Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorDecember 3, 2014

It’s final-exam week at the University of Central Florida — and at many other Florida colleges and universities. Students have returned to campus after the Thanksgiving break, bellies full of turkey and trimmings, heads full of anxiety as big tests loom and grades hang in the balance. For faculty, there’s a heady rush of knowing […]

Guest AuthorNovember 20, 2014

We’ve probably all had the song It’s a Small World stuck in our heads after visiting Fantasyland at Walt Disney World. This simple song highlights how we all are connected, and was created to promote the message of international peace and inclusion of diversity. Walt Disney sped up the tempo from the original version and […]

Guest AuthorOctober 26, 2014

Recent sports news has been filled with stories about racism, gender violence, child abuse, and concussion-related brain damage for one in three former NFL players. But these bad stories have helped the public focus on broader societal problems. Since Roger Goodell became the NFL commissioner in 2006, law enforcement authorities have pursued 50 domestic-violence cases […]

Martin DyckmanOctober 1, 2014

In considering the exploitation of college athletes, it’s usually about how little they share of the stupendous wealth they generate for the big football and basketball programs. Not much is said about the risks they take. In that regard, it would be hard to find a worse case than what happened to Ereck Plancher and […]

Bob SparksOctober 1, 2014

In April 2012 the United States Secret Service took a big hit. A public relations torpedo exploded when agents on the presidential detail, along with supervisors, were found to have cavorted with prostitutes in Cartegena, Colombia. All of this occurred shortly before President Barack Obama was set to arrive. An investigation revealed this type of […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 23, 2014

We live in a fast-paced society, driven by technology and air conditioners. What would be the motivation for someone to get outside their box and go outside? I have spent most of my life outdoors. I identify with nature; it is my home. But too many miss the opportunity to understand the value and relationship […]

Guest AuthorMay 7, 2014

There’s been a lot of chatter lately about the attempt by some Northwestern University athletes to unionize. I’m a diehard football fan. I’m a football season-ticket holder and I attend any events that show support for the University of Central Florida program. Critics say the NCAA is greedy. They cite the association’s lucrative TV deals, […]

Guest AuthorApril 30, 2014

I’m saddened by the fact that electronic communication has seemingly replaced the letter. I consider the work of the U.S. Postal Service one of the greatest values around today. To have a letter go 3,000 or more miles in a couple of days at a piddling cost amazes me. It costs me as much in […]

Guest AuthorApril 10, 2014

A big part of my day is spent thinking about improving business strategy and developing a competitive advantage. It’s what I do in the classroom, as director of the University of Central Florida’s executive development center, and when I help other businesses. It even spills over into the cycling club I manage. In my way […]

Shannon NickinsonApril 2, 2014

It’s hard to think when you’re hungry. It’s an old adage. Ask any teacher at a school with lots of students who are eligible for free-and reduced-price lunch and they will tell about the limits of the attention span of a hungry youngster. Who knew you could apply the same adage to our college students? […]

Tag: University of Central Florida
The Yankees organization is generous with Helene relief in Florida. Image via AP.

Rick Brunson: Listen up – this is the most meaningful part of my job

Alaina Bernard: It’s a small world after all – and we’re all connected

Richard Lapchick: Sports scandals put focus on many of society’s problems

Martin Dyckman: Court to decide if college athletic programs can keep immunity

Bob Sparks: Florida’s Pierson quits as Secret Service boss after White House breach

Alaina Bernard: Get outside the box – and go outside!

Joe Culotta: College athletes should be grateful for their scholarships

UCF Forum’s Rich Sloane: U.S. Postal Service gets my stamp of approval

Bob Porter: Strategic thinking applies to both business, individual lives

Shannon Nickinson: Some college students can barely afford to eat