Where Are They Now? USFSM Alumni

A Look at How Brunch on the Bay has Helped USF Sarasota-Manatee Students
By Ryan G. Van Cleave

Back in 1994, Charles Baumann and a group of advisors to the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee saw the need to raise funds to provide scholarships for local students, some of whom might not otherwise be able to afford college.

Before they acted on their vision of hosting a fundraising event, a consultant conducted a community feasibility survey, and the results weren’t positive. “The consultant basically said USF Sarasota-Manatee was not known well enough to do this,” said Baumann. “So, the leadership team decided to host a community ‘friend-raiser’ instead, hoping to create greater awareness about the university.”

“We really wanted to create something that was not your traditional black-tie affair, but something that was more casual and fun that would attract people of all ages from both Manatee and Sarasota counties,” said Baumann, who grew up in Manatee and worked in Sarasota most of his career as an accountant. The event, called Brunch on the Bay, was a huge success, drawing several hundred people, and 25 years later it is considered one of the premier events in the Sarasota-Manatee region. The first Brunch, which Baumann chaired, not only brought people to campus (at the time, USFSM shared a campus with New College of Florida), but it also generated funding for student scholarships. 

“We never imagined that Brunch on the Bay would have the impact that it has,” said Baumann, who also co-chaired the 20th annual Brunch five years ago. “I’m so proud of the way our community leaders and businesses still support the event. It’s exciting and fun to meet friends at the event and especially the students who benefit from the generosity of donors.”

Twenty-five years later, the generous support of those who attend Brunch on the Bay continues to help make the dream of a college degree a reality for many students.

Meet Francisco Loera, who majored in K-6 elementary education from 2016-18. Loera chose USFSM because of its proximity to home and smaller class size (the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1), which enabled him to work closely with colleagues and professors. “I wasn’t just another face that’s lost in the crowd,” he said.

Upon graduation, Loera accepted his dream job and is now a fifth-grade ELA/social studies/writing teacher at Palmetto Elementary School.

“Brunch on the Bay helped cement that I was called to be a teacher,” said Loera, who had concerns about how he would complete an unpaid, five-month student-teaching obligation. “Support from Brunch on the Bay really provided the foundation for me. People told me, ‘You can do this. This is what you’re supposed to do, and there are people that believe in what you’re doing.’”

Dat Vu enrolled at USFSM in fall 2007, finished a dual-degree program in accounting and finance in spring 2013, then completed an MBA in fall 2016. “USFSM gave me the opportunity to remain local, continuing my desire to give back to my community and pursue my professional goal,” said Vu. “Being close to my family was an extra added benefit.”

Vu was hired at Feld Entertainment as a staff accountant five years ago and has since been promoted to senior accountant.

“What makes Brunch on the Bay so unique is it brings together diverse members of the community where the goal is to give back, and with the support of people who come, undergraduate students like me could have the ability to fulfill their academic dreams and have open doors for opportunities that last a lifetime.”

“USFSM gave me an opportunity to grow professionally and personally. With small classroom settings, I was able to stay more focused and able to work closely with my professors, so I could get the assistance I needed. In addition, by joining and becoming active with student organizations on campus, I had the chance to become more socialized and confident when dealing with groups of people.” After his 2013 graduation, Vu received an Outstanding Graduate Award for excellence in academics and involvement with student life.

Vu’s advice to prospective USFSM students? “The Sarasota-Manatee community is so bright and vibrant with a wealth of talents. When you attend USFSM, you will have the opportunity to meet, network, and share your knowledge with those professionals. Brunch on the Bay helps ensure local talent stays local.”

Jami Worley transferred to USFSM from Manatee Community College in 2010 and graduated a year later with a psychology degree focusing on psychology and law. She graduated from the Stetson University College of Law and founded Worley Elder Law, a Bradenton firm specializing in estate planning and elder law needs. Worley loves to educate families on their options and design plans to fit their individual needs, with an added bonus being that “Owning my own firm also means that I have more flexibility which grants me the ability to volunteer in the community.”

“Having financial support from scholarships removes this level of stress that you have to worry about whether you need to get a part-time job, how you’re going to balance work and school,” said Worley. “USFSM is an amazing school — you’ll be challenged academically and given multiple opportunities to be involved on the campus and in the community. If you put in the work, you’ll graduate as a better person who’s ready to tackle the future.”

As a USFSM student, Worley served as a professor’s research assistant. That opportunity “expanded not just my knowledge of the subject, but my understanding of how humans interpret information and actions. It shaped my academic writing and research skills, which gave me an advantage later when I attended law school. Having the opportunity to be involved on that level was life changing, and I would encourage every student to take advantage of similar opportunities if able.”

These are just a few examples of the personal stories many USFSM students and alums share—stories that underscore the importance of financial support from local businesses and community members through events like Brunch on the Bay.

“When people donate to student scholarships, sometimes that’s just enough to push students over the edge to complete their degrees,” Baumann said. “Sometimes, just a little support makes a big difference in a students’ ability to even go to college, earn a degree and then make a difference in our community.”

For more information on University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, please visit www.usfsm.edu or call 941.359.4200.