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(Sarasota, FL, April 12, 2005) –FCCI Insurance Group presented the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Crosley Campus Center Fundraising Initiative with a $250,000 gift. Just five months into the Initiative, the gift brings total funding to more than $2.1 million toward the December 2005 goal of $3 million. The Rotunda in the Crosley Campus Center will be named in honor of FCCI’s gift.

All funds raised for Crosley Campus Center, opening fall 2006, are matched 100 percent under the Alec P. Courtelis Facilities Enhancement Challenge grant from the Florida Division of Colleges and Universities. The match raises the current total funds for enhancement of the new facility to more than $4.2 million.

“No great city gets that way without a university presence,” said President and CEO of FCCI Insurance Group G.W. Jacobs. “Sarasota is a great location and home to wonderful cultural and arts groups. The USF Sarasota-Manatee expansion will speed up Sarasota’s transition to a truly great city.”

FCCI and its predecessor entities have been doing business in Florida since 1959, growing into a leading commercial property and casualty provider throughout the Southeast and Midwest.

Jacobs was named FCCI president and CEO in 1999. Prior to then, he held various positions within the group, including executive vice president of corporate counsel. He served as an attorney from 1979 to 1992, in several organizations including FEISCO; the Florida Department of Labor and Employment Security; the state Division of Workers’ Compensation; and as a partner in his own law firm.

Under Chairman C. John Clarke’s leadership, the Crosley Campus Center Fundraising Initiative has rallied more than 40 businesses, foundations, faculty, staff, alumni, and other individuals to come forward with over $2.1 million in private gifts and grants.

Gov. Jeb Bush and the 2004 Legislature granted funds for construction of the Crosley Campus Center, but an additional $3 million for state-of-the-art enhancements and technology are needed to support expanded programs. Brunch on the Bay 2004 served as the Initiative launch and Clarke’s leadership role was announced. A challenge was made to raise the $3 million in private gifts and grants by December 2005.

Among those who have contributed major gifts are FCCI Insurance Group; Manatee Memorial Hospital Foundation Inc.; William G. Selby and Marie Selby Foundation; Bank of America Client Foundation Brandenburg Fund; Vernon Buchanan; Bruce Williams Homes; Jackson Hewitt Inc.; Pat and Charlene Neal; Schroeder-Manatee Ranch Inc.; Jan E. Smith; W. G. Mills Inc.; Charles and Linda Baumann; Janice Kelly Memorial Foundation; Sun Hydraulics; Lee Wetherington; WilsonMiller Inc.; R. M. Beall’s Charitable Foundation; C. John and Lorna Clarke; Joseph and Vera Zibler Family Foundation Inc. on behalf of Homes By Towne; Dan and Glenda Miller; Laurey and Charlie Stryker; Turner Tree and Landscape; and Cliff and Susie Walters.

“This outpouring of generosity demonstrates our community’s awareness of the need for a prestigious hometown university such as USF Sarasota-Manatee,” said Campus CEO Laurey T. Stryker.

The Crosley Campus Center will be a 100,000-square-foot facility with 24 classrooms; a 190-seat lecture/exhibition hall; seminar and video-conferencing rooms; computer labs; a daycare center; student gathering places; faculty and staff offices; a technology and learning center; dining facilities; and training facilities for the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. Once completed, the Center will offer some 800 courses annually in 37 degree programs.