USF Magazine
Fall 2025
The official magazine of the USF Alumni Association
About the cover: USF President Rhea Law makes a grand entrance to the 2025 USF Alumni Association Green & Gold Gala at The Motor Enclave, just a month after announcing her retirement.
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Dear alumni, friends and supporters of USF,
As president of our great university for the past 4 1/2 years, I have had a front-row seat to many of the accomplishments that have fueled USF’s rise as one of the nation’s leading public research universities.
The stories below feature some of our many highlights, including USF’s membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities, the ranking of our medical school as No. 1 in Florida and the opening of the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing — bolstered by a record-setting gift from alums Arnie and Lauren Bellini. It is because of the commitment of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and many friends that USF is — and will continue to be — on a remarkable trajectory.
A message from your Alumni Association
This month, we marked a special milestone in USF history. With winter commencement, our alumni family has grown to more than 400,000 living graduates. This powerful Bulls network includes leaders in virtually every profession in every corner of the globe. Learn about some of the ways your Alumni Association helps you stay connected to USF and your USF family in this message from Bill McCausland, MBA ’96, vice president and executive director of your Alumni Association.
1. Glowing GREEN
Monica Turner, ’14, left, and her friend Ashley Collins enjoy a green-and-gold afternoon in Tampa’s Ybor City during the 8th annual Bulls Block Party in August. show more
2. It's a Wrap!
Four new murals capture the sunshine, spirit and, yes, even the brazen squirrels and ducks that contribute to the unique culture of USF’s Tampa campus. show more
Our first USF student-to-president reflects on how far we’ve come — and where we’re going
Rhea Law didn’t miss a beat. Preparing to address the crowd at the opening of USF’s Center for Executive and Leadership Education, she adjusted the microphone stand at the podium — and knocked the mic to the floor. “That wasn’t even the mic-drop moment,” she said as she replaced it, drawing laughter from the audience of faculty, staff, and business and community leaders at USF St. Petersburg.
From student and employee to Board of Trustees chair and university president, Rhea Law has played an active role in nearly every era of growth at USF. Known for her collaborative leadership style and bold goals, she has been a popular and rock-steady leader since August 2021.
As she prepares to retire, President Law talks innovation and adventure, fast cars and favorite moments from her long relationship with the university in an exclusive USF magazine video. Here’s an edited excerpt; view the full video by scanning the QR code or going to usf.to/56QPRL.
Watch Here
One student worked as a restaurant server before parlaying her childhood fascination with TV legal dramas into a life-changing law firm internship. Another discovered a passion for community issues in an anthropology internship and now designs city services for a local municipality. A third hopes her cancer research internship leads to a medical career in obstetrics and gynecology.
Meet Erica Chong, Naomi Burton and Lillianna Cwynar. Each of these USF students mirrors a national trend that underscores the value of experiential learning and research through internships. In fact, nearly 67% of graduating seniors last year participated in an internship during college — up from 61% in 2023 and less than 3% in 1980, according to a National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) survey.
Their paid internships resulted in more job offers post-graduation and higher average starting salaries, the survey found.
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You are always such a welcome face here,” Candice Saunders greets Patricia and David, volunteers manning the reception desk at Wellstar Kennestone Cancer Center in Marietta, Georgia. “I wanted to get a picture with you guys.”
“Sure, sure. As many as you’d like,” David says. “I’m honored,” Patricia replies.
“No, no,” Saunders counters. “This is for me to always remember your smiling faces. You’re just wonderful.”
That short exchange showcases the culture Wellstar Health System’s president and CEO has fostered, one where every member of the team is seen and valued.
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He remembers the thrill of running through the Tampa Stadium tunnel for USF’s first football game in 1997; the hard work of laying the program’s foundation; the camaraderie with his teammates; and the pride they all felt in establishing something that would last.
Russell Everitt, an offensive lineman during USF Football’s first two seasons, can hardly believe the program’s progress.
“All the great wins, all the bowl games, all the players who went to the NFL … and now we’re getting our own on-campus stadium?’’ he asks. “Man, have we come a long way or what?’’
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Meet the Dean
Six things to know about Dr. Levi Thompson, our new College of Engineering dean.
CyberBay Summit draws world's experts to Tampa
A vision came to life.
Board greenlights $6.5M STEM expansion at USF Sarasota-Manatee
The STEM academic facility will be approximately 7,000 square feet.
‘He had a short life, but he'll have a big legacy’
A mother ensures her son’s entrepreneurial spirit carries on.
First CEO of Athletics brings passion, purpose and a stellar track record
This wasn’t just an introduction. It was more like a premiere.
With his typical theatrical flair and a resounding call to action, Rob Higgins, ’01, took the reins as USF’s first CEO of Athletics, a position that will entail much more than the traditional skill set of a collegiate athletic director.
After 25 years leading USF’s winning women’s basketball program, Jose Fernandez left Tampa in early November to take over as head coach of the WNBA’s Dallas Wings.
“It was not an easy decision by any means, but I am excited,’’ he said.
Unveiled: On-campus stadium’s TGH Center for Athletic Excellence
The TGH Center for Athletic Excellence, the future home of USF Football operations, will include a grand two-story lobby, state-of-the-art weight room and sports science lab — just a few highlights revealed in renderings released in November. A central component of the on-campus stadium, currently under construction, the center will also include sports medicine and recovery facilities, a training table dining area and special amenities such as a barbershop, recording and mixing studio, nutrition bar and golf simulator.
Five named to Athletic Hall of Fame
Three standout student-athletes and two head coaches were inducted into the USF Athletic Hall of Fame on Oct. 2. The new inductees are:
Amir Abdur-Rahim* — beloved men’s basketball coach named 2024 and Honorary 2025 AAC Coach of the Year, 2023-24
Scott Hemond — highest Major League Baseball draft selection in program history, baseball, 1984-86
Kitija Laksa — record-setting scorer who led the Bulls to three NCAA Tournament appearances, women’s basketball, 2015-19
Jim Leavitt — first USF football coach who led the Bulls to a No. 2 national ranking in 2007 and five straight bowl games, 1997-2009
Kawika Mitchell — program career tackles record-holder for 15 years and NFL Super Bowl XLII Champion, football, 1999-2002
*Awarded posthumously
From its founding in 1956 to its present position as a powerhouse of innovation, research and community impact, USF has never stopped moving boldly forward. As we prepare to celebrate USF’s 70th anniversary in 2026, we’re honoring the people, moments and milestones that shaped our journey — and looking ahead to what comes next.
We want to hear from you.
Share your favorite USF memories, photos and stories — whether it’s a snapshot from your first day on campus, a moment of personal triumph or a glimpse of your Bull pride. Your story is our university’s story.
Submit your USF photos and stories at usf.to/USF70 or email to foundationcomm@usf.edu.
Let’s celebrate 70 Years of Bold, together.
