The year was 1972. The infamous Watergate scandal was beginning to dominate the national news. USF’s inaugural class of medical school students had just finished their first year. And a young professor who had recently moved from Virginia was getting used to the small, sandy campus in Tampa he hadn’t known existed until just a few weeks earlier. He had no idea at the time, but Chris Tsokos would one day become the longest-serving employee at USF.
The 88-year-old Distinguished University Professor of Mathematics and Statistics has been a prolific force, and his career is a masterclass in tenacity. Tsokos immigrated to the U.S. from Greece in 1951, earned his degree with a football scholarship and promptly began his career in nuclear submarine research. His expertise eventually led him to consult for every branch of the U.S. government, including the CIA and FBI.
Tsokos has lectured in nearly 40 countries and authored 26 books, but USF scholars always come first. He has mentored a staggering 80 doctoral students. Even after facing cancer twice, his resolve hasn't wavered; in the last few years alone, he has secured 10 U.S. patents.
After 54 years at USF, Tsokos still challenges his students to ask themselves every night, "What did I learn today that I did not know yesterday?"
“If you can’t answer that question,” he says, “then you wasted a day.” As USF celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, Tsokos’ relentless pursuit of knowledge and unceasing dedication to developing scholars make him a Bold Bull for the ages.
The University of South Florida has reached a monumental milestone. The determination and dedication of USF’s faculty, staff and students has spanned decades, yet “we’re just getting started” remains a common refrain. Every member of the team is invited to share their USF stories, photos and videos. We hope to feature you in a future issue. And please take a moment to download the USF70 toolkit, which includes branded phone and Teams backgrounds and the official USF70 email signature. Go Bulls!
Exclusive Microsoft webinar: Creating Shared Agents in Copilot Chat
Join USF IT on Friday, Feb. 6, from 10 to 11 a.m. for the first of four webinars this semester focused on empowering USF with Microsoft solutions.
Discover how shared agents built with the Copilot Chat Agent Builder can streamline everyday business processes and help users work more efficiently. Learn what shared agents are, when to use them and the basic steps to create and share an agent.
This is a hands-on, beginner-friendly webinar. Register here
Stay Informed
USF’s redesigned homepage is live
With a streamlined “Start Your Journey” for prospective students and new interactive designs, all built on a year of research and community feedback, the new homepage arrives just in time for USF’s 70th anniversary year.
The Environmental Health & Safety team is here to help everyone start the semester safely.
Take a minute to check your workspace for trip hazards, blocked exits or overloaded power strips.
Refresh your knowledge, complete any required safety training.
If you're unsure whether something is safe, speak up!
Find resources, guidance and reporting tools on the EHS website.
Our resolution: zero tolerance for fraud in 2026
The start of a new year brings optimism and fresh goals, but it also marks one of the riskiest times for fraud. Read this month’s Fraud Flash Report from the Office of Internal Audit and learn how January has become known as the “post-holiday fraud avalanche.”
New travel and expense reimbursement rules
Please remember to submit travel expense reports in Travel Archivum, and employee purchase reimbursement requests to AP no later than 60 days after the travel end date or employee purchase date, respectively. Expense reports and reimbursement requests submitted after the due date will be treated as taxable income. Expense reports and reimbursement requests submitted more than 6 months after the travel end date or the employee purchase date will not be approved. For assistance, please contact the Procurement & Payment Services Help Desk, PPSOneHelp.
Starting Jan. 29, all packages arriving at the Tampa campus via the US Postal Service will pass through Received Digital, an advanced imaging system that will automatically email recipients the estimated delivery window and a confirmation message after delivery. No action is needed to opt in or out of these messages, as they are only sent to USF email accounts in accordance with USF policy.
Now available: 2025 W-2 forms
Great news! W-2 tax forms are already available. Visit the Payroll Services webpage for guidance on accessing ADP’s secure employee web portal via Oracle HR.
Get Engaged
Strengthen community partnerships
USF has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, a prestigious national designation. The Office of University Community Partnerships invites faculty and staff already engaged, or who would like to engage, with the community to contact them, as there may be opportunities to grow your work or introduce colleagues and their ideas to community partners. Meet our team and reach out today.
Submit an OUR Shirt design
Student Government’s OUR Shirt is a longstanding tradition at USF. It’s the official T-shirt worn at all USF athletic events. All students, faculty, and staff can submit a USF-branded T-shirt design until Sunday, Jan. 25, at 11:59 p.m.
Featured Events
A USF tradition: Attend the AAC’s annual Community Breakfast
The Administrative Advisory Council’s annual Community Breakfast is right around the corner. Enjoy great food, connect with colleagues and hear from guest speaker, Dr. Valerie Riddle. All attendees will be entered into a raffle for fabulous prizes.
Wednesday, Feb. 18 Marshall Student Center Ballroom Registration is $20 per person.
Tickets are transferable, but not refundable. Ticket revenue covers the cost of the event.
Departments intending to use USF funds should contact Jessica Wilson at normanj@usf.edu.
Regional Scripps Spelling Bee
On Valentine’s Day, the College of Education will host the regional Scripps Spelling Bee. The winner will advance to the national competition as a finalist. Contact cdelamarter@usf.edu to explore volunteer opportunities. The event is open to the public. Seats are first-come, first-served. The excitement will be... P-A-L-P-A-B-U-L-L.
Saturday, Feb. 14 Marshall Student Center Oval Theater Doors open: 9 a.m. First word: 10 a.m.
Debate-A-Bull returns Feb. 11
Save the date! On Feb. 11, the Institute for Public Policy and Leadership at USF will host a conversation on Name, Image and Likeness and the future of college athletics. Details coming soon to usf.edu/publicpolicyevents.
Membership promotions end on Jan. 31! Faculty and staff can take advantage of discounted membership rates by choosing a four-month or yearly membership. Locker and towel service for either of these membership promotions will also be discounted.Explore RecWell Membership Promotions.
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For reasonable disability accommodations requests pertaining to this announcement, pleasecontact one of our offices.
