Dr. Michael Martin, President of Florida Gulf Coast University
Michael V. Martin, Ph.D., President of Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) will be the featured keynote speaker at the annual Uncommon Evening Gala to be held on Thursday, November 14, 2019. The event chair is Alexandra Bremner, who will be assisted by co-chair Donna Lovejoy. Save the date and plan to arrive before sunset to enjoy mingling with dignitaries and guests as the sun sets below the horizon and the dinner and awards program begin at 7:00 p.m. and run to 9:00 p.m.
Dr. Martin became FGCU’s current president on July 1, 2107. He had previously served as the Chancellor Emeritus and Senior Fellow at Colorado State University. He is a native of Crosby, Minnesota and holds a bachelor’s degree from in business and economics, a master’s degree in economics, and a Ph.D. in applied economics from the University of Minnesota. His areas of specialization include product pricing, international trade, public policy, transportation, and business logistics.
The gala will be held at the Gale McBride Pavilion at the historic Burroughs Home & Gardens located on the waterfront at 2505 First St. in downtown Fort Myers. The Foundation will be sharing its “Pearls of Wisdom” and celebrating the 26th anniversary of its founding. Arrive early enough to take a historic tour of the exquisite 1901 mansion and gardens before we gather in the pavilion to honor student scholarship recipients, the Character Education Champion Teacher of the Year, and the Business Ethics Award winner.
For an event brochure, visit https://uncommonfriends.org/support-uff/sponsorship-opportunities/. Sponsors who have committed their support are Brian Rist of Storm Smart, who will be returning for the third year as the Jim & Ellie Newton presenting sponsor, and room sponsor Henderson Franklin. Sponsors who commit early will benefit from increased exposure at UFF events and programs scheduled throughout the summer and fall. All gala proceeds go to support Uncommon Friends Foundation and its vital work year round.