MELBOURNE, FLA.—The Richmond-Times Dispatch reports Maj. Gen. Mitchell H. Stevenson, Fort Lee's commander, has been nominated to become the Army's top logistician. To see the article, go to http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/search.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-03-12-0088.html.

MELBOURNE, FLA.—See the front page of Florida Today and the front page of that paper’s business section. To read the articles online, go to http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071019/NEWS01/710190347/1006 and http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071019/BUSINESS/710190330/1003.

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Ryan Stansifer talks about the digital Smiley Face anniversary. To see the story, go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20829611/.

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Florida Tech took most of the top spots in this year's Leadership Development Assessment Course. For details, go to http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007709170316.

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Richard Ford is quoted in a story about the 25^th anniversary of first computer virus that appears on Fox News online at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,295813,00.html.

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Richard Ford was interviewed live July 13, 2007, on “Talk of the Nation” on the 25^th anniversary of the first computer virus. To listen to the interview, go to http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11954260. A paper he co-wrote on this topic is featured in “Scientific American” at http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=C0C3AC3C-E7F2-99DF-39AA1A7175A11775&sc=I100322 and “Science” at www.ScienceMag.org.

PACE, Fla. – Sophomore Daniela Iacobelli kept her eye on the big prize and grabbed the goal with the most consistent scoring for the 72-hole course, four-round tournament as she became the 2007 NCAA Division II National Women’s Golf Champion at the medalist spot.

Iacobelli became the first golfer participating as an individual to earn medalist honors. After starting the day tied for first place, Iacobelli eagled the par five 10th hole and followed with a birdie on the par three 12th en route to the title. She finished the tournament with a five-over 293 (72-74-73-74).

"It was very challenging because it was just me without the support of my teammates," said Iacobelli. "After my round, I was pacing the clubhouse and preparing for a possible playoff by practicing on the putting green. The course was nice, but it was hard when it was hot. The greens were tricky and the pin placement was difficult.

Despite her incredible season play and topping the conference tourney, Iacobelli has proven being snubbed by the SSC voters for this season’s All Conference Team has not effective her play. She has definitely earned her spot to play with the best in the country.

One of the best moments of her four day play cam today when for the second day straight Iacobelli eagled the 10th hole after an on credible drive that landed uphill from the green and she chipped it in for the second straight day. She played two of the four eagles of the 2007 NCAA National Championships.

Iacobelli, a sophomore Business Administration major, earlier last month won the 2007 SSC Women’s Golf Championship Medalist Honors after a play-off at their home course of the Duran Golf Club in Viera, Florida. She (80-73-73=226) won a four-hole playoff over Nova Southeastern Maria Garcia-Austt (81-70-75=226) to claim women's medalist accolades. She was Tech’s first ever women’s golfer to make the all-tournament team as well.

She is a two-year member of the four year old program as well as the 2006 SSC Women’s Freshman Golfer of the Year as a local standout golfer from Satellite Beach High School. Iacobelli strived under the play-off pressure after grabbing par on the 10 thru 13 holes to overcome Austt in the final hole with a 2 putt finish to her competitor’s three putt finish.

Daniela’s career low round is 71 and has won two collegiate tournaments in her short career. She is currently ranked #1 in the Nation by GolfStat for par 5 scoring with a 4.91 as well as subpar strokes per round at 2.88.

“I knew she could do it…she is a special gal with a special talent….I have been privileged to be part of her success,” said Panther’s Head Coach Janie Farina. “This is a big milestone in my life to see Daniela earn the highest honors any collegiate golfer can win especially coming into the tournament as a long shot.”

Another individual, Maria Garcia Austt of Nova Southeastern finished second with a six-over 294 (71-79-70-74). A pair of Florida Southern golfers earned the third and fourth positions. Lindsey Bergeon finished at seven-over 295 (72-74-74-75), while teammate Heather Burgner carded an eight-over 296 (75-72-74-75). Drury's Tonya Choate, who started the final round tied for the lead, rounded out the top five with a nine-over 297 (76-72-71-78). See Picture to left for top three finishers: Lindsey Bergeon (3rd), Iacobelli (1st) and Austt (2nd).

"This was our ultimate goal, and it has been a long time coming," said Bergeon. "We all picked up each other up when we needed to. The goal was to win as a team. I would trade in an individual title for a team title any day."

For the fourth time since 2000, Florida Southern has claimed the NCAA Division II Women's Golf National Championship. Top-ranked Florida Southern completed their victory after Saturday's final round at Stonebrook Golf Club.

After not qualifying as a team at last year's national championships, Florida Southern claimed their 26th national championship in school history. The win also ended Rollins streak of four consecutive national championships.

Despite shooting over 300 for the first time on Saturday, Florida Southern finished with a 36-over 1,188. Second-ranked Rollins made a late push in the final round, shaving five strokes off of the Florida Southern lead. The Tars finished second with a 46-over 1,198. Sixth-ranked Ferris State completed the tournament in third place with a 76-over 1,228.

Rounding out the field was Drury (+85 1,237) in fourth place. Thirteenth-ranked Tarleton State (+100 1,252) placed fifth, while 27th ranked North Dakota (+103 1,255) earned a sixth place finish. Fourteenth-ranked Northeastern State (+124 1,276) ended the tournament in seventh place, and 42nd ranked Truman State (+143 1,295) was in eighth place.

For all the final results and statistics of the 2007 NCAA DII Women’s National Championships click here: http://www.golfstatresults.com/public/index.cfm?tournament_id=969  

For the full release with photos: http://gopanthers.fit.edu/uploads/14007_2007/IacobelliNationalChampion.pdf  

MELBOURNE, FLA.— Governor Charlie Crist was the guest speaker at the Spring Conference of the Florida Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (FACTE) hosted by the Florida Tech Department of Science and Mathematics Education March 29-30. To see the article, go to http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007703310341.

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Article about Amazonian rainforest populations discusses climate change research conducted by Mark Bush. To read the story, go to http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/columnist/vergano/2007-02-25-amazonia_x.htm.  

MELBOURNE, FL— Florida Tech Athletics Director Bill Jurgens has announced that Qi Wang (pronounced Chee Wong) has been hired to assume the position of head volleyball coach at Florida Tech. Wang is the ninth volleyball coach hired in the program’s 21-year history, since its inception in 1986.

“I look forward to working with Coach Wang in the development of Florida Tech volleyball. There is no doubt that the Sunshine State Conference has the strongest NCAA Division II volleyball programs in the country, and it is our desire to be able to compete at this high level. I am confident that Coach Wang is the right person to help us accomplish this goal,” said Jurgens.

Wang leaves his current position at Northern Michigan University in Marquette after coaching the Wildcats for two seasons (2005-06). With Northern Michigan, Coach Wang led the Wildcats to consecutive winning seasons. He is currently ranked among the top 10 current NCAA Division II coaches with a career .804 winning percentage. Prior to the 2006 season, Wang held the number two spot in the NCAA II with a .836 winning percentage. He currently holds a 164-40 overall coaching record in six seasons.

“I am excited to take on a new program that is located within one of the top volleyball conferences in the nation, along with the opportunity to work at a great academic institution--not to mention the favorable Florida weather,” stated Wang.

Before taking on the position at Northern Michigan, Wang spent eight seasons (1997-2004) at Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. During his initial four campaigns (1997-2000) with the Bulldogs, Wang was the assistant coach, before assuming the head coaching position for his final four years (2001-04), with Truman, amassing an overall record of 133-17 (.887).

Wang assumes a Florida Tech program that finished with a disappointing 2-30 overall record in 2006, as he looks to revive the program’s success. “ I have realistic goals for the next year to try to evaluate the players’ skills and push towards a winning season,” stated Wang. “I will be looking for 100% effort both academically and athletically from the student-athletes…well-balanced student-athletes are the ultimate keys to success.”

During his tenure at Truman, Wang was 60-4 (.938) in conference matches and led the Bulldogs to three MIAA regular-season crowns, two MIAA tournament championships and three South Central Regional titles. Truman advanced to the NCAA II Elite Eight three times and played in the championship match twice during his stay in Kirksville. From 2001-04, the Truman volleyball team was a fixture in the AVCA Top 25, reaching a high ranking of second in the nation.

Wang led Truman to its most successful season in school history, as the Bulldogs went 37-1 in 2004. The team remained undefeated until post-season play when they faced Sunshine State Conference rival Barry University in the national championship match, falling to the Buccaneers.

For his efforts, Wang was named the 2002 AVCA NCAA II National Coach of the Year. In addition, he was recognized as the Mid-America Athletic Association Coach of the Year three times in 2001, 2003 and 2004. He was also awarded AVCA South Central Regional Coach of the Year accolades three times in 2001, 2003 and 2004.

Wang coached eight All-Americans including two first-team members. Sarah Shearman, the 2003 AVCA National Freshman of the Year was one of his recruits and stand-out student-athletes. In four years as the head coach at Truman, 12 of Wang’s players earned all-region honors, while also capturing 24 all-conference awards. Twice, he had a player named the MIAA Most Valuable Player, while also coaching two players to the MIAA Freshman of the Year award.

He began his coaching career at Normal University in China in 1983, where he remained until 1985. He was recruited to instruct Sport Science along with assume the head coaching position at Dalian University of Technology in 1987, where he continued at the prestigious Chinese institutuion until 1994.

Personally, Wang earned his undergraduate degree in Sports Science with a specialization in volleyball from Beijing Sports University of China in 1983. He continued on earning a Master of Education at Beijing in Teaching Theory & Methods in Volleyball in 1987. Wang was a player in China on the elite professional and collegiate teams.

Wang eventually came the United State on a collegiate exchange program and earned his second post-graduate degree at Eastern New Mexico University in 1997 receiving a Master of Science degree in the coaching of sports.

He has published and presented more than 30 scholastic and scientific papers relating to volleyball, sports science and physical education in the leading Chinese and international professional journals and conferences. One of the magazines in which Wang has had articles published is Volleyball and Science, which is recognized as one of the most valuable training guides in China, from 1985-94.

“Future goals include building an elite program,” said Wang. I feel Florida Tech has a bright future with a clear path towards both academic and athletic excellence.”

In the classroom, Wang’s student-athletes at Truman had a 100% graduation rate. A total of 25 of his student- athletes at Truman were named to the MIAA commissioner’s academic honor roll. In 2001-02, the Truman team received the AVCA/Molten Team Academic award after maintaining a 3.45 team GPA.

Wang officially begins at Florida Tech on February 5th, 2007. Along with wife Shelly (Xiao-Xin), Wang will reside in the Melbourne area. The Wangs have one son, George, a recent graduate of Truman State.

-Panthers-

Therapy motivates autistic children. Read more at http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006611280310.

Melbourne, Fla.—Florida Tech's flight school adds new curriculum to attract more students. See the Florida Today story at http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061120/BUSINESS/611200312/1003.

U.S. News and World Report ranks Florida Tech as one of America's Best Colleges for 2007. Go to http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/directory/brief/drglance_1469_brief.php for more information.

Mark Bush's climate change research is featured in the Smithsonian magazine. Go to http://www.smithsonianmagazine.com/issues/2006/august/andes.php?page=1 to read the story.

Sunita Williams, a graduate of Florida Tech, is scheduled for a mission to the International Space Station. Read the story at http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060726/NEWS02/607260373/1007.