The President’s Partnership Reception, an annual event to honor the philanthropic support provided by UCF’s corporate partners, was held Wednesday evening at The Burnett House, the President’s Home on campus. Key donors to the university were recognized and a special partnership award was presented to FAIRWINDS Credit Union for their years of philanthropy, service and commitment.
President John C. Hitt thanked those in attendance for their partnership. “By collaborating and leveraging our talents with others of common cause, we have . . . become a vital force for the economic prosperity of Central Florida,” he said. He continued, “Through partnerships, we can turn the impossible into the inevitable.”
The UCF Partnership Award recognizes an organization from the public or private sector whose collaboration with students, faculty and staff advances the university’s goal to be America’s leading partnership university. This year’s award to FAIRWINDS Credit Union was accepted by President and CEO Larry Tobin, ’83.
In 2004, FAIRWINDS made a significant donation to construct the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center. That gift, though, is only the most visible part of a longstanding partnership. For more than 20 years, the organization has supported a wide range of co-curricular programs, events, scholarships and academic positions, giving a total of more than one million dollars.
FAIRWINDS is one of many corporations whose involvement with UCF has strengthened it and allowed the university to expand educational opportunities for students and faculty, and build essential facilities.
UCF’s partners are a diverse group spanning many fields, and include: EA, Burnham Institute for Medical Research, Duke Energy, Florida Hospital and many more. (For a full list of UCF partners, please visit www.ucf.edu/partnerships/partnerships [1].)
The UCF Partnership Award recipient received a glass bridge created by artist Kreg Kallenger. The bridge symbolizes the “vital relationships that connect the university to the community we serve,” said Hitt.