First look

MORE THAN 500 BULLS AND FRIENDS attended the sold-out Green & Gold Gala, the Alumni Association’s signature annual fundraiser. Held for the third year at The Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa, the March event included live music by #NoFilter; a silent auction; food and beverages; and plenty of wild encounters. Here, Braulio Grajales, ’07, Life Member, and Danielle Blasco, ’03, and Grace Beck ’16 and MSM ’17, meet the friendly inhabitants of Stingray Beach.

“It was terrific to witness all the excitement and, even more, the pure joy of Bulls seeing one another again, some for the first time in two years,” said Jay Hardwick, Life Member, the association’s associate executive director, noting that the 2021 gala was a virtual event. “We receive a phenomenal amount of support – from sponsors and donors, special appearances by USF celebrities, and of course, all who purchase tickets. That helps make it a magical evening full of fun surprises and Bull pride.”

Proceeds from the gala support the Alumni Association’s many programs and activities for both students and alumni.

Presenting sponsor

THE OVERSIZED LOVE SIGN at the University Area Community Complex in Tampa is much more than a photo opp for couples, kids and milestone celebrations. It’s also a daily reminder for local residents that they have hope — and friends.

Members of the USF Patel College of Sustainability Alumni Society spent a morning repainting the iconic sign to ensure its vivid hues remain as bright as its promise. They were among two dozen USF alumni groups around the country who rolled up their sleeves for USF’s 16th annual Stampede of Service in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

USF’s stampede sends thousands of students, alumni and their friends out to food pantries, animal shelters and community gardens. They build houses, pick up trash, hold virtual clothing, food and toy drives. Students’ service opportunities are now focused on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and include events to help them connect their service passions and experience with their future job marketability. Patel College alumni joined other volunteers, including the USF DBA (Doctors of Business Adminstration) Network at the University Area Community Complex, a 50,000-square-foot community center that provides recreational, educational and cultural programs for surrounding neighborhoods. It’s the work of the Community Area Development Corporation, uacdc.org., a public/private nonprofit organization.

For information about USF’s Stampede of Service, visit usf.edu/student-affairs.

Photo: BRIAN CZIRAKY , ’14, Life Member / USFAA