Christine Jennings and Susan Burns Named Co-chairs of New College’s Ambassadors Committee

March 1, 2021 – Sarasota

MaryAnne Young, vice president of advancement and executive director of the New College Foundation, and Sue Jacobson, chair of the New College Foundation Board of Directors, have named Christine Jennings and Susan Burns co-chairs of the foundation’s Ambassadors Committee. 

Formerly called the Advancement Committee, the Ambassadors Committee has a mission “to raise funds, support and awareness for New College.” Kevin Hughes, associate vice president of the foundation, will work with the committee to achieve these goals.

Christine Jennings, former director of West Coast Black Theatre Troupe, and Susan Burns, editor in chief of Sarasota Magazine, are joined on the Ambassadors Committee by members Janene Amick, Beverly Bartner, John Bean, Fran Blum, Hazel Bradford, Doug Christy, John Cranor, Karin Gustafson, Renee Hamad, Chuck Hamilton, Pat Hennigan, Sue Jacobson, Michael Pender and Nancy Winship.

According to Jennings, raising funds for student scholarships is a top priority of the Ambassadors Committee. “Although New College is a public institution, state funding covers only a fraction of the cost of maintaining our status as one of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges,” says Jennings. “Our scholarship program closes the gap, and it makes our commitment to excellence possible.” 

Jennings adds that the New College Foundation has provided more than $2.5 million for student scholarships over the past three years. 

According to Burns, the committee’s main focus this spring is to raise funds for “The O’Shea Formula.” This virtual event on May 6 will honor New College President Donal O’Shea, who will be retiring in June after serving as the college’s leader for nine years. All proceeds raised from the event will be directed toward student scholarship funds.

Burns notes that Dr. O’Shea is an internationally awarded mathematician and author of groundbreaking books on math. “The O’Shea Formula celebrates his mathematical achievements and, more importantly, his unwavering dedication to New College,” she says. 

For more information about The O’Shea Formula or the New College Foundation, call 941-487-4800 or email foundation@ncf.edu.