Dr. Gary Mormino to speak at Awards Banquet!

The Florida Literacy Awards Banquet at Conference is our opportunity to highlight the successful works and accomplishments of those in the literacy community. This year’s speaker is Gary R. Mormino.

Gary Mormino holds the Frank E. Duckwall professorship in history at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, where he directs the Florida Studies Program. A graduate of Millikin University (B.A.) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Ph.D.), Mormino has written extensively on immigration and urban America.

He has taught at the University of South Florida since 1977. His writing has ranged across continents and time periods.  His books include Immigrants on the Hill (University of Illinois Press), The Immigrant World of Ybor City (University of Illinois Press), and Spanish Pathways in Florida, 1492-1992.

In 1980-81, Mormino taught as a Fulbright lecturer at the University of Rome.  His latest book, Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams (University Press of Florida), was published in 2005. “The Florida Dream”, a PBS documentary based on the book, aired in 2007. In 2009 his essay on community in Florida received the Charlie Award from the Florida Magazine Assoc. for the year’s best article. In 2003, the Florida Humanities Council named him Humanist of the Year. In 2012, Florida Trend named him a “Florida Icon.”

He is presently working on two projects, a study of Florida and World War II, and a book weaving a history of Florida foodways and culture.

This is a ticketed event.  Make sure to purchase in advance $24 for conference attendees and $25 for guest. A limited amount of tickets are available for purchase at the registration desk.

Don’t forget to Submit Nomination for 2012 Florida Literacy Awards!