±«Óătv World VP Kiki Caruson with newest alums from University of Exeter.
Winston Churchill first coined the term “special relationship” when talking about the uniquely close ties between the United States and Great Britain. The University of South Florida didn’t exist when the phrase was coined some 80 years ago, but ±«Óătv has forged its own enduring British connections.
The special relationship is bolstered by ±«Óătv’s 700 alumni who live in the UK, its 230 faculty members who have engaged in research, business, or creative endeavors in the UK and through its partnerships with five leading British universities. The ±«Óătv in London experience underpins the relationship as a flagship study abroad program that over 1,800 ±«Óătv students have participated in since it launched in 2013.
However, beyond these impressive numbers, there is something deeper to celebrate.
On June 26, more than 50 ±«Óătv alumni joined over 130 ±«Óătv students and their faculty
to kick off the ±«Óătv in London program in style. The welcome dinner was filled with
countless surprise alumni reunions and numerous opportunities for students to connect
with accomplished professionals from various fields.
The alumni’s enthusiasm was palpable and inspired ±«Óătv students and faculty alike.
The ±«Óătv World team was thrilled to learn about their amazing careers since leaving
±«Óătv and forged many wonderful connections that will benefit future ±«Óătv in London programs.
David Mearns addresses fellow alums and ±«Óătv in London students.
Attendees heard remarks from renowned shipwreck hunter and prominent alum David Mearns.
They listened attentively as he spoke about his recent Shackleton discovery and when
he credited ±«Óătv for his successful career. He joked that he is a “proud graduate of
a school he could not get into today.” Mr. Mearns was so touched by the event, the
following day he spearheaded a fundraising effort to help ±«Óătv meet its goal of raising
the final $5,000 needed to endow the study abroad scholarship.
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The crowd of Bulls also heard from former ±«Óătv in London student, Sarah Glaser who
went on to pursue her graduate studies at the London School of Economics and Royal
Holloway through a Fulbright grant. She announced she’s starting her career in the
UK this fall at WPI Strategy which inspired many of the students to queue up to speak
to her and many alums to welcome her into London’s professional world.
Proud alums Raquel Collazzo and Alex Carratt.
During her closing remarks, ±«Óătv World Vice President, Kiki Caruson expressed sincere gratitude to the ±«Óătv Foundation for hosting alumni for dinner and thanked the ±«Óătv leaders in attendance who are committed to seeing ±«Óătv students succeed at home and abroad.
Leading the ±«Óătv delegation were ±«Óătv St. Petersburg Regional Chancellor Christian Hardigree;
Vice President for Student Success, Cindy DeLuca; College of Arts and Sciences Assoc
Dean Undergrad Studies, Allison Cleveland-Roberts; and Senior Associate Vice President
of Development Kelley Gibson.
±«Óătv is a young university, but its ties to the UK connect it to centuries of knowledge,
history, culture, and art. ±«Óătv offers British exchange students the opportunity to
immerse themselves in an AAU institution in one of the world’s most dynamic, sun-soaked
regions and to become part of the Bulls global family. There’s nothing more special
than that.
Amazing business college reunion with Sefunmi Olatunbosun, Sorya Saoudi, and Jerome Avenel
David Mearns with St. Petersburg Chancellor Christian Hardigree