Special to USF News
TAMPA, Fla. (Nov. 26, 2013) - The USF Foundation, in conjunction with the USF System, is extending its record-setting USF: Unstoppable Campaign, for five years with a new goal of $1 billion. Coming on board to help lead the second phase of the campaign are new campaign co-chairs, Gordon Gillette, President of Tampa Electric & Peoples Gas, and Tod Leiweke, CEO of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
"We are dedicated to continuing this campaign because we have seen first-hand the tremendous positive impact it has had for our students and faculty throughout the USF System," said President Judy Genshaft. "Each of our institutions is stronger today because of this campaign. It is unusual for a public institution founded since the 1900's to have a $1 billion campaign. Thanks to our great alumni and community supporters, we are unstoppable."
The extension of the campaign was celebrated in a gala event at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
The USF: Unstoppable Campaign is a
comprehensive fundraising effort by the University of South Florida to
celebrate the energy, vision and future of one of the country’s most exciting
and engaged universities. Our people and programs, our ideas, our research and
our solutions comprise an ambitious plan to enhance health care, science,
technology, education, business, the arts and global partnerships. Through
creative and meaningful investment from our alumni and friends, we can
translate the entrepreneurial spirit of an entire university into tangible
outcomes that improve lives throughout the world.
USF Foundation CEO Joel Momberg said the campaign’s second phase will focus on
USF System priorities.
"During the next half-decade, we will
focus on creating new student scholarships, research and teaching support for
our outstanding faculty, and enhancing the academic experience for all,"
said Momberg. "USF Health will focus on areas of strength, including
cardiovascular treatment and research. For USF Athletics, the second phase will
provide an opportunity to build on the successes of the first phase and create
more scholarship funding for our wonderful student-athletes."
"We are proud to play a role in supporting the great staff at USF in pushing forward to the next frontier," said Tod Leiweke. "USF is a world class asset to our region, and to continue to grow and compete, we need to continue to provide the leadership resources needed to remain world class."
"We are very excited and proud to continue building an unstoppable future for the USF System through this campaign's second phase," said Gordon Gillette. "There are unprecedented opportunities ahead for the University of South Florida, as a leading research institution in the state and around the globe. Our commitment is to help extend USF's transformational impact for decades to come."
To participate in the USF: Unstoppable Campaign, visit http://usfweb3.usf.edu/unstoppable/about_the_campaign.aspx.