Around Campus
In this issue:

Name Calling Practically speaking, the speech professor was the perfect choice. Who better to call out the names of graduates as they march across stage to receive their diplomas? (read more below)

Blockbuster Partnership The company behind the groundbreaking visuals for blockbuster films like Titanic and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is teaming up with FSU's renowned film school to develop a new digital media enterprise to be located in West Palm Beach. (read more below)

Garnet and Gold Scholars At Florida State, being engaged in various activities outside of the classroom is a pursuit in which a growing number of students choose to invest themselves, and the investment now has a formal designation: the Garnet and Gold Scholars Society. (read more below)

Name Calling
By Scott Atwell

Practically speaking, the speech professor was the perfect choice. Who better to call out the names of graduates as they march across stage to receive their diplomas? At least that's the story Mark Zeigler (M.S. '89) would like to believe, but he fears the alternative may be closer to the truth.

"It's a terrible job," he says in his trademark deadpan humor. "People will say to me, 'How did they talk you into this? What did you do to deserve it?'"

In Olympic terms, the job is a marathon. FSU graduates nearly 5,000 students per semester, spread out over three ceremonies, and Zeigler must read twelve to fifteen hundred names per clip. On the fly. Without preparation.

"I asked the commencement director if I could get the names in advance, but she said it wouldn't make any difference," says Zeigler, who was honored with the University's Distinguished Teaching Award in 2009. "She was right."

As students reach the podium they hand Zeigler a handwritten card. He has two seconds to analyze the information then pronounce the name, type of degree and associated honors. 

"So you're dealing with 1,200 types of penmanship and phonetic spellings."

While Zeigler feigns discomfort, the work does take a physical toll. But then again, he's used to going the extra mile, teaching as many as 500 students per semester while directing several honors theses and doctoral dissertations. His "Fundamentals of Speech" course is consistently lauded by students as the favorite class of their college careers.

A member of the Florida State faculty since 1993, Zeigler has worn a number of hats at FSU, including assistant dean for student affairs in the College of Communication and summer director of Florida State's London program. The commencement gig doesn't pay a dime, but the 47-year-old professor walks away with something of priceless value.

"It's kind of cool to teach hundreds of students and then watch them walk by from seat 1A at graduation and see their expressions and just how excited they are."

Well said.

Blockbuster Partnership

The company behind the groundbreaking visuals for blockbuster films like Titanic and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is teaming up with FSU's renowned film school to develop a new digital media enterprise to be located in West Palm Beach. The collaboration with Digital Domain Media Group includes the development of a new facility and institute that will result in new educational opportunities, high-tech research programs, high-paying jobs and an economic boost for the state of Florida.

According to John Textor, chairman of the Digital Domain Media Group, the decision to open a studio in Florida was an easy one based on the unmatched quality of film-industry professionals produced by Florida State's College of Motion Picture Arts and the support of the West Palm Beach community.

"Florida State's film school graduates are excellent storytellers, and story is the key to our business," said Textor. "Floridians just now seem to be learning what leading filmmakers already know — that the quality of Florida State film school graduates' creative work is among the very best in the country."

The creation of a jointly operated Digital Domain Institute will provide rare opportunities for undergraduate students enrolled in Florida State's College of Motion Picture Arts. Students will be able to work side-by-side with top industry professionals and become "Digital Domain Certified" in an area of professional specialization of their choice. The college will establish a new Bachelor of Fine Arts major specifically related to digital media production and a new digital media research center that will focus on industry-sponsored applied research.

"Imagine being a film student and having the opportunity to work on a blockbuster film like Tron: Legacy before graduation alongside top digital artists in the world," Florida State College of Motion Picture Arts Dean Frank Patterson said. "These are the types of golden opportunities that educators like me absolutely dream about for their students."

Garnet and Gold Scholars

At Florida State, being engaged in various activities outside of the classroom is a pursuit in which a growing number of students choose to invest themselves, and the investment now has a formal designation: the Garnet and Gold Scholars Society.  On the evening of April 21, President Eric J. Barron (B.S. '73) lauded the inaugural class of 31 Garnet and Gold Scholars, which recognizes students who participate in three out of five areas of engagement — leadership, internship, service, international experience or research.

"You have been pioneers in undertaking this unique initiative — a distinction that will reflect your talents, your motivation, your achievement and your drive throughout the years after graduation," Barron said. "You have proven that you are leaders, and we hope generations of Florida State students will follow your lead and become members of the Garnet and Gold Scholars Society."

Vice President for Student Affairs Mary Coburn (B.A. '74, M.S. '76, Ed.D. '92) praised the students not only for their engagement in the university community but also for their commitment to representing Florida State around the world.

"One of President Barron's main goals when he became president of Florida State was to make FSU the most student-centered campus in the country, and we are confident that this program will assist us in reaching this aspiration," Coburn said.

Each student received a Garnet and Gold Scholar Society medal, which was handcrafted by the university's Master Craftsman Studio.

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