Across the state of Florida and beyond, the stature and impact of the University of South Florida continue to grow.
As one example, in the most recent U.S. News and World Report rankings, USF rose from 58th a year ago to 44th among public universities. We fared well in a variety of categories, but one that is important to highlight is that we rank 11th in the nation for the social mobility of our students, the highest of any Florida university.
We also are extremely proud that for the seventh consecutive year, USF stands with the world’s top universities in inventing new technologies, tools and objects that have been granted a U.S. patent. USF is seventh among American public research universities and 16th among all universities worldwide in generating new patents. This ranking places USF in rare company among the more than 1,000 academic institutions generating new, novel and useful inventions granted intellectual property protection.
We also achieved a milestone with our endowment, which has reached $513.5 million. This means USF now meets all 12 metrics in Florida’s Preeminence program, and our status as one of only three Preeminent Research Institutions in Florida — and the first located in a metropolitan area — was reaffirmed in 2019. The growth in our endowment also means we have more resources to support more of our deserving students, many of whom are first in their families to go to college, our faculty and our programs.
These are just a few of the many accomplishments that reflect the passion and commitment of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and Bulls supporters. In the pages that follow, you will read about the continued strength of the USF Foundation, which is integral to the success of our university. I especially want to acknowledge Joel Momberg, who served as senior vice president and CEO of the USF Foundation from 2009 until his retirement on October 31, 2019. As one measure of Joel’s impact, USF’s endowment has more than doubled since he started. Joel brought people together and inspired great optimism, and USF benefited greatly from his leadership and professionalism.
USF’s ascent in the higher education landscape has been remarkable. Even more exciting than what USF has accomplished is the extraordinary promise of what the future holds. This is a university where excellence and opportunity converge. Our faculty, staff and students endeavor each day to reach higher levels of performance in their scholarship, artistic activities, teaching, learning, athletics, and service to the Tampa Bay region, Florida, the United States and the world.
A university is a partnership among many, and your generous support helps us continue our upward trajectory.
Sincerely,
Steven C. Currall, Ph.D.
USF President
As we close the books on the 2018-19 fiscal year, we must thank Judy Genshaft, who retired as president on June 30. Judy ended her 19-year tenure as president just as those who know her would expect, by making a historic $23 million gift to name the Judy Genshaft Honors College and endow the college’s deanship with her husband, Steven Greenbaum.
You’ll read more about their significant gift in this Performance Report, along with several other highlights from another year of giving at USF.
Your generosity pushes USF to new heights. Because of your continual support, we raised nearly $112 million during the 2018-19 fiscal year for new scholarships, academic programs and research. It should also be a mark of great pride for you and all of us that our endowment has reached $513.5 million. By achieving this goal, USF has met all twelve metrics for preeminence.
Several of the stories in this Performance Report highlight the growing trend of women making significant gifts to the university. In addition to Judy’s gift to the Honors College, these include a naming gift from Monica Wooden to the Monica Wooden Center for Supply Chain Management and Sustainability and an endowed deanship from USF St. Petersburg benefactors Kate Tiedemann and Ellen Cotton.
You’ll also read about how Don and Penny Butz and Dr. Julian Newman are supporting the areas they are passionate about through planned gifts; why a young alumnus is setting up an endowment for future students in the Muma College of Business; how an engineering alumnus’ Florida Lottery windfall allowed him to pay it forward; and much more.
We say it every year, but it really can’t be said too often. Thank you for everything you do, for your unwavering commitment and determination to make USF one of the best universities in the state, the nation and the world.
It is a time of significant growth and change at USF as we welcome Steven C. Currall, Ph.D., as our seventh president. We are a university with great momentum and are excited for the new chapter that has only just begun.
Ray “Chip” Newton III
Chair, USF Foundation Board
Joel Momberg
Retired CEO, USF Foundation
Senior Vice President, University Advancement & Alumni Affairs
“I donate because I want my support to empower students to take advantage of all the experiences offered at the University of South Florida. As an undergraduate, I had the opportunity to study abroad, engage in Greek Life and participate in Bulls For Kids. My giving is centered around providing a student with an opportunity they might not otherwise have.”
Tatiana Garcia ’15, ’19 USF BOLD Council member
“I believe in giving back, paying it forward and helping others to succeed. I joined the USF Department of Criminology faculty in 1981 when USF was a regional university. It is now one of Florida’s three preeminent universities and recently was ranked No. 44 among public universities in the United States by U.S. News and World Report. I am grateful to be a professor at USF and thrilled to see our university continually rising to the top, providing quality education to our students, and being a vibrant contributor to the Tampa Bay community. Go Bulls!”
Kathleen M. Heide, Ph.D. Professor of Criminology
“Family is so important to me. The coaches, athletic trainers and the athletic director at USF treat the players like family members. They get to know them as individuals and ask about family members’ health during illnesses and how their families are recovering after the recent hurricanes. We are so appreciative and thankful of their efforts and want to donate to pay it forward for future USF Bulls!”
Michael Weiss USF Parent
$1.2 million planned gift added to Newman Endowed Scholarship Fund.
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Before retiring as president of the University of South Florida after an historic 19-year tenure, Judy Genshaft and her husband, Steven Greenbaum, made an incredibly generous — and historic — parting gift.
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He’s living the dream — both in his information technology career and as a professional athlete. But, as Matthew O’Neal will tell you, he wouldn’t be here without the Selmon Mentoring Institute.
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Kate Tiedemann and Ellen Cotton have forever changed USF St. Petersburg.
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Supply chain and logistics is a multibillion dollar industry that created 30,000 jobs in Florida alone over a two-year period. Monica Wooden helps USF students get a seat at the table.
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Resplendent with jewels in their 12th century regalia, the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago (KSY) parade through the streets — smiling, tossing beads and, unbeknownst to most, raising money for college scholarships as members of the KSY Education Foundation.
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Being in the Peace Corps was one of the most exciting times of their lives, and what they observed there would plant the seed for their philanthropic support of the University of South Florida decades later.
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From its small-scale beginning in 1994 as an effort to raise awareness of USF within the Sarasota-Manatee community, Brunch on the Bay has evolved into a uniquely compelling annual experience.
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Recognizing how pivotal his experiences with the Real Estate Society and his internship were to his career success, Noah Shaffer wanted to provide future students the ability to have similar experiences.
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On January 13, 2020, the doors of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM) and Heart Institute will open for the first day of class, launching a new era for USF Health.
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When Tampa business owner Krishna Barri ’03 won $14.5 million in a December 2018 Lotto drawing, he decided to share his good fortune.
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Confidant. Friend. Wise counselor. Visionary. Leader. Creative. Loyal. Trustworthy. Fun. Big hearted. Genuine. Kind. Many have used these words to describe Joel Momberg.
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