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The University of Tampa Board of Fellows announced today that its Scholarship Endowment Fund has grown to over $1 million through the generous support of the Board members, both present and past.

The Scholarship Endowment Fund was initially created by the Board of Fellows in 2003 to award a scholarship each year to a new incoming student with community volunteer experience intending to major in business, and the Fellows have continued to contribute to the endowment each year through various fundraisers to grow the fund to just over $1.13 million.

Part of that growth can be attributed to the long-term commitment of the Board, but recently, out-going chair, Penny Parks, president of Links Financial, and the past chair, Erica Shea, chief marketing and business development officer for Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, worked together with the specific goal of ensuring that the fund grew to at least $1 million dollars within their terms as Board chairs.

Parks said reaching this goal means a lot to the Fellows. “We wanted to achieve this because we share a common bond and purpose with all the previous board members and we are excited about being able to make an impact on the University and its students forever,” Parks said.

Keith L. Todd, vice president for Development and University Relations at the University, said more scholarships, in number and dollar amounts, are being awarded than at any time in UT’s history, and the impact is felt every day.

“Through endowed scholarship funding like this, deserving students can attain the highest quality education regardless of economic challenges,” Todd said. “We’re so thankful that the Board of Fellows are leaving a legacy that will have an impact far into the future.”

This Board of Fellows milestone comes at a critical time to help keep the tremendous momentum for The University of Tampa on its upward trajectory.

Established in 1971, the Board of Fellows is made up of approximately 150 business leaders and professionals. The Fellows increase the University's visibility and strengthen ties within the Tampa Bay business community through special events and outreach and raise funds to provide student scholarships through the Scholarship Endowment Fund and support other campus programs as well.

As part of their outreach programming, the Board of Fellows hosts three Business Network Symposia each year featuring Tampa Bay CEOs discussing issues of local economic importance. The group also hosts the Fellows Forum, the flagship event which features nationally recognized business leaders discussing and debating a topic of relevance. Fellows also network with other board and community members who share their belief in the value of higher education, as well as the University community, at other events throughout the year.