Irene Rita Hurst, DMD, is a trailblazing orthodontist whose time in the Judy Genshaft Honors College was a crucial stepping stone along her journey to a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and a certificate in orthodontics.
Over the years Rita has enjoyed watching the growth of the university and the expansion of the Judy Genshaft Honors College. “It’s fantastic seeing how the Honors College has grown. I’m in awe,” said Rita as she walked the halls of her alma matter at the University of South Florida (USF) alongside her family.
Today, Rita's son, George, has chosen to follow what is now a family tradition, attending USF as a freshman in the Honors College. Rita added that she is looking forward to all of the new experiences that her son will have access to at the Honors College, “There are so many opportunities. There’s a plethora of things that students can do here. USF isn’t lacking anything.”
“The Honors program set us up for things that were to come in the future that other students did not have to do. It gave us experiences that we did not realize would become so valuable in the future.” - Dr. Irene Rita Hurst, Judy Genshaft Honors College alum
Inspired by his mother’s educational achievements and career, George is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology and is looking to continue onto dental school after. “Here at the Honors College, I hope to meet lots of people and make connections, and possibly do one of the study abroad trips or service projects to make an impact,” George said about his hopes for his time in the Honors College. “So far It has been fun, and really busy.”
A PROUD LEGACY
Rita Hurst graduated from USF in 1995 with a bachelor of science in biology and again in 1996 with a bachelor of arts in science education. As a proud Honors alum, Rita cherishes the memory of her experience as a student. As a token of their gratitude for their time at USF, Rita and her husband, Gabe, who is also a proud USF alum, named several learning lofts in the new Judy Genshaft Honors College building. During a recent visit of the new facility Rita reflected, “I feel like the Honors program offered a lot more resources and opened doors to opportunities that I would not have had otherwise.”
Now with years of perspective, the Hurst family knows that their son will have even more opportunities to flourish, try new things, and build his own connections in an academic community of support and inspiration.