Dedication to a Cause

As a freshman traveling from Miami to Tallahassee without a residence hall assignment or any guarantee of financial assistance, Cecil Howard recalls the lengths the University went to keep him on campus. That unceasing commitment from FSU continues to motivate him today to advance the University’s mission of service.

Had housing and financial support not been afforded to him, Cecil would have had to return home before attending his first class. Although it has been over 40 years since Cecil graduated, those four years at FSU still rank as the best of his life. Not only did he make hundreds of friends with whom he is still close, but he also met his wife of 38 years, Priscilla.

Cecil and Priscilla’s love for FSU has grown more and more through the years. They have graciously supported many Florida State organizations, including Cecil’s fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, and Priscilla’s sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, as well as the Black Student Union. But they wanted to do more.

They wanted the gift to be more impactful. Cecil reached out to his friend and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity brother Brandon T. McCray at the FSU Foundation. He credits Brandon, and later the Office of Gift and Estate Planning, for patiently guiding him on ways to fulfill his dream of helping others.

“Were it not for Brandon’s assistance, I might have continued procrastinating in deciding what to do,” shared Cecil.

Supporting First-Generation Students

Cecil and Priscilla chose to include FSU as a life insurance policy beneficiary to not only give back to their alma mater but also to maximize the cash value to the University and prospective recipients. They have created the Cecil E. and Priscilla Howard Scholarship for First-Generation Students, which will provide critical scholarship support to underrepresented students who are the first in their families to attend college.

Potential recipients are engaged in the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE), which works to successfully retain and graduate students who have been disadvantaged by virtue of economic or educational circumstances. Even better, the state of Florida will provide a 2:1 match for every dollar of the Howard family’s gift to CARE.

“This gift from the Howard family is so special to us. We love it when successful alumni of our CARE program pay it forward and empower the next generation of scholars. We thank the Howards for their commitment to CARE and Florida State University,” said Undergraduate Studies Dean Joe O’Shea.

Sharing His Thoughts

What are Cecil’s words of advice for those thinking of making a gift to Florida State? “I would strongly encourage them to go ahead and take the plunge! They will feel great just knowing they are helping someone attend FSU in the future.”

Cecil is inspired by the many young people with financial challenges who will become Seminole alumni because of his and Priscilla's gift. He describes this philanthropic gift as one of the best investments he has ever made.

“I wanted to enhance the opportunity for others like me who may not have had the opportunity to go to college were it not for the financial assistance that FSU can provide through the generosity of its donors. FSU’s ability to keep me there once I got there will forever hold a place in my heart.”

In addition to this generous gift, Cecil and Priscilla continue to be champions for FSU. They both hold membership in the FSU Alumni Association. Cecil currently serves as a Board of Directors member of the FSU National Alumni Association and as the national vice president of Alpha Phi Alpha covering the Southern region. He is a past national president of the FSU Black Alumni Association.

Priscilla serves on the Development Council for the Division of Undergraduate Studies. She also continues to be very actively involved in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. as a mentor, and financially supports the sorority and the community through AKA’s National Educational Advancement Foundation.

To learn more about how you can create a similar legacy at FSU through your estate, please contact The Office of Gift and Estate Planning at (850) 644-0753 or giftplanning@foundation.fsu.edu.