Throughout her life, Dona Cormier, B.S. '85, has learned the importance of giving back to her church, community and Florida State University. "Philanthropy fills a void that work can't do," she explains. More »
As dean of Florida State University's College of Education, Marcy Driscoll is no stranger to conversations about giving. Since 2005, she has raised over $32 million in gifts and commitments with a consistent focus on student scholarships. More »
Mary and Joe Pankowski's strongest ties to Florida State University's mission and work are through the fields of education, public service and law—and what they have in common. "They are marvelously intertwined in terms of a commitment to making a difference in people's lives," Mary says. More »
For Carol Gill, Florida State opened up a world of possibilities. “Growing up, I didn’t know anyone who went to college,” says Carol, 67, of San Antonio, Texas. “I was the first in my direct line to go.” More »
James "Jim" Taylor was first introduced to the opera as a student at Florida State in the early 1960s and immediately fell in love with the powerful blend of music and drama. Jim went on to become a highly regarded professor at Miami Dade College where he remained an avid supporter of the opera. More »
We conducted an interview with actor and FSU/Asolo Conservatory graduate Joseph McGranaghan. Find out what he says about his decision to study at the Asolo and how a scholarship helped him during his time at FSU/Asolo. More »
When Roger Roberts (M.S. '69) began thinking about his legacy, it didn't take long for him to decide that Florida State would be included in his plans. "I have always felt that I should contribute back to the institutions that opened so many doors for me," Roger says. More »
Keith and Patricia Sigmon always hoped that someday they would be in a position to give back to the University. As their philanthropic dreams are now coming true, they are discovering the rewards of giving. More »
Attorney and loyal FSU alumnus Brad Gornto (B.S.,'95) is hard at work. When he isn't counseling his clients on the best ways to keep more of their hard-earned dollars, he's advising them on how to best give to their most important causes. More »
As lifelong educators and passionate supporters of Florida State University, Marcus and Geraldine Polk leave a lasting legacy in their estate plans to help future generations of students at FSU. Between writing and traveling for book signings, the Polks give from the heart by delivering scholarships to deserving FSU students. More »
Jerry Glass '71 knows firsthand the value of a Florida State University education and the difficulties of working full time while pursuing a degree. For these reasons, he and his wife decided to create the Jerry and Carolyn Glass Scholarship Fund in the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice. More »
Mark and Nancy C. Hillis have long recognized their motivations for philanthropically supporting Florida State University. "The most important motivation is the relationships we have built over the years with fellow alumni, University leaders and administrators, faculty and students." More »
A large number of alumni and friends of Florida State University are interested in contributing to the University's future, but some potential donors may overlook one of their most valuable assets—their property. More »
Colleen Stewart has always had strong ties to engineering. Her family has an extensive number of engineering degrees, although they're not all from Florida State University. She and her late husband, Donald, started down the path toward ultimately making a lasting impact on the lives of students enrolled in the Florida State University College... More »
When L. Wade Humphreys began thinking about estate planning, it did not take him long to decide that "Giving Back" for him meant to the academic institutions that had meant so much to the course of his life. More »
Howard M. '71, '72, and Cheryl S. Beckert '72, have always appreciated how their Florida State University degrees helped their careers. "The education and relationships we were blessed with at Florida State University have been very instrumental to the successes we have had in life," Cheryl says. More »
For Elaine Alexander, a non-alumna of Florida State who lived 3,000 miles from Tallahassee in the Seattle area, the opportunity to connect with FSU was seldom. But all of that changed when her husband, Robert C. Alexander '68, '72, lost his battle with cancer in late 2009. Since then, an unlikely journey has taken place and new connections. More »
As a young girl, Cassandra D. Jenkins spent hours reading mystery novels and watching crime shows, where she imagined investigating crimes and solving cases alongside the heroes and heroines of her stories. More »
Had her parents chosen to move to Florida one year later than they did, retired Army Col. Faith Sterling would never have come to Florida State University. More »
In October 2009, while attending the inaugural Ringling International Arts Festival in Sarasota, Fla., Albert H. Cohen happened upon a string quartet playing Beethoven—a group of undergraduates from the Florida State University College of Music. More »
Though Dr. James "Jim" O'Brien formally retired in 2005, most days you'll still find him at the Center of Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies (COAPS) on the southwest campus of Florida State University. "I flunked retirement," he says with a jocular smile. Jim has been a fixture at Florida State for more than 40 years. He was dubbed... More »
Cynthia Schumacher and longtime friend Nina Shuman spent more than 30 years of their lives as teachers. Though both retired in 1985, they have continued their work to provide quality public education through their philanthropic activities. Most recently, Cynthia established a charitable gift annuity (CGA) that will ultimately support the College... More »
Recently, the Frank and Yolande Fowler Chair in Biological Sciences was established to fulfill the legacy of two Florida State University friends whose passion for biology fueled their desire to fund biological research and lure stellar students to the university. Yolande Jaquelin Fowler was born in a small French village near the end of World War I. More »
The Florida State University freshman class of 2008–09 possesses many exceptional qualities, such as an average SAT score of 1265 and ACT score of 28. One quality among these students that might go unnoticed, however, is a penchant for community service prior to arriving at FSU. This attribute is readily acknowledged at the Center... More »
In January 1999, Dr. Donald Smith established two charitable remainder unitrusts with the FSU Foundation. He continues to add to these trusts whenever he is able. In addition to receiving income from these trusts for life, Dr. Smith is entitled to a charitable income tax deduction every time he makes a cash addition to one of these trusts. More »
The commitment, leadership and influence of Dr. Laurie L. Dozier Jr. is clearly felt throughout northwest Florida, specifically by the students and faculty of the FSU College of Medicine and the patients and medical staff of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (TMH). TMH has benefited from 20 years of Dr. Dozier’s knowledge... More »
The development and notoriety of the FSU/John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art are largely attributed to the generous support of its devoted constituents. Two such donors, Robert “Bob” Blalock, a Bradenton attorney and former trustee of the Museum, and his wife, Marlene (an FSU attendee), have long been passionate about the importance... More »
Having served on the boards of the FSU Foundation, FSU Boosters and the FSU Alumni Association, Mina Jo Powell is very familiar with the benefits and personal rewards of giving back to the University. Her well-established relationship with FSU dates back to 1946, when she enrolled as a freshman in the University’s first coeducational class. More »
In January 2006, Florida State University lost one of its most distinguished scholars and benefactors. During his illustrious career in academia, George Mills Harper was an author and editor of 12 books primarily concerning the Irish poet William Butler Yeats. George finished his extensive teaching career in 1982 at Florida State University after serving in... More »
On Oct. 6, 2005, the Ocala-based family of the late Clifford "Cliff" and Jeanette Davenport presented a $1 million check to Florida State University. The intimate ceremony honoring the Davenports' gift included President T.K. Wetherell; former Ocala Mayor Jim Kirk; Alumni Association President Barry Adams; children Cliff Davenport Jr., Gene Davenport... More »
In remembrance of how they met, Mike and Judy designated the proceeds of their charitable remainder trust for two student members of the FSU Marching Chiefs: one majoring in music and the other majoring in business. Chiefs is the largest collegiate marching band in the world, composed of students from almost every... More »
The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.