USF Sarasota-Manatee HOME >
Public Affairs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
USF Sarasota-Manatee HOME >
Public Affairs
|
|
|
|
|
 
LINKS
|
 |
 |
||
|
|
|||
|
Local Real Estate Icon Gives $100,000
to new USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus Center SARASOTA, FL, (September 30, 2005) –Michael Saunders is more than the founder, CEO and president of one of Florida’s top independent real estate firms. She’s also a philanthropist, and the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee is benefiting through a $100,000 gift from Michael Saunders & Company toward technology and enhancements for the new USF Sarasota-Manatee campus center. The Michael Saunders Plaza will be named in honor of the gift. "USF Sarasota-Manatee provides quality, convenient education that consistently supports our community workforce and economic development," said Saunders. Saunders serves on numerous boards such as the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, Mote Marine Laboratory, The Argus Foundation, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Tampa Bay Partnership, and SCOPE (Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence). On a national level, she is the current Chairman of RELO, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. She also serves on the Christie’s Great Estates Advisory Board. Her community leadership includes past chairman of the Sarasota Committee for Economic Development and The Argus Foundation. She has appeared on the cover of Florida Trend magazine, her firm was named one of the top 100 businesses in Florida by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, and the list of accolades goes on. “We are fortunate to have community partners like Michael Saunders who see the value of a having local access to a nationally prestigious university campus,” said Campus CEO, Dr. Laurey T. Stryker. Matching funds under the Alec P. Courtelis Facility Enhancement Challenge grant from the Florida Division of Colleges and Universities brings value of the gift to $200,000. This 100-percent matching grant is a one-time opportunity only available during new construction to provide funds for state-of-the-art technology and enhancements. Since December 2004, more than 120 businesses, foundations, faculty, staff, alumni, and other individuals have come forward with over $2.6 million in private gifts and grants for the new academic Center. Total funds for enhancement of the facility, including state-matching funds, are now more than $5.2 million. The USF Foundation, a direct support organization of the university, manages endowed gifts and provides ongoing funds through investment earnings. The new academic center for USF Sarasota-Manatee 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 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 campus 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 nationally ranked research university with the convenience of a hometown campus, including classes in south Sarasota County at Manatee Community College Venice. |
||||
 |
 |
|
|
Copyright © 2006, University of South Florida,
8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243 -- (941) 359-4200
|
|
|
Direct questions or comments about the Web site to leahwilliams@sar.usf.edu |