UT President Ronald Vaughn Named Citizen of the Year

University of Tampa President Ronald Vaughn was honored last week with the Tampa Metro Civitan Club’s 2019 Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award.

According to the club, the recipient of the award is recognized for their unselfish commitment of time, talent and energy for the betterment of the City of Tampa. Pictured from left are Linda Devine, vice president of UT’s Operations and Planning; UT President Ronald Vaughn and his wife, Renée; and Scott Tracy, capital campaign director for UT’s Development and University Relations. Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Times.

The award, which has been presented annually since 1927, was presented at the Governor’s Day Luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 6.

According to the club, the recipient of the award is recognized for their unselfish commitment of time, talent and energy for the betterment of the City of Tampa. Recent recipients include John Sykes (2017), Frank and Carol Morsani (2014) and Al Austin (2002).

This year Vaughn is celebrating his 25th year as the president of The University of Tampa. During that time the University’s enrollment has quadrupled, the University’s financial position has been solidified and strengthened, and the campus has been transformed with modern, state-of-the-art facilities. In addition, Vaughn has overseen the completion of two successful capital campaigns, and today UT’s economic impact is more than $1.1 billion.

In his introductory comments, James Ferman Jr., who was named Citizen of the Year in 1996, said Vaughn has a “big vision, dogged persistence to a worthy goal and an extraordinary ability to pay attention to the smallest of details in ways most of us can’t conceive.”

Ferman added that “The University of Tampa’s fortunate to have him as its president, and our community is a far better place for his presence and leadership.”

Vaughn said he was completely surprised by the award and was humbled by this very special Civitan Club honor.

“I would like to thank many UT colleagues, trustees and friends, as well as my amazing wife, Renée, for her dedicated UT service and support,” Vaughn said.

Chartered on April 21, 1927, the Tampa Metro Civitan Club is dedicated to helping individual and community needs in the greater Tampa Bay area, with special emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities. Just a few of its projects include Citizen of the Year, working with Special Olympics, Neighbor-to-Neighbor Christmas program, Angels Unaware group homes for the profoundly disabled, Golden Heart award, Bakas Equestrian Horses for the Handicap and Jingle Bell Run.