Education & Philanthropy

Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has been selected as the 2024-2025 recipient of the Fulbright-Schuman Innovation Award. The award is presented, annually, to one American scholar with the purpose of supporting research at the intersection of policy and technology that can improve the understanding of issues important to the United States

Brian and Renee Murphy have made a personal donation of $1.5 million to Jesuit High School, in Tampa, following a major fundraising success at the school’s annual Gaudiosa Gala. In February, the Murphys were Grand Gaudiosa Underwriters, helping Jesuit’s annual Gaudiosa gala raise $1.25 million for the school’s financial aid program. The Murphy’s son, Parker,

Tom and Mary James have made a landmark donation of $2 million to Parc Center for Disabilities, the largest private donation ever received by the organization. The donation has been earmarked for the groundbreaking of the new Children’s Services Center, a new facility being constructed to house services supporting children’s cognitive and emotional development. Beyond

The University of South Florida received a $2.7 million gift, which will go toward student scholarships. The funds, from late Palm Harbor resident and former NASA engineer Tom Tiedemann, will be used to support students in the College of Engineering, the College of Nursing and the School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, which is

Ryan Companies US has completed Feeding Tampa Bay’s new headquarters, a 210,000-square-foot industrial, distribution and office facility dedicated to supplying meals for millions of families facing food insecurity in West Central Florida. The headquarters is expected to open in May and will allow Feeding Tampa Bay to provide more meals and additional services that will

On March 19, St. Petersburg College’s President Dr. Tonjua Williams will launch a new podcast — “Standing in the Gap” — featuring thought leaders who foster positive change in education and beyond. The podcast will provide individuals from diverse backgrounds, including corporate executives, students, faculty and community leaders, the opportunity to come together and explore

Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County held its 3rd annual CEO Build, with more than 40 business leaders in Tampa Bay, working on constructing two homes. James Nozar, founder and chief executive officer of real estate company East+Main, served as this year’s event chair. Some of the other participating business leaders included: • Jerome Ryans,

The Tampa Bay Wave, a startup accelerator, in Tampa, has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In partnership with the University of South Florida and the St. Petersburg Innovation District, the Wave will use the funds to create the BlueTech|X Accelerator. This program will be designed to support

Tampa Bay Lightning General Manager Julien BriseBois, and his family, have announced a $500,000 donation, over the next five years, to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay. “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to give back to our community through this partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay,” said BriseBois. “When

St. Petersburg College has shared plans for the Chris Sprowls Workforce Innovation Hub. Located at the Tarpon Springs Campus, the Innovation Hub will be unveiled as a central location for manufacturing, creativity and collaboration at a kickoff celebration on February 20. This 10,000-square-foot space is named after Chris Sprowls, the former Florida House of Representatives

Anna Corman, interim director of the Hillsborough Education Foundation, believes in public education, both as her vocation and through her life experience.  As a Tampa Bay area native, and graduate of St. Petersburg Collegiate High School, Corman knows firsthand how important it is for students to have choice, and innovation, within their local public schools.

Trevor Burgess, chief executive officer of Neptune Flood Insurance, and his husband, Gary Hess, have donated $1 million to the St. Petersburg Free Clinic and launched a challenge for the community to, collectively, match their gift. In gratitude of the gift from Burgess and Hess, the SPFC volunteer program will be renamed the Gary Hess