5 minutes with Bill

IF YOU’RE A MEMBER of the USF Alumni Association, you’re accustomed to finding this magazine in your mailbox a few times each year. Many of you have told me how much you look forward to that and the swell of Bull pride as you read through it. I couldn’t agree more.

If you’re one of the many receiving USF magazine for the first time, it’s no accident! This special, expanded issue was sent to you because your name emerged as someone who may like to learn more about us. This seemed like the perfect vehicle for connecting — or reconnecting — you to USF and sharing some of the opportunities, discoveries and achievements that can open doors for you. You don’t have to be an alum, faculty member, staff or student to be part of the USF family, so welcome! I hope you enjoy USF’s premier publication as much as I do.

If you live in Florida, please take a moment to thank our state elected officials for their emphatic commitment to higher education and USF as expressed in the historic budget passed this year. While the budget process was led by House Speaker Chris Sprowls, ’06, and Senate President Wilton Simpson, we thank all of the supporting lawmakers, and Gov. Ron DeSantis, for recognizing USF’s enormous impact.

Of course, you don’t have to be a state or local official to make a difference. Your USF Alumni Association has been expanding opportunities to connect, physically and virtually, through geographic and affinity-based alumni groups across the country and around the world. We’ve added staff to help our dedicated volunteer group leaders organize activities, fundraising efforts and other initiatives tailored to each group’s constituents. Thank you for your enthusiastic response! Find information on our chapters and societies at usfalumni.org/groups.

Our alumni groups, which contribute so much to USF’s success, benefit from another devoted group of volunteers — the Alumni Association’s board of directors. On July 1, we welcomed a new chair, Braulio Colón, a double alum and longtime champion of equity in higher education access. He succeeds Monique Hayes, also an alum and an equally relentless advocate for USF and diversity initiatives.

Thank you, Monique, for your many years of board service, your unique vision, big-picture perspective and willingness to travel so often to Tampa from your home in Miami. Your dedication makes such a difference!

As we embark on a new academic year, I’m excited for USF, our students, alumni, and all whose lives are touched by our great university. We are a formidable force for optimism. I hope you see that in this magazine and if you’re not already a USF cheerleader, you’ll consider becoming one.

Vice President and Executive Director, USF Alumni Association Life Member No. 2331