USF Sarasota-Manatee at MCC Venice welcomes CEO to south Sarasota County and celebrates growth of program for area residents

SARASOTA, FL (January 28, 2008) – On Thursday, Jan. 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee at MCC Venice will hold a special event at the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce to introduce CEO Dr. Arthur Guilford to the community and celebrate USF’s continued commitment  to the Venice area.

The event, entitled “Engaging in Our Community,” is being presented by the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce and Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice.  South Sarasota County residents, students, alumni, and community leaders will also celebrate increased programs, enrollment, and community leadership.

The South County program, which started in the spring of 2004 with 66 student enrollments and 21 classes, has grown to over 400 student enrollments and 36 classes each semester.  The program has also added graduate coursework, added faculty, gotten recurring funding from the state, and increased community involvement.  An advisory council consisting of leaders from the area helps gauge the educational needs of the community.

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, the largest community foundation in Florida, gave an initial two-year grant of $476,137 to establish the south county program in 2003 and another $138,500 grant to sustain the program through October 2006. Since October 2006, state funding has continued the program.

USF Sarasota-Manatee’s south county program has operations on the campus of Manatee Community College in Venice, which is located just north of the growing cities of North Port and Englewood. 

For more information about the event, contact Pam Gleason at (941) 359-4603 or email pgleason@sar.usf.edu.