Pictured Above: Helen Levine (right) described Rep. Charlie Crist as both a teacher and a leader to her as a communications specialist.
Courtesy of Michael Alden
By Michael Alden
Helen Levine was presented with an official congressional record by U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-St. Petersburg, Tuesday in honor of her contributions to USF and the Pinellas County community.
The ceremony was held on a foggy morning in front of the USF St. Petersburg bull statue to celebrate the retired regional vice chancellor of external affairs’ longstanding commitment to education and service to the university.
During the ceremony, Levine spoke about her time working with legislators.
“When I think about all the elected officials I’ve worked with, it is Congressman Crist who taught me to go in, make your pitch and a good, solid leader tells you where they’re going to be,” Levine said. “And then they don’t change.”
Rep. Crist gifted Levine a bound copy of his congressional statement as fellow faculty members and friends joined in congratulating her.
“I’m honored that Congressman Crist took the time out of his busy schedule to honor me this morning,” Levine said. “He has been a real leader for education throughout his time and I’m delighted and pleased to have received this honor.”
After the ceremony, Crist told The Crow’s Nest: “Dr. Levine is an amazing person. She has a heart of gold. She’s a tremendous educator, a tremendous human being… (and) fights so hard for USF and all Bulls. I can’t say enough good things about her. She’s a wealth of knowledge, has a great heart, and (is) a dear friend, most important to me.”
Levine retired last September after 14 years of service at the university. She initially served as a policy and communications adviser to former USF President Judy Genshaft for three years. Her last 11 years were spent as regional vice chancellor of external affairs at USF St. Petersburg.
Throughout her tenure, Levine has been a fierce advocate for USF St. Petersburg’s growth. Sheis credited for her bipartisan work with lawmakers on the advancement of higher education.
Levine helped increase the university’s total recurring budget by more than $8.75 million since 2013. Her advocacy for funding has helped pay for several facilities on campus, including the historic Kate Tiedemman College of Business.
Regional Chancellor Martin Tadlock commended Levine as a “significant person on this campus for a long, long time.”
“She’s just done an incredible job helping this place grow,” Tadlock said. “If you look around right now at the facilities here and the campus itself, a lot of it can be attributed to her work with our congressional delegation members and the Florida legislature to help bring those resources here to grow this campus.”
Levine helped bridge the gap between the university and the Pinellas County community by nurturing relationships with local groups and organizations such as the St. Petersburg City Council, Pinellas County Commission and St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership.
In his statement on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 17, Crist said: “… To speak for just one minute on the full legacy of Dr. Levine is impossible. She is a groundbreaking leader, a champion for education, and a role model for all who seek to improve the lives of others in their community. As she retires from her senior position at USFSP, it is my privilege to wish her the best in all her future endeavors both personally and as a valued member of our community.”
Rep. Crist was a proponent of USF’s campus consolidation, a move Levine helped facilitate at USF St. Petersburg by working with the legislature to secure protections for the campus and its students.
Known for her civic engagement, Levine is highly active in the Tampa Bay community and has worked with prominent ogranizations like the Florida Holocaust Museum, Tampa Bay Business of Arts and Culture, Gulfcoast Jewish Family and Community, Downtown Waterfront Parks Foundation and Vision Florida.
“She’s sorely missed but at the same time we’re very happy for her to have this opportunity to try other things in retirement,” Tadlock said.
A new regional vice chancellor of external affairs has yet to be announced.
