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UF Plans Fundraiser To Bankroll Low-Income Students

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By ADAM EMERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 14, 2008

TAMPA - The University of Florida's president said today that he's launching a multimillion-dollar fundraising campaign to bankroll a program aimed at supporting the school's low-income students.

The cost to run the Florida Opportunity Scholars program has reached $5.7 million a year, and UF needs $50 million in private money to keep it going, President Bernie Machen said.

To lead the fundraising drive and recruit more donors, Machen has turned to head football coach Urban Meyer and men's basketball coach Billy Donovan.

The costs of the Opportunity Scholars program will only go higher next year, Machen said. "We're making an appeal for private support, and having Billy and Urban involved can only mean success for our efforts."

The program provides a full scholarship and other funding to UF students who come from households that earn less than $40,000 a year and whose parents don't have bachelor's degrees.

The program now has 1,100 students. The university expects to serve 1,600 next year if it can get the money.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285 or aemerson@tampatrib.com.

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