5 Things to Know About USF St. Petersburg

Therapy dogs ease the stress of exam week

About 10 therapy dogs helped relieve the stress of exam week at Nelson Poynter Memorial Library Wednesday, Dec. 12. The dogs were from the Pinellas County chapter of Therapy Dogs International. Interim Regional Chancellor Bill Hogarth waived the normal restrictions regarding dogs on campus for the event. "We're always looking for ways to help students be successful and we saw this as a new way to reach out to them,'' said Carol Hixson, Dean of the Poynter Library. About 100 students turned out for the event. Read more. The event attracted local news coverage: WTVT | tampabay.com | WUSF

Pinellas legislators hear support for College of Business, SunBay Math

The Pinellas County Legislative Delegation met at the University Student Center Wednesday and heard strong support for the construction of a building for the College of Business and continued funding for SunBay Digital Mathematics. Chris Steinocher, president of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, said the projects are the chamber's top two legislative priorities, and College of Business students Lazar Anderson and Josh Moushon discussed the importance of a building for the College of Business. Read more.

Adjunct professor named St. Petersburg assistant police chief

A USF St. Petersburg adjunct professor is now an assistant chief at the St. Petersburg Police Department, the highest ranking woman in the agency. Melanie Bevan, Ph.D., a 26-year veteran of the department, was sworn in as assistant chief last week, overseeing the Administrative Services Bureau and the Executive Operations Division. She also served as the city's point person in planning for the Republican National Convention. She teaches a practicum course through the  Bishop Center for Ethical Leadership and Civic Engagement at USFSP on community leadership, an issue she says is vitally important for young people and in police work. Read more.

Kappa Alpha Tau journalism honor society inducts first members

The first members of Kappa Alpha Tau, USFSP's new journalism honor society, were inducted during a ceremony Dec. 7 at the historic Williams House. Eight charter members were inducted -- three graduate students and five undergraduates. Only students in the top 10 percent of their class are invited. Kappa Tau Alpha (KTA) is the seventh oldest national honor society in the United States, founded in 1910 at the country's first journalism school, the University of Missouri. The Greek letters mean "The Truth Will Prevail."

Bill Hogarth's blog: 2012 a year of accomplishments

Interim Regional Chancellor Bill Hogarth's latest 'burg Blog is a holiday message to the USFSP community. "I just want to take a moment during this Holiday Season to thank all of you for making the past four months extremely enjoyable," he writes. "Although I felt very intimidated when asked by President Genshaft to be the Interim Regional Chancellor for USF St. Petersburg, all of you -- faculty, students and staff -- have been very helpful as we continue to move forward in the path set by my predecessor, Dr. Margaret Sullivan." Read more.

Fall Commencement is Sunday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Mahaffey Theater. The university will close Dec. 24 through Jan. 1. Classes begin Jan. 7. HarborNotes will take a holiday, too. Five Things to Know about USF St. Petersburg returns Jan. 11.