Home > Giving > Board of Fellows

Board of Fellows


The Board of Fellows, established in 1972, sees its mission to serve as "goodwill ambassadors" within the community, as well as to provide financial and other support to the University.

Made up of approximately 144 business leaders and professionals, the Fellows increase the University's visibility through special events and outreach, and raise funds for scholarships. Through their activities, members of the Board of Fellows also find rewarding opportunities to network with peers who share their belief in the value of higher education.

2011 Forum Picture
The Fellows Forum is held annually by the Board of Fellows.
The Board of Fellows leadership for 2012-2013 is as follows:
  • Debbie Sheridan, chair
  • TBC, chair-elect
  • Charlie Meeks, treasurer
  • Debbie Lundberg, marketing/communications
  • Steve Murray, Fellows Forum chair
  • Thomas Meachum, Business Network Symposium chair
  • Renee Vaughn, Membership co-chair
  • Laura Simon, Membership co-chair
  • Steve Bernstein, Development co-chair
  • Sarah Brownlee, Development co-chair
  • Reid Haney, Grant Program chair
  • Hunter Swearingen, College of Business (COB) liaison
  • Bret Azzarelli, College of Arts and Letters (CAL) liaison
  • Randy Pandis, College of Natural and Health Sciences (CNHS) liaison
  • Penny Larsen, College of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Education (CSSME) liaison
  • Kyle Parks, past chair 2011-2012

The Board of Fellows asks members to:

  • Serve on a Fellows or Trustee committee
  • Support and attend scheduled Fellows events
  • Support UT as goodwill ambassador
  • Nominate potential members
  • Financially support the Board of Fellows and the University by fulfilling annual financial requirements of one of the following:
    • Standard Level: $1,250 ($250 membership dues plus $1,000 Annual Fund contribution) 
    • Named Scholarship Level: $1,750 ($250 membership dues plus $1,500 Named Scholarship contribution)
    • Minaret Society Dinner Invite Level: $2,750 ($250 membership dues plus $2,500 Annual Fund contribution)
  • See The Board of Fellows Membership Overview (PDF) for giving level details. 
For more information, please contact the Board of Fellows at fellows@ut.edu or (813) 253-6200.

Opportunities with the Board of Fellows include:

Jimmy Wales
Business Network Symposium in UT’s Vaughn Center
The Board of Fellows hosts three Business Network Symposia each year. Each event traditionally features three Tampa Bay CEOs discussing issues of local economic importance. A complimentary breakfast is provided.

The Fellows Forum is the Board of Fellows' flagship event and features nationally recognized business leaders discussing and debating a topic of relevance. Proceeds from the Forum fund the Board of Fellows Endowed Scholarship, which is awarded to a business major.

The Minaret Society Dinner in November is a formal dinner celebration in honor of University donors for their gifts of at least $2,500 to the Annual Fund within a fiscal year.

Throughout the year, Fellows are also invited to networking socials on campus and in the surrounding area, such as the Kickoff Social, Member Socials and annual Holiday Party, to interact with other board members and the University community. Fellows Event Calendar PDF