Reflections & Resilience: A Journey Through New College with Dr. Mike Campbell

In this episode of the Palm Court Podcast, hosts Mike Palmer, Megan Cytron, and Grant Balfour sit down with Dr. Mike Campbell to explore his deep-rooted connection to New College. Mike, an alumnus and former faculty member, admistrator, and board member, details his academic journey and professional career, which moved him from student to working to in the counseling center, teaching, becoming housing director, and eventually, to serving as a resilient advocate for the institution amidst many changes including the recent political upheavals and "hostile takeover." Mike also shares his perspectives as a recent homeowner in the Uplands neighborhood in Sarasota which borders on the campus and has been in the spotlight in light of the new administration's tree removal efforts that have significant impacts on the local community. The discussion traverses his experiences in Barbados and his relentless commitment to New College's alumni networks. Dr. Campbell shares insights into the alumni association's independence, recent political impacts on the college, and his perspectives on fostering resilience and community within higher education. Show Notes: The Bones were a long-running, trophy-winning New College softball team.  Behavioral geology “focuses on the cognitive processes and spatial decision-making that influence human behavior.” The Uplands - see Episode 20.  “Nature’s destruction” - Hurricanes Helene and Milton both damaged NCF; the new women’s soccer team set up a GoFundMe to pay for shelter.  General Fred & Mrs. Sylvia Knight cared about NCF’s master plan.  Some New College students live in the new dorms at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus north of The Uplands. There have been suggestions the institutions may wind up merged in the future.  The Novo Collegian Alliance’s mission is to “provide for support of the alumni, students, staff, faculty, and allies working to maintain the essence of New College of Florida.” The  Soo Bong Chae Endowed Chair of Applied Mathematics was named for a much-loved math professor (and tai chi student).  On 9/11, Air Force One took off from SRQ airport, less than a mile from NCF dorms.  Freewinds, the former Scientology floating headquarters, was once a cruise ship.  Before becoming a psychedelic researcher, Rick Doblin created a construction company that built the New College racquetball courts.  Dirt from Harvard was ceremonially buried on the New College campus at its dedication on November 18, 1962 with blessings from the United Church of Christ (which founded both institutions).  The fire ring in the new Robertson Park, by accident or design, is in roughly the same spot on campus where, in 1988, student David Dunn committed suicide by self-immolation. The incident shook the campus, especially those of us who knew him and those students working in the campus police department. Over decades, the story became mythologized but was still known on campus in 2023.  Amy Reid’s social skills were tested throughout her tenure on the board of trustees.  Gordon “Mike” Michalson’s belief in civil discourse reflected and shaped campus culture.  Judy Genshaft was USF president for 19 years. On stepping down, she financed the creation of an honors college at that institution.  Bob Johnson was the GOP senator who steered NCF’s merger with USF in order to preserve the Uplands.