President Ronald L. Vaughn has been recognized by many local and national organizations for his contributions to the community. City Council Resolution and Mayor’s Commendation for service and special community service awards from the Peoria Police Department and the Optimist Club (1982)
- Distinguished Alumni Award and Silver Helmet Award for service to Delta Sigma Pi, a national professional business fraternity
- Twice selected as Hillsborough County Administrative Volunteer of the Year for Tampa Bay’s Chapter of the American Red Cross (1994)
- In 1997, he received the Indiana State University Distinguished Alumni Award.
- In 1998, he was the first educator and fifth recipient of the National Career Achievement Award for Delta Sigma Pi.
- Outstanding College President in 2002 by the All–American Football Foundation
- “Person of Vision” in 2003 from Prevent Blindness of Florida
- “Executive of the Year” in 2003 by the Tampa Chapter of Sales Marketing Executives
- In 2004, President Vaughn received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
- In 2006, the Gulf Ridge Council of the Boy Scouts selected him as their first Distinguished Citizen Award recipient.
- In 2007, the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross honored President Vaughn and Martha Vaughn (his now deceased wife of 37 years) by establishing an annual “Vaughn Humanitarian Award” due to their service to the chapter and community.
- In 2007, CEO Magazine recognized him as Community Action CEO of the Year.
- In 2008, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce awarded him the H.L. Culbreath Leadership Award.
- In 2008, the Tampa Bay Business Journal selected him as the “Business Executive of the Year.”
- In 2010, President Vaughn was inducted into the “Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame.”
- In 2011, he received the “Visionary Award” from the Foundation Fighting Blindness.
- The Vaughn Center, a University of Tampa building constructed in 2001, is named in his honor.