Generations of Alumni

Faces of Preeminence

Alumni have contributed directly to the numbers that define Preeminence.

HE MANY FACES of Preeminence include generations of alumni. From their gifts of time, talent and treasure to their academic and research successes, alumni contribute directly to the numbers that define Preeminence. Here are just a few of those measures as described in Florida statute 1001.7065, and some of the alumni who’ve helped USF hit the mark.

(C) A FRESHMAN RETENTION RATE OF 90 PERCENT OR HIGHER ... (D) ... A SIX-YEAR GRADUATION RATE OF 70 PERCENT OR HIGHER BY OCT. 1, 2017...

The number of students who make it to their sophomore year and the number who graduate in four to six years are both measures of student success. At USF, at least some of that success can be traced to transformational gifts from visionary alumni.

In 2016, Jeff Fishman, ’92, and his wife, Brandy, ’96, Life Members, gave $1 million to create the Fishman Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center in the Selmon Athletics Center. It houses nine tutorial rooms, 31 computer stations, and individual and group learning spaces, along with staff dedicated to academic excellence.

The Collier Student Success Center in the Muma College of Business, established in 2015 with a $10.9 million gift from Barron Collier III, ’80, Life Member, and his wife, Dana, offers a range of student support, from scholarships to programs that teach “soft,’’ out-ofclassroom skills, such as dining etiquette, networking and negotiating.

Barry and Dana Collier listen with USF System President Judy Genshaft as their gift to the Muma College of Business is announced.

Noah and Abbi Fishman; their mother, Brandy; grandmother Ellie Fishman; and dad, Jeff, visit the Fishman Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center.

“It helped me grow into a confident business professional,’’ says finance major Maithilee Pagay, ’18, of the Collier center. “The advisors provided me with professional guidance on my resumé, sharpened my interview skills and provided excellent tips on networking. As a team, we harnessed my strengths and worked on my weaknesses, which allowed me to confidently apply for internships.’’

Pagay did land a valuable internship – with Raymond James Financial.

“The end result is a great, well-rounded graduate who can confidently enter today’s competitive world,’’ says Collier, a partner in his family’s company, which oversees land holdings and businesses in agriculture, minerals and real estate. “This is not only the opportunity for a great education but a shot at getting a job, which is what college is all about, and that’s what this program is about.’’

At USF Athletics, winning means scoring both on and off the field of play. Last spring, 261 USF studentathletes, 62.7 percent, earned a 3.0 or better gradepoint average, contributing to a department record term average of 3.11. That set another record – seven consecutive term GPAs over 3.0. The Fishman center gets a good share of credit. “It’s validation,’’ Fishman says. “It’s like ‘Field of Dreams’ … you build something and make it conducive for learning, you make it a welcoming space and they will come. It’s a thrill for me to walk through the facility and see it fully occupied.