SARASOTA, Fla. (March 11, 2019) – Melissa Moore, the author of Shattered Silence: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer’s Daughter, will discuss growing up with her father and how she came to terms with his shocking crimes in a talk Thursday, March 21, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., at USF Sarasota-Manatee’s Selby Auditorium, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
Part of a speakers program presented by the campus’ Criminology Club and the Campus Activities Board, Moore will recount details of her childhood in a small town in Washington state as well as the moment when, as a teenager, she learned the truth about her father, Keith Jesperson, who became known as the Happy Face Killer for the smiley faces he drew on his confession letters. Jesperson is serving three consecutive life sentences in Oregon.
Moore is an Emmy-nominated crime correspondent on the Dr. Oz Show and is recognized as an expert on trauma, domestic violence and serial killers. She hosted the Lifetime Movie Network program “Monster in My Family,” which ran for two seasons in 2015 and 2016. The show focused on the families of serial killers and their victims.
Alexandra Fleck, president of the Criminology Club, said the group is excited about the presentation. Last year, the club collaborated with the Campus Activity Board to feature a talk by Dr. Jack Levin, a noted criminologist and expert on serial killers.
“Ms. Melissa Moore has a unique perspective and insight on a popular topic in today’s culture, true crime,” said Fleck, a graduate criminology student. “As the daughter of the notorious serial killer, Moore learned as a teenager that her life was not what she thought. Now she shares the message that anyone can be more than a product of their circumstances.”
The talk is free. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/391388801661926/ for more information.
USFSM to host dinner and wine tasting
USF Sarasota-Manatee is hosting a unique event with Banfi Vintners, the renowned wine producer and importer of wines from family estates in Italy.
Bill Whiting, wine education director at Banfi, will lead a multi-course Italian-themed dinner and wine tasting on Wednesday, March 20, at USFSM’s Culinary Innovation Lab, 8130 Lakewood Main Street, Lakewood Ranch.
This exclusive event is limited to 45 guests only. Included are hors-d’oeuvres, three courses and decadent desserts all inspired by cuisines of Italy and all expertly paired with four wines from Castello Banfi, Montalcino, Tuscany.
Tickets are $100 and must be paid in advance by March 19. Purchase tickets here.
USFSM sets April 1 enrollment deadline
The deadline to enroll for the fall 2019 semester at USF Sarasota-Manatee is April 1, which means the window is quickly closing for campus visits, tours and other activities before prospective students must enroll and register for classes.
To streamline the application process, USFSM has created a special website, https://secure.vzcollegeapp.com/usf/default.aspx?cid=88&cl=1<id=1.
Additionally, prospective students can visit this site, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH8nYTyGcxg&t=3s, for a step-by-step tutorial of how to complete an application.
To schedule a campus tour, visit http://undergrad.usfsmbound.org/campustour/inquiryform.
To speak with an admissions counselor call (941) 359-4331 or write to admissions@usf.edu.
Bulls Bistro events set for March and April
Bulls Bistro is back and several dining events have been added to the spring calendar. The bistros are set for March 21 and 28 and April 4 and 11.
An exploration of world cuisine, the popular dining program invites the public to experience an evening of elegant culinary creation as students are paired with faculty from the College of Hospitality & Tourism Leadership.
Tickets are $25 and include two glasses of red or white wine or two glasses of craft beer, plus an assortment of hors d’oeuvres by the college’s Restaurant Management class.
Events are held at USFSM’s Culinary Innovation Lab, 8130 Main Street, Lakewood Ranch. For tickets and more, visit /cil.
Play a role in USFSM’s virtual campus tour
USF Sarasota-Manatee is holding a casting call on March 21 and 22 for a virtual campus tour video.
The campus is creating a video for the USFSM Website and it’s asking students, faculty and staff members to appear in crowd scenes and other shots to give viewers a glimpse of life at USFSM.
The first shots are scheduled in the FCCI Rotunda at 1 p.m. March 21. The video’s production crew is asking students, faculty and staff to show up by 12:45 p.m. to allow time to set up the shots.
Shooting will resume the next day at 9 a.m. with setup at 8:45 a.m. outside the rotunda.
Additional shots will take place at the courtyard (9:30 setup), hammocks (10:05), café (10:55) and Student Commons (11:45).
So please come out and show your Bulls pride as together we create an exciting and positive impression of the USFSM campus. Go Bulls!
USFSM grad and author celebrates release of book
Friends and supporters gather around Marc-Henry Jean, center, with ballcap.
Family, supporters and guests of USFSM alum and author Marc-Henry Jean gathered at USF Sarasota-Manatee last week for a book signing and to promote his message of love and unity
The group assembled at the campus’ Selby Auditorium as Jean signed copies of Growing Together in Prayer, Reflection and Action and promoted the launch of his brand, “Yes to Love, no to hate.”
Growing up in poverty-stricken Haiti, Jean kicked off the event with an inspiring recollection of his struggle to pursue a college education and adapt to new cultures, first in France and later at USF Sarasota-Manatee. His experiences shaped to his current outlook and strengthened him to remain optimistic about the future.
“Where I will be in 10 years from now I don’t know,” he said. “It’s not the big picture that’s important. It’s about the impact I’m making right now.”
He also unveiled a new green and gold “Yes to Love, no to hate” T-shirt with proceeds benefitting USFSM students. The promotion runs until March 31.
Jean concluded his presentation with a Q&A session and speech expressing gratitude to those who encouraged him.
“Love people regardless of who they are, regardless of their country of origin, regardless of their sexual orientation, just love them,” Jean said. “When I graduated from here, not only did I continue to talk about ‘Yes to Love’ and my book, every single day I’ve had new ideas to do something useful and impactful in the community.”
Jean’s book, Growing Together in Prayer, Reflection and Action, is available at Amazon.com. Click here to see his line of “Yes to Love, no to hate” apparel.
Classroom and Career Days returns for March
Three Classroom and Career Days are scheduled this month to give prospective students an insider’s view of life at USF Sarasota-Manatee.
This popular event invites potential students to spend a half-day on campus to learn about life here. Led by a student guide, participants visit a classroom, engage in a career services discussion and enjoy lunch with student leaders in the campus café and courtyard.
The sessions are divided as follows:
- March 26, 2019 (All Majors)
- March 27, 2019 (College of Business and College of Hospitality & Tourism Leadership)
- March 28, 2019 (College of Science & Mathematics)
Florida Creativity Conference returns to USFSM
Get inspired and learn creative problem-solving at the Florida Creativity Conference set for March 29 and 30 at USF Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
The conference’s final sessions are March 31 at the Florida Studio Theater, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota.
The much-anticipated symposium features professionals from business, nonprofits, education, the arts, and health and wellness who study creativity and how it can transform lives.
Among the speakers are business branding expert Judy Winslow; mixed-media artist and creative life coach Sharon Burton; research scientist Dr. Charles Maniglia; and author Carol McCloud, whose books have sold more than 2.5 million copies.
Joining them will be Dr. Helene Robinson, the arts integration curriculum coordinator and a faculty member in the School of Education at USF Sarasota-Manatee.
The conference runs from $175 to $350, with discounts available for educators and USF students. Breakfast and lunch are included. Visit flcreativity.com for tickets and more information.
‘HospitaBull’ set March 26 at Ritz-Carlton Sarasota
This year’s HospitaBull, USF Sarasota-Manatee’s annual dinner for the College of Hospitality
& Tourism Leadership, is set for 6 p.m., March 26, at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota,
1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive. Proceeds support student and faculty development. Visit sar.usfsm.edu/event/hospitabull for individual tickets and table sponsorships.
‘Financial Markets and the Economy’ conference set April 11
Tickets are available for Cumberland Advisors’ Financial Markets and the Economy: Financial Literacy Day III scheduled April 11 at USF Sarasota-Manatee’s Selby Auditorium.
The daylong conference includes a discussion about the stock market and global economic outlook, a session on economics and geopolitics, and a special panel on health, hunger and philanthropy.
Wall Street Journal senior writer Gretchen Morgenson will deliver the keynote address. Susan Harper, Canada’s consul general from Miami, will be interviewed.
Tickets are $50 (includes lunch). Visit sar.usfsm.edu/event/financial-markets-and-the-economy/.
USFSM’s Carlos Moreira extends military service
Carlos Moreira, left, extends his military service at a recent ceremony.
Kudos to Carlos Moreira, USF Sarasota-Manatee’s veteran services administrator, on his recent extension of service in the United State Marine Corps Reserves.
Moreira, a gunnery sergeant, is also a USF Sarasota-Manatee graduate and a graduate student seeking a master’s degree in business administration. As USFSM’s veteran services administrator, Moreira assists student veterans with educational benefits and other issues at the campus’ Military and Veterans Success Center on the first floor.