By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-1773 x 281Source:
Calvin Arnold (561) 468-3922 ext. 112
FORT PIERCE—South Florida legislators and administrators from the University of Florida, Florida Atlantic University, and Indian River Community College will meet at the UF’s Indian River Research and Education Center Friday, August 22, at 11:30 a.m. to formally announce the beginning of a new cooperative teaching program at the center. All three institutions will be involved.
Calvin Arnold, director of the UF research and education center, said the new undergraduate teaching program, funded with $868,000 from the 1997 Florida Legislature, will allow students to earn a bachelor of science (BS) degree in horticulture or agribusiness management beginning in the Fall of 1998.
Faculty from FAU, IRCC and the UF will participate in the new teaching program at the Fort Pierce center, which is part of the UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Arnold said eight new UF/IFAS faculty will be hired during the next two years to help launch the teaching program. Additional funds will also be sought from the Florida Legislature to plan and construct new classroom facilities at the center.
Those speaking at the noon luncheon program include Betty Capaldi, UF provost, and James Davidson, UF vice president for agriculture and natural resources. Following the luncheon, Larry Connor, UF/IFAS dean for academic programs, will provide an overview of the new teaching program. Tony Catanese, president of FAU; Ray Isenburg, vice president of applied science and technology for IRCC, and Bill Vogel, superintendent of St. Lucie County Public Schools, will discuss their participation in the new program and how it will benefit students and citizens in South Florida.
Rep. Ken Pruitt, R-Fort Pierce, and Rep. Rick Minton, D-Fort Pierce, will discuss the new program and the need for additional funding to build classroom facilities at the center. Legislators from other South Florida counties also are expected to attend.
The UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center was established in 1947 to serve the research needs of Florida with special emphasis on the five- county area comprising St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Martin, Indian River and Brevard counties. Scientists at the center work on various research and education programs in agriculture and natural resources. The center is also part of the UF/IFAS distance education network.
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