Morsani family donates $7 million for new positions, scholarships
Longtime philanthropists and Tampa Bay community leaders Frank and Carol Morsani pledged $7 million to USF on Tuesday.
The donation will go toward an endowed chair in geriatrics, student scholarships as well as a directorship and professorship focused on ethical leadership in business.
With the intent to support students as tuition prices increase over time, a part of the donation will fund the new Morsani scholarship, Frank said in a press release. No further information on how students will be selected for the scholarship was provided.
“Change is the only constant we have,” Frank said. “It’s through education we can move and handle that change. We could think of no greater way to return the benefits we have earned over our lifetimes than to empower young people through education.”
Their donation for an endowed chair in geriatrics is not the first time the College of Medicine has seen contributions from the Morsani family. In 2011, the college was named after them following a $37 million donation to USF Health.
The Morsani’s have been a prominent contributor to USF’s development since the ‘70s. Other contributions include donations made to USF Athletics, the Muma College of Business and WUSF Public Media. This past March they pledged $5 million for the on-campus football stadium project.
More Stories
USF’s presidential search slowed in spring, now resumes with new firm
The USF presidential search committee announced this month its plans to move forward with a new search firm in its pursuit of a new university president. In May, USF spokesperson Althea Johnson told The Oracle that USF would move forward with its presidential search after its initial search firm — SP&A Executive Search — finished […]
USF rocket team takes flight in NASA competition despite challenges
In a field in Alabama, USF Society of Aeronautics and Rocketry members waited for Prometheus — the rocket they’d spent nine months crafting — to take flight. USF’s SOAR was among the 53 teams that launched their rockets for the NASA Student Launch in Huntsville on May 4. The USF team placed 18th after launching […]
USF international students navigate travel under new visa limitations
With a ban restricting visa issuance and entry into the U.S. in effect, USF student Arshia Esmaeilian said he is afraid his parents might not be able to see him graduate next year unless the ban is lifted. “I didn’t really ask for this,” said Esmaeilian, a senior chemistry major. “It’s just something I have […]
USF’s Marshall Student Center to reduce hours amid budget constraints
USF’s Marshall Student Center will operate under reduced hours starting in the upcoming fall semester. New operating hours will go into effect starting on Aug. 17 as listed below: Monday–Thursday: Changing from 7 a.m.–midnight to 8 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday: Changing from 7 a.m.–1 a.m. to 8 a.m.–midnight Saturday: Changing from 8 a.m.–1 a.m. to 8 […]
USF, Crisis Center step up hurricane prep as anxiety lingers from last season
With the arrival of hurricane season in Tampa, USF students – particularly those new to South Florida – may be experiencing increased stress or anxiety after the 2024 season. Running from June 1 to Nov. 30, hurricane season marks the period when tropical storms form and intensify in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the National […]
Hillsborough County to explore building sports complex at MOSI site
Another development project could soon be in the works at a rapidly changing area in Tampa. Hillsborough County Commissioners voted unanimously on May 7 to prioritize building an indoor sports complex at the Museum of Science and Industry site on Fowler Avenue. Though still in its early stages, the MOSI CEO and Temple Terrace mayor […]