By Martha Rhine
As thousands of people woke up on the morning of Nov. 6 to what promised to be a busy day of Election Day coverage, a small group of USF St. Petersburg students started their day on the waters of Tampa Bay. They were away from the responsibilities of class, work and voting — at least for an hour or two.
The Wanderer set sail with eight people aboard, including Regional Chancellor Martin Tadlock, who began taking sailing trips with students last year. No topic was off limits, and students were able to connect with Tadlock and take in the sights on a USF St. Petersburg activity.
Dan Marshall, coordinator of adventure and aquatics, sailed the Wanderer but had to rely on the motors on a windless fall day. Still, the sun was shining, and the students relaxed as they enjoyed the St. Petersburg skyline and dolphins swam nearby.
Tadlock chatted with everyone. Conversation ranged from consolidation to the election and the new branding in Tampa. That new Bull is not popular.
Students can sign up for future sailing trips as they are announced. Participants are chosen at random.
Sailing is a unique outreach effort, which gives Tadlock the opportunity to connect with students — something he has stressed in the past as important, especially as the university undergoes so many changes.
