President Genshaft Receives Regional Leadership Award
TAMPA, Fla. (March 20, 2009) – University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft is the first woman to be honored with the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council's Herman Goldner Award for Regional Leadership. In addition, USF Research Park has won the organization’s Charles A. McIntosh, Jr. Award of Distinction. Both awards were presented at the organization’s 17th Annual Future of the Regions Awardsl uncheon today at the Quorum Hotel in Tampa.
The Goldner Award is presented to an individual who "exemplifies the spirit of regional cooperation, dedication to her or his community and notable achievement in encouraging future vision." It was named for St. Petersburg Mayor Herman Goldner who was instrumental in the formation of the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council.
The McIntosh Award is presented to the entry that "provides excellence in the region, and exhibits distinction in regional visioning." This award honors former Dade City Mayor, Charles A. McIntosh, Jr. The awards jury is made up of the council’s officers.
"I'm truly honored to have been chosen to receive this prestigious award from a group for which I have tremendous respect," said President Genshaft. "And to have USF’s Research Park honored in the same year only magnifies the pride I feel because this recognition leads directly to the extraordinary team of individuals I am privileged to work with each day."
Members of the council endorsed the choice.
"Many recent economic development successes in Tampa Bay are tangible outcomes of Dr. Genshaft's understanding of the unique advantages of metropolitan universities and the importance of applied research that offers real-world solutions," said Stuart Rogel, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership. "She consistently stresses research partnerships with businesses, government and community. Her involvement, as well as her leadership in the community, are real assets to the Tampa Bay region."
Rogel was not alone in his praise.
"As co-chair of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, President Genshaft has been one of the strongest supporters of our mission to attract, retain and grow high tech industry, not only in the Tampa Bay region, but in the entire 23-county Corridor," said Randy Berridge, president of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. "As a visionary leader of a world-renowned research university that continues to channel innovation and collaboration, she is unquestionably deserving of this award, and I applaud her accomplishment."
The Future of the Region Awards program provides recognition for outstanding achievement and contribution which benefit the regional community. The awards luncheon highlighted projects and programs that exemplify regionalism, and recognized outstanding achievement and contribution which benefit the regional community.
The University of South Florida is one of the nation's top 63 public research universities and one of 39 community-engaged, four-year public universities as designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. USF was awarded more than $360 million in research contracts and grants in FY 2007/2008. The university offers 219 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. The university has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 46,000 students on institutions/campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference.
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Barbara Melendez
News Coordinator
University Communications & Marketing
813-974-4563
bmelendez@admin.usf.edu
