Supporting Student Success: University of South Florida’s 28th Brunch on the Bay

By Ryan G. Van Cleave | November 2022

While this area is fortunate to have a host of philanthropic opportunities and events, few match the uniqueness of University of South Florida’s Brunch on the Bay, which is the campuses’ signature community event. Since 1994, the University of South Florida has invited community supporters to the grounds of the Sarasota-Manatee campus to enjoy some of the best local cuisine while learning about—and investing in—student scholarships. To date, Brunch on the Bay has raised more than $6.5 million, which includes a record-setting $450,000 last year. In total, more than 2,000 students have benefited from the amazing generosity of USF friends and supporters who’ve attended this annual event over the years.

This year’s Brunch on the Bay happens from 11:30am to 1:30pm on Sunday, November 6 at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus. In addition to scholarships, this year’s Brunch on the Bay will support a next level of exciting initiatives, including construction of a new Nursing/STEM building on the Sarasota-Manatee campus. 

“This will be a building where ideas can be celebrated and grown, solutions discovered, and better answers can be generated for many of the most challenging issues faced by our society, in general, and our community, in particular,” says Dr. Karen A. Holbrook, regional chancellor of the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus. “It will be an economic engine for our region.”

The $62 million facility will double the size of the campus’s nursing program, increase new majors in health disciplines and other programs, and fill the need on campus for teaching and clinical labs and research facilities.

The 130,00-square-foot Crosley Campus Center has been the school’s home since 2006, and while it served the academic community well, the extraordinary growth in enrollment and programs has outgrown it. Brunch on the Bay will be a key part in addressing the need for campus expansion. 

Returning as this year’s title sponsor is long-time supporter USF Federal Credit Union, which has eight branches throughout the Tampa Bay region, and recently opened a branch in Sarasota on Clark Road. They provide philanthropic contributions and support for many USF events and initiatives. Richard J. Skaggs, president of the USF Federal Credit Union adds that “we are honored to return as the Brunch on the Bay title sponsor and to support student success and the expansion of USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus as it grows along with the community.”

The Brunch on the Bay chair changes each year—sometimes they’re alumni, and sometimes they’re USF donors, such as Elizabeth Moore who ran it last year. This year’s event is co-chaired by USF alumnae Dr. Mona Jain and Dr. Anila Jain, a mother-daughter duo who are both members of USF’s Women in Leadership & Philanthropy program where they mentor and support USF students.

A lifelong educator, Dr. Mona Jain, is a Fulbright scholar, winner of USF’s Distinguished Alumna Award and 2020 recipient of the College of Education’s Dean’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Her daughter, Dr. Anila Jain, is a physician and medical consultant who serves as vice chair of the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus board. While she’s earned many awards and distinctions related to USF, she was also one of the first supporters of Brunch on the Bay, which makes her work as this year’s co-chair especially appropriate. 

In addition to USF’s plans to build a Nursing/STEM building, on Sept. 14, the State University of Florida System Board of Governors unanimously approved building a new housing and student center complex just west of Crosley Campus Center. By the fall of 2024, as many as 200 students will for the first time be able to live on campus. The $39 million, 100,000-square-foot building will transform the look of the campus, as well as the college experience for students. “This building is a top priority for all of USF, and we are grateful for the support our president, Rhea Law, the USF Board of Trustees, and the Board of Governors,” shares Holbrook. 

“USF is growing here in Sarasota-Manatee,” explains Holbrook. “Behind every great community like ours is a great institution like the Sarasota-Manatee campus. We are expanding for the success and sustainability of our community.”

Come out and support a good cause and be part of the amazing event that is Brunch on the Bay. Visit sarasotamanatee.usf.edu/brunch to learn more.