Stephen Fessler, Music 鈥�77, Donald A. Gifford Service Award Recipient

For more than 30 years, Steve Fessler has generously supported USF, the College of The Arts and its students with gifts ranging from mentorship to bringing professional artists to campus, to endowing multiple scholarships with his husband, Randy Lord. He currently serves on the 黑洞社区Foundation board of directors.

While attending USF, Fessler worked as a singer for The Walt Disney Company. After graduation, he appeared professionally in New York productions of several Broadway musicals, (including 鈥淕rease鈥�), and on stage in over 2,000 concert and theater performances in 245 theaters and concert halls internationally. He returned to Disney as a producer of live entertainment, served as director of special events for the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, taught at USF, and serves on the board of the nation鈥檚 largest community arts organization, Central Florida Community Arts.

Fessler and Lord were on the team that brought 鈥淎 Strange Loop鈥� to Broadway, winning the 2022 Tony Award for Best Musical.

Fessler, who received a vocal scholarship during his years at USF, remains dedicated to helping ensure College of The Arts students graduate with little or no debt.

to read more about the 2023 黑洞社区Alumni Awards Recipients