Alumni contribute $405,000, Mazda5
Rooting for UF: Roberto Espin Jr., ADV 1969, his wife, Gilda, UF President Bernie Machen, Lizann Star and her husband, Bill.
Insurance companies
boost global communications
by $100,000
With its faculty members and students embarking on academic journeys to such countries as Nicaragua, Germany and Malaysia, the College has been expanding its global reach in recent years. Now Miami-based Hamilton Risk Management and its parent company, Ontario, Canada-based Kingsway Financial Services, are helping to solidify these globetrotting efforts.
Led by Hamilton President Roberto Espin Jr., ADV 1969, and Kingsway President and CEO Bill Star, the companies recently pledged $100,000 to establish the Kingsway Professional Advancement Fund for International Communication.
The fund will help pay for the overseas activities of faculty members and students. The activities include traveling to conferences sponsored by such organizations as theInternational Communication Association, and participating in such College programs as the Florida Fly-Ins, a course that sends student writers and photographers to a foreign country, from which they produce an online magazine and an exhibit in words and pictures.
The College plans to apply for state-matching funds of $50,000.
Andy Fletcher, ADV 1979, and his wife Amy recently pledged $100,000 to establish the Andy and Amy Fletcher Endowment for Journalism and Communications Excellence in support of teaching, research and service activities. Upon completion, the College will apply for a state match of $50,000. Andy is president and CEO of Fletcher Martin, a marketing communications agency in Atlanta and UF’s agency for the “Gator Nation” campaign.
Charles Mirabella, ADV 1981, and his wife Joanne recently pledged $50,000 to establish the Charles and Joanne Mirabella Professional Advancement Fund in Honor of Sam and Marie Mirabella. It will support student and faculty activities such as conference attendance and presentations and student competitions. The fund is part of UF’s Faculty Challenge Initiative, which aims to raise $150 million to support faculty, research and graduate assistants. Charlie is a partner with Precision Orthopedic in Tampa. His father is a 1951 graduate of UF’s Warrington College of Business.
Michael, JM 1980, and Linda, JM 1980, Connelly, recently added $65,000 to the Michael and Linda Connelly Professional Advancement Fund, bringing it to $100,000 and making it eligible for a state match of $50,000. The fund supports student and faculty professional advancement activities.
Former PRSA President and CEO Del Galloway, PR 1981, MAMC 1983, recently gave $25,000 to establish the C. Del Galloway Professional Advancement Fund for Public Relations.
Leland M. Hawes Jr., JM 1950, who recently retired from The Tampa Tribune, gave $25,000 to establish the Leland M. Hawes Jr. Internship Endowment. It will help junior, senior and graduate students who do for-credit internships.
Stacey Shaw, JM 1970, director of communications for the Herberger College of Fine Arts at Arizona State University, recently gave $20,000 to set up the Joy Reese Shaw Graduate Assistantship/Fellowship for Newspaper Journalism in honor of her late mother, who was an investigative reporter for The Miami Herald.
Stuart G. Newman, JM 1946, added a $20,000 annuity to The Stuart G. Newman Endowment for Excellence in Journalism and Communications, which supports teaching, research and service programs. He established Stuart Newman Associates, a Miami public relations/marketing firm, in 1946.
Henry “Tip” Graham Jr., JM 1972, facilitated the donation of a 2006 Mazda5 to the College’s WUFT-FM. Students use it for reporting. He is president and CEO of Jacksonville’s Scott-McRae Group, which owns and operates Duval Mazda of Gainesville.
