CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2005 GRADUATES!

The Rosenstiel School would like to extend a hearty CONGRATULATIONS to all the May and summer 2005 graduates. On Thursday, May 12, 2005, we celebrated another graduating class at the UM Convocation Center. This was topped off by a small convocation ceremony and luncheon on the Rosenstiel Campus on Friday, May 13th. The day was picture-perfect with a light breeze and crystal blue water as we had lunch on the Commons patio overlooking Biscayne Bay.

IRON ARROW HITS THREE ROSENSTIEL TARGETS

Known to be the “highest attainable University of Miami honor,” membership in the Iron Arrow honor society is the most selective of any major U.S. university. Based on Seminole and Miccosukee Indian traditions, society members are chosen in honor of their contribution to the “glory, fame, and growth” of the University of Miami. This year Dr. Frank Millero, Jennifer Schull and Stacy Reeder were tapped. If you have never seen this happen, it’s very dramatic, similar to being captured by stern-faced braves and being led away to the sound of a slow steady drumbeat to the ceremonial mound on the Coral Gables campus.

Our three will face the testing out in the Everglades as part of the initiation ceremony. It’s all very secret except to those already initiated. Co-founded by Dr. Bowman Foster Ashe and Francis Spencer Houghtaling, membership includes former mayors, members of Congress, and other distinguished citizens.

Stacy Reeder (right) is hoping her Iron Arrow experience will enhance her love of her alma mater, increase her knowledge of the UM and Rosenstiel’s history, help her understand tribal loyalty, and develop her appreciation for the Seminole religion and history. Frank Millero (above left) added “I had the privilege to meet a number of outstanding students, faculty, and staff that went through the initiation process. It made me feel more aware of the university that I have worked at for almost 40 years and never really knew.” Jen Schull (left) had to delay initiation due to research travel.

Read more about the Iron Arrow Society by visiting their web site http://www.ironarrow.com/seminole.html.

THE FUTURE THROUGH THE EYES
OF OUR STUDENTS - (Part II)

Neil Hammerschlag shares attributes with the predators he studies. He’s clever, target-focused, voracious, and he covers a lot of territory.

Neil first became fascinated by sharks when, while growing up in south Africa, he routinely saw live dissections of sharks on the beaches after the daily anti-shark nets were brought in. Since then his interest in sharks has led him to California to study the population dynamics of pelagic sharks, to Honduras to satellite tag whale sharks, to the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean to research the ecology of sharks associated with oceanic atolls and to the western Cape of south Africa to study the predatory behavior of great whites.

Neil, shown above, completed his bachelor’s degree in ecology at the University of Toronto, Canada and master’s degree in marine biology at Nova Southeastern University, in Fort Lauderdale. For his dissertation, Neil intends to examine the direct and indirect effects sharks have on their prey in order to better understand the ecological role they play in regulating ecosystem function.

Ten years from now Neil would be quite happy to be a member of the Rosenstiel faculty in marine biology and fisheries. Enjoying both research and teaching, he sees Florida as an excellent global crossroads to continue a career in marine science and education.

Already in place is a marine education program Neil designed with South Broward High School and MAST Academy. Neil teaches the students about Floridian shark species, takes them into the field to study sharks and has worked with the students to produce a website and interactive GIS map to disseminate the results of the program. In early 2004, Neil received a grant from the American Institute of Marine Studies for $60K to take eight students and four teachers from South Broward High School with him to south Africa to study the predatory behavior of white sharks. Volunteering his time to create programs and work with students not only helps Neil obtain valuable teaching experience, but also allows him to achieve his goal of educating others about the wonders and perils faced by sharks. “The great thing about this program is that both the students and the sharks win”.

Neil also has a knack for creative problem solving. To facilitate his master’s research and obtain the necessary research equipment, he raised $90K by organizing and leading ecotours for ReefQuest Marine Projects to South Africa. Recently, he has been able to convince organizers of an upcoming kill shark tournament in Florida to change it to a catch and release event, allow students on the boats as observers to record data on species caught, adopt a catch and release code of conduct prepared by Neil and donate a portion of the proceeds to support on going research at the University of Miami.

What do Neil’s parents think about him spending so much time among these intimidating inhabitants of the oceans? “A little crazy, but very proud! They believe in anything I do!” After hearing how industrious, clever, and determined Neil is to make his life’s work with these creatures, it’s easy to agree with them.

RAIN OR SHINE ROSENSTIELERS RUN!

In spite of intense storms on race day, 3 people took 1st place from UM at the Corporate Run on May 5th. Gretchen Bielmeyer, Claire Paris and Evan d'Alessandro all won in their age/gender group within the University of Miami. Another great showing from the Rosenstiel School!

Participants from Rosenstiel included Jack Fell, Robert Glassmer, Mark Grasmuck, Chris Harrison, Peter LaFemina, Chris Mooers, Richard Paris, Claire Paris, Ray Turner, Shimon Wdowinski, Maria Aldana, Iliana Baums, Gretchen Bielmyer, Mary Fitts, Zulema Garraffo, Alice Hudder, Pam Reid, Susan Walsh and Cynthia Moore.

WALKING AWAY WITH PRIZES!

What do you get when you combine a walking program from the Wellness Center, 60 enthusiastic participants from NOAA and Rosenstiel, and generous gifts from UM and Advancement. You get some serious competition!

Frances Sampedro and Cynthia Moore were in the top 10 overall points for participants from UM and were invited to lunch with President Donna Shalala. 22 from Rosenstiel checked in every week of the program and received t-shirts as their prize. Those that recorded the 10 longest distances received an assortment of prizes. And everyone who signed up was invited to a health breakfast to get their daily fiber and calcium.

What a fun event! There were a few bumps along the way like pedometer troubles but overall the comments from the participants were very positive. Even those who didn’t finish the program are still wearing their step counters because of their heightened fitness awareness. Another program is expected to jump off in the fall.

The Rosenstiel School Walking Team

3RD ANNUAL ALUMNI GOLF CLASSIC

On Friday, May 6, sixty-nine golfers teed off on the Doral Park Country Club Silver Course for the 3rd Annual Rosenstiel Alumni Golf Classic to support the RSMAS Alumni Fellowship. The UM School of Business Team, composed of Paul Esposito, John Kadalic, Bob Rizzo, and Mark Robinson, claimed first place in the tournament. Placing second and winning the RSMAS Insider’s Cup was the Marine Physical Chemistry Group, composed of Frank Millero, Jerry Ault, Dave Kadko, and Adam Radich. Team UNICCO, composed of BJ Greaves, Kevin Hardy, Mark Morgan, and John Routh placed third.

Thanks to our corporate level sponsors: Marine Physical Chemistry Group, South Florida Water Management, Tower Quest Inc., UM School of Business Administration, UNICCO, Tom & Nancy Van Coverden, and Vera Cadillac. Thanks to our many sponsors, golfers, golf clinic participants, silent auction bidders, the RSMAS Alumni Association Board members, the Rosenstiel Advancement Office, Dean Otis Brown, and our volunteers. This year’s Golf Classic was a tremendous success thanks to your collaborative efforts.

You will be hearing from us soon once we compile our fundraising totals!

Representatives of the UM School of Business Team – 1st Place	Marine Physical Chemistry Group 2nd Place	Representatives of Team UNICCO 3rd Place

2nd Annual Alumni Lecture

Our own Jerry Ault, professor of marine biology and fisheries, presented the Second Annual Alumni Lecture entitled “Exploring the Last Marine Frontier: Florida’s Dry Tortugas” on May 5 in the Rosenstiel Auditorium. Professor Ault leads a groundbreaking project to build sustainable Florida fisheries, unprecedented in geographic scope, that aims to quantify fish, coral, and lobster populations in the vast, warm, and turquoise-colored waters of the Dry Tortugas. The lecture was well attended and very well received. Thank to the Pew Institute for Ocean Science for sponsoring the event.

HURRICANE RESEARCH SEMINAR - MAY 24th

This is a free program featuring faculty experts presenting hurricane research in the fields of meteorology, psychology, economics, tourism, and geology from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the auditorium. The event is open to the public. For more information and to reserve your seat, visit http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/hurricane2005/ or call 305-421-4000. Seating is limited.

WHAT’S WITH THAT YELLOW BUILDING?

While the Glassell Building is now donning its pale yellow coat, it may be the first of several Rosenstiel School buildings to take on a tropical hue in the near future. Ramon Alfonso, Rosenstiel facilities manager, is focusing on the students, staff, and faculty as he plans for a variety of campus improvements. “Everyone should feel proud to work here.”

With a BS degree in civil/environmental engineering and an MS from Yale University in environmental studies he has made it a habit of checking out how facilities are managed wherever he goes. Whether it was in the halls of the Yale campus, at the Otis Elevator plant in Japan, or on a visit to Mexico City, Ray says he can tell a lot about a university or company just by going to the furthest point of their property and checking out their backyard. Does it look like a junk pile? How is surplus handled? Are the storage areas mowed and maintained? Are the facilities staff valued to the best the organization can afford? These issues add or detract from the overall pride in the workplace and the success of the organization.

Ray’s challenge in the next 3-5 years is to make sure that the current salt water buildings maintain structural compliance until new buildings can be constructed. Power quality and reliability are also major issues as are the salt water supply systems. Originally just a building maintenance service, as technologies have developed in the business of science and education, facilities management has become an integral part of the overall business plan to remain competitive for attracting the best faculty and students and research contracts. Ray sees all of those who work in facilities as partners in the technology of how things work around here.

Aesthetics need not be lost in the process. Lobby areas that are welcoming, improved display areas, showers and lockers with ground floor convenience for joggers, and a tropical pallet of color on the buildings are all on Ray’s campus wish list. While Ray admits it took some time to get used to the academic way of having a committee for so many of the matters around here, he is energized and achievement oriented. Changes for the better are clearly close at hand thanks to Ray and the facilities management team.

YAHAMA CONTENDER MIAMI BILLFISH TOURNAMENT
SUPPORTS THE ROSENSTIEL SCHOOL

The Yahama Contender Miami Billfish Tournament (YCMBT) board of directors has shown their support for the Rosenstiel School through three recent gifts. They donated $5,000 in Circle of Friends Memorial Scholarships to Nick Farmer (MBF), Mark Fitchett (MBF), Art Gleason (MGG), Sharon Homer-Drummond (MAF), Klaus Huebert (MBF), and Ed Rudberg (MAF). They contributed $6,000 in Harry D. Vernon, Jr. memorial scholarships to MBF students Katie Drew, Joel Llopiz, Patrick Rice, and David Richardson. In addition, they gave $3,600 to Tom Capo in support of his billfish research project. Thanks to the generous support of donors to the Rosenstiel School, we remain at the forefront of marine and atmospheric science research and continue to broaden our horizons.

Above, from left: Captain Terry Guthrie- YCMBT Director, Ed Rudberg, Patrick Rice, Nick Farmer, Sharon Homer-Drummond, Mark Fitchett, Katie Drew, Klaus Huebert, Joel Llopiz, Art Gleason, and Captain Joan Vernon- YCMBT Director, at the YCMBT awards reception following the tournament on April 10.