense).

Best Southern Exposure. Baring nothing but their college pride, more than 500 Florida Tech students streaked across campus in 1974, carving a place for the "Streak-in" in the school’s history books and college brochures. With no social agenda in mind, the threadbare throng even included stark-naked stilt-walkers. "Streaking was a thing to do," says Karen Rhine, communications specialist for Florida Tech. For the public’s security, Melbourne police responded immediately with an act of stealthy detective work. The sleuths posted photographs of 75 self-expressing streakers—a "strip search" of sorts. Parents of Florida Tech students were invited by the police chief to identify their clothesless kids, though there’s no record that any disrobed delinquent was questioned.

Best Photo Opportunity. "Smile!" Daytona Beach Community College is home to the national headquarters for the Society for Photographic Education. Established in 1963, the society is dedicated to advancing the understanding of the artistic, educational, and cultural aspects of photography and publishes Exposure, one of the nation’s leading photographic periodicals. According to staff member Kevin Miller, DBCC is the first community college to be chosen as the non-profit organization’s base, which has an international reputation for excellence in commercial and photographic art. The Society has more than 1,500 members and serves as a resource to enhance programs and attract world renowned artists and photojournalists to the college.

Safest campus. One business course not taught at Webber College is crime. "It’s like Mayberry here," says Mike Mattison, director of admissions. "Nothing really bad has happened in 10 years. In the past five years, the only thing I can think of is a car getting broken into."
Mattison acknowledges that Webber’s rural locale in Babson Park and its small 600-student enrollment, in which most students and staff know each other, probably discourages would-be robbers looking for easy pickin’s. "It’s a very quiet little town off the beaten path," he says. "The criminal element just isn’t going to drive out of their way." Webber’s lake-front campus is seven miles from Lake Wales, the nearest town.

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