Seashore. In the early 1990s, the Pensacola Shipwreck Survey was conducted for the Bureau of Archaeological Research (BAR) and uncovered a 16th century Spanish shipwreck, named the Emanuel Point, off the shoreline. In 1997, BAR and UWF Anthropology partnered together to finish the excavation. Following this, Bense decided that underwater archaeology needed to be incorporated into the UWF curriculum. She felt strongly that underwater resources in the area needed equal attention. In 1999, UWF began excavating the remains of frigate and flagship of the Spanish Windward Fleet names the Rosario. In 2004, Bense worked alongside other CRM professionals and public archaeologists to write the legislature and obtain funding to start the Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN) When Bense began doing public archaeology within both the Pensacola community and the broader state of Florida, she recognized that the information could be distributed in multiple ways to the public. She started a radio show through the UWF NPR channel called Unearthing Pensacola. The show has now morphed and discusses more broadly Florida historical archaeology and is produced under the name Unearthing Florida Other activities Bense served from 1984-1999 on the Governmental Affairs Committee of the Society of American Archaeology's (SAA); as the conference chair for the Southeastern Archaeological Conference in 1984 and 1999 and their board of directors from 1980-1985 and 1997-1999; vice president of the Florida Anthropological Society from 1992-1993; from 1995-1997 on the Florida Archaeological Council's board of directors; chair of the Stewards of Heritage Awards Committee from 1994-1995; and on the Florida Archaeological Week Committee in 1993. Bense was appointed interim president of the University of West Florida in 2008 and served until 2016. She was not only the first woman president of the college but also the first anthropologist to become the president of a public university in the US. She had taken her approach of involving the community in archaeology to her position as president in which she has sought to involve and embed the UWF community within the community of Pensacola. During her time as president, she secured a grant to fully fund and establish a football program at the school. Awards Award of Merit, from the Society for Historical Archaeology in 2002. Distinguished Teaching Award from the University of West Florida in 2001. Presidential Award, by the Society for American Archaeology for Leadership in Government Affairs in 1999. Ripley P. Bullen Award in 1998. National