The University of South Florida is on a trajectory unlike ever before – making major strides across every level, in every measure. In the past year alone, we were named a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, we were welcomed into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa national honor society, we surpassed our $1 billion fundraising goal for our USF: Unstoppable campaign, we were ranked fifth among public universities worldwide in generating U.S. utility patents, and we again broke our own records in student success among our entire diverse population.
These accomplishments belong to our students, faculty, staff and our wide-reaching network of Bulls supporters, alumni and fans. The collective power of the USF community is the fuel that drives our momentum and sustains our success.
In the following pages, you will read about the continued strength of our USF Foundation, an organization that has harnessed this momentum to help support our students and our institutional priorities. With contributions from more than 202,000 donors, this effort led to USF exceeding our $1 billion USF: Unstoppable campaign goal – a remarkable and extremely rare achievement for a university of our age. Only two other U.S. public universities founded since 1956, both in California, have raised $1 billion in a single campaign.
This means we have increased resources to support more of our deserving students, many of whom are first in their families to go to college or who otherwise might not be able to pursue their dream of a college education.
One recent example is a significant gift from Helios Education Foundation, a national leader in supporting student access and success, especially among diverse groups. In recognition of USF’s heralded leadership in this area, Helios has awarded our Black Leadership Network a first-of-its-kind, $2.1 million endowed grant that will provide scholarships and create mentorship opportunities to help minority students graduate faster and with less debt.
In this and so many other ways, USF and its supporters are making life better for our students and the communities we serve. I am proud of our students, faculty and staff, and I am so grateful for your generous support that enables us to continue moving our university forward. We have much to celebrate, and we are just getting started.
Go Bulls!
Sincerely,
Judy Genshaft
USF System President
The memories from a milestone continue to fill us with pride as we reflect on another year of giving at the University of South Florida. It seems hard to believe that a year has passed since we stood shoulder to shoulder on a stage inside the Amalie Arena, basking in the glow of boldly raising a billion dollars as a result of your unstoppable generosity.
Whether you were there with us in person, or there in spirit, your selfless giving and desire to continually elevate and enrich USF is never something we take for granted. Thanks to your unwavering support, we raised nearly $86 million during the 2017-18 fiscal year to create new scholarships, broaden our academic programs and celebrate a new momentous achievement: being officially designated as Preeminent by our State University’s Board of Governors, the highest designation that a university in Florida can achieve. USF was also awarded a chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the most distinguished national honor organization in America.
This Performance Report reflects many of the highlights you have helped make possible - such as a look back at our historic USF: Unstoppable campaign; a glimpse of USF’s highest fundraising priorities this year – USF Health at Water Street and the USF Football Center; the transformative impact of Helios Black Leadership Network Scholarship Endowment; Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s gift to USF St. Petersburg to provide students hands-on experience in wealth management in a state-of-the-art new center; the establishment of a major pre-nursing scholarship fund at USF Sarasota Manatee; and much more, including an uplifting tale of the last official gift made to the USF: Unstoppable campaign.
We’ve said it before, yet can’t say it enough. Thank you for all you do, year after year, through your constant commitment and determination to take USF to new heights.
George Morgan ’76
Chariman, USF Foundation Board
Joel Momberg
CEO, USF Foundation
Senior Vice President, University Advancement & Alumni Affairs
“We give to USF because we want to help inspire other first generation and minority students to succeed in their career goals. USF gave us the opportunity to learn, grow, and flourish in our post-graduate life. We want our actions to help influence other USF Alumni to give back.”
Diana Delacruz ’12, ’16 and Ron Delacruz ’11 USF BOLD Council members
“Even though I graduated from a private liberal arts college, I was impressed by the diversity of students at USF and I wanted to see that continue. This is why I annually support the Dr. Israel ‘Ike’ Tribble Jr. Endowed Scholarship at USF.”
Joyce Ann Russell Friend of USF
“As previous student-athletes, we understand the importance of giving to athletic programs. Some parent, alumnus, or corporate donor gave to our college institution, giving us the opportunity to be scholarship student-athletes! We feel it necessary to provide the same opportunity by supporting USF Athletics.”
Tunisia and Donnie Abraham USF Parents
Big things are on the horizon for USF. Though the university has achieved its hard-won Preeminent status in Florida, the drive to be the best has only intensified as USF’s reputation continues to grow.
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The yet-to-be-named USF Football Center will be a real game-changer, shutting out the storms and helping to attract top-level student-athletes to the university.
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The close friendship that linked Cody Beers and Joshua Faile was forged long before they took the field for USF’s standout Rugby Football Club in 2008. In 2018, Cody established a lasting tribute to honor his lifelong friend.
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This year Rocky made history by sharing his birthday spotlight with the inaugural USF Giving Day to promote a cause very close to his heart – student success.
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Arthur Guilford’s long and rich history with USF spanned four decades and two campuses, touching thousands of student lives. But he’s not stopping there.
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Nurses comprise the backbone of most hospital care, but a national shortage is creating a desperate situation in Florida as an influx of patients flood understaffed hospitals. Phil King recognized this as an opportunity to make a huge impact.
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Fine Arts students can now display their works in the Carolyn M. Wilson Gallery – made possible by a heartfelt gift of $400,000.
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Students at the USF St. Petersburg Kate Tiedemann College of Business (KTCOB) are investing in their future these days by learning to invest in the stock market – thanks to a $500,000 gift from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation.
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After nine years and raising more than a billion dollars, the end of the USF: Unstoppable campaign was fast approaching this past June. Of course, someone had to make the very last gift when the campaign and fiscal-year books officially closed.
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A $2.1 million grant from Helios Education Foundation is changing lives at the University of South Florida.
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Growing up, Chris Dennis always felt a strong sense of duty and honor. At 18 years old, he enlisted in the United States Navy, eager to serve his country and begin his career. Years later, that same drive would lead to a significant gift to empower the next generation of students at the University of South Florida.
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Bulls of the Last Decade (BOLD) underscores the power of philanthropy and how important private support is to the university in transforming lives.
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