USF hosts former reality TV contestant in lecture series
The University Lecture Series (ULS) hopes the life of a former reality show contestant will make an impact and attract a diverse audience, said Cindy Greenwood, assistant director for the Office of Student Programs.
Isis King, a former contestant on “America’s Next Top Model,” will speak at 7 p.m. in the Marshall Student Center’s Oval Theatre at the fourth ULS event this year.
Greenwood said King, who is a transgendered woman, will attract those who not only remember her for her impact on pop culture but who are interested in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues, Greenwood said.
King will speak about her experience growing up a transgendered person, being homeless and spending time on “America’s Next Top Model,” Greenwood said.
“(It’s about) … Not feeling that who she was really matched the body that she was living in,” Greenwood said.”
King was the first transgendered contestant to compete on “America’s Next Top Model,” which is hosted by former model Tyra Banks.
It costs $3,000, which includes hotel accomodations and travel, for USF to have King speak, Greenwood said. It is funded by the Activity and Service fees students pay at registration, and they can attend all ULS events for free.
King’s lecture should last about 30 to 45 minutes, and a question-and-answer session will follow, Greenwood said.
So far, this year’s ULS speakers have included representatives from the satirical news source The Onion, columnist Dan Savage and former U.S ambassador and Iran expert John Limbert.
More Stories
USF professors alarmed by DOGE’s review of academic research
David Allsopp said he knew the Florida State Department of Governmental Efficiency was looking for “inefficiencies” across higher education institutions ever since its creation in February. However, as a professor who has conducted research at USF for 24 years, Allsopp was “surprised” to learn the Florida DOGE team would analyze research done by university staff. […]
USF SG leaders take office after disqualifications, appeals
The beginning of a new generation of USF student leaders started on May 12, when the USF Student Government hosted a ceremony to inaugurate its sixth consolidated term. Among the new officers are Sumit Jadhav and Caio Esmeraldi, who will serve as student body president and vice president, respectively, representing all three USF campuses. Emma […]
How funding cuts are affecting USF student orgs, depts
For Carolina Gutfreund, next year’s cuts to student organization funding won’t just shrink the Botanical Gardens Club’s budget — they’ve led her to step down as its president. “The idea of it being bad was just making me so sad because we put a lot of effort into our events,” said Gutfreund, a junior English […]
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine is ranked best in the state
USF’s Morsani College of Medicine has been named the top medical school in Florida and ranked among the nation’s best in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings. The college, now recognized as a Tier 1 institution, is the only medical school in Florida to receive this distinction. Charles Lockwood, the executive vice president […]
USF students reflect on preparedness following FSU shooting
When confetti and champagne popped near the MSC Amphitheater during an Acts of Kindness event on April 24, Ashley Messer froze – afraid she was hearing gunshots. “All I could think for the rest of the event was that I just stood there like a deer in headlights,” said the junior English major. “I didn’t […]
USF rocket team completes most advanced launch in club’s history
Facing budget cuts, loss of resources and logistical setbacks, USF’s Society of Aeronautics and Rocketry completed what its members called the most advanced rocket launch in the club’s 12-year history. Led by computer engineering senior Alvaro Lazaro, SOAR launched its high-powered rocket, Prometheus, during a nationwide NASA Student Launch competition, marking the first time the […]