By Sarah Sell, University Communications and Marketing

For the first time in its history, the USF St. Petersburg campus has awarded over
$1 million in student scholarships. This milestone marks a more than 20 percent increase from the previous year and
a shared commitment to reducing student debt while supporting educational goals.

The significant jump in financial aid was achieved through a combination of increased
outreach efforts, expanded donor engagement and a commitment to raising awareness
among students about the scholarships available to them.

“This milestone reflects our campus’ deep commitment to addressing financial barriers
to higher education,” said Howard Rutherford, associate vice president of development
and university advancement at USF St. Petersburg.

The scholarships were distributed through 59 unique funds with and average award of
$5,416.

Funds consist of both endowment and operating accounts. Endowments are donor-funded
principal amounts that generate earnings used for scholarships, while operating accounts
are more immediate-use funds, often drawn from private donations or annual fundraisers.

Many of the contributions that went to supporting this new record in campus scholarships
came through university-wide giving initiatives. Each year, USF Giving Week brings together alumni, friends, faculty and staff to raise funds for meaningful
USF projects related to research, health, study abroad and more. And at USF St. Petersburg,
the signature fundraising event Bulls and Brews by the Bay directly supports the campus’
general scholarship fund.

“Support from donors allows dreams to become reality for our students, providing them
opportunities to pursue internships, conduct research, study abroad and keeping them
on track when life events happen,” said USF St. Petersburg Regional Chancellor Christian
Hardigree.

The scholarships awarded to students vary in criteria, ranging from financial need
to academic merit. They are often shaped by donors in collaboration with campus leadership
and the development team to ensure funds align with specific goals and are distributed
effectively.

Rutherford emphasized the importance of not only promoting scholarship opportunities
but also actively guiding students through the application process.

“One of our biggest challenges is simply making students aware that these scholarships
exist,” Rutherford said. “Many are first-generation college students who may feel
intimidated by the application process. Part of our role is to demystify that process
and show them they belong here.”

To support this, workshops are held each semester to increase awareness and improve
access to scholarships, especially for students who may be unfamiliar with the resources
available.

“My scholarship holds deep significance for me,” said Lauren Everitt, a junior majoring
in environmental science and policy with a minor in biology. “It allows me to devote
more time to my studies and extracurricular leadership opportunities without the added
pressure of working to save for graduate school.”

Everitt received the Charles Haslam Endowed Memorial Scholarship, awarded to students
who show a strong appreciation for books while pursuing their education.

Her experience of attaining financial support to focus on achieving her educational
goals reflects the broader impact donors are having across the university.

This landmark achievement in scholarship funding also reflects a growing culture of
philanthropy on campus.

And as Rutherford highlighted, the ultimate hope is that today’s recipients will become
tomorrow’s donors, continuing the cycle of support for future generations of USF students.