St. Petersburg College Foundation 2016 Annual Report
SPC Foundation Board of Directors Chair
Deveron M. Gibbons
Vice Chair
Robert L. Hilton
Beth Horner, JD Senior Vice President - Trust Director The Bank of Tampa Paul Demirdjian President/CEO Jagged Peak, Inc.
Immediate Past Chair
Bill McCloud Ret. Senior Vice President Veolia Transportation
Treasurer
Amy Lockhart* Associate Vice President Financial & Business Services St. Petersburg College
Secretary
Frances Neu* VP Institutional Advancement & Foundation Executive Director St. Petersburg College
Joseph G. Blanton
Vice President, Investments Raymond James & Associates
R. Michael Carroll
Ret. CFO Club Corporation of America
Kenneth P. Cherven
Ret. President The Bank of Tampa - Pinellas
Vice President of Public Affairs Amscot Financial, Inc. Trustee, St. Petersburg College Financial Advisor Raymond James & Associates First Vice President Mustard Seed Advisors Dr. William D. Law, Jr. * President St. Petersburg College
Directors Emeritus Helen Leslie Al T. May Henry B. Sayler
Honorary Director
Wendell R. Ware
* Ex officio members
Angie McCourt
Vice President Cisco Global Strategy Americas IoT Strategy Tech Data Corporation
Steven R. Shepard
Ret. Sr. Vice President & General Counsel Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio
Shan Shikarpuri
President Shikarpuri & Associates, P.A.
Richard B. Winning
Vice President & Assistant General Manager Derby Lane
David Zillig
Ret. Co-Owner Jani-King International
Stephen O. Cole, Esq.
Shareholder MacFarlane Ferguson & McMullen
Our Mission The St. Petersburg College Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) corporation chartered under Florida statutes, and is a direct support organization of St. Petersburg College. In support of the vision and mission of SPC, the Foundation promotes the practice of philanthropy through partnerships with the community and accepts and prudently manages all gifts including cash, securities, property, bequests and trusts.
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Dear Donors, Alumni & Friends, The St. Petersburg College Foundation experienced significant growth during fiscal year 2015. Under the expert direction of our Board of Directors, and in partnership with College leadership and an exceptional staff, revenues increased by 23%, helping us reach an all-time high of awarding over $1.5 million in scholarships to more than 1,900 students. Further, the Foundation awarded over $65,000 in Innovation Grants to faculty and staff, bringing the total awarded from this initiative close to $400,000 since its inception in 2011.
Beth Horner Board of Directors Chair
This banner year was punctuated with several “firsts” as well, including the enhancement and expansion of the Presidential Scholarship program. Designed to recognize the academic achievement of some of the county’s best and brightest graduating high school seniors, the program awarded 65 students full-tuition scholarships for 60 credit hours of study, valued at over $455,000. In September 2015, we launched our Distinguished Speaker Series. The inaugural event featured Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak, who entertained the audience with his candid discussion of his life’s work and the founding of Apple. As engaging as Mr. Wozniak was, the real stars of the evening were the SPC students who wowed the audience with their poise and accomplishments. These efforts are components of a larger body of work focused on bringing enhanced recognition to the quality of teaching and learning that occurs daily on our College’s campuses. Together they generate increased visibility for the College and the key role it plays in preparing a workforce that will, in turn, help ensure the economic vitality of our community.
Frances Neu VP Institutional Advancement & Foundation Executive Director
We extend our deepest gratitude to our partners who, through their contributions of time and financial resources, have shared the vision, the passion and the commitment to ensuring the success of our students, today and in the future.
Sincerely,
Frances Neu VP Institutional Advancement & Foundation Executive Director St. Petersburg College
Beth Horner, J.D. Board of Directors Chair St. Petersburg College Foundation
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Traditional Scholarships
John (Far Right) and JoAnn Nestor meet Political Analyst David Brooks at the Foundation’s Distinguished Speaker Event John and JoAnn Nestor are passionate about focusing their philanthropic efforts in the community they call home. In 2014, the couple discussed their desire to make an impact in the area of education with St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and his recommendation led them to St. Petersburg College. Understanding the importance of affordable, accessible and high quality education, the Nestors began working with the SPC Foundation to create the John and JoAnn Nestor Scholarship. Through the Foundation’s Traditional Scholarship Initiative, the Nestors were able to tailor their award to coincide with their specific interests and to-date have awarded over 40 student scholarships.
Timora Works
For many St. Petersburg College students, the availability of financial assistance can mean the difference between enrolling in classes and deferring academic and career goals. In fact, it is widely reported that the availability of financial assistance has a greater influence on student recruitment and retention than any other controllable factor. With the support of friends and partners like John and JoAnn Nestor, the Foundation was able to award over $1.5 million in scholarships to more than 1,900 students in the 2015-16 academic year. These scholarships support the College’s efforts to attract and retain a broad and diverse student enrollment. And with more than 60% of the College’s annual enrollment relying on tuition assistance, scholarships play a critical role in student success and help ensure that our graduates possess the high-demand skills sought by area employers.
Traditional scholarships provide support to students like Timora. With constant instability throughout her childhood in Midtown, St. Petersburg, she dropped out of high school and eventually found herself living in a homeless shelter. “I felt like giving up on everything. I was lost and did not know how to begin to start my life over,” said Timora. Inspired by her older sister, Timora decided to obtain her GED and enroll at SPC. The financial assistance Timora received through SPC Foundation scholarships allowed her to fully focus on her studies. The scholarships did so much more than pay for tuition, they gave Timora a greatly needed boost of confidence.
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“The scholarships made me know that people actually care about what I have done to get to where I am today.” Timora graduated with an A.A. in Business Administration in May 2016 joining the more than 640 scholarship recipients who graduated during the 2015-16 academic year.
Study Abroad Scholarships International study is one of the best opportunities to prepare students for life beyond the classroom. Research shows that students who participate in foreign study programs have better grades, increased retention and graduate from college at higher rates than students who do not study abroad. What’s more, the experience helps build the critical thinking, problem solving, time management and communication skills that have become requirements for success in today’s global marketplace. Thanks to generous donors who understand the value of international travel, a growing number of students receive scholarships of up to $2,000 to help cover the cost of their study abroad trip.
Helen Gilbart
Helen Gilbart helped set the standard for exemplary service and dedication at SPC. After earning an A.A. degree from St. Petersburg Junior College in1964 and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education with specializations in English, Speech and Journalism from the University of Florida, Helen returned to the College as a faculty member at the Clearwater Campus. Gilbart says, “It was fun to see the college change and grow.” She retired as the Program Director for Humanities, Fine Arts and Communications in 1997. Helen and her late husband established the Donald and Helen Gilbart Scholarship Fund in 1997. This gift made the Gilbarts one of the earliest members of the Foundation’s Legacy Society, ensuring that their scholarship will continue to benefit students long into the future. Their scholarship has already provided much-needed financial support and encouragement to more than 150 students in the fields of education, social service, mental and physical health. A women of great energy and vision, Helen was a founding member of the Women on the Way program and the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art. Her spirit of adventure has also led Helen to many destinations around the globe. Recognizing the far-reaching educational value of international travel, Helen has been sponsoring Study Abroad Scholarships at SPC since 2013.
SPC students learn about Gustave Eiffel and visit his iconic creation in Paris, France.
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First Generation Scholarships
First Generation Students and Duke Energy State President Alex Glenn gather at Midtown Campus
Approximately one in six students enrolled at St. Petersburg College will be the first in their family to earn a college credential. Thanks to our donors, over 915 First Generation Scholarships were awarded in the 2015-16 academic year. All donations to the SPC First Generation Scholarship Initiative are matched one to one by the State of Florida.
Theresa Guy
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Duke Energy As a long-time partner of the SPC Foundation, Duke Energy is a champion of education and workforce development in Pinellas County. In January 2016, Duke provided $30,000 to underwrite scholarships for First Generation students attending SPC’s Midtown and Downtown campuses. Demonstrating its commitment to veterans, this year Duke also awarded $7,500 to the Foundation’s Veterans Bridge Fund Initiative that provides essential financial assistance to veteran students at SPC. Duke has been a prominent sponsor of the Foundation’s Distinguished Speaker Series and is active with numerous other programs at the College.
Theresa Guy is the fourth of five children in an honest, hard-working family. Her mother has a high school diploma, her father and siblings do not. She struggled in high school – with academics and to find purpose. While she dreamt of attending college, her grades, limited financial resources and lukewarm family support were telling her otherwise. At age 32, after many attempts to improve her circumstances, Theresa met with a social worker who would help turn her life around. This new found support gave her the confidence to enroll at St. Petersburg College. Two years later, Theresa proudly shares, “I am holding a 4.0 GPA and have been inducted into the Golden Key International Honor Society!” Theresa credits SPC for helping her find balance as a student and single mother. She plans to graduate from SPC next year and attend USF to work on her long-term goal to becoming a therapist. She wants to pay forward both the financial and emotional support she received to help others in similar circumstances.
Top Corporate, Community & Foundation Partners SPC’s reputation as a leader in higher education is widely noted around the state and across the nation. This is due in large part to the participation of many high caliber corporate partners that help the college attract and retain exceptional students and faculty. The ultimate return on investment is a well-educated, highly skilled and deeply-committed workforce who are prepared to enter the workplace and assume leadership roles in our community. A partial list of partners follows. Agile Thought, LLC
Gregory, Sharer & Stuart
Rotary Club of Tarpon Springs
Allegany Franciscan Ministries, Inc.
Helios Education Foundation
Rothman Family Foundation, Inc.
Huffman Barnette & Associates LLC
Sel Rel, Inc.
Jagged Peak, Inc.
Sabal Trust Company
The Krauss Baschab Foundation
Shan Shikarpuri & Associates, CPA
LEMA Construction Co.
Sonia Plotnick Health Fund Inc.
Liberty Mutual Group
South Pinellas County Retired Educators
Lockheed Martin
St. Petersburg West Rotary Club
McGraw-Hill Companies
Suncoast Credit Union
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Superior Uniform Group
National Association of Certified Fraud Examiners - Tampa Bay Chapter
Tampa Bay Business Journal
The Alvah H. & Wyline P. Chapman Foundation Inc.
American Association of University Women American Foundation for Greek Language & Culture Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc. AVAST Amputee V. A. Support Team Bay Area Manufacturers Association The Bank of Tampa Baynard McLeod & Lang PA Biltmore Construction Company Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Nestle Purina PetCare Co.
Charter Communications, Inc.
Palm Harbor Special Fire Control & Rescue District
Cisco Solutions Group
Patrick Brett Foundation
City of Seminole
Philip & Marilyn Benjamin Family Philanthropic Foundation, Inc.
Consulado de Mexico en Orlando, FL Creative Contractors, Inc. Duke Energy, Inc. F. E. Lykes Foundation FICPA - Suncoast Chapter Fifth Third Bank The Florida College System Foundation General Dynamics Ordinance & Tactical Systems
Tampa Bay Times Tech Data Corporation Thomas A. & Mary S. James Foundation, Inc. Transamerica Transdev
Pinellas Animal Foundation
Tribridge Holding, LLC
Pinellas Community Foundation
United Way Suncoast
Pinellas County Veterinary Medical Society, Inc.
Valley National Bank
Raymond James Financial Inc.
Vanguard Charitable
Raytheon, Inc.
WEDU, Inc.
RBC Wealth Management
Wells Fargo Foundation
Realty Consulting, Inc.
WUSF Public Media
RedVector, Inc.
Gibbs Junior College Alumni Association
Rotary Club of Central Pinellas
Great Bay Distributors, Inc.
Rotary Club of Pinellas Park
Foundation Board Member & Vice President of Cisco Global Strategy Americas IoT Strategy at Tech Data Corporation, Angie McCourt presents at an SPC career fair
Tampa Bay Rays, Inc.
Tampa Bay Rays President Brian Auld and SPC President Bill Law gather with First Generation Scholarship recipients
Clark Mason of RBC Wealth Management (right) with scholarship recipient Jose Sanchez
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Alumni Association
SPC Alum Bill McCloud (right) and his wife Elaine pose with Former U.S. Representative Kendrick Meek at the Grand Opening of SPC’s Midtown Campus
Bill McCloud credits his experiences as a student at St. Petersburg Junior College for laying the foundation of his educational career. After graduating from the mechanical engineering program in 1973, Bill went on to obtain his bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. studies. In 2006, Bill helped establish the Gibbs Junior College Alumni Association Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to students at SPC’s St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus. Looking back on his career, Bill also wanted to encourage students to enter STEM-related fields. With that in mind, Bill and his wife Elaine created the Bill McCloud/Transdev Scholarship for students pursuing an education in science, technology, engineering or math at SPC. In 2012, Bill received the National Council for Resource Development (CRD) Benefactor Award in recognition of his philanthropic contributions to SPC. He joined the Foundation Board of Directors the same year and in 2014 was elected Chairman. Bill has distinguished himself as a tireless community leader and steadfast supporter of SPC.
Alumni Awards 2016 Outstanding Alumnus: Congressman Gus Bilirakis U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R) was honored last year as SPC’s 2016 Outstanding Alumnus. Bilirakis attended St. Petersburg Junior College before earning a B.A. from the University of Florida and a J.D. from Stetson University. Prior to being elected to Congress, Bilirakis served four terms in the Florida House of Representatives (1998-2006) where he won bipartisan acclaim for his leadership efforts, including sponsoring the bill that would expand SPJC into a four-year institution making it the first community college in the state to transition.
Bill has also been active in the SPC Alumni Association. In addition to Outstanding Alumnus, the Alumni Association awards two other prestigious honors each year. The Apollo Award, given each year since 1966, is presented to an outstanding associate degree graduate and the Achievement Award honors an exceptional baccalaureate graduate. Winners are chosen for their leadership, scholastic standing and community service.
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(from left to right) Alumni Association Former President John Brown, Dr. Bill Law and Amy Bhatt 2016 Achievement Award Winner
Distinguished Speaker Series Under the leadership of the SPC Foundation Board of Directors, the Foundation launched its Distinguished Speaker Series in 2015. The event was developed to enhance the visibility of the College while increasing scholarship support for students. An impressive number of corporate and private donors have stepped forward as event sponsors.
Steve Wozniak Steve Wozniak (Right) and Geoff Simon
David Brooks Nationally acclaimed political and social analyst David Brooks drew two standing ovations from a crowd of almost 800 at the Second Annual Distinguished Speaker event in September. Within moments of taking the stage, Mr. Brooks captivated guests with his humor and poignant observations. His comments focused on the development of character and creating a balance between the “resume virtues” and “eulogy virtues” described in his best-selling book The Road to Character. His comments were illuminated with references to some of the world’s greatest thinkers and leaders. Mr. Brooks concluded his presentation with a Q & A session which was followed by a book signing.
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak launched the Foundation’s Distinguished Speaker Series in November 2015. A Silicon Valley icon and philanthropist for more than 30 years, Wozniak helped shape the computing industry with his design of the Apple I and Apple II computers which revolutionized the way we communicate and conduct business. Wozniak told the audience that he attended community college in his youth because it provided an affordable option and helped lay the foundation for his future. Following his remarks and Q & A, Wozniak greeted fans in the lobby, signing autographs and posing for photos for close to an hour.
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Innovation Grants
SPC Professor Chad Mairn demonstrates Virtual Reality technology SPC’s Innovation Grants Initiative was launched in 2011 to support the college’s efforts to improve student success. The Initiative provides the financial resources needed to bring to life the creative ideas of SPC faculty, staff and students. These projects broaden the scope of the curriculum, deepen the college experience and advance student achievement. The Foundation has awarded close to $400,000 since the inception of the program.
The Foundation’s Innovation Grants Initiative has helped faculty members like Chad Mairn develop programs that engage students in new and meaningful ways. This year, Professor Mairn received a grant to underwrite the cost of equipment that utilizes holographs, 3D graphs and virtual reality to enhance student learning. This is Mr. Mairn’s fourth Innovation Grant, each of which has helped build his highly popular Innovation Lab on Seminole Campus. Often referred to as a “technology playground,” the Lab attracts people of all ages from across Pinellas County who have an interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and math. It’s an oasis where both the curious and the experienced meet to share, learn and collaborate. The Lab also holds regular workshops and events like Makers Boot Camp which encourage experimentation and discovery.
Presidential Scholarship Alexis Deveaux is an accomplished senior at SPC whose upbeat energy and positivity brighten the day of everyone she meets. As a Pinellas County high school student, Alexis enrolled in SPC’s Early College Program and after two years graduated high school and earned an A.A. degree simultaneously. Although Alexis was courted by the top universities in the country, she chose to continue her education at SPC. Alexis was awarded a Presidential Scholarship in 2015 and says the scholarship gave her the opportunity to immerse herself in her education and fully engage in activities on campus. During her time at SPC, Alexis served as President of student government, Head Delegate of the model U.N. team, MC of the Foundation’s Distinguished Speaker Event and studied-abroad in Vietnam and South Korea. Even with all this, Alexis says the people and mentors she met at SPC have had the greatest impact on her life.
Presidential Scholar Alexis Deveaux speaks at the 2016 Distinguished Speaker Event
SPC’s Presidential Scholarships recognize outstanding achievement among Pinellas County high school students. The award provides full tuition scholarships for 60 credit hours of study at St. Petersburg College. Over 110 Presidential Scholarships have 9 been awarded since 2015.
P.O. Box 13489 St. Petersburg, FL 33733 (727) 341-3302
[email protected] www.spcollege.edu/foundation
Thank you for supporting student scholarships!
