Diving in February?

The underwater crime scene class took its first “real” dive Feb. 20 at Vortex Springs. The class of eight previously only had dive experience in a pool.

The class and two instructors traveled to Holmes County to gorgeous, crystal clear Vortex Springs, which stays at a chilly 68 degrees year round. Brimming with bream (pun intended) and large carp, the second you hit the water these googly-eyed fish swarm you, bristling with curiosity.

The class performed two separate dives. The first was to get a feel for being out of the pool and to demonstrate basic diving skills, and the second allowed students to explore and play.

During the intermission of the two dives, the class grilled hamburgers on provided grills on the grounds of the spring.

The next class dive will be March 6 at St. Andrews State Park.

— Ashlyn Jernigan

contributing writer

Voting to determine top faculty, staff

Nomination week Feb. 13-16 narrowed down the list to determine this year's top faculty member, staff member, adjunct professor and Student Government Council member at FSU Panama City.

Voting March 6-9 will determine winners from the top three nominations for each category. Because there was a tie for the top faculty members, four will be placed on the next ballot.

“I did not realize we had the opportunity to vote for our favorite people on campus. It’s really neat that we can help reward them for their hard work. They do so much for the students here, and we really appreciate them,” student Tyke Steele said.

The top nominees include:

• Faculty members: Korhan Adalier, William Barnes, Sandra Halvorson and Michael Wallace
• Staff members: Catherine Feeney, Heather Saas and Michael Smith
• Adjunct professor: Emily Dickens, Kevin Elliott and Kevin Turkoglu
• Student Government Council members: Alessandra Feria, Wiatt Lewis and Justine Powell

— Anna Smith

contributing writer

The 'real college experience' isn’t worth it

At 18, I was convinced I wanted the “real college experience”. Two years into my undergrad at the University of Kentucky, I learned that the college life was not for me. I missed my family, was doing terrible in school, and cried constantly. I moved home and school hunt began yet again.

I quickly realized that I needed to find myself again, the type A student who was motivated to do her best and have a successful life. We began looking at other “large” universities, but felt I needed to live at home to finish my degree. During this school search, a neighbor mentioned FSU Panama City.

After my tour of FSU PC, I knew it was the school for me to get my life back on track.

This is my fourth year on this campus, I love it so much that I decided to receive my master’s degree here just to stay. Many people ask why I love this school so much and I have one simple answer, small classes.

At UK, all my classes were filled with 500 to 1,000 students. I never met my professors let alone could pay attention with all the other things going on in the lecture hall. My first class at FSU PC had 10 individuals with Dr. Robinson, she was the best thing to ever happen to me to help get my life back together. She cared about my academic career and achieving greatness. She took the time out of her day to sit down with me whether that was to talk about my research paper for her class or discuss an upcoming exam. I had never had a professor care until her, it was an amazing feeling. This same act of kindness continued with all my professors at FSU PC, even as a graduate student. Who knew teachers don’t actually want you to fail.

Jeff Madison, a business administration student, had a similar experience. “In the business program, I always felt comfortable talking to my professors about a class or project. I even used two of my professors from FSU PC as references for my first post grad job. They really want you to succeed in life and not just pass you by in a class.”

Maybe this campus isn’t the “real college experience,” but it is so much more than that. It is about learning, starting a career, and meeting so many meaningful people in your life. I stay in touch with so many of my professors from FSU and created lifelong relationships.

Small classrooms make all the difference in college and that is why FSU PC is so special.

— Taylor Dorrough

contributing writer

Cahall’s Deli opens at FSU Panama City

With long anticipation, Cahall’s Deli is now open in Holley Academic Center. The new location carries a variety of food including home-style sandwiches, salad, lasagna, soup and desserts, said Mallory Norton, the manager at the FSU Panama City location.

When you don’t know what to get, the deli workers can offer recommendations. “We have the best chicken salad in Bay County,” Mallory said.

The main store of Cahall’s Deli, which is on West 23rd Street, has been serving and catering meals for over 30 years. Many customers go back there because of its homey atmosphere and food; the new Deli on campus carries the same appearance.

The Deli opens 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday though Friday.

— Kana Uptegraft

contributing writer

New recreational activities to foster student interaction

FSU PC staff determined to cultivate student connection, campus events

Sports and student activities are a huge draw for potential students at all colleges. Florida State University Panama City does not have the luxury of having nationally recognized sports teams to attract students, however, they make up for this lack of recognition with staff and faculty who are determined to make every student’s experience on this campus rewarding and fulfilling.

Like with any good community or business, it starts at the top. Dean Randy Hanna has been on a mission to make the students’ time on campus enjoyable and fulfilling from the day he came aboard.

“He is literally almost like a student at heart,” said Student Government Council Program Coordinator and Advisor, Mikey Smith. “He has been great to work with and especially right now it is a great time to be a student here with him as our dean.”

This type of leadership is encouraging to someone like Smith who sees how beneficial recreational events can be to a campus.

“It gives students an opportunity to meet outside the classroom,” Smith said. “When they leave college I want them to have met people with different majors or have gotten to know the students in their major even better. Because, when you get out in the real world it is really amazing how many people I met in college I still stay connected with, and how we help each other out in the workplace on top of just being friends and I think sports can foster that.”

Smith also recognized that this campus has a lot of potential for growth and explained that growth will yield new and exciting opportunities for students.

Smith noted that earlier in the campus’ history when it only admitted juniors and seniors it was a significantly older campus, but now with freshmen as young as 17 having an impact on campus, it creates new pathways for more recreational activities.

Some upcoming events on campus include the possible formation of a bass team and a track club. SGC will also host a paddle boarding event for students in the weeks following spring break.

For more information about upcoming campus events, email Mikey Smith at mjsmith2@fsu.edu.

— Micah Lister

Four Crossed Logs intern

professional communication major

Successful paths are paved in garnet and gold

In 1999, when I graduated from high school, it was expected of recent graduates to go straight into college. In fact, if you didn’t follow the pre-paved path that was already mapped out, you were considered a statistical outlier and were to some extent shunned (at least this is how I felt). Needless to say, I enrolled in my local community college and gave it a shot. However, after two failed attempts, I could not find the motivation to continue. I was lost in a world of predestined paths with no internal guidance. So I walked away. But I did so knowing that one day I would return, once I had gained some valuable life experience and direction. 

The path I ended up taking led me to find love, commitment, self-development, and self-worth. Along the way I cultivated knowledge and personal strength from the people I’ve met and the places I’ve lived and visited. Because of these experiences, I’ve struggled, I’ve succeeded, and I’ve developed a better understanding of myself and what I wanted to achieve in my future.

This is where FSU Panama City fits in my story. In 2013, we moved to Panama City on military orders. Upon arrival, something inside told me that this was going to be the time to finish what I had started so many years ago. Not knowing what to expect, I waited patiently, until one day I found myself on the FSU PC campus talking with an advisor. I immediately knew that this was where I was meant to be. That my goal of achieving a college degree was about to come to fruition.


At FSU Panama City, I found what I was looking for, I found a home. I was accepted and embraced for my unique qualities, my status as a returning student, and as a military dependent. The small class sizes made it comfortable for me to speak up, ask questions, and develop relationships with both my fellow peers and professors. Simply put, FSU PC goes beyond a traditional college experience by catering to students who are on a time constraint (i.e. military members and dependents), enable creative and applicable academic instruction, and support students in and out of the classroom.

Although I was originally disappointed in my personal decision to put college on hold as an inexperienced young adult, I can now tell you that I am content with the decision I made years ago. The way I see the world, and myself, has evolved; and I now know with confidence that I was not developmentally flawed for not conforming to the ideal standards that many high school graduates are expected to meet. Instead, I feel that I can justifiably say that the path that I was meant to take had turns, bends, and at times forks-in-the-road, which has helped to shape me into the person I am today. A wife, mother, world traveler, advocate for life, and a damn proud Seminole!

— Sabrina McAslister

contributing writer

Spay-ghetti with no balls

Looking for something to do this weekend? The Lucky Puppy Rescue’s Spay-ghetti with No Balls Luncheon is sure to be a great time from 11 a..m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Barn at the Wicked Wheel.

Since 2008, Lucky Puppy has been rescuing dogs, taking them in and caring for them on a large farm in nearby Bonifay. 

 The luncheon will feature $18,000 worth of prizes, including theme park tickets, movie passes, concert tickets, gift cards, gift baskets, and more. Doggie bandanas and baked goods for people and dogs will also be available. 

The event is certain to provide a fun time and good food in support of a great cause.

— Phoebe Isaac

Four Crossed Logs intern

professional communication major

Nick Alexander and I’ll Tell You Why: Mary Poppins was Lit

I spent my Friday night a little different than usual on Feb. 3, 2017. Normally I would simply partake in the wonderful survival sport of avoiding starvation. Scavenging the kitchen to find whatever food I can get my hands on to satisfy the agonizing cries of my stomach. After a thorough investigation of the contents of my refrigerator, food pantry, and my roommate’s secret hiding place of various snacks, treats, and other goodies, I often retire to my self-appointed throne in the living room. Here I indulge myself to Netflix and consider my choices in the vast amount of programs to watch. All the while, my two dogs bark and roughhouse in step with whatever I have chosen to watch; their sole duty being to make sure I am distracted and cannot concentrate on what is happening on screen.

However, this Friday night was different. This night I received an invitation to join some friends as they went to watch Mosley High School’s production of "Mary Poppins." I have only been to one other musical before, and it did not really stir up excitement in me; I was hesitant to say the least. Netflix and playing tug of war with my dogs started to look appealing. I was not sure I wanted to pay $15 to spend two to three hours of my time watching a musical I might not enjoy. That is more than a movie ticket. Besides, I’m an average broke college student, I don’t have the luxury of being able to drop $15 on a whim whenever I feel like it. In these tough times it’s important to be sure of what I’m investing my time and money into. Shoot, $15 will fill up half my tank. That’s like 13-14 McDoubles. That’s 75 packs of Ramen noodles. But, I digress.

Therefore, when the offer of someone buying my ticket came about, you best believe I snatched it up. I’ll tell you what too, Mosley Drama did not disappoint me. They were hitting on all cylinders Opening night of a two-day show. I was impressed by the costumes, the choreography, the singing, everything. Mary Poppins and the person that played Bert were the real MVP for being hoisted in the air strapped to some cables. I couldn’t do it; that’s a long drop if you fall.

Where the cast really impressed me was with them all singing “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and none of them missing a beat. That was awesome. Had I known I was going to have that great of a time, I would’ve paid the $15 to show my love and support. It was a great way to shake up my Friday night routine. I laughed, smiled, and by the end of the show, everyone was on their feet in a standing ovation for the cast and crew who put on such a fun program.

— Nick Alexander

Four Crossed Logs intern

professional communication major