USF Sarasota-Manatee hosts highly successful  12^th annual Brunch on the Bay scholarship gala 

(Sarasota, FL – November 6, 2005) – Set against a spectacular bayfront backdrop behind historic College Hall, the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee staged its 12^th annual Brunch on the Bay scholarship fundraiser.  

This autumn hallmark is the signature campus event to celebrate the leadership and generosity of donors and to endow scholarships through the philanthropy of private gifts and matching state grants. 

Originally envisioned 12 years ago, Brunch on the Bay has brought thousands of supporters together to get to know the campus, faculty, programs and most importantly, to contribute to student scholarships.  

This year’s event, chaired by Veronica Brady, Senior Vice President of Private Wealth Management at SunTrust Bank, raised $150,000 to take the USF Brunch on the Bay Scholarship fund over the $1 million mark.  

“Brunch on the Bay has also inspired more than $2 million in other endowed scholarship funds for local USF students,” said Laurey Stryker, campus CEO of USF Sarasota-Manatee. “This academic year, 257 deserving USF Sarasota-Manatee students were awarded more than $165,265 in privately funded scholarships, and many of these are Brunch on the Bay scholars.” 

During the Brunch recognition program, USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus Board Chairman and new member of the USF Board of Trustees Jan Smith announced that $3.5 million was gifted to enhance USF Sarasota-Manatee’s new campus center and recognized C. John Clarke who led this fundraising initiative.   

“The growth and development of the new campus center, scheduled to open in Fall 2006, is directly related to the generosity and hard work of the people in this community who care about education and our quality of life in the Sarasota metropolitan area,” said Clarke, chairman of the campus center fundraising initiative. “We recognize the vital role that this new campus will play in our economic and workforce development.” 

As these fundraising achievements were announced, USF Sarasota-Manatee students raised huge placards that displayed the 7-figure dollar amounts. Confetti cannons and loud applause followed the fundraising announcements, truly making the event a “Celebration of Leadership” and a recognition of USF Sarasota-Manatee’s “Legacy of Scholarship.” 

Among the many notable attendees were USF Board of Trustees member and Campus Board Chairman Jan Smith and campus board members Charles Baumann, Clyde Nixon, and Lynette Edwards. USF Provost Renu Khator also joined campus CEO Stryker to represent USF. Government delegation members present included Bill Galvano, Donna Clarke, Nancy Detert, Michael Grant and US Congresswoman Katherine Harris.  

Additional notables included next year’s event co-chairs Cheryl Mixson, a USF alumna, and Steve Mixson, Director of External Affairs at Verizon; lead event donors Rex Jensen and the many Builders of Lakewood Ranch; Lem Sharp of WG Mills; Roy Orr and Jack Rynerson of Manatee Memorial Hospital and Foundation; Benjamin Smith of Jan Smith and Co.; Fred Lugar of the Gulf Coast Chapter of FICPA, and Darrell and Mary Ann Turner, a USF Alumna, of Turner Tree and Landscape.  

The next Brunch on the Bay is scheduled for Sunday, November 5, 2006 at historic Powel Crosley Mansion along scenic Sarasota Bay. Contact Alexis Upham at 941-359-4582 for information or visit http://www.sarasota.usf.edu.