WNDB talk show April 7, DSC News-Journal Center

Features: DSC president, home improvement experts 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 4, 2016) – The Marc Bernier Show on Thursday, April 7, will air

live from 3 to 6 p.m. at Daytona State College’s News-Journal Center in Daytona Beach. The show features a conversation with DSC President Tom LoBasso, followed by experts discussing house design and projects to improve your home.

The special series of WNDB 93.5FM/1150 AM’s Marc Bernier Show hosted by DSC focuses on community topics of interest, news, wide-ranging guests and call-in time for listeners.

Following President LoBasso in the 3-4 p.m. hour, Bernier will chat with three Daytona State professors on topics related to home building and renovation.

• Professor Bethany Creamer is assistant chair of the School of Building and Architectural
  
  Technology; a licensed interior designer, Aging-in-Place Specialist and advisor for Team Daytona Beach, a partnership between DSC and Embry Riddle to design and build a solar house for the international 2017 Solar Decathlon competition. 
• Professor Anne-Marie Muldowney is a civil structural engineer and specializes in “Sustainable Development” green architecture; she teaches full time for the School of Building and Architectural Technology; she is also an advisor for Team Daytona Beach in the Solar Decathlon competition.
• Instructor Michael Taylor is an expert in home construction – and built his own home from the ground up; he teaches DSC’s new construction certificate in the College of Workforce, Continuing and Adult Education; his 20 years of teaching include shop, woodworking and construction. He has a degree in Vocational Education from Cornell University. 

In addition to news of the day, Bernier will feature home renovation expert Carl Bernier and other professionals in the building and construction industry.

Listeners are welcome to attend or call in. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. to the Elaine & Thurman Gillespy Jr. Theatre at the News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St.

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DSC Phi Theta Kappa chapter again earns prestigious five-star designation

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 28, 2016) – For the second straight year, the Mu Rho chapter of

the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society at Daytona State College has been named a Five-Star chapter by the Missouri-based national honor society, founded in 1918 to recognize and encourage scholarship and service among two-year college students.

Earning the five-star designation is the most exclusive status a chapter can achieve.

“This is fantastic news for our college and our students,” said DSC President Tom LoBasso. “Earning the prestigious five-star designation two years in a row reflects on the character and quality of our PTK students, as well as their individual commitment to excellence, leadership and service. It also acknowledges the efforts of our faculty and club advisors who dedicate themselves to fostering academic excellence and integrity in our students inside and outside the classroom.”

The five-star designation recognizes PTK chapters for student engagement, both on campus and in the community. As part of its five-star efforts this year, Mu Rho hosted bowling and movie nights benefitting the Conklin Center for the Blind, participated in fundraisers for the American Heart Association and Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, and helped sponsor blood drives on campus. The chapter also packaged 10,000 meals as part of the national Stop Hunger Now initiative, and launched an academic research project called Honors in Action focusing on frontiers in astrobiology.

Chapter advisor Steven Pruitt said the Mu Rho chapter is always seeking new members. To be eligible for PTK membership, DSC students must have at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and must have completed 12 semester hours. Members are eligible for over $87 million in scholarship opportunities from the national PTK organization, as well as from partnering four-year colleges, universities and foundations.

This year’s Mu Rho chapter officers are Jacob Swaggerty, president; Danjha Leon, vice president; Kelcie Knapp, vice president of membership;  Adedoyin Adepegba, secretary; Christopher Gow, treasurer; Ryan Kirby, parliamentarian; and Dave Masaitis, vice president of communication.

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DSC to offer Advanced Technical Certificate in Project Management

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 29, 2016) - Beginning fall semester, Daytona State College will offer a new Advanced Technical Certificate in Project Management, a credential that is highly prized

by employers seeking skilled managers in a wide range of industries.

The 25-credit-hour program can be taken as part of Daytona State’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management (BAS) degree or as a stand-alone certificate for anyone who has already earned a two-year associate degree.

“This is a highly sought-after credential,” said Daytona State President Tom LoBasso, who noted that an advisory committee of area business leaders working with the college’s School of Management has affirmed that employees with project management skills are in high demand locally. “The creation of this advanced technical certificate program is a direct result of Daytona State working with our local business partners to help our area economy grow and diversify.”

The program consists of two existing courses offered within the BAS degree program, plus six new program-specific courses that cover such topics as scheduling and logistics, quality management, business process analysis, project risk management and more. Students can sit for eight different industry certifications as they move through the certificate program. Financial aid is available.

Project managers generally plan, coordinate, implement and finalize complex projects according to specific standards, deadlines and budgets. They may be responsible for launching new products, managing construction projects or manufacturing processes, implementing new technical systems or standardizing procedures to ensure quality control throughout a product lifecycle.

The average salary range for experienced project managers in the Orlando Metro area is $100,246 to $153,479, based on the published Robert Half’s Technology Salary Guide.

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DSC, Embry-Riddle Partner in U.S. Dept. of Energy's Solar Decathlon 2017

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 1, 2016) - A group of Daytona State College and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students is among just 16 collegiate teams worldwide selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Energy's prestigious Solar Decathlon 2017 competition. The contest challenges students to design and build solar-powered houses that are affordable, innovative and highly energy-efficient.

"This is a great opportunity for our students from both schools to showcase their talents and pool the knowledge they've gained in their studies to do well in this competition," said DSC President Dr. Tom LoBasso. "It's a testament to the great things that can happen when our institutions work in partnership to create a collaborative learning experience for students."

"The Solar Decathlon puts students' classroom skills to the test in a real-life project that exemplifies teamwork across the disciplines of science, engineering, green technology and mathematics," said Embry-Riddle Interim President Dr. John R. Watret. "Our partnership with Daytona State College combines our unique strengths and provides our students hands-on experience that will help prepare them to be future leaders in the nation's clean-energy workforce."

The students and faculty advisors who compose Team Daytona Beach, as it has been dubbed, met for the first time last week at DSC’s Advanced Technology College to review preliminary drawings of several house-design options. The floor plans were created by DSC students majoring in architectural and building technology, and interior design, based on collaboration with the Embry-Riddle group of mechanical and civil engineering students.

“Solar Decathlon is among the largest, most complex and most prestigious collegiate competitions in the world,” said Dr. Charles Reinholtz, professor and chair of Embry-Riddle’s Mechanical Engineering Department. “Our selection to participate places us among an elite group of top-ranked universities in the United States and abroad. It also validates the quality and reputation of the partner institutions and the faculty, students and corporate sponsors supporting this effort.”

"We're so excited to work with Embry-Riddle's engineering team in creating this sustainable home," said Bethany Creamer, assistant chair of DSC's School of Building and Architectural Technology. "It's a wonderful opportunity for our students to actually implement what they learn in the classroom."

The preliminary student drawings feature open floor plans with cross ventilation throughout, strategic window placement to draw in natural light and reduce energy consumption, nano-door technology and other features designed for aging in place, sustainability and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Once final renderings are completed, the team will work together on a nearly two-year endeavor to fully design, construct and test the house before shipping and reassembling it at the Solar Decathlon 2017 site, which will be determined sometime before mid-2017.

The teams will be judged on criteria that include architecture, market appeal, engineering, affordability, and energy balance as they gain hands-on experience in clean-energy design.

For the first time since the competition's inception in 2000, Solar Decathlon 2017 teams will be competing for $2 million in prize money to be divided among the top-placed teams.

Learn more about the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2017 at www.solardecathlon.gov.

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Daytona State awarded 5th grant to benefit students of Mexican descent

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 1, 2016) – For the fifth straight year, Mexican and Mexican-American students attending Daytona State College can apply to receive help defraying their educational costs, thanks to a partnership between the college and a Mexico-based non-profit group.

Juntos Podemos (Together We Can) was created by five non-profit organizations in the U.S. and Mexico, headed by the Mexican Entrepreneurs Association in the United States (AEM-USA). Among them is Parents Alliance Inc., which last month granted the college $19,000 to continue a program originally administered through the Mexican government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ IME BECAS program.

Since 2011, Daytona State has received more than $80,000 in IME BECAS grant awards, including matching cash and in-kind services. This year’s award also will see a similar match, including in-kind and cash contributions from longtime partner Sister Cities of Volusia County.

“We are pleased that Juntos Podemos has taken the lead in ensuring that this very worthwhile program continues,” said DSC President Thomas LoBasso. “Many students would not be able to fulfill their dreams of a high school diploma, GED or college degree without the economic assistance this grant provides.”

All totaled, about 100 scholarships will be awarded this year, including 80 Adult Education scholarships and 20 college or vocational credit scholarships.

“We are currently accepting applications,” said Daytona State’s English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Coordinator Kathryn Clark. “Students can use the scholarship award for tuition and expenses such as testing fees, educational supplies and textbooks.”

Clark noted that the grant helps students keep their personal commitment to pursue their education. “Some who have taken ESOL are now in GED, and they are moving up and preparing for futures as college students,” she said, adding that many have had to put their educations on hold for years because they lacked economic resources. “Over the years, I’ve seen the dedication and determination these students have to succeed when they are given the opportunity, and it has been an honor to work with them.”

Grants are provided to educational institutions and non-profit social organizations across the U.S. to train Mexican immigrants and Mexican-Americans interested in continuing their education and jobs skills development. The program’s ultimate goal is to help Mexican communities living abroad to better assimilate into their extended societies by opening doors of economic opportunity through education and workforce training.

Since DSC first began receiving the grant awards in 2011, more than 265 ESOL and GED scholarships, and 42 college scholarships have been given, helping students defray the cost of their studies. Many reside in rural areas on the northwest side of Volusia County, Clark said; although, students from every campus and a variety of programs have received grant benefits.

Last year, 243 students of Mexican origin attended Daytona State, including international students from Mexico and Mexican-American citizens. The vast majority enrolled in the college’s School of Adult Education. All students of Mexican descent are eligible to apply for the IME scholarship.

For information on how to apply for a scholarship, e-mail Clark at Kathryn.Clark@DaytonaState.edu.

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Daytona State presents WWII veterans panel, Feb. 25

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2016) - Daytona State College will host a rare opportunity to experience World War II history from the perspective of those who served, during a panel discussion

on Thursday, Feb. 25, beginning at 7 p.m. at the college’s News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St. in Daytona Beach.

“An Evening of History with World War II Veterans” will feature surviving members of the armed services, most in their 90s, who will speak about their wartime experience, as well as share their wisdom gained from generations of daily living. The event is free and open to the public.

“Opportunities like this become fleeting with time,” said event organizer Julie Miller, a former Daytona State mathematics professor who last year was named professor emeritus by the college. “This will be a wonderful opportunity for us to honor these veterans and for students and the community to have history taught to them by the people who actually experienced it.”

Daytona State President Tom LoBasso, a retired Army National Guard veteran, will open the event and introduce the veteran panelists, who will be interviewed by DSC professor Dr. Ron Morrison. Retired DSC professor Dr. Ram Nayar will serve as moderator.

The veterans confirmed for the panel are:

• Master Sgt. James Edward Robinson, 96, a 30-year veteran of the Marine Corps who was recommended for the Navy Cross for heroic service in Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands and earned a Silver Star for bravery under fire during the infamous Battle of Peleliu. 
• Army 1st Lt. John Morgan Welch, 96, who served in the 4th Infantry Division during the D-Day assault on Utah Beach. After the war, Welch became the publisher of the DeLand Sun newspaper and was the first chairman of the Daytona Beach Junior College District Board of Trustees in 1957.
• Sgt. Kent D. Miller, 90, who joined the Army at age 18 and served with the 102nd Infantry (Ozark) Division, where he trained as a medic. He later joined the 2nd Armored Division, which played a major role in the liberation of Europe. 
• Sgt. Jennie DeAngelis, 93, was one of 150,000 women who served in the Women’s Army Corps and among only 48 who served in combat during the war.
• Pfc. John Brinkley, 87, is the youngest of the panelists and did not turn 17 until eight months after the war. Brinkley volunteered for the Marine Corps in 1946, but was not shipped overseas and left the Marines in 1947, only to later join the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1955 to serve in the Korean War. Today, he is president of the Veteran’s Museum and Education Center, a non-profit organization that promotes awareness of the service and sacrifice of veterans from World War I to the present. The organization is slated to open a new 1,600-ft. museum of military history this spring on Beach Street in downtown Daytona Beach.

For more information on the event, contact Julie Miller, (386) 451-6068, Julie.Miller.math@gmail.com.

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2016 - Daytona State “does it again” - ranks among Best U.S. Online Bachelor’s Programs

4th year running, DSC places in top 10 among prestigious national universities

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 12, 2016) – In an increasingly competitive online world Daytona State College has placed again in the top 10 among hundreds of colleges and universities offering

bachelor degree programs online, according to rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report. Coming in at No. 7, this continues DSC’s prestigious placement in the category.

In the 2016 Top Online Bachelor’s Programs rankings, Daytona State stood among the best based on criteria such as the quality and experience of its faculty, instructional delivery, and student engagement. DSC entered its fully online baccalaureate degrees: the Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management (BAS), Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (BSET) and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT), for the rankings consideration.

“We’re delighted to once again earn a Top-10 ranking, especially with the field becoming more competitive each year,” said President Tom LoBasso. “This recognition for Daytona State reaffirms our delivery of high-quality online bachelor’s programs. Our continued success comes through the shared vision and hard work of our innovative faculty, student-support teams and technical staff.”

Daytona State began offering bachelor’s degrees in 2006 in response to a statewide need to increase Florida’s college-educated workforce. The college now offers 11 bachelor’s programs: the BAS, BSET, BSIT, seven BS in Education degrees and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Over 1,650 baccalaureate students have enrolled in DSC online courses so far this school year. Overall, 12,628 students took online DSC classes during the 2014-2015 academic year.

“Staying on top of best practices for online delivery and faculty training is critical to maintaining our excellent service to students,” said Andrea Reese, chair of online studies at DSC. “We optimize digital platforms to give our online students the best learning experience possible. With many of our students back-to-school working adults, they have as much to learn from each other as they do from faculty. Our online classrooms reflect that; they’re highly interactive and team-oriented, offering engaging and dynamic online learning that teaches applied skills immediately useful in the workplace.”

Dr. Ron Eaglin, head of DSC’s College of Technology, continually credits his faculty and DSC’s student-support services to online BSET and BSIT students for the program’s success. “With our eye on constant enhancement, our support remains second to none, and our faculty embrace the differences with teaching online,” he said. “We’re so proud to make the top rankings again - we’re in great company.”

For more information on the rankings, see U.S. News & World Report 2016 Best Online Education Programs rankings. For more information on Daytona State bachelor’s degree programs, click here.

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This week at Daytona State; WISE (News-Journal Center), home basketball games

Find time this coming holiday weekend for DSC Falcon hoop action in the Lemerand Center:

Lady Falcons (#2 NJCAA Region 8 Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll)
Saturday, Jan. 16, 2 p.m.
vs. Hillsborough Community College

Falcons (#3 NJCAA Region 8 Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll)
Saturday, Jan. 16, 4 p.m.
vs. Daytona Red

Find out what's happening this week at DSC... 

DSC’s spring WISE program presents 15 topics

Including: State of the College, I-4 project, Marineland history, Florida House in D.C. 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 18, 2015) - The Daytona State College Foundation’s Wisdom in Senior Education (WISE) program will feature something to suit everyone’s interests when the spring

season kicks off in January.

Typically held at the college’s Daytona Beach Campus, the first presentation will be held at DSC’s News-Journal Center in downtown Daytona Beach, at 221 N. Beach Street. Dr. Tom LoBasso, president of Daytona State, will discuss the vision and future of the college, including construction projects and the new soccer programs. His talk, DSC - State of the College 2016, is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 2 p.m. in the Davidson Theater.

The remaining WISE presentations will take place at DSC’s Daytona Beach Campus Hosseini Center, 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd., from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 19
Operations of the Florida House
Bart Hudson, a third-generation Floridian from Fort Walton Beach, heads the Florida House, in Washington, D.C. There, he manages the daily operation of Florida’s embassy in our nation’s capital. With over 10,000 visiting Floridians, it is his responsibility to ensure that each receives “gracious, unparalleled hospitality.”

Tuesday, Jan. 26
The Process of Writing the U.S. Constitution 
Dr. Harold “Trey” Orndorff, a DSC professor and expert on the U.S. Constitution, will speak about how the constitution was developed in 1787, and about the ‘Great Compromise,’ with special focus on how the small and large states reconciled their various voting.

Tuesday, Feb. 2
Weather Forecasting in a Florida Climate 
Eric Burris, a member of the WESH-TV staff who delivers the status of Florida weather daily, will present the WESH-TV model of forecasting the local weather including hurricanes, summer lightning storms and tornadoes.

Tuesday, Feb. 9
Cyber Threat and You 
Dr. Philip Craiger is an Engineering Technology professor at DSC with expertise in cybersecurity and cyberforensics. He will discuss the science and technology behind cyber threats and ask the question, “Are we prepared for or are we already in the midst of a deadly new arms race?”

Tuesday, Feb. 16
The Great Seminole Indian War
Dr. Nancy Duke, associate professor in DSC’s School of Behavioral and Social Sciences, presents a fascinating and insightful look at the uniquely successful resistance movement against colonialism, orchestrated by two determined Seminole leaders, Osceola and Abiaki.

Tuesday, Feb. 23
Why Poetry Matters 
Dr. David Axelrod, Poet Laureate of Volusia County, is also director of the Creative Happiness Institute in Daytona Beach, which presents cultural programs. For anyone who likes poetry, he will be preaching to the choir. But, for others, his presentation will inspire them to see poetry differently and better understand this art form.

Tuesday, March 1
Building a Better I-4 
David Parks, public information officer for I-4 Ultimate, will share the importance of the project for Central Florida. The 21-mile makeover, from west of Kirkman Road in Orange County to east of State Road 434 in Seminole County, will transform the region while connecting communities, improving the economy and enhancing livability for everyone.

Tuesday, March 8
Iran vs. the State of Israel 
Leon Van Wert is a published author who has researched the book of revelation in the Bible. His talk will be about the role history has played and his views on the future in the Middle East.

Tuesday, March 22
Taking Digital Photos and Sending Them to your Family 
Winston Belgrave will demonstrate how to take photos with cameras and smart phones, how to save them and then send them to family and friends. Also, he’ll present a how-to on posting and deleting photos on Facebook.

Tuesday, March 29
History of Marineland
Terran McGinnis, co-author of a book about Marineland’s history, will discuss Marineland’s past, with a focus on its start in 1938 as Marine Studios and the making of films, television shows and newsreels at the Oceanarium.

Tuesday, April 5
Your Memory 
Dr. Thomas Kramer, DSC adjunct professor, lecturer and licensed psychologist, asks “How is your memory these days?” Dr. Kramer’s talk addresses memory, from science to personal recollections.

Tuesday, April 12
Neighborhood Crime and How the Community Can Help
Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood will be joined by his command staff to discuss current crime patterns and provide information about how to assist police in preventing and solving crimes in your neighborhood.

Tuesday, April 19
The Conscience of Man 
Ken Tubertini presents an insightful look into the holocaust, discussing Veit Harlan, Lena Riefenstal, Balder von Schirach and Raol Wallenberg. Most people don’t recognize their names, but they played major roles in the holocaust.

Tuesday, April 26
It’s Almost Summertime again; Need Cooking Ideas? 
Executive Chef Costa Magoulis, dean, DSC’s Mori Hosseini College of Hospitality Management, will demonstrate how to prepare fresh summer fare, sharing his expert techniques.

The Foundation created the WISE program to provide continuing education and cultural enrichment activities to senior members of the community. WISE is open to anyone age 50 or older, for $25 for an individual or $45 per couple per year.

Find a complete listing of spring presenters at DaytonaState.edu/wise. For more information, contact Kent Ryan (386) 506-4425, or RyanK@DaytonaState.edu.

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WDSC TV-15 presents Eyes on Education special

Guest - DSC President Tom LoBasso, host - radio personality Marc Bernier

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 18, 2015) – Kicking off the new year, Daytona State College’s WDSC TV-15 presents a special look at higher education with DSC President Tom LoBasso, hosted by local radio personality Marc Bernier.

Featuring affordable pathways to careers and jobs with good pay, the TV special explores the value of education through Daytona State, which has cut tuition by 2 percent following five years of no tuition hikes. From bachelor’s degrees to programs in automotive repair and service, culinary arts, cyberforensics and paralegal certification, Dr. LoBasso and host Bernier discuss a range of in-demand offerings.

The show also points out the growth of athletics at the college, noting the start-up of soccer teams in fall 2016.

Eyes on Education airs in January, with best times of Thursday, Jan. 7, at 7:30 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m. Earlier dates and times are: Sunday, Dec. 27 at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 31, at 9:30 p.m.

Be sure to tune-in to WDSC TV-15: digital TV sets and antennas - 15-1WDSC HD; Bright House Digital - 15WDSC and 1050WDSC HD; Dish Network and Direct TV - 15WDSC; Comcast - 439WDSC HD; and U-verse - 15WDSC.

A public station, WDSC TV-15 strives to be the community’s source for extraordinary programming – the kind that respects your intelligence and your interests. If you enjoy WDSC programming, please consider donating to keep your favorites on the air. Call 1.800.638.9238 or visit DaytonaState.edu/WDSC to donate.

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L. Gale Lemerand receives national Benefactor Award for support of DSC

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 23, 2015) – Well-known businessman L. Gale Lemerand has

received a Council for Resource Development 2015 Benefactor Award for his meaningful and generous support of Daytona State College. Nominated by DSC President Tom LoBasso and DSC Foundation Executive Director Kay Burniston, the self-made entrepreneur was honored with the award during the 49th annual CRD convention held Oct. 28-30 in Washington, D.C.

The CRD, a national advocacy organization, recognizes individuals, foundations or businesses/corporations for outstanding contributions to community colleges. Dedicated to education, Mr. Lemerand has given over $30 million to colleges, including over $1 million to Daytona State.

“Gale Lemerand was a natural for this award, with his years of support and contributions to our college,” said President LoBasso. “He values Daytona State College’s mission and our service to students from all walks of life. We are very grateful for his generosity and interest in our programs, including our business classes and his Entrepreneurial Speaker Series.”

A military veteran who served in the Korean War, Lemerand began his career in sales occupations, realizing a love for business. He began his own business at the age of 40, becoming extremely successful as an entrepreneur. At 81, he has not slowed down. He continues to invest in businesses and gives to many community organizations. In 1996, Florida’s governor appointed him to the District Board of Trustees for, then, Daytona Beach Community College, where he served as chair and member for over eight years. During that time, he gave his first gift to the college of more than $600,000. Since then he has donated funds to support an entrepreneur series, where students and community members hear from diverse, successful people about how dreams become reality.

“Gale exemplifies the ideal philanthropist, a generous person with a kind soul finding ways to give others an opportunity to succeed,” said DSC’s Burniston. “We’re delighted the CRD chose him for this national honor.”

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Caption: Left to right, DSC President Tom LoBasso, Benefactor Award winner L. Gale Lemerand and CRD President/CEO Leah Goss

DSC trustees vote to end presidential search, name Tom LoBasso to top post

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 2, 2015) – The Daytona State College District Board of Trustees today voted unanimously to end its search for a new president and offer a 12-month contract to Dr. Thomas LoBasso, who has served as interim president since January.

Details of the contract will be discussed and voted upon at the board’s June 30 meeting. Upon approval of the contract, LoBasso will become Daytona State’s seventh president since the college was authorized by legislative action in 1957.

At today’s special meeting, board members voiced they are pleased with LoBasso’s performance and understanding of issues since he took the helm as interim president, specifically citing his problem-solving and team-building skills. Board members also noted that the leadership qualities he has demonstrated matched those cited as most important for a college president in a community survey and a series of listening sessions conducted by the college’s presidential search committee in April.

During the meeting, which was called to discuss search committee findings with the board, trustees suggested that, considering LoBasso’s performance thus far, and in the interest of maintaining continuity in leadership, he is the best choice for the position.

“To be given the opportunity to lead this great institution is a tremendous honor,” said LoBasso. “I’m excited to work with the board and our excellent college team to take us to the next level.”

Immediately prior to being named interim president, LoBasso served as chief operating officer and provost at the college. He brings to the institution’s top post a deeply rounded background in higher education leadership that spans more than two decades, particularly in the areas of strategic planning and supervision for academic affairs, accreditation, student development, college marketing, institutional effectiveness, regional campus operations and facilities services.

Dr. LoBasso first joined Daytona State in 2001 as director of admissions and recruitment. Over the years, he took on greater leadership roles, including dean of enrollment development, vice president for enrollment and student development, and senior vice president for student development and institutional effectiveness.

DSC’s new president resides in DeBary with his wife, Karen, daughter, Alexa and son, Tommy.

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