Computer science alumnus works on NASA project

In 1969, walking on the moon was considered “one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” In 2013, it’s possible that this statement may be recapitulated as “one small step for a humanoid, two giant leaps for mankind.” University of West Florida alumnus John Carff, a research associate at the Florida Institute […]

UWF alum featured in New York Times for electronic invention

A self-described “serial entrepreneur,” UWF graduate Augi Lye has accomplished more than the average 31-one-year old. In early 2007, only one year after graduating from UWF with a degree in electrical engineering, Lye launched ToneRite, Inc. The company, which was recently featured in The New York Times, specializes in providing musicians with advanced play-in devices. […]

Alumni profile – Joe Martin: “The Educator Motivator”

When Joe Martin Jr., a 1990 communications arts graduate of UWF, was 17, he devised a 33-year plan for his future. Though his career reflects little of what was outlined in his original plan, he is not complaining. He would not complain anyway – he’s a motivational speaker. For the past eight years, Martin, based […]

From UWF to CIO of Fortune 500 company

The University of West Florida has thousands of successful alumni. Tom Keiser is no exception. Keiser graduated in 1988 with a bachelor’s in systems science – Business (equivalent to the current management information systems degree program). Today, he is the executive vice president and chief information officer for Gap Inc. responsible for the technology organization […]

Nominations sought for Annual Alumni Awards

The University of West Florida National Alumni Association is gearing up for their 2010 Annual Alumni Awards Recognition Program, which will take place Saturday, March 27 on UWF’s Main Campus in the Conference Center. All alumni and friends are invited to attend the event. The program serves to recognize those who work to help and promote […]

Career Services caters to job-hunting seniors, alumni and others

Soon-to-be-graduates need not fret if they are without a job, but they do need to pay a visit to Career Services on campus. “We try to provide the tools necessary for their next step, whatever that next step might be, whether that is getting a job or attending graduate school,” Lauren Loeffler, director of Career […]

System science alumna: 30 years later

Since graduating from the University of West Florida in 1979 with bachelor degrees in math and systems science, alumna Diane Bourg has enjoyed a diverse career. From working on satellite tracking and control, to computer telephony, to hot air ballooning, she attributes her education for enabling her to engage in such scientific pursuits. Bourg reflects […]

The thrill is not gone for bestselling alumnus author

After spending a number of years as a freelance writer reviewing fiction for newspapers, University of West Florida Alumnus Joe Moore had an epiphany. He started to believe that he could write books as well as many of the writers whose work he was reading. His novel conviction combined with immense creativity has led him […]

Math skills pay off for computer science alumnus

Leave it to a computer science major to dream of designing electronic circuitry. University of West Florida alumnus Stephen McGourty, ’85, turned this dream into his reality. Now, McGourty works for Boeing, the world’s leading aerospace company. He works at the enterprise level projecting network traffic using a software system that he invented. He attributes […]

UWF alumna makes an impact on her students

The thought of becoming a teacher occurred at a young age for Amanda Lagergren,’07. When she was an elementary school student, she would silently critique her teachers, thinking about the ways she would do things differently. However, it wasn’t until a few years after graduating from college that she realized she wanted to make teaching […]

UWF alumnus appointed to State Board of Accountancy

University of West Florida accounting alumnus and Destin business leader Steve Riggs, ’76, a partner and member of the executive committee of Carr-Riggs-Ingram, one of the largest accounting firms in the United States, was recently appointed to the Florida State Board of Accountancy by Gov. Charlie Crist. Riggs will serve a four-year term in the […]

UWF alumna named Woman of the Year in technology

Working to troubleshoot an antenna that’s going to orbit our planet or personally mentoring an up-and-coming engineer, it’s no wonder Theresa Brunasso, ’82, was named “Woman of the Year in Technology” by the Georgia-based organization Women in Technology (WIT). With an unwavering commitment to the professional development of women in engineering, the University of West […]