Bank of America Brunch on the Bay tickets now on sale

Brunch on the Bay showcases USFSM’s role as a local university that provides a high-quality, convenient and affordable education for students who become valued members of the workforce and vibrant contributors to the Sarasota-Manatee community.

It’s why Bank of America has signed on as this year’s title sponsor.

“We understand the value higher education has in building stronger, more sustainable communities,” said Mike McCoy, Sarasota-Manatee market president for Bank of America. “Through our ongoing partnership with USFSM, we are connecting people to the workforce development opportunities they need to achieve economic mobility and helping provide this region with the resources it needs to thrive.”

Sponsorships and individual tickets are available now. Individual tickets are available for $225, and sponsorship levels range from $2,500 for a half table to $25,000, which covers slightly more than four years of tuition and includes two VIP tables. For tickets or more information, visit usfsm.edu/giving/brunch-on-the-bay/purchase-sponsorships-and-tickets.aspx or call (941) 359-4603.

Since its inception 26 years ago, Brunch has provided more than 1,800 scholarships to USFSM students, most of whom are from Sarasota and Manatee counties. In many cases, these scholarships help students, who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford the cost of education, earn their degrees.

“What USF has done well is they’ve adapted to the local environment,” Pete Petersen, a USFSM alum, Brunch co-chair and CEO of Sarasota-based Dealers United, said. “They’ve adapted to local business needs, and to student needs as well, and they’ve done a really good job making sure we’re connecting students to our local businesses and forming a tighter community. As a business, the biggest challenge we have is access to talent, and USF grads tend to stay here longer. They’re invested in the community and that makes a difference.”

According to Lee Williams, regional vice chancellor for advancement and alumni engagement at USF Sarasota-Manatee, “The organizing committee has developed sponsorship packages based on the annual cost of tuition at USFSM. For example, a $5,000 sponsorship covers the majority of tuition expenses for one year, and that level of sponsorship corresponds to a table of eight at Brunch, plus considerable recognition and exposure through the event.”

USFSM students say the scholarships they’ve received from Brunch have enabled them to achieve their educational and career goals.

“Both of my parents have had medical issues in the past year so it’s been really hard on us. I couldn’t have paid my tuition without these scholarships,” said Jennifer Serafino, a senior set to graduate in December. “The Brunch on the Bay scholarship gave me a chance for a better and brighter future. It helped me to take charge of my education. USFSM has significantly changed my life. It’s shaped me into who I am.”

Brunch is also making a difference by connecting donors with students.

“Oftentimes, donors don’t get see the impact of their donation, but at Brunch on the Bay, donors are able to meet students who have been helped through scholarships,” said Spring 2019 Outstanding Graduate Lukas Oest, who now heads global marketing at Bradenton-based Florida Worldwide Citrus. “The scholarship made a difference in my own life. Specifically, it helped in my final semester when I was wasn’t sure how I would pay for tuition to finish up and graduate. The scholarship really came through, and now I hope someday to do the same for another USFSM student by contributing to Brunch.”

USF Sarasota-Manatee is grateful for the support of this year’s Brunch on the Bay media sponsors, including: SRQ Magazine, Tempo News, SNN TV, Scene Magazine, Sarasota Magazine, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, ABC 7, The Observer and WUSF.

Visit usfsm.edu/giving/brunch-on-the-bay/index.aspx for more about Brunch on the Bay.

Visit usfsm.edu to learn more about the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.

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