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”.