Spotlight

USFSP Celebrates

By Tom Scherberger | USFSP

It was a night to remember. Hundreds of people gathered at USF St. Petersburg Sept. 20 to honor Gus Stavros, the retired entrepreneur and tireless philanthropist who has devoted much of his adult life to supporting education.

It was the first major event at the new University Student Center and the biggest fundraiser in USFSP history.

USFSP Celebrates! was sold out, drawing more than 350 people for a reception, dinner and tributes to Stavros, all to benefit the USFSP College of Business.

The evening would not have been possible without the generosity of the evening's many supporters, particularly the prime sponsors: Ajax Building Corporation, Creative Contractors, Progress Energy and the Tampa Bay Times.

A reception at the Debbie and Brent Sembler Family Fountain along HarborWalk preceded dinner inside the spacious second-floor ballroom of the University Student Center. Master of Ceremonies Dick Crippen, senior adviser for the Tampa Bay Rays, provided regular updates on that night's game.

The USFSP Army ROTC Color Guard honored Stavros' decorated service in World War II. USF System President Judy Genshaft praised Stavros' generosity, saying, "I can't imagine what this region and this state would be like without him." Interim Regional Chancellor Bill Hogarth also thanked Stavros and welcomed everyone to the university.

St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster declared Sept. 20, 2012, Gus Stavros Day. USF System Trustee Debbie Sembler, a co-chair of the event, presented a resolution from the Florida Board of Governors commending Stavros, a member of the board. USF System Trustee Stephanie Goforth, the other co-chair of the event, presented Stavros with an original work of art by a USFSP graphic design student.

Business executive and keynote speaker James MacDougald noted how many lives Stavros had touched and asked how many in the audience knew him.

Nearly every hand shot up. It was that kind of night.

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