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FGCU 360 FGCU360.COM
FIELD OF
REMEMBRANCE
LIVES LOST TO COVID
New hope for saving sea turtles | Soaring Eagle Academy launches
Undergrad’s natural skin care business booming
SPRING 2021 CONTENTS VOLUME 14 / NUMBER 2 FEATURES 24 EMPLOYEE NUMBER ONE Founding President Roy McTarnaghan refects upon the university he envisioned and created from scratch and the core values he put in place that continue to shape its graduates. BY DREW STERWALD 32 RESEARCHERS LEARN FROM THE DEAD An outdoor forensics lab in Pasco County, Florida afords future forensic scientists the opportunity to hone their skills by training in real-world scenarios, such as rubble piles meant to mimic a bridge collapse and a four- story elevator shaft. BY ANNIE HUBBELL 38 DIGGING DEEP INTO HISTORY For a century, the Tulsa Race Massacre remained largely a murderous attack that wasn’t mentioned in history books. Now a team of forensic scientists and historians – including two from FGCU – have unearthed what appear to be evidence of 11 individuals who perished in one of the country’s worst incidents of racial violence. BY DON MANLEY 2 FGCU360 MAGAZINE / FGCU360.COM
DEPARTMENTS
8 SPOTLIGHT
Psychology major Niesha Radovanic draws
on her own experiences of a traumatic
childhood to craft poems that convey
messages meant to be catalysts for conversation
and deeper understanding.
14 IN HIS OWN WORDS
Michael Von Cannon teaches American
literature and composition. Among his favorite
authors is Ernest Hemingway and his podcast,
“One True Podcast,” allow guests and listeners
to revel in his heralded prose as well.
22 MUSIC
Four music education students came together
as the Bower Percussion Quartet and found
they had a rhythm that worked. Teir CD,
“A Legitimate Excuse,” comes out this spring
and appears headed for national exposure on
YouTube.
43 BASKETBALL
Te FGCU women’s basketball team just
keeps winning. With Ohio State transfer
Kierstan Bell, 5-foot-3 powerhouse TK
Morehouse and other top players, the team
turned in a 26-3 season, made it
to the NCAA Tournament and was ranked
No. 25 in the nation by AP. And coach
Karl Smesko won best coach in the ASUN –
again – this year.
47 ALUMNI
Te Alumni Association recognized eight top
grads this year in its annual awards ceremony,
including Alumna of Distinction Ita Neymotin
(’19, MPA).
58 GIVING
Science, technology, engineering and math
(STEM) are critically important to the
nation’s future and the Richard M. Schulze
Family Foundation is funding multiple
programs at FGCU to ensure that future
teachers will be well-versed in these
PHOTO BY THE CITY OF TULSA
important subjects.
ON THE COVER:
FGCU’s Heather Walsh-Haney
“Field of Remembrance, Cathedral of Sky” art installation
(right) at Tulsa Race Massacre dig. at sunrise on the Great Lawn at FGCU.
PHOTO BY JAMES GRECO
FGCU360.COM / FGCU360 MAGAZINE 3
FIRST
CUTTING EDGE
Research could
save thousands
of endangered
sea turtles
BY KYLE M C C U R RY
A
FTER YEARS OF
studying sea turtles
in Ghana, Florida
Gulf Coast University
vertebrate zoology
associate professor Phil Allman found a
way to save them. In a new study, Allman
proves a simple, low-cost innovation
reduces the number of endangered sea
turtles killed because of fshing nets
operated by small-scale fsheries. It’s a
light shown on a sometimes-overlooked
industry section that
negatively impacts sea
turtle populations.
“Research published
10 years ago reported
85,000 sea turtle
deaths annually
across the globe,
but the number of
Phil Allman participating boats
represent less than
1 percent of the global fshing efort,”
COURTESY PHOTOS, SHUTTERSTOCK
Allman said. “Te magnitude of sea turtle
bycatch is unsustainable and driving sea
turtles closer to extinction.”
Allman partnered with fshers in Ghana
to modify fshing nets. He installed Green turtles like this one perish in fishing nets.
several green LED lights around each RIGHT: This simple green LED light could help
net, a simple change that has worked in prevent turtles from getting caught in gillnets.
commercial fsheries. Allman said this
4 FGCU360 MAGAZINE / FGCU360.COM
‘‘ ’’
The magnitude of sea turtle bycatch is unsustainable
and driving sea turtles closer to extinction.
P H I L A L L M A N , A S S O C I AT E P R O F E S S O R ,
D E PA R T M E N T O F B I O L O G I C A L S C I E N C E S AT F G C U
is the frst study to try the lights on nets “Te leatherback population in the
operated by small-scale fshers. Pacifc Ocean is considered critically
“Across two separate studies in diferent endangered and requires immediate action
fshing communities, the experimental to prevent the population from completely
nets with lights captured 81 percent fewer disappearing. We hope this study gives fshers
turtles than the control nets (without confdence the readily available green LED
lights),” said Allman, who works in lights can serve as an easy and afordable
FGCU’s Department of Biological strategy to reduce sea turtle interactions in
Sciences. their gillnet fshery,” Allman said.
In 2015, the frst year of the study, Allman demonstrated that the green
Allman and his colleagues observed 15 LED lights do not impact the size of a
gillnet fshing boats in Ghana. In that fsher’s target catch or its market value.
time, 64 turtles were killed or about four He hopes this innovation will appeal to
turtles per vessel per year. According to Ghanaian fshers who know capturing sea
NOAA Fisheries, a gillnet is turtles can be costly.
a “wall” of nylon netting “Fishers in Ghana do not
that “hangs in the water like catching turtles because
column.” While it works the turtles damage or
well for capturing even destroy their net,
fsh, it also kills other and it can be quite
species. Sea turtles get expensive and time
tangled in the nets consuming to repair.
and drown if unable Any amount of time
to reach the surface. they cannot fsh is
Allman estimates lost food and income
Ghana has 12,000 necessary to support their
registered gillnet boats. family. Tey also do not like
He believes there are “several catching sea turtles because it is
thousand” others working without a taboo,” Allman added.
governmental authorization. Simple math “Including battery changes every six
could lead one to surmise that Ghana months (AA batteries), it costs a fsher
gillnet fshers kill upward of 48,000 sea approximately $130 to $165 to run the
turtles each year. lights for three years. A turtle captured in
“Clearly, the Ghanaian gillnet fshery the net will often cause signifcant damage
may be responsible for thousands of sea to the net, which would often require
turtle deaths each year, but this is likely replacing multiple sections. Tis can cost
just a tiny fraction of what is captured about $225 to replace. Given that we
globally,” Allman said. found a fshing vessel catches around four
He believes this fnding could have turtles per year, it is cost efective to use
a signifcant impact on sea turtles. He the lights.”
saw many killed by gillnets during his Allman hopes fsheries take advantage of
study, including olive ridley, green and innovations like this to impact sea turtle
leatherback species. Tis was important, he populations signifcantly.
said, because this was also the frst study Te study is published in the journal
to test the efect of green LED lights on Conservation Biology from the Society of
leatherbacks. Conversation Biology. n
FGCU360.COM / FGCU360 MAGAZINE 5
F I R S T
COLLECTIVE WE
Eagles join forces to give back to the community
BY TYLER WATKINS
F
GCU FRESHMAN
Karoline Tyrell likes to
make people smile. It’s
one of the main reasons
she enjoys performing
community service.
And it’s what motivated her to form the
new student organization, FGCU Give
Back, a group devoted to making others
smile by providing community service.
To Tyrell, it’s more than fulflling the
80 hours of service required by FGCU
students.
“Our members are people with large
hearts who truly care about the
community and want to help others,”
she says.
As a volunteer lifeguard at Sanibel
Sea School, Tyrell loved seeing the joy
experienced by children participating
in the program. Tat experience was a
motivating factor in her decision to form Members of FGCU Give Back, a group Myers Beach park.
the group. dedicated to community service, help Te group planned to gear up in March,
“Tese students are doing a great job clean up Crescent Beach Park. working with Blessings in a Backpack,
of organizing service to the community,” which feeds children on the weekends
says Heather Humann, an FGCU looking at being on many executive boards,” when they might not have enough to
literature instructor and the group’s he says. “Ten Karoline came to me with eat, and writing letters to nursing home
advisor. “Particularly with everything the idea of Give Back. I believed in what the residents. Tey hope to team up with
going on with COVID, I think it’s club was about and decided to take a chance CREW Land & Water Trust in Immokalee
admirable how these young adults want with it. I knew it would be a lot of work, to clean up the lakes and trails and to help
to make a diference in the community.” but I was up for the challenge to make a out at the Harry Chapin Food Bank.
More than 125 people joined in the frst diference around FGCU’s campus.” Activities touch on many community
month. Bold said he wants to make a diference needs, which appeals to member James
“I think that this club could serve as an because he is living in this community and McGirr, a freshman entrepreneurship
example to future service clubs to remind wants to help make it a better place. student, who views helping others as
others that there are always people who want “I believe that if I could make a one of the best callings in life.
to do good,” Tyrell says. “Te mere fact that diference, even if it is small, that the “A lot of people associate college
it makes people smile seeing others smile is community would be one step closer to students with being self-centered,” he says.
enough for some to consider joining.” becoming the best community it could be “It’s kind of like a stereotype breaker. Tis
Tyrell’s intentions inspired her fellow for future generations,” Bold said. proves that college students have the want
PHOTO BY BRIAN TIETZ
sailing club members, including Landen Give Back held its frst major event – to help others less fortunate and want to
Bold. Te freshman resort and hospitality a beach cleanup – on February 21 at help because it’s the right thing to do.” n
management student joined after Tyrell Crescent Beach Park. It was co-hosted by
invited him to become the event coordinator. FGCU Sailing Club, with 11 members – Student contributor Tyler Watkins is a
“When I frst came to campus, I was not working for 3 hours to clean up the Fort junior majoring in journalism.
6 FGCU360 MAGAZINE / FGCU360.COM
F I R S T
FGCU 360
FGCU360.COM
COMMUNITY
Inclusivity is the name of the game
Editor
Karen Feldman
kfeldman@fgcu.edu
Art Director
Dave Anderson
daanderson@fgcu.edu
for FGCU’s Soaring Eagle Academy
Assistant Editor BY KYLE McCURRY
WEB
W
Katy Hennig ON THE
khennig@fgcu.edu
Contributing Writers
Nina Barbero, Karen Booth, Dayna Harpster, HAT WOULD earning a credential in FGCU360.com
Artis Henderson, Annie Hubbell, Hannah you do if you community employment LEARN MORE
Lee, Don Manley, Kyle McCurry, Seth Soffian,
Drew Sterwald, Michael Von Cannon, wanted to go to within a nurturing, inclusive
Rick Weber, Tyler Watkins college and there campus environment.
Photographers were no options? Doug Carothers, an FGCU education
Juliette Aubin, Julia Bonavita, James Greco,
Tiffany Shadden, Brian Tietz, Brad Young Stephanie Dangler, a Southwest Florida professor, is leading the efort to create SEA.
Graphic Designer mom, knows what that’s like. It’s something “What we want the students to get out
Maria Perez she’s long hoped would change for her son. of this is a college experience, like all of
mtperez@fgcu.edu
“When you are a parent of a child their peers, that prepares them socially,
Digital Communications Director
Jeff Garner
born with intellectual
jgarner@fgcu.edu disabilities, you have
Digital Communications Editor to go through a lot of
Drew Sterwald
asterwald@fgcu.edu
explaining or hearing the
Videographers
word[s] ‘might not be
Tim Clark, Dale Ward able to,’ or ‘can’t do this,’
Class Notes (online) or ‘won’t ever attend
Gail Bradley college’ when he wants
gbradley@fgcu.edu
to be like everybody
Production/Circulation Manager
Joann Haley else,” said Dangler.
jhaley@fgcu.edu Fortunately for
President
Dangler, and parents like
Michael V. Martin her, FGCU President
Publisher Mike Martin endorsed
Katherine Green the creation of a new
Associate Publisher program that addresses
Deborah Wiltrout
“the university’s goals of
GET IN TOUCH: meeting the educational
FGCU360 Magazine (239) 590-1081 and career needs of some
Email: kfeldman@fgcu.edu
Website: fgcu360.com of our most underserved
For individuals seeking FGCU360 Magazine in an constituents while
alternative format, contact the Office of Adaptive
Services at (239) 590-7956. If hearing or speech introducing the FGCU community to a academically and occupationally for life
impaired, contact FGCU using Florida Relay at 711 diverse but often unseen group that exists that comes afterwards,” Carothers said.
(TTY, VCO, HCO, ASCII or STS).
FGCU360 Magazine is published by FGCU’s
within our communities, businesses and “We hope that SEA students will leave
University Marketing and Communications families.” FGCU with all the good memories they
Department, Division of University Advancement. Te program is called Soaring Eagle can look back on for the rest of their lives,
Send address changes to:
jhaley@fgcu.edu or FGCU360 Magazine,
Academy (SEA), Southwest Florida’s just like the rest of FGCU’s students.” n
University Marketing and Communications, FGCU, frst university program for adults with
10501 FGCU Blvd. S, Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565.
intellectual disabilities. Tis fall, SEA will
welcome its frst class of students who
are eager to enhance their education and FOR MORE INFO
independence. Participants will learn skills The website for SEA provides information
that enable them to be more independent about eligibility and intended outcomes.
when it comes to employment, while fgcu.edu/soaringeagleacademy
FGCU360.COM / FGCU360 MAGAZINE 7
F I R S T
SPOTLIGHT
Poetic license
FGCU junior Niesha Radovanic isn’t afraid to speak her truth
BY ARTI S HEND E RS ON
N
IESHA RADOVANIC in the Southwest Florida community to Sometimes Radovanic’s message is about
wants her poems to be write poetry that has meaning. “When her own experiences. She wants readers to
a catalyst. Te 20-year- I sit down to write, I defnitely have understand what life was like for her, the
PHOTO BY BRIAN TIETZ
old junior, who plans to something to say,” Radovanic says. child of two young teenagers, the oldest of
graduate in the spring “Whether it’s my poems on Black Lives seven siblings, raised by her grandmother.
of 2022, has been writing poetry since Matter, on my childhood trauma, even “Traumatic” is the word she uses to
the eighth grade. Now, she’s drawing on love poems – every single one of those has describe it.
her experience as a young Black woman some sort of message.” Other times, her message is about
8 FGCU360 MAGAZINE / FGCU360.COM
F I R S T
important moments in history, moments wrote a poem with Till at its center. Only I have been a little more honest?” She
that are too easily forgotten. While at later, when she was searching for the name believes this kind of raw honesty is what
FGCU, she wrote a poem about Emmett of Till’s mother, did she realize that she matters in poetry. “I think you need to sit
Till, a young Black man murdered in had written her poem on the day of Till’s down and make a promise to yourself that
Mississippi in 1955. Till was just 14 at death. what you’re about to write is vulnerable,”
the time. His murderers accused him of “I think it’s vital to write difcult she says. “You have to promise not to hold
whistling at a white woman in a grocery poems like this one because they make us anything back.”
store. Till was so badly brutalized that his uncomfortable,” Radovanic says. “We have Millner has seen Radovanic’s not-
face was unrecognizable. His body was to get comfortable being uncomfortable. holding-back frst-hand. “I would be
identifed by the silver ring he wore. If no one steps out of their comfort zone constantly astounded by what she did,”
Radovanic learned about Till in her and speaks up, we will continue to live in a he says. “When you read Niesha’s poems,
high school honors English class. Her world of ignorance.” you’re reading the truth. It doesn’t have to
teacher spent an entire week on Till, For Radovanic, the most essential be the literal truth, though sometimes it
and the details of his murder continued ingredient in a poem is truth. All of her is.”
to haunt her after she graduated. In her poetry comes from her own truth, she says. Te Emmett Till poem, in particular,
creative writing class with Jesse Millner, When she revises her poems, she goes back impressed Millner. “Te truth of what
an FGCU instructor of poetry, Radovanic over the lines and asks herself, “Could happened in America in the middle part
of the 20th century
– the shattering truth
about racism – comes
Let the Angels Sing out of that poem.
It shows the depth
By Niesha Radovanic Niesha has in terms of
her knowledge of the
world.”
Because it smelled of ivory in Money, Mississippi, Radovanic is a
Emmett Till
Because he and the boys were plucking pieces of cotton, psychology major with
a minor in creative
Because the scorching sun slipped sweat down their backs, writing. After she graduates, she plans
Because the meat market was hungry for a new taste of color, to attend graduate school and pursue a
Because a Black boy blew bubbles of sugar, doctoral degree in psychology. Ultimately,
she aims to go into clinical counseling.
Because the clickety-clack of the cash register made the clerk For now, she’s bringing the weight of her
snap, her husband had to crackle POP. personal experience to her poetry. One
example: When Radovanic frst arrived
Because the meat market men know how to slaughter locks, in Southwest Florida from Clearwater,
Because countin’ sheep turn you into dead meat, she was struck by the lack of diversity. “I
was incredibly self-conscious of my skin
Because a .22 turned the boy’s hue, color,” she says, “of my hair being too
Because lead piercing through his head was not enough curly, of what I wore. Tat came from
being uncomfortable in my own body.”
to teach little boys to hush. She channeled those feelings into her
writing and tapped into her vulnerability.
Because the cotton gin separated flesh with barbed wire as a necklace, What emerged was a profoundly honest
collection of poetry about what it’s like to
Because the little boy still wore his daddy’s ring, Uncle Wright told be a Black woman in America today.
his sister to let the angels sing. Tis, for Radovanic, is the ultimate
purpose of her work – to be a catalyst for
Because the Black boy birthed a whistle his lips turned blue. conversation and deeper understanding.
As her poems reach the university campus
COURTESY PHOTO
and the Southwest Florida community,
– For Emmett Till Radovanic is satisfed with what her work
is accomplishing. “It’s doing the job I
always wanted it to do.” n
FGCU360.COM / FGCU360 MAGAZINE 9
F I R S T
WGCU
Sesame Street
makes inroads
in solving
family issues
BY DAYNA HARPSTER
“
D
O YOU KNOW WHAT
the average attention
span of a 2-year-old
is?” Stephanie Murray
recently asked her Zoom
audience of early childhood care providers
at the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee.
“It’s seven seconds.” She counted down on
her fngers – seven, six, fve, four, three,
two, one. “And their minds are already on
to the next thought.”
If they didn’t know the statistic, it’s
likely the caregivers in the audience
knew from experience that children’s
attention is feeting. After all, they are
the experts, Murray stressed. She was just
there representing WGCU, providing
information about resources available from
Sesame Street in Communities (SSIC).
Te program builds on 50 years of
“Sesame Street” to ofer information for
teachers, parents and caregivers to help them
discuss with children some of the difcult
issues their families may be facing. Te
range of topics is vast, including divorce,
food insecurity, parental incarceration and
addiction, grief, homelessness, handling Stephanie Murray
tantrums and dozens of others. Support
materials ofered by psychologists, educators
and parents also address resilience issues such need to address. “We’ll look at the website A Naples resident for four years and
as being persistent, staying positive, building together and then take a deep dive into a now a mother of daughters who are 4
empathy and more. A companion website particular topic,” Murray explained. and 5, Murray’s perspective has changed
provides resources in English and Spanish, She dispenses this information in a since she began conducting workshops for
searchable by target age (0-1, 2-3, 4-6 and combination of mom references, teacher- PBS KIDS before she had children. “Te
so on) and the time the lesson or activity and doctorese, and TVspeak. She is questions they (workshop participants)
PHOTO BY BRIAN TIETZ
should take (one to four minutes, four to 10 uniquely qualifed to do so, as an educator have are things I’m still asking myself. ‘Do
minutes and so on). with a master’s degree who has written they watch too much TV?’ ‘Is this show
Before conducting a session, Murray meets curriculum for PBS KIDS shows and good and how do I tell?’”
with the child-care center or school directors launched the frst workshops for SSIC for She does see frst-hand how the “Sesame
(via Zoom) to fnd out what problems they public station WNET in New York. Street” and PBS KIDS characters can help
10 FGCU360 MAGAZINE / FGCU360.COMF I R S T
illustrate issues in a warm, non-threatening,
safe way. Her daughters’ favorite characters are
UPDATES:
WordGirl and Daniel Tiger. Like other kids, and
adults, too, they get invested in the characters WISHES GRANTED RICK JOHNSON RETIRES
they see on TV. “Parasocial relationships is the WGCU has been energetically WGCU General Manager Rick
doctor term for this,” she said. seeking grants for outreach Johnson is retiring after 13 years. His
Murray cited research suggesting that 1 in 4 programs. The stations are always career in broadcast media spans 52
children today experience some kind of trauma, mindful of how much they depend years, with four decades and eight
on donations, and when there’s an sets of call letters to his
and plenty of others have to navigate situations
opportunity to raise money through credit before joining
that may not rise to the level of trauma but still
grants, they try to do so. Since July 1, WGCU in 2008.
are vexing and could easily interfere with their 2020, largely through the efforts of “Rick Johnson is
education. Sesame Street in Communities aims Outreach Coordinator Anne Stavely, one of public
to empower all the adults in a child’s life to make they have raised $148,500 through media’s
a diference. these businesses and organizations outstanding
“Our teachers focus on preparing children for the purposes listed. leaders –
academically, socially, behaviorally and not just in
• Community Foundation of Collier
emotionally for the future, but we also want to Florida, but
County – At-Home Learning
empower parents to excel at work and advance everywhere
their education,” said Chris Hansen, CEO • Gulf Coast Community he has
Foundation/Miriam P. Raines served,”
of Child Care of Southwest Florida. “We’re
Charitable Fund – At-Home said Patrick
excited to participate in the Sesame Street in
Learning and PBS LearningMedia Yack, executive
Communities program because it, too, recognizes Initiative director of Florida
the importance of a strong school-home Public Media. “Always
connection in a child’s overall development.” • PBS “Age of Nature” – Community
dedicated to our mission, Rick has
engagement around the program
One common question from parents and left an indelible mark on our craft
caregivers recently became trickier to answer: • WNET and THIRTEEN – Becoming and our profession.” Corey Lewis,
Te perpetual unknown of how much screen Helen Keller – Engagement and former station manager of WBUR in
time a child should spend is harder to defne content creation around upcoming Boston, will succeed him. n
documentary
in the pandemic. Te American Academy of
Pediatrics recently revised its guidelines from • Arthrex – Family Learning
no screen time under age 2 to indicate that the Workshops
youngest children can beneft from screen time • Impact Media Partners
spent connecting with relatives in faraway places, “Inventing Tomorrow” – STEM-
a concession during this public health crisis. Aligned Teacher Training around the
In addition, it has been clear for several years documentary
that the quality of screen time is most important. • WNET & Sesame Street Workshop
In a time when teachers, caregivers and parents – Sesame Street in Communities
are forced by the pandemic and social distancing (see story, opposite page) FEWER INTERRUPTIONS
to rely on programs onscreen for even the youngest • Anonymous Foundation – This fiscal year, WGCU reduced
learners, WGCU and Murray are spreading the Two podcast workshops in on-air pledge drives by 44 percent.
word about how that quality time can be spent. partnership with Center for Autism This year there are nine single-day
Workshop participants seem to be listening. and Related Disorders chapters campaigns. With some greater
Murray talked about one result of a recent session. throughout the state sourcing of revenue and an ongoing
“Tis group was so excited,” she said. “One focus on existing donors (who hear
• Move to Include – 18-month
mom went home and took out all the apps on her the message “Don’t wait until the
project stressing abilities, not
kid’s tablet and replaced them with PBS KIDS. She drive, donate now”), the monthly
disabilities, and inclusion of all
campaigns aimed to increase the
really took what we were saying to heart. I walked people in all aspects of society
FGCU FILE PHOTO, SHUTTERSTOCK
number of sustaining and new
away on such a high from that workshop.” n • Penn State University members with minimal program
“Speaking Grief” – Virtual interruption. Interestingly, though,
discussion and screening with there are people who enjoy the
Valerie’s House of Fort Myers frenzy of a fundraising day and like
LEARN MORE • PBS “Blood Sugar Rising” – to hear their names called out on
For more information and materials parents can use Virtual screening and discussion the radio, so some do wait until the
at home, visit sesamestreetincommunities.org. with Diabetes Alliance Network on-air pledge days. n
FGCU360.COM / FGCU360 MAGAZINE 11F I R S T
STUDENT SUCCESS
Entrepreneurship more than skin deep for FGCU student
Business booming for undergrad’s natural soaps, scrubs and shampoos
F
BY HAN NAH LEE
OR STORMIE forensic science would be a path toward lavender and coconut milk. Products
Pruskauer, not passing medical school. But her experience with including soaps, shampoos and scrubs give
chemistry class was far from chemistry gave her the push she needed to customers plenty of options.
a failure. follow her true dream – entrepreneurship. “I realized that the sensitive-skin industry
“It was kind of a smack Before she started college in 2018, was hugely neglected,” Pruskauer said.
in the face, and that’s where I realized Pruskauer had already launched her own “Oftentimes, a lot of [soap] bars are not
forensic science wasn’t completely my business, Stormie Seas, a 100 percent compatible with sensitive skin types because
passion,” she said. natural, eco-friendly skincare line designed of how many chemicals are put into our
COURTESY PHOTOS
Pruskauer knew she wanted to learn to suit any skin-care needs, especially everyday products. I’ve always been an eco-
more about the human body when she sensitive skin conditions such as rosacea conscious person, and I wanted to create a bar
started college. She’d considered becoming and eczema. Her products are formulated that was not only good for the environment
a dermatologist or a coroner, and thought with soothing ingredients such as oatmeal, but good for every kind of skin type.”
12 FGCU360 MAGAZINE / FGCU360.COMF I R S T
“It’s easy for most people to see a failed test as a stopping point, but
Stormie is able to see ‘failures’ as learning experiences that can help
her to make necessary changes to her business and oferings. ”
S C O T T K E L LY, R U N W AY P R O G R A M M E N T O R
Te Daveler & Kauanui School of her mentors, her company has seen a Startup. I really put into work what I’m
Entrepreneurship at FGCU opened a 300 percent increase in gross sales from learning at school, and I help them run
world of opportunities for the aspiring 2019 to 2020. Between 2019 and 2020, through the same process that I follow, like
businesswoman. Support from her Stormie Seas had a 38 percent proft building their websites and getting their
Runway Program mentor, Scott Kelly, margin. All of this success comes from legal entitlements.”
helped Pruskauer expand her business. She her one-woman show, working out of a Te veteran’s program has been active
now sells her products in three Southwest studio in her home. on FGCU’s campus since spring 2016.
Florida retail stores, in addition to her It ofers free instruction in Lean Startup
online shop. Methodology for honorably discharged
Te Runway Program is a free business veterans to develop businesses efciently
incubator that helps students and and efectively. In addition, it helps
alumni access resources including veterans connect to local resources
shared workspaces, computers, such as other business leaders,
cameras, audio equipment, design like Pruskauer.
and development software and Managing all of these
mentoring. endeavors is not easy. For
“I am most proud of how Pruskauer, it often feels like
well she has learned and there are not enough hours
applied the process that we in the day to get it all done,
teach in the Runway Program,” but she still manages to run
Kelly said. “It’s easy for most a successful company while
people to see a failed test as a being a dedicated student
stopping point, but Stormie is pursuing her entrepreneurship
able to see ‘failures’ as learning degree with a minor in marketing.
experiences that can help her “I’m realizing that with working
to make necessary changes to her part time I’m able to slowly progress
business and oferings. She has built instead of getting 10 feet ahead and
an impressive business and it continues not being able to maintain how far
to get better because of her willingness ahead I get,” Pruskauer said. “So, it’s
and determination to work through the been a blessing in disguise being able
difcult problems to fnd With the guidance of her mentors, Stormie to work so slowly because I’m able to
functional solutions.” Pruskauer has seen a 300 percent increase manage the demand every year, instead of
Te program simulates Shark Tank, in gross sales from 2019 to 2020 for her overwhelming myself. But I am so excited
allowing participants to go through company Stormie Seas. to graduate, hopefully at the end of the
the entire entrepreneurial process from year. Ten I can focus full time on my
brainstorming business ideas to acquiring In addition to being a full-time company and grow it to where I want it
seed funding. Competitors can name student, business owner, employee and to be.
their goal price for winnings, and the a member of the Runway Program, she
winner receives equity-free funding to also is an intern for the Veterans Florida – Student contributor Hannah Lee
start a business. Entrepreneurship Program. is a senior from Melbourne majoring in
Pruskauer was granted $4,000 from “I help veterans actually compete with communication, with a concentration
the Runway Program her frst semester me,” Pruskauer said. “I mentor them and in public relations, and minoring in
in the program. With the guidance of help them to understand the Lean Launch journalism.
FGCU360.COM / FGCU360 MAGAZINE 13F I R S T
IN HIS OWN WORDS
Podcast explores works and world of Hemingway
BY M I C HAEL VON CANNON
Y
OU REMEMBER IN and his love of Hemingway, as we mission to create a podcast. Deciding to
“Te Big Lebowski” when walked around pointing out memorabilia embark on a joint venture that would
Walter tells his bowling adorning the walls. A month later, I hopefully reach not only Hemingway
buddy, “Donny, you’re out posted the transcription of our interview scholars and devotees but also students
of your element!” On the to the Hemingway Society website, but and general audiences, we created “One
afternoon of June 16, 2017, I entered the something nagged. Try as I might, the True Podcast,” a show that focuses on
Ritz Paris feeling a lot like Donny. transcription wasn’t conveying enough. Hemingway, his work, and his world
Not only because Coco through conversations
Chanel, Marlene Dietrich, with scholars, artists,
F. Scott Fitzgerald and political leaders and other
Cole Porter have numbered luminaries.
among the guests of this Hemingway once said,
luxurious hotel; or because “Listen now. When people
the nightly rates of even talk listen completely. Don’t
its standard rooms were be thinking what you’re
staggering compared to the going to say. Most people
cost of my modest Airbnb never listen.”
across the Seine. As the He’s talking about
news coordinator for the listening in order to
Hemingway Society, I was become a better writer,
there to interview someone. maybe also a better person.
I had never interviewed Like novels and short
anyone, really, much less stories – and sometimes
someone like Colin Field, unlike flms – podcasts
the head bartender at the can carve out intimate
Ritz’s Bar Hemingway, a spaces for people to listen
man often ranked as the in, listen with and listen
best bartender in the world. to each other. With more
When he had agreed to this than 35 episodes released
meeting, you could have to date, and many more
bowled me over. recorded and waiting in
I was excited and in the wings, we’ve worked
awe for other reasons, too. and continue to work at
Tis was one of the places Hemingway Te back-and-forth of dialogue, the the art of listening and invite audiences
had famously “liberated” from the Nazis hesitations and laughter, the ambient noise to do the same. Guests have included
upon his arrival to Paris toward the end of were all missing from the written version Hemingway’s secretary and daughter-in-
World War II. It was also the place where, but still resided on the poorly recorded law, Valerie Hemingway, on meeting him
COURTESY IMAGE, ALAMY, FGCU FILE PHOTO
in late 1956, two large trunks flled with voice memo of my iPhone. Although for the frst time in Spain in 1959; his
some of Hemingway’s long-forgotten Lost that audio would never have met quality grandson, Seán Hemingway, on editing
Generation writings found their way back standards for something like a podcast, I a new volume of “Te Old Man and
into his possession, a serendipitous event soon realized that the podcast form was, in the Sea”; home improvement guru Bob
that led him to write one of the most essence, what I was after. Vila on his upbringing in South Florida
celebrated books about Paris, “A Moveable What we were after, actually. By early and Cuba and his work heading up the
Feast.” 2019, I had gotten wind that a colleague restoration of Hemingway’s Havana home;
Tat evening, Field generously discussed and friend, Mark Cirino from the Ken Burns and Lynn Novick on their new
the bar’s history, his rise as a bartender, University of Evansville, was on a separate documentary “Hemingway”; and Mark
14 FGCU360 MAGAZINE / FGCU360.COMF I R S T Salter, senior advisor to John McCain, on the late senator’s deep appreciation of Hemingway. In “A Moveable Feast,” Hemingway would declare, as much to himself as to us, “All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” On the podcast, we play a “one true sentence” game by asking guests to share the sentence they fnd most signifcant from Hemingway’s writing. It’s a fun organizing principle that has led to insightful conversations with writers and scholars. Joshua Ferris, PEN/Hemingway Award winner for his novel “Ten We Came to the End,” landed on maybe the most famous line from a Hemingway novel. “Te Sun Also Rises” ends with the war- wounded protagonist asking the female Michael lead, “Isn’t it pretty Von Cannon to think so?” For Ferris, that sentence not only encompasses everything these characters have lost and probably never even had but also “almost necessitates that [the reader] start over again. It’s so good.” Hemingway was great at writing endings. I’m not even going to compete on that front, and our show doesn’t really need to, anyway. It’s episodic rather than serial, gaining by accumulation. Like snow. After two years of this work, we’ve thankfully accomplished only a dusting. n – Dr. Michael Von Cannon teaches American literature and composition at FGCU. In addition to being co-creator and producer of “One True Podcast,” he is co-editing “Te Letters of Ernest Hemingway: 1957-61” as part of the Hemingway Letters Project. LISTEN IN Subscribe to “One True Podcast” through services such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify or visit hemingwaysociety.org/podcast. FGCU360.COM / FGCU360 MAGAZINE 15
F I R S T
UPDATE
Center for Critical Race and Ethnic Studies takes shape
BY KAREN FELDMAN
T
HE FLEDGLING conducting signifcant research into narratives and elevate the concerns and
Center for Critical Race the painful and uncomfortable topics interests of those groups and individuals
and Ethnic Studies may surrounding race and ethnicity. that are historically and contemporarily
be relatively small in size, “All research on race and ethnicity is not marginalized, forgotten, given short shrift. I
but Ted Tornhill, its critical race and ethnic studies,” he says. “Te don’t want it to be watered down to be a can’t-
founder and director, has big plans for this emphasis is on the critical part. It focuses on we-all-just-get-along center.”
space on the fourth foor of the Wilson G. topics such as power, domination, oppression, He’s bringing noted scholars and experts
Bradshaw Library. intersectionality, privilege and resistance. It’s to campus to address those issues through
He envisions fearless faculty fellows meant to disrupt problematic and dangerous a speakers series. He’s planning to provide
16 FGCU360 MAGAZINE / FGCU360.COMF I R S T
LEFT: FGCU students march to bring possible to have in-person gatherings so he
attention to racial inequities. can open the center’s doors to the public.
BELOW RIGHT: Ted Thornhill, founder and He knows he’ll need support – both in
director of the Center for Critical Race and terms of infuence and fnances – from
Ethnic Studies at FGCU. community members. Several well-known
local infuencers have already expressed
He, along with several CCRES faculty backing for his eforts, including longtime
afliates, are working toward introducing Senior County Judge Hugh Starnes, who
a critical race and ethnic studies course resigned his post to help battle racial
requirement that would ensure that all injustice, and former Lee Health President
students receive exposure to topics such and CEO Jim Nathan.
as systemic racism, immigration, settler “Ted has a lot of really good people (from
colonialism, issues of gender and sexual FGCU) involved but it’s important to
orientation and environmental racism, bring in local support,” says Nathan, who
among other important issues. adds that he has been involved in a lot of
“It would shine a bright light at the discussions about racism in the community
university if done well and we would be over the past year or so and that it’s brought
one of a few institutions in the country him a new awareness of the problem.
to have such a requirement,” he says. “It “We won’t get past systemic racism until
would be an amazing thing.” white folks in a leadership capacity speak
Tornhill, an associate professor of up and say this is wrong,” he says. “Tis
sociology who teaches courses such as is a tremendous opportunity to position
“White Racism,” “Social Stratifcation” FGCU regionally and nationally.”
and “Racism and Law Enforcement,” is Tornhill hopes the center will bring
looking “to create a culture of intellectual with it not just praise but progress.
inquiry in racial justice activism for “My vision is to advance racial justice,”
students interested in advancing racial he says. n
equity in this area and beyond,” he says.
To do that, he thinks it’s necessary for
people of all backgrounds to understand
the complex and multitudinous causes of
the racial divide that continues to roil this
country.
“Te United States was founded in a
particular manner that involved the genocide
of indigenous people,” he says. “Chattel
mentorship for students who will conduct slavery in the Americas aforded
research and have the opportunity to people of European extraction an
network with those visiting scholars. opportunity to enrich themselves
And he’s reaching into the community to by dehumanizing others for
engage and enlighten residents as well. hundreds of years, the efects
“At a minimum, we need to move beyond of which continue to plague
the conventional language of diversity, equity Black, Indigenous, People
and inclusion,” he says. “If you intend to of Color while providing
promote racial justice, and what you’re doing those racialized as white
FGCU FILE PHOTO, PHOTO BY BRIAN TIETZ
does not make at least some white people with manifold unmerited
uncomfortable, then you need to question advantages.”
the impact of what you’re doing.” While the center is
operational now, it’s still
in its organizational phase.
Tornhill hopes to hold an
TO LEARN MORE ofcial grand opening in the
AND TO DONATE fall when more people have
Visit the center’s website at fgcu.edu/ccres received COVID vaccines and it’s
FGCU360.COM / FGCU360 MAGAZINE 17ARTS 18 FGCU360 MAGAZINE / FGCU360.COM
‘‘ ’’
A R T S
What started as a hobby, as a means for a creative outlet,
has grown into a full-blown business.
ALEXIS MARTINEZ PULEIO (’09, BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY)
PAINTING
Artist’s career soaring with aerial views of our coast
Unique resin technique enhances painter’s bird’s-eye-view
P
BY DREW STERWAL D
ICTURE YOURSELF Ritz-Carlton Resort of Naples and Te for me in my art career, and hope that
in a plane descending Eydel Fine Arts Gallery in Naples, as well they continue to open as I grow as
toward the Fort Myers as on her website. an artist.”
airport, zooming over “What started as a hobby, as a means As her business fourished, so did her
the barrier islands and for a creative outlet, has grown into a family with husband Vincenzo “Vinny”
coastline of Southwest Florida. Nose full-blown business,” says the busy mother Puleio, owner and operator of Enzo’s
nearly pressed to the window, you peer of two. “We lived in a condo when I was Italian Restaurant in Bonita Springs. Tey
down at emerald and azure waters with starting out, and I took over every square now have a 7-year-old daughter, Giuliana,
foam-capped waves lapping up against inch of table space I could fnd to work.” and a 9-month-old-boy, Sebastian, as well
sandy shores, imagining you could Working in oils, acrylics and as a home with an upstairs studio so she
trail your hand or dip your toe in the watercolors, in abstraction as well as can have her own workspace but still be
shimmering, undulating tides. realism, she took commissions small home with the children.
Tat’s the sensation Alexis Martinez and large for wedding-dress paintings “I create every day in my studio,”
Puleio (’09, Biology and Chemistry) for brides, orchid still lifes, marine life Puleio says. “It can be challenging at
aims for and captures in aerial seascape imagery and architectural landscapes. times, with my second-grade daughter
paintings rendered in acrylics and epoxy Te turning point came in 2016 with doing school from home virtually this
resin. But you can actually reach out a monthlong solo show at Polk State past year because of the pandemic,
and touch this FGCU alumna’s artwork. College in Winter Haven. and with a new baby in the
Puleio encourages clients to run their “From there, the doors of house. But I make sure to
fngertips over the glassy surface of her opportunity opened,” Puleio devote a portion of my day
bird’s-eye-view images, which sometimes says. “Word of my art spread, to creating. Not only is
are embedded with handmade rocks and and I landed the job of it good for business, but
greenery to create a tactile, topographical a lifetime creating four it’s good for the mind as
representation of a natural shoreline. oversized (10-feet by 5-feet) well.”
Puleio’s unique technique, artistic gift paintings for the new Carol In addition to wall-
and loving eye for sand and sea has driven Jenkins Barnett Pavilion For enhancing artwork, she
the success of this 33-year-old artist, who Women and Children” at produces functional
didn’t even major in art at Florida Gulf Lakeland Regional home items such
Coast University. Her inviting creations Health in as serving trays and
are sold through upscale channels at Te Lakeland, charcuterie boards,
Florida. and jewelry for
LEFT: No, that’s not an aerial photo of
I am truly men and women
COURTESY PHOTOS
a beach in Southwest Florida, it is one grateful for featuring
of Alexis Martinez Puleio’s seacape every door smaller-scale
paintings. She creates these images that has evocations of her
using acrylic paint and epoxy resin. opened up aerial seascapes.
FGCU360.COM / FGCU360 MAGAZINE 19A R T S
a sketch book, then draws out her plan
on canvas before painting in acrylics and
tinted resin.
With tools or gloved hands massaging
the canvas, she spreads the resin – a clear,
honey-like substance that when mixed
with a hardener creates a glass-like topcoat
and sheen that protects the painting.
Using a small blowtorch, she can move
sections of curing resin to create a watery
efect.
“Te high-gloss shine, with its refective
surface, gives your art a wow factor that
you can’t get with paints alone,” she says.
Resin is a petroleum-based product, and
the brand Puleio uses, ArtResin, is non-
toxic, free of volatile organic compounds
and certifed food-grade safe (for the
serving trays and boards).
“Tese are important factors for me,
with my studio being in our home,” Puleio
says. “Te very frst time I used resin was
Her inspiration often comes from actual TOP: Puleio sometimes adds raised after searching for a product to protect
shorelines, bays and waterways but her greenery or rocks to the canvas for a one of my orchid oil paintings. I wanted
imagination and technique help her textured effect. something to give it a high shine. Tat’s
visualize her own perspective. BOTTOM: Puleio incorporates her when I discovered resin.”
Growing up in Lakeland, Puleio visited food-safe resin technique on charcuterie One downside: Te artist has to plan
Anna Maria Island every year with her boards and serving trays. ahead – and then surrender control. Once
family, then fell in love with Naples when the hardener and the resin have been
she moved to Southwest Florida for mixed together, she has 45 minutes to
college. manipulate it before it starts to become
“Tere is something about the warm tacky and solidifes. Color additives have
Gulf waters that can renew your soul,” to be premeasured, tools must be handy
she says. “Outside of Florida, Hawaii is and a pouring strategy considered. Once
by far my most favorite location.” the process begins, any distraction in
Puleio incorporates her food- the studio could mar the outcome.
safe resin technique on charcuterie Resin is self-leveling and moves
boards and serving trays. around the surface for hours before it
Taking advanced art classes in settles and starts to cure in place – sort
high school, she was nurtured of like sand washing up on a tide and
by teachers and parents who settling on a beach. Not knowing how
encouraged her to pursue her the coating will land adds a layer of
creative talents. Intending to go chance and excitement to the artist’s
on to medical school to become a vision.
surgeon, she enrolled at FGCU on a “It’s a process where you have to
pre-med track, but took a couple of art relinquish your need to control, which is
classes taught by the late Carl Schwartz. both restrictive and freeing at the same
During her senior year, she met her now- time,” Puleio says. “I can control my ideas,
husband. and my vision, the placement of the rocks,
“I was swept of my feet,” she says. “I passion in life – creating a piece of me that or greenery, and I can plan where I want
COURTESY PHOTOS
decided to put medical school on hold, gets to stay on this earth, even after my the resin to go, but where I lose control is
and I am so very happy that I did. We lifetime has passed by.” where the resin ends up. You have to have
have a beautiful, fun and full life together. Following favorite drone accounts on faith in your process, your knowledge of
I get to spend every day doing my true social media, she puts ideas together in the medium, and hope for the best.” n
20 FGCU360 MAGAZINE / FGCU360.COMA R T S
TOP: Puleio created the four panels of artwork
on display at the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion in
Lakeland, Florida.
ABOVE: Resin creates a glass-like topcoat and
sheen on Puleio’s artwork.
LEFT: Puleio at work in her studio.
WANNA SEE MORE?
Visit customartbyalexis.com.
FGCU360.COM / FGCU360 MAGAZINE 21A R T S
MUSIC
Percussion ensemble sets new tempo
at Bower School of Music & the Arts
BY NINA BARBERO, ’16
F
OUR MUSIC of young percussionists at varying levels who Vic Firth YouTube channel.
education students will look at those videos as a means of education.” Each member of the quartet is
take that education to new Te Bower Percussion Quartet includes widely involved in music education and
heights this spring when the top four students from FGCU’s performance in Florida, including teaching
they release their own Percussion Studio. In Spring 2020, as percussion specialists in area schools, as
album, along with a performance video that group included McMullan, staf for Infnity Percussion in Orlando
WEB
ON THE
to be featured on the Vic Firth percussion McConnaughey, Eduardo Ortega – which competes at a national level
YouTube channel and potentially and Michael Balars. Ortega has – and for McConnaughey, arranging
FGCU360.com
viewed by students and teachers around the since graduated. TALK WITH NICK
music for groups as far away as
world. It all started when they asked each “It is quite an honor to be McCONNAUGHEY Germany, where he taught for two
other, “Wouldn’t it be crazy if…” selected to be a part of it,” Jones says months in 2019.
“A lot of the things our quartet got of the quartet. “For these four gentlemen, Each of these experiences helped the
started with started with hypotheticals,” they click really well. Tey wanted to take quartet build industry connections.
says Stephen McMullan, principal the ensemble in a direction that would be From the videographer who flmed their
musician for the Bower Percussion Quartet. even higher than usual because they stayed recording sessions to the photographer who
‘Wouldn’t it be crazy if we could get a video with it for about two years.” took promotional photos for the CD, they
on Vic Firth?’” Tat direction involved two frsts for the knew everyone involved.
Vic Firth is a company that produces Bower School of Music & the Arts: Te $3,500 budget, including paying the
percussion sticks, mallets and educational a student-led, three-day performance tour recording and mixing teams and providing
resources for percussionists. One of the at schools in Central and South Florida accommodations for them, was funded by
quartet members, Nick McConnaughey, is – completed just before COVID-19 shut the Bower School of Music & the Arts. Te
a Vic Firth-sponsored musician. schools down in March 2020 – and a CD and videos will be released online this
Troy Jones, FGCU associate director of CD, which the group recorded over two spring, and the Bower School of Music &
bands, works closely with the quartet and days in December. Te recording sessions the Arts will distribute the recordings as an
says, “It’s a very big deal if you’re selected by were flmed, and the video for the piece educational tool for Florida students.
Vic Firth to be featured. Tere are millions “DisArchitecture” will be featured on the “We had the idea that we wouldn’t
have to go to these high-budget rates,”
McMullan says, “because everybody on the
team we know from the connections from
the band experience that we all have.”
New connections helped the project
come to life, too.
Te CD features four pieces. One of the
pieces, “DisArchitecture” by Dave Hall,
suggests an instrument called a static whip,
which the quartet learned is no longer being
made.
PHOTOS BY JULIETTE AUBIN
“Te composer actually mailed us his,
that he used when he frst made the piece,”
McMullan says. Hall also listened to the
group’s early recordings of the piece and
sent feedback.
Te album also features “Torched
22 FGCU360 MAGAZINE / FGCU360.COMA R T S
TOP: The Bower Percussion Quartet, “We recorded in the rehearsal hall in “Music changes the ordinary to the
Michael Balars, Nick McConnaughey, Bower,” Ortega says. “It was very surreal extraordinary in a unique way,” Jones says.
Stephen McMullan, Eduardo Ortega the night before, and about 15 minutes “Tere are so many opportunities this
LEFT: The quartet during one of into it. Ten it became this giant monster. creates for you, but also for others ... that’s
their practices. Especially the frst block of the frst day was what we’re trying to do here every day.”
very taxing because we were high-energy, Te group has two pieces of advice for
hyper-focused.” students looking to do a similar project: Ask
and Wrecked” by David Skidmore, Fortunately, Ortega says, Jones was there for help, and work with your friends.
“Living Room Music” by John Cage and to keep the group relaxed. If you have an idea for something,” Balars
McConnaughey’s own piece, written during Te title of the album, “A Legitimate says, “the best frst step is to ask somebody
quarantine: “State of the Arts.” Excuse,” is a nod to a phrase Jones uses for help. Te worst you can get is a ‘no,’ and
“Nick’s piece was written very smart,” frequently and jokingly with his students the best you can get is a ‘yes,” and then you
Ortega says. “He wrote that piece with the to remind them that as music educators, can record an album.”
recording in mind … it’s fun, light-hearted students are counting on their preparation. “It really was fun, because you’re making
and it grooves heavy.” In other words, there are no “legitimate music with your friends,” Ortega says. “I can’t
Te group needed that lightheartedness excuses” for not practicing, or for showing imagine doing the album with anyone else.” n
as they planned album logistics, rehearsed up late to a class you’re teaching.
– for six hours every week between summer Jones hopes students at the Bower
and the December recording sessions, School of Music will continue to try new
more, McConnaughey says, than any other projects, like what Ortega, McMullan, WATCH THE VIDEO
ensemble on campus – and fnally recording McConnaughey and Balars have done with See the Bower Percussion Quartet on the
the album over two six-hour days. the album and video recordings. Vic Firth YouTube channel.
FGCU360.COM / FGCU360 MAGAZINE 23You can also read
