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“Working with a talented and enthusiastic leadership team made the Faculty/Staff Campaign this year seem effortless,” said Rushton, professor of early childhood education, “The faculty and staff’s generosity is indicative of their excitement about moving into a new building that will greatly enhance our ability to serve our community.”

Earlier in the Crosley Campus Center Fundraising Initiative, William G. Selby and Marie Selby Foundation made a two-part challenge. The first part stated that Selby Foundation would match 100 percent the first $250,000 in private or corporate pledges and gifts if secured by December 31, 2005 with an additional $250,000. That match was met. The second part of the challenge grant stated that if the campus raises $2,900,000 by December 31, 2006, it will qualify for an additional capping grant of $100,000. Since December 2004, more than 100 businesses, foundations, faculty, staff, alumni, and other individuals have come forward with over $2.1 million in private gifts and grants for the Initiative, bringing it closer to achieving the final portion of Selby Foundation’s capping grant.

“This is the most successful Faculty/Staff Campaign in the history of our regional campus and demonstrates the importance of our new campus center for those who dedicate themselves daily to serving our students,” said Dr. Laurey Stryker, vice president and campus CEO. “USF Sarasota-Manatee is a source of pride for our university family as well as our community.”

Matching funds under the Alec P. Courtelis Facility Enhancement Challenge grant from the Florida Division of Colleges and Universities doubles value of all gifts to the Crosley Campus Center during construction. This 100-percent matching grant is a one-time opportunity only available during new construction. Total funds for state-of-the-art technology and enhancements of the new facility, including state-matching funds, are now more than $4.2 million. The USF Foundation, a direct support organization of the university, manages endowed gifts and provides ongoing funds through investment earnings.

The Crosley Campus Center will house 24 classrooms; a 190-seat lecture/exhibition hall; seminar and video-conferencing rooms; computer labs; a child care 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 academic programs.

USF Sarasota-Manatee is an upper-level campus for those with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree interested in pursuing a baccalaureate or master’s degree, professional certification, or continuing education credit. The campus offers the prestige of a national Research 1 university with the convenience of a hometown campus, including classes in south Sarasota County at Manatee Community College Venice.

PHOTO: Members of the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee 2005 Faculty/Staff Campaign Committee: (L-R, front row) Dr. Stephen Rushton, Cathy Simmons, Ben Ellinor; (middle row) Anwar Pople, Mary Beth Wallace; (back row) Dr. Mary Burns, Dr. Mary Cuadrado, Alexis Upham.