Florida Education Fund Hosts Its Largest McKnight Doctoral Mid-Year Research & Writing Conference February 19, 2004 Tampa
- The Florida Education Fund (FEF) hosted its largest ever McKnight
Doctoral Mid-Year Research & Writing Conference on February 13 B
14, 2004 at the Marriott Tampa Westshore Hotel (1001 N. Westshore Blvd.,
Tampa, FL 33607). More than
100 McKnight Doctoral Fellowship students, invited graduate and
undergraduate students, speakers, and panel discussants attended the
Meeting. Participating guest
speakers and discussants consisted of Professors from several Florida
Universities including Dr. Marvin
Dawkins (University of Miami), Dr. Dovie Gamble (University of Florida),
Dr. Elizabeth Metzger (University of South Florida), Dr. Ernest McDuffie
(National Science Foundation), Dr. Mohsen Milani (University of South
Florida), Dr. Terry Mills (University of Florida), Dr. O Geoffrey Okogbaa
(University of South Florida), Dr. Deborah Plant (University of South
Florida), Dr. Michele Rice (Florida Memorial College), Dr. Carlos Smith
(University of South Florida), and Dr. Mary Webb (University of South
Florida). The FEF’s President/CEO and University of South Florida
Associate Professor, Dr. Lawrence
Morehouse, presided over the Conference and served as a discussant. To
help Fellows develop necessary skills, the FEF has refocused its Mid-Year
Meeting. Now named the Mid-Year
Research & Writing Conference, the Meeting’s workshops aim not
only to help students improve their writing, research, and presentation
skills, but also to facilitate the timely completion of their
dissertations. Several
Fellows are presenting articles submitted for publication in the soon to
be released FEF Journal of
Interdisciplinary Research. This
component of the McKnight Program improves our students’ chances of
securing a tenure track appointment in a Florida university, as well as
enhances their ability to earn tenure and promotion and publish their
research prior to earning their Ph.D. The Conference also provides an opportunity for Journal
authors to share their research and secure peer and professional reviews
that will help them finalize their articles. The diverse collection of McKnight
student presenters and corresponding presentations were as follows: Jennifer
Bowers, Panel 01 Chair, FAU (2000-2001), Organizational
Behavior/Strategic Management, “Does Mentoring Matter? The Influence
of Mentoring on the Creation and Transference of Organizational
Knowledge,” Anthony Burrow, FIU
(2000-2001), Psychology/Social, “Within-Group
Heterogeneity in Expressions of Sexual Risk Behaviors Among African
American Youth,” Rebekah Lane, FSU (2001-2002), Math Education, “Culturally
Relevant Teaching in Mathematics,” Sheron Fraser Burgess, Panel 02
Chair, UM (1997-98), Political Philosophy, “Disputing
McLaren: Why Pluralism Requires Universalism,” Perry Kyles, FIU (1998-1999), History, “Capitalism
and the Transformation of Colonial South Carolina, 1700-1740,” Emmanuel
Pereira, FSU
(2003-2004), Ethnomusicology, “Hip-hop
Culture: A National and International History of its Development,”
Michelle Ferrier, Panel 03 Chair, UCF (2003-2004), Texts and
Technology, “The Digital Quilt:
The Use of Textual Memory and Interstitial Technology for Resurrection in
a Postmodern World,” Morgan
Johnson, UM (1999-2000), Computer Science, “Identifying
Epileptic Seizures in EEG Using Approximate Entropy,” Claude Villiers, UF
(1998-1999), Civil Engineering, “Interpretation
of Traverse Profiles to Determine the Source of Rutting Within Asphalt
Pavement System,” Sherry Ward, FSU
(2002-2003), Information Systems, “SMIL: Synchronized Multimedia
Integration Language,” Lisa Godfrey, FSU (2002-2003), English
Literature, “Language and Identity in the Poetry of Eric Roach,”
Nigel Malcolm, Panel 04 Chair, USF (2000-2001), Mass Communications, “Character,
Dreams, and Failure: The Rhetoric of Shelby Steele,” Kersuze Simeon, UM
(2000-2001), French Literature, “The Ideological Perpetuation of the
Haitian Revolution within the Black Diaspora,” Anita Wholuba, FSU
(1999-2000), English, “The ‘Last Go-Round’: Commemorating a
Passing Era in Jean Toomer’s Cane,” Versie Johnson Mallard, USF
(2001-2002), Nursing, “The Effects of an Educational Intervention on
Knowledge and Perceived Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections in
Women,” Tamika Sanchez, UM (1999-2000), Nursing, “What are the Behaviors Necessary for Older African Americans to Stay
Healthy?,” Laurel Thompson, Panel 05 Chair, Barry University (1998-1999), Social Work, “Teenage Pregnancy: The
Missing Male Factor,” Arlesia Brock, Panel 06 Chair, USF
(2002-2003), Public Health, “Public Health, Primary Care, and
Privatization,” Carol
Williams, USF (2002-2003), Public Health,
“Racial Differences in Preventive Care Practices Among Persons with
Diabetes,” and LaRicka
Wingate, FSU
(2001-2002), Clinical Psychology, “Depression-Related Stress Generation: A Longitudinal Study
of Black Adolescents.” These
scholarly presentations demonstrated the tremendous dedication to research
and academic excellence exemplified by the McKnight Doctoral Fellows.
The State of Florida should be proud to produce intellectual
capital of this caliber. Of
special note, the Mid-Year Meeting Reception, historically held on the
first night of the Conference, begot a new tradition this year. Representing the first such collaboration between the FEF and
USF’s Office of Multicultural Graduate Programs, the
“Poetry/Performance Jam & Open Mike” elicited jubilant responses
to the many talented Fellows, FEF staff, and invited graduate student
performers. A cameo poetic performance by Dr.
Brenda Townsend, noted USF Department of Education Professor, was also
well received. Mr. Rod Hale, the Program Director of USF’s Multicultural Graduate
Programs Office, coordinated and arranged the special event while
displaying an array of personal vocal and musical talents.
The Florida Education Fund’s (FEF) mission is
to strengthen the larger community by creating and implementing programs
and services that lead to institutional enhancement and greater
educational advancement for historically underrepresented groups. If you are interested in receiving more information about the
FEF, or applying for the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship, contact Mr. Charles
E. Jackson, MDF Program Coordinator, at (813) 272-2772 or via Email at
“Fef.jackson@verizon.net”. |