Bank of America Brunch on the Bay, the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee’s signature fundraising event for student scholarships, was celebrated on Sunday at the USFSM campus.
About 600 guests turned out for the two-hour event, which featured 26 restaurants and catering companies and broke the event’s scholarship fundraising record for the second straight year. Also attending were the USF marching band, the USF Sun Dolls dancers and a quartet of student musicians from Booker High School in Sarasota.
“This such a wonderful event because it really demonstrates the connection this campus has to the Sarasota-Manatee community,” USF Sarasota-Manatee Regional Chancellor Karen A. Holbrook, PhD, said. “Brunch on the Bay is about supporting students, and our students are the community’s students. In most cases, our graduates will stay here in this community, work here and help contribute to this community.”
Celebrating its 26th year, Brunch on the Bay showcases USF Sarasota-Manatee’s role as a local university that provides a high-quality, convenient and affordable education for students who become valued members of the workforce and vibrant contributors to the Sarasota-Manatee community. Bank of America was the 2019 Brunch on the Bay title sponsor.
“We understand the value higher education has in building stronger, more sustainable communities,” Mike McCoy, Bank of America Sarasota-Manatee market president, said. “Through our ongoing partnership with USFSM, we are connecting people to the workforce development opportunities they need to achieve economic mobility and helping provide this region with the resources it needs to thrive.”
Brunch on the Bay has provided more than 1,800 scholarships to USFSM students, most of whom are from Sarasota and Manatee counties. In many cases, these scholarships help students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford the cost of a college education earn their degrees.
“By joining us today, you help provide access to a world-class higher education for so many talented and deserving students,” USF President Steven Currall, PhD, told attendees. “Events such as Brunch on the Bay give me every confidence that we have the energy, the passion and the commitment to continue making a positive difference for our students and the world around us. Thank you for being here to do just that.”To learn more about USF Sarasota-Manatee, visit usfsm.edu.
Source: floridatrend.com
