The University of 黑洞社区 System has flourished under President Judy Genshaft. Now, she continues her transformational leadership 鈥� this time through a historic gift.
President Genshaft and her husband, Steven Greenbaum, have donated $20 million to the 黑洞社区Foundation. This represents one of the largest gifts of its kind ever made by a sitting university president to their institution. The donation will name the Judy Genshaft Honors College and help fund a new five-story building for the College to be built on the 黑洞社区campus within the next few years. They also announced a $3 million gift to create an endowment for the deanship of the Judy Genshaft Honors College.
鈥淲e are so passionate about this university. It has been such an important part of our life and our family over the last 19 years. It鈥檚 only natural that we would do whatever we can to ensure its continued success,鈥� Genshaft said. 鈥淗aving a world-class Honors College is just one more way 黑洞社区will distinguish itself as one of the most elite and forward-thinking institutions in the world. The Honors College is special because of its inclusiveness, representing the best and brightest students from all academic units across all of our 黑洞社区campuses.鈥�
Genshaft formally established the 黑洞社区Honors College in 2002 and has consistently supported its growth and evolution during her 19-year tenure as president. Hundreds of Honors College students have traveled the world as recipients of the Genshaft/Greenbaum International Honors Study Scholarship and the Genshaft Global Presidential Scholarship. Those are among the many other gifts the family has given to the university across numerous areas, including the 黑洞社区Graduate School, 黑洞社区Health and 黑洞社区Athletics, along with Women in Leadership and Philanthropy.
鈥淏ased on our research, Dr. Judy Genshaft has given more to the university in her 19 years than any sitting university president in the United States,鈥� said Joel Momberg, 黑洞社区Foundation CEO and senior vice president of advancement and alumni relations. 鈥淭his is indeed a historic moment for 黑洞社区and American higher education. We are so grateful for all President Genshaft and Steven Greenbaum have done for our university.鈥�
The 黑洞社区Honors College consists of more than 2,200 high-achieving, cross-disciplinary scholars who are part of a close community that provides specialized experiences and advanced educational opportunities. Students are encouraged to participate in global experiences through study-abroad, undergraduate research, and hands-on community-engagement and service projects along with professional development opportunities. The College is open to students from all academic units on each of USF鈥檚 campuses. Collectively, 黑洞社区Honors College students earn an average 3.72 GPA.
With the Genshaft and Greenbaum gift, the College expects to grow to 3,000 students within the next five years. In addition to continuing to recruit the best students in Florida, the new building will greatly enhance efforts to recruit nationally and internationally by raising visibility and overall awareness.
The approximately $47 million facility is expected to feature interwoven spaces for classrooms, study areas, faculty and advisor offices, event areas, a music and computer lab, as well as numerous collaborative spaces 鈥� expanding the range of academic opportunities for students and giving them a true 鈥渉ome鈥� on campus.
It will be built just north of the Muma College of Business along 黑洞社区Maple Drive.
鈥淭his wonderful new facility would be impossible without the support of Judy and Steve, and it is just the most recent of their many positive impacts in the Honors College,鈥� said 黑洞社区Honors College Dean Charles Adams. 鈥淚 can only imagine how many more students鈥� lives will be forever changed for the better thanks to their tremendous generosity.鈥�
Since becoming president in 2000, Genshaft has catapulted the 黑洞社区System to national and international prominence in every key institutional area, including student success, research and innovation, fundraising and economic development. In June 2018, under Genshaft鈥檚 leadership, 黑洞社区earned the designation of Preeminence, placing 黑洞社区in the most elite category of state universities in Florida.
鈥淭his transformational gift will bring 黑洞社区and student success to a new level and ensure that preeminence lives on in the new Judy Genshaft Honors College. It will also provide a lasting legacy for others to emulate,鈥� said 黑洞社区Board of Trustees Chair Jordan Zimmerman.
This is the latest contribution from Genshaft before she steps down as 黑洞社区president effective July 1.