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(Sarasota, FL – November 22, 2004) -- The weather and the view were perfect, and the food scrumptious as more than 960 people mingled, mimosas in hand, at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee’s Brunch on the Bay, Sunday, November 7. Staged behind historic College Hall along scenic Sarasota Bay, this is the signature campus event for the “Celebration of Leadership and Legacy of Scholarship created through philanthropic investment of private donors.

Brunch on the Bay 2004 had extra special significance as USF Sarasota-Manatee kicked off its 30th anniversary celebration. “Our region has a long history of high standards,” said Campus CEO Laurey Stryker, who was there with husband Charlie. “For 30 years, our community has been supportive in helping USF Sarasota-Manatee grow quality programs by providing funding for scholarships, facilities and faculty to attract the best and brightest to our region. Brunch on the Bay is a special time when we recognize our magnificent donors, who have endowed $6 million to our campus over the past 30 years – for scholarships, as well as new programs, facilities and faculty. Our donors, along with our community partners and volunteers, make it possible to provide the programs and scholarships necessary for a top-notch university.”

Florida Lt. Governor Toni Jennings; USF President Judy Genshaft; Campus Board Chairman Jan Smith and Harriat Smith, and Benjamin and Melissa Smith of Jan Smith and Company; Board members Lynette Edwards, Bob Soran with wife Suzanne, and Charles Baumann with wife Linda; USF Community Leadership Council Chair Byron Shinn and wife Jody; Campus Development Officer Alexis Upham and beau Jerry Gray; David Hicks, President of Aladdin Ward and 2004 Brunch Chair and wife Jontie; 2005 Brunch Chair-elect and Sun Trust Bank First Vice President Veronica Brady with husband Jay; USF Week Chair Angie Brewer and mate Jim; John and Jo Anne Swart with the Builders of Lakewood Ranch; Judy and Marcus Anthari, and Yvonne and Charlie Bean of McKibbon Hotel Management Inc.; Manatee Memorial Hospital Foundation; Lem and Johnna Sharp with W. G. Mills; Teri and Randy Hansen, Laurie and David Dignam from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice; Liz and Gil Alvarez of Pacific Tomato Growers Ltd., Grace Dieterich with Jackson Hewitt; Steve and Beth Knopik of Beall’s; Bob and Liz Lindsay; Sun Hydraulics’ Clyde Nixon and wife Joan; Darrell and MaryAnn Turner of Turner Tree and Landscape; Steve and Cheryl Mixson with Verizon; Derek Williams, SCRAMBULL Golf Tournament Chair; Chairwoman Amy Gruen and members of the USF Young Bulls Club -- and too many more to mention here -- were there for the festivities.

Brunch on the Bay raised $100,000 that matched with $50,000 in state funds brings the total to $150,000 for endowed scholarships. Since its beginning 11 years ago, the event has raised nearly $1 million earmarked specifically for this campus. USF Sarasota-Manatee awarded 112 privately funded scholarships this year, and 30 of those were Brunch on the Bay scholars.

During the awards program, USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus Board Chairman Jan Smith announced C. John Clarke, president of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, as the Chairman of the Crosley Campus Center Fundraising Enhancement Initiative. USF broke ground September 20 on the new Crosley Campus Center, a 28.6-million-dollar project. The state provided the land and funding for the building, and the initiative will seek $3 million in private gifts and grants for the state-of-the-art equipment, technology, lecture halls, public spaces and other enhancements.

Clarke will lead the initiative as USF Sarasota-Manatee moves into the future. “The growing number of programs at USF is attracting more local students,” said Clarke. “These young people, who will be the workforce of the future, are necessary for our economy to grow.”

Keep your eyes on USF and look for the opening of the Crosley Campus Center in 2006. “What will emerge over the next few years will be a regional campus of unequalled excellence,” said Stryker.