“A highly educated workforce is the ‘social capital’ that supports growth and a stronger economy,” added Georgia Miller, general manager of Waterford Homes.

Waterford Homes, a locally owned company established in 1986 in Sarasota County, has designed and built new homes for over 3,000 families in the greater Venice area. In addition to single-family homes, maintenance-free villa homes and luxury condominiums, Waterford also is involved in a variety of commercial, office and industrial parks.

Matching funds under the Alec P. Courtelis Facility Enhancement Challenge grant from the Florida Division of Colleges and Universities brings value of the Waterford Companies 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 100 businesses, foundations, faculty, staff, alumni, and other individuals have come forward with over $2.6 million in private gifts and grants for the Initiative. Total funds for enhancement of the new 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 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 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.