Mitchell Report

history

A watercolor painting depicts a serene rural scene with a blue car driving down a two-lane road toward a small town in the distance. The road curves gently to the left, flanked by grassy fields and scattered bushes. On the left side, there is a utility pole and a streetlamp near a red-roofed building partially visible. In the background, a prominent clock tower with a pointed roof stands among other historic buildings, including one with a large dome and columns. To the right, a modern glass building and a few bicycles parked near trees are visible. The sky is bright with soft, fluffy clouds and a few birds flying. Two people walk along a path near the town, adding a peaceful, community feel to the scene. The overall atmosphere is calm and picturesque.

Celebrating 70 years of USF's rich history and vibrant campus life, where tradition meets innovation under the open skies.

As you get older, anniversaries and milestones hit you differently. I don't know why. I don't regret anything in my life, but I do feel nostalgic sometimes. The other day, driving to work, I learned that the University of South Florida is celebrating 70 years this year. That surprised me, because the first founding class attended in 1960, so the 70th anniversary is actually a few years off.

I attended USF from 1987 to 1990. I didn't graduate; I would have had about two years left. 1991 would have been my graduation year, but I was taking it nice and slow. Most people were taking five years, so 1992 would have been my year if I had stayed on track. What would have been my degree? Hold your chair and keep seated, but it would have been Music Education with a minor in Florida History.

Money ran out, I was loaned out, and I decided to join the workforce. Funny enough, I never moved very far from USF. I now work at a non-profit hospital on the USF campus, so for almost my entire adult life I've been connected to the university in one way or another. Technically I guess I can't call myself an alum, but in every other sense I am one.

Here's to USF, 70 years, and all the good you've brought to the community. Go Bulls! 🤘

#history #local #personal

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History was made today. The kind of history that will be written about and studied for years to come, and I was able to capture it from my backyard. Artemis II successfully launched with a crew of four and is heading to the Moon. Not as great, magnificent, or universe changing as what we will celebrate this Sunday with Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, not even close. But still amazing.

Here is what I get to see from my house on the other side of the coast of Florida. Not as amazing as being there, but still awesome. A clear blue sky dominates the image with no clouds visible. At the bottom of the image, the tops of two tall trees with green and brown leaves are seen. The trees have thin branches with sparse foliage, indicating a possible seasonal change or type of tree. Rising diagonally from the lower left corner towards the upper center of the image is a white smoke trail, likely from a rocket or missile launch, which is faint but distinct against the blue sky. The smoke trail starts thick near the trees and gradually becomes thinner as it ascends. The overall scene suggests a rocket launch viewed from a distance with natural greenery in the foreground.

A clear blue sky dominates the image with a faint white contrail diagonally crossing from the lower left to the upper center, indicating the recent passage of a fast-moving object. Near the top of the contrail, a small bright object, possibly a rocket or missile, is visible ascending. The bottom portion of the image shows the tops of two tall trees with green and brown leaves, suggesting a mix of healthy and drying foliage. The trees have thin branches with sparse leaves, allowing some sky to be seen through them. The overall setting appears to be outdoors on a clear day with no clouds, focusing on the sky and the ascending object.

No Fools today on this 1st of April. Pretty surreal to watch it from here.

#news #photos #history

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