Our Donors

Private support provides the financial resources that allow Florida State University to attract the nation’s top students and best faculty, and provide them with the cutting-edge programs and facilities they need to succeed. Recognizing donors enables the University to express its deep gratitude and show supporters how their generosity helps to foster excellence at Florida State.

Learn more about some of our donors and their gifts

Professor Winchester Makes Gift for Students of Earth and Environmental Geochemistry
Florida State University Professor Emeritus John W. Winchester has given $50,000 to establish the John W. and Ellen M. Winchester Fund for Excellence in Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Geochemistry in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Alums Create Fund to Help Actuarial Students
When he was an FSU undergraduate working toward a career in actuarial science, Courtney White spent at least $1,000 on textbooks and other materials to help prepare for a series of exams to be certified in his field. Now, well established as an actuary, White and his wife, Shari, have made a gift of $25,000 to establish the Bettye Anne Case Scholarship in Actuarial Science.

Hearn Establishes Endowment for Marching Chiefs
Florida State University alumnus Steven L. Hearn has established the Hearn Family Endowment in the Florida State University College of Music. The fund establishes an annual $2,000 scholarship for a member of the Marching Chiefs who is majoring in a non-music field.

Chastain Family Commits Additional $1 Million to Enhance Real Estate Program
J. Harold Chastain credits the Florida State University College of Business with laying the solid foundation that prepared him for successful careers in the banking and real estate arenas. This week, the Chastain family announced that they have added another $1 million to an earlier gift through their estate plan.

Alumna Gives Back to University That Provided So Much to Her
Cassandra Jenkins' love for and service to her university continues through her gift of service to various FSU organizations. She further demonstrated her love for FSU by generously creating bequests that will benefit the Alumni Center, the Black Alumni Association and the women's basketball program.

Former Faculty Member John Simons Makes $300,000 Gift to Modern Languages
Professor John Simons, a faculty member for decades in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics who died in January 2010, has made a generous gift of approximately $300,000 for student scholarships.

Donor spotlight: Jane E. Morgan
Since her graduation from the College of Business in 1982, Florida State has held a special place in Jane Morgan’s heart. Said Morgan, “Donating to, and volunteering on behalf of, our alma maters are our ways of trying to help others achieve the same wonderful life we’ve gained from our education and network of college friends."

Forecasting the Future of Communication Education at FSU
If you live in Los Angeles, Calif., chances are you have seen or heard of Dallas Raines. He has been reporting the weather for ABC7 Eyewitness News in L.A. since 1984. Recently, Raines and his wife, Dannie, made a generous pledge to the Theodore Clevenger Professorship fund in the College of Communication & Information at Florida State.

A Passion for Philanthropy
Dr. Fanchon “Fancy” Funk began her career with The Florida State University in 1970 but, though she officially retired and was designated professor emerita in 2004, she hasn’t slowed down in her work to benefit the university.

The Gift of a Lifetime
Katherine Blood “Kitty” Hoffman’s contributions to Florida State as a student, alumna, faculty member, administrator and benefactor over the last seven decades have made her a living legend.