2021-2022 Foundation Annual Report

Thank You

As our campus and students grow, so do our generous donors’ gifts and opportunities. Your contributions and dedication to UWF directly correlate to the success of our students and the entire University. Our institution is constantly advancing and cultivating — adapting and creating an ideal higher education environment for creative minds. Through your advocacy for the University, we are able to welcome new possibilities, modern learning approaches and new ways to cater to students’ needs.

Thank you for your endless support and helping sprout the next generation of big thinkers.

reat things happen when good people come together. It’s what leads to excellence here at the University of West Florida and propels the future for our students. The 89 major gifts of more than $10,000 each bestowed to UWF in the past year, and the programs they support, are undeniable proof of this.

Endowment dollars enable UWF to sustain growth, increase our reputation for quality and compete in the higher education marketplace to attract and retain a talented and diverse student body.

From visible enhancements on our campus to life-changing scholarships which provide a better future through education, excellence and innovation will continue to find a home at UWF for generations to come. This is only possible because of you, our steadfast community of donors.

Your passion and generosity continue to help us fulfill the promise of our mission and make great things happen. Thank you for your extraordinary contributions.

Message from thePresident

Martha D. Saunders University of West Florida President

Message from the Vice President

Reflecting on how the University of West Florida continues to excel in delivering on its mission, it is clear the unrelenting support of our donors plays an integral role.

While this report highlights some of our major gifts in the 2021-2022 fiscal year, every gift to the UWF Foundation has benefited our students, our University and the collective impact we are making in Northwest Florida.

Great philanthropic works are dependent on the understanding of something greater than ourselves. Thank you for demonstrating your commitment to and belief in building a legacy that will last for generations and will touch the lives of many.

Howard J. Reddy Vice President of University Advancement

Drs. Muhammad and Fatema Rashid pictured with their daughter, Dr. Faeza Rashid Kazmier, and their granddaughter.

A Promise for the Future

DONORS ESTABLISH SIXTH SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT TO SUPPORT FIRST-GENERATION AND FEMALE STEM STUDENTS

By Olivia Teeney ’16

Drs. Muhammad and Fatema Rashid have established a sixth scholarship endowment within University of West Florida’s Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering, creating reliable support for underrepresented students for years to come. Named after their daughter, the Dr. Faeza Rashid Kazmier STEM Scholarship endowment will support future firstgeneration and female STEM students. Their thoughtful generosity is a nod to education’s role in creating a better future for their family.

From the country of Bangladesh, the couple moved to England when Muhammad received an engineering scholarship. He earned a doctorate in electronic and electrical engineering from the University of Birmingham in the U.K. Fatema also achieved a higher education, receiving a doctorate in medicine and working as a physician before setting aside her practice to raise their three children. Today each of their children are accomplished in their respective careers. One daughter, the most recent endowment’s namesake, is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon; the other is a gastroenterologist. Their son is a patent lawyer with an engineering degree. The Rashids instilled the value of education within their family, but chose not to stop there. The couple has invested more than $214,000 in the UWF HMCSE, creating ongoing financial

support for generations of future students focusing on STEM-related fields of study.

“Education is essential for developing human capital in the globally competitive marketplace,” said Dr. Muhammad Rashid. “STEM education cultivates problem-solving and critical thinking skills for creativity and innovation needed for the 21st-century workforce. We believe that supporting STEM scholarships at UWF will aid in fostering future leaders and innovators, and facilitating unbounded advancement towards the future of our great state and the nation.”

Their most recent gift served as a matching gift on UWF’s Day of Giving, a 24-hour online fundraising initiative and socialmedia-driven effort that supports the University and its programs. The scholarship joins five other endowments established by the Rashids in the HMCSE, including the Dr. Muhammad H. Rashid Engineering Research and Projects Endowment; Drs. Muhammad and Fatema Rashid Female Engineering Scholarship Endowment; Drs. Muhammad and Fatema Rashid Future Generation Engineering Scholarship Endowment; Drs. Muhammad H. and Fatema Rashid Paths to STEM

Scholarship Endowment; and the Muhammad Rashid Best Project Award Endowment.

“We are grateful for the generosity of the Rashids and the impact they continue to make in the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering,” said Dr. Jaromy Kuhl, dean of the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering.

“Their most recent gift opens the doors for underrepresented individuals in

STEM, allowing them to receive a highquality education at UWF’s Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering.”

Muhammad Rashid, professor emeritus in the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering, was with the electrical and computer engineering program at UWF from its inception in 1994 until he retired in 2009. Their love for UWF is strong, and they believe in creating lifelong learners who will positively impact the world.

“We believe that supporting STEM scholarships at UWF will aid in fostering future leaders and innovators, and facilitating unbounded advancement towards the future of our great state and the nation.”

Dr. Muhammad Rashid, Donor

Leonard Konrad “Steve” Stefanski was an assistant professor at UWF, teaching business management classes until his retirement in 1988.

American Dream Scholarship Endowment

HISTORIC $3.1 MILLION GIFT HONORS LATE COUPLE’S LIFE, LEGACY

By Olivia Teeney ’16

Leonard Konrad “Steve” Stefanski was a U.S. refugee and Argonaut, both as an alumnus and educator. Together, Steve and his partner of 63 years, Talitha “TJ” Stefanski, established the American Dream Scholarship Endowment, a need-based scholarship with preference given to immigrants and refugees. Their legacy gift honors Steve’s life story and immortalizes his tenacity through the recipients who face similar struggles on the path to receiving an education and achieving the “American Dream.”

Before his UWF days, Steve lived with his family in Poland. Born in 1926, he was only 13 when Germany invaded Poland. Resisting the German occupation of his home, he was shot and permanently separated from his family. While imprisoned in a slave labor camp, he became proficient in four additional languages — German, French, English and Russian. The end of World War II marked his escape from the labor camp and rescue by American troops.

After a year of serving as an interpreter for U.S. soldiers, Steve had earned their respect and friendship. The Catholic Aid Society accepted him to come to America as a displaced refugee. A testament to his character, the U.S. soldiers in his company collected $400 as a going-away present. He crossed the Atlantic on the SS Ernie Pyle and arrived in New York City. Steve’s first job was hauling coal in Pennsylvania for the family of one of his army associates. As soon as he could save $400, he went to Catholic Charities and donated the money as a way of paying forward the gift he had received from the American troops.

In 1946, Steve joined the U.S. Army Air Corps even before becoming a U.S. citizen. He met TJ, who was in the U.S.

Air Force and would become his wife and faithful companion. He retired as Senior Master Sergeant after more than 20 years of military service.

An intersection with UWF forges a path to a long-term commitment of supporting future generations of refugee and immigrant Argonauts

When Steve retired from the military, his highest level of education was a GED. Still, he wanted to be an educator, so

taught business management classes at UWF until his retirement in 1988.

During that time, he received the Distinguished Teacher Award, the highest student-awarded honor and the Outstanding Teacher Award from the Eglin Student Council.

After they both retired, the Stefanskis agreed to set aside their investments’ proceeds to help students at UWF in the future.

The endowment was established in 2017, but the Stefanskis wished to remain

he started attending Pensacola Junior College, then the University of West Florida, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1971. He achieved a Master of Business Administration in June 1973.

Once his path crossed with UWF, Steve stayed integral to the University’s family. Serving as an assistant professor, he

anonymous until their passing. Steve passed away in 2016, and TJ passed away this year. Their spirit of generosity, however, lives on in the American Dream Scholarship Endowment. Because of their $3.1 million gift, UWF has awarded more than $557,000 in American Dream scholarships since its inception.

Talitha “TJ” Stefanski (left) lived in Ft. Walton Beach until her passing in March 2022. The SS Ernie Pyle, a transport ship used as a carrier for refugees from camps during WWII was the boat that Steve took to the United States.

“It’s a great opportunity for me and others like me who want to build a foundation for a better life for ourselves and our families.”

Andy Phu, American Dream scholarship recipient

Andy Phu ’20 received the American Dream Scholarship in 2018 and, just like Steve and TJ, believes he should contribute to the future success of UWF students.

American Dream scholar exemplifies resiliency’s essential role along the path to success

There is no rigid definition of what the American dream must include. It is a framework of success that hinges on the possibility of greatness through adversity. Yet, most people recognize American dream stories when they see them. American Dream scholarship recipient and first-generation Asian American Andy Phu recalls late nights alongside his brother, sewing shirts on a machine purchased by family friends to help his mother fulfill large orders. He said they “had to do what they could.” Emigrating from Vietnam with his family at the age of seven, the early days were difficult. His parents worked tirelessly to provide for the family. They encouraged Andy and his brother to work hard to achieve academic success, casting a vision for a future that included an education.

“My dad always told us to make sure we stay in school and get good grades so we

could have a bright future,” said Andy. “He always ensured that we knew our end goal and how far we could reach.”

Inspired by his father’s counsel, he graduated as valedictorian from West Florida High School with a 5.0 GPA. After choosing to continue his education at UWF, he has worked hard for academic success.

Reflecting on his scholarship opportunity, Andy quoted author James Truslow Adams, speaking of the American dream; “Life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” Andy said he feels a responsibility to repay the opportunities given to him by giving back to the community and improving it whenever possible.

“It’s a great opportunity for me and others like me who want to build a foundation for a better life for ourselves and our families,” Andy said. “It works two ways. It helps students achieve more and use this opportunity to move on to bigger and better things. It will also inspire others to donate to help students.”

For Andy, a big part of achieving success is becoming a UWF donor and helping others achieve their American dream. The Stefanskis’ enduring gift will continue to positively impact students like Andy and keep the American dream alive and well.

#UWFDayOfGiving

THE FINAL BATTLE

Join us on April 20, 2023 for the final Battle of the Decades competition for UWF Day of Giving. The Battle of the Decades competition challenges UWF alumni decades to see who can bring in the most dollars and the most single gifts for their alma mater on Day of Giving.

In our first competition in 2021, the 90s decade won out for the most dollars raised. In 2022, the graduates of the 60s & 70s became the reigning champions. Who will take home the final Battle of the Decades title in 2023? Join us on April 20 to find out! Learn more by visiting dayofgiving.uwf.edu.

Opportunities Endless

PROVIDING EVERLASTING POSSIBILITIES THROUGH THE GIFT OF EDUCATION

Gifts to UWF provide more than education — they provide opportunities for students to succeed in their own unique ways. This timeline reflects the influence our donors’ gifts have made.

Sutton’s gift

Adam

August

Marion B Totten

Jason Crawford (’99)

gift established the naming of the coaches’ lounge in the Darrell Gooden Center and supported the new Sports Medicine Center.

Power

their historical support of the programs, the Gulf Power Foundation supported the Emerald Coast BEST Robotics competition and the Take Stock program at UWF.

Fiesta of Five Flags Foundation

$50,000

Dedicated to preserving the history of our city, the foundation made a sizable contribution to support the work of the UWF Historic Trust.

December 2021

Anonymous $600,000

By establishing the Center for Leadership at UWF and funding the new director of the center, this anonymous donor poised UWF’s newest center for early success.

December 2021

James C. Thornton (’74)

$80,000

Thornton made a generous donation to the Tom Committee Scholarship Endowment in the UWF College of Business in honor of his former UWF professor.

Sansing

Baptist Health Care

Continuing their support of UWF Athletics, Baptist Health Care made a significant gift in support of the Sandy Sansing Sports Medicine Center.

Pledges and Recurring Gifts

Thank you to the following individuals who continued to support the University of West Florida through their ongoing pledge payments and recurring annual gifts to the University during this fiscal year:

Gulf Winds Cares Foundation

$25,000

Richard Fountain $25,000

Charlie Switzer $80,000

Aref Rifai Foundation $20,000

Ryan Patton $30,000

Dr. Usha Kundu and Mr. Mahadeb Kundu $100,000

Kugelman Family Foundation $30,000

Bob Kimball $97,500

Pen Air Federal Credit Union $128,000

The Jack Miller Center $31,500

This gift supports the students, faculty and highimpact education opportunities in the UWF Government department.

Landrum Family Foundation $25,000

Darrell Gooden $777,000

Student

Spotlight Kieu Tran

“This scholarship has helped me with the cost of living on campus. I used to be a commuter student and would have to drive over 45 minutes to get to school every day. Since moving into a residence hall at UWF, I’ve been able to attend classes, meet wonderful people in my college life and obtain new experiences from living in this community.

Because of this added financial support, I took measures to take better care of myself physically, mentally and emotionally. I’m working towards more confidence in myself and the courage to try new things outside of my comfort zone.”

Kieu Tran ’23 Willis and Victoria Mullet Scholarship Recipient Class of 2023, Biomedical Sciences

Members First Credit Union leadership, pictured with UWF Advancement staff and College of Business Dean Rick Fountain, celebrated their gift announcement last year.

Gift for Today and Tomorrow

MEMBERS FIRST CREDIT UNION IMPACTING UWF AND LOCAL COMMUNITY

By Stephanie Yancey ’96

When Members First Credit Union of Florida pledged $140,000 in support of various University initiatives, they wanted their gift to have a significant local impact that changed lives. That goal is already being realized.

The five-year pledge is to support the Louis A. Maygarden Center for Financial Literacy Credit Counseling Program and the Women in Leadership Conference in UWF’s College of Business.

“Members First is proud to continue to partner with the University of West Florida,” said Caryl Greene, president and CEO of Members First Credit Union of Florida. “This type of focused giving allows us the opportunity to provide lasting improvements locally and touch the lives of those we serve.”

The center, established in February 2018 and funded entirely through charitable donations, provides free counseling services and educational seminars to students and the public with the goal of enhancing the financial literacy of the citizens of Northwest Florida. A one-onone consultation with a certified credit counselor is one of the best ways to work through a debt crisis or address a lifechanging financial matter.

“We prioritize financial literacy through initiatives at the Maygarden Center for Financial Literacy and the Florida State Legislature recently validated our efforts by requiring high school students to take a financial literacy course,” said Richard Fountain, dean of the College of Business. “This generous gift from Members First Credit Union will enhance our financial literacy credit counseling program and benefit other initiatives in our college.”

Held annually in the spring, UWF’s Women in Leadership Conference offers attendees the opportunity to connect with prominent women leaders who have achieved both personal and professional success. The conference educates the next generation of business leaders and resonates with well-

established career women and those just beginning their careers.

The gift also supports the Argo Dollar initiative, UWF’s Employee Recognition and Awards Program and the UWF Alumni Association. The Argo Dollar Initiative, launched last year, provides each graduate with a dollar to make their first gift to the University at commencement. The dollar signifies that all gifts, no matter the size, are important to the University.

“MFCU’s dedication to supporting students and the community through UWF’s programs is admirable,” said Howard Reddy, Vice President for University Advancement. “This investment will strengthen many valuable initiatives at UWF and we are thankful for this partnership.”

“This type of focused giving allows us the opportunity to provide lasting improvements locally and touch the lives of those we serve.”

Caryl Greene, president and CEO of Members First Credit Union of Florida

Sandy Sansing Sports Medicine Center to change the future of UWF Athletics

By Stephanie Yancey ’96

Big dreams once again bring big changes to the University of West Florida. A new state-of-the-art addition to the Darrell Gooden Center is set to begin construction in Spring 2023. The $6 million addition includes the Sandy Sansing Sports Medicine Center which will enhance the quality of care for UWF student-athletes.

The center will include areas for studentathletes to warm up and cool down prior to and post practice, and receive innovative physical therapy and restorative treatments. It will also have space for athletic training offices and an exam room for physicians who will be evaluating student-athletes. Students in the movement sciences and health department will be able to get contact hours and lab hours through internships and learning opportunities at the center.

The Sandy Sansing Sports Medicine Center is becoming a reality through the generosity of Sandy Sansing ‘69, CEO of Sandy Sansing Automotive, a partnership with the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and several other donors. The two story addition to the Darrell Gooden Center

Sandy Sansing and his family were recognized at the 2021 homecoming game after he announced his intent to name the Sandy Sansing Sports Medicine Center.

will boast 10,000-square feet and be the primary place for student-athletes to rehabilitate.

“I know I have been incredibly blessed and want to pass that same blessing on to others,” Sansing said.

In addition to Sansing’s more than $600,000 gift to the center and studentathlete scholarships, UWF has received $100,000 gifts each from Dr. Judy Bense, UWF President Emeritus, and Eric and Peg Nickelsen, UWF Football Founders. The University also announced gifts from alumnus Jason Crawford and family to name the football coaching staff lounge, from alumni Stephen and Mona Wright to name the head athletic trainers’ office and from Rick Fountain, dean of the College of Business and alumnus, to name the offensive line coach’s office. UWF also received a gift from Rodney Sutton, treasurer and audit budget committee chair for the UWF Foundation Board of Directors, alumnus and Sword and Shield Council member, and his family to name the offensive coordinator’s office.

“This will be a significant enhancement to our sports medicine services that support our student-athletes,” said Dave Scott, UWF director of athletics. “This is something we have had in mind for a while and now we have the funding and community support to make it happen.”

Bense, a member of the UWF Football Founders and the UWF Sword and Shield Council, began donating to the University in 1986. To date, she’s given more than $315,000 to UWF.

“I am happy to support this capital project with my own philanthropy and to get behind a project that will support all of our student-athletes,” Bense said. “I encourage others to join us and support this important facility expansion.”

The Nickelsens are longtime UWF supporters, members of the UWF Sword and Shield Council and were among the first UWF Football Founders, having supported the program since its inception. In December 2021, they

announced a $100,000 gift to support the center. Their gifts to UWF started more than four decades ago and they’ve given more than $300,000 in philanthropic support to the University.

The Sandy Sansing Sports Medicine Center will occupy the first floor and the second floor will be leased space for the Florida State University College of Medicine Pensacola campus. The UWF athletics program staff has worked closely with the Andrews Institute, UWF’s official sports medicine provider, on creating necessary spaces within the facility for student-athletes and coaches. The Andrews Institute provides UWF with team physicians and athletic trainers.

“This project is huge for athletics and we wouldn’t be able to complete it without the help of our donors,” said Brett Berg, assistant vice president for development at UWF. “Our athletes will be healthier, safer, better and more prepared to compete.”

Funding for the center is almost complete, with $1 million remaining to be raised. The center is expected to take 18 months to construct.

“I know I have been incredibly blessed and want to pass that same blessing on to others.”

Sandy Sansing ‘69, CEO of Sandy Sansing Automotive

Financial Information

UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA FOUNDATION

The UWF Foundation exists to encourage, manage and administer private resources to support the mission and priorities of the University of West Florida, as established by the Board of Trustees and the president of the University of West Florida. The Foundation is dedicated to assisting the University through building the donor and board restricted endowments, currently valued at $86.9 million. Through private financial support, Foundation resources support long-term academic and other priorities of the University, provide opportunities for students and afford a margin of institutional excellence unavailable with state funds.

Investment Philosophy — Asset Allocation and Style Diversification

Research suggests that the decision to allocate total assets among various asset classes will far outweigh security selection and other decisions that impact portfolio performance. The Investment Committee recognizes the strategic importance of asset allocation and style diversification in the investment performance of the assets over long periods of time. Domestic and international equities, both large and small capitalization, fixed income, cash equivalent

securities, real estate, private equity, and fund of funds hedge funds in the form of diversified fund of funds have been determined to be acceptable vehicles for these assets. Additional asset classes and style strategies may be incorporated into the investment philosophy in the future.

Investment Objective

The objectives of the assets are the enhancement of capital and real purchasing power while limiting exposure to risk of loss. Real purchasing power or real rate of return will be defined as returns in excess of inflation as defined by the Consumer Price Index. At a minimum, long-term rates of return should be equal to an amount sufficient to maintain the purchasing power of these assets and provide necessary capital to fund the Foundation’s spending policy. As such, the desired minimum rate of return is equal to the CPI plus 400 basis points (4%) for spending, plus an additional 200 basis point (2%) on an annualized basis. Bottom line, the overall minimum rate of return is equal to CPI plus 600 basis points (6%).

In light of this return requirement, the portfolio should be constructed using a total return approach with a significant portion of the funds invested to seek growth of principal over time. The assets are to be invested for the long term, and

a higher short-term volatility in these assets is to be expected and accepted.

Spending Policy

The Foundation takes seriously its responsibility to provide prudent fiduciary management, oversight of the endowments and intergenerational equity. To this end, the Foundation utilizes a one-year waiting period before awarding spending and a stepdown spending allocation method should an endowment fall underwater. Through utilization of a well diversified investment portfolio strategy, prudent spending allocation policy, and the best good faith effort of its board members, the Foundation attempts to continue to provide spending to support the scholarships, programs and faculty as designated by the donor while preserving over time the donor’s gifts to the endowment corpus. Further details on the investment policy are available at the Foundation’s website uwf.edu/foundation.

The UWF Foundation was organized and incorporated in 1965 for the purpose of stimulating voluntary private support from alumni, parents, friends, corporations, foundations and others for the benefit of the University of West Florida.

Gerald Adcox

**Richard “Dick” Baker BOT Representative Connie Bookman Charles “Rick” Byars

Jason D. Crawford ’04, ’10 Chair

**Dr. Matthew Crow Faculty Senate VP DeeDee Davis

**Gail Dorsey ’83

Immediate Past Chair

Megan Fry Secretary

**Noemi Gaytan ’22 Student Government Assoc. VP Darrell Gooden ’73 John Gormley ’96, ’98

Caryl Greene Chad Henderson James Hosman ’99, ’01 Vice Chair

Kathie Jeffcoat

Louis A. “Trip” Maygarden III

Amber McClure ’03, ’05

John Peacock, Jr. Hong Potomski ’07 William Rone ’73, ’78 Chris Roney ’98

**Dr. Martha D. Saunders University President Kathy Sandstrom ’96

**Nicole Stacey ’09, ’10

UWF Alumni Board President Rodney Sutton ’91 Treasurer

Bruce Vredenburg Todd Zaborski ’08

** Ex-Officio Voting Member

Donor Bill of Rights

Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the nonprofit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

1. To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.

2. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.

3. To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.

4. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.

5. To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.

6. To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.

7. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.

8. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.

9. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.

10. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.

The text of the above statement in its entirety was developed by the American Association of Fund-Raising Counsel (AAFRC), Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and adopted in November 1993.