Giving Back

WHY I GIVE

Seymour, J.D. ’60, and Susan Gordon

BY ASHLEY MCKNIGHT-TAYLOR

Seymour and Susan Gordon are nothing if not dedicated. Their steadfastness is evident in all their relationships – to each other, to their daughters, to the St. Petersburg community, and most especially to Stetson Law.

Seymour graduated from Stetson in 1960, and 10 years later returned as an adjunct professor teaching domestic relations, and wills and estates. When Dean Richard Dillon passed away, Seymour contacted all his classmates to help establish an endowment for an annual award named for Dillon to be given to a graduating student.

Last year, he and his wife established the Seymour and Susan Gordon Scholarship to be awarded to a student with financial need. Their charitable gift annuity will help Stetson students in perpetuity. Above and beyond the award and scholarships, the couple consistently make their support of Stetson known through annual giving above Dean’s Circle level.

Their “why” is simple:

“I absolutely feel that I owe a debt of gratitude to Stetson,” Seymour said. “The school gave me a lifetime profession and opportunity to be an attorney and the dignity that came with being an attorney.”

Susan agreed, saying that Stetson was and continues to be a big part of their lives and love story. The couple, who are now in their 80s, have been married for 63 years. They credit Stetson with giving them the ability to make a good living, travel and raise their two daughters – both of whom have law degrees, including one Stetson alumna. Stetson has provided a way of life, such as events and activities at the college, that they aim to repay, she said.

Seymour has practiced law in St. Petersburg for 60 years in areas that include real estate, commercial, wills and estates, and estate planning. He is a past president of the St. Petersburg Bar Association, an organization that he credits for helping him make lifelong friends and encourages all young local lawyers to join.

Though they were both born in New York (Brooklyn for him, the Bronx for her), they didn’t meet until they were both attending the University of Florida. They settled in St. Petersburg and found it to be a great city in which to raise a family and build a profession, but Seymour said it was the many nonprofit organizations – “the unselfish part of society” – that really made St. Pete so wonderful.

Civic engagement has always been a cornerstone of their personal and professional lives. Seymour believes it is especially important for lawyers to give back to the community because it is the right thing to do, and lawyers have a duty to share their knowledge of government and society with nonprofits. He has served on the executive board of Goodwill Industries, was president of The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, has served the Museum of Fine Arts for over 20 years, including being on the Board of Trustees and as its president, was president of the Kiwanis Club of St. Petersburg, and has been active in organizations including the Suncoasters of St. Petersburg.

Susan served as the executive director of The Science Center of Pinellas County for 25 years and was a biology teacher in Pinellas County for many years. She was active in the local, county and state PTA for 14 years. Susan said the world needs more ethical people – such as Stetson Lawyers – who stick to their values and principles, “and we’ll keep giving for as long as we can give” to help make that possible.

I absolutely feel that I owe a debt of gratitude to Stetson. The school gave me a lifetime profession and opportunity to be an attorney and the dignity that came with being an attorney.”

— Seymour Gordon, J.D. ’60

COLLEGE OF LAW Development & Alumni Relations 1401 61st Street South Gulfport, FL 33707