Dear alumni, friends and supporters of USF

The back-to-back hurricanes we experienced this fall severely impacted the Tampa Bay region and beyond, creating difficult, and in some cases devastating, situations for many of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by these catastrophic storms.

We are extremely grateful to so many across our university, including the USF Police Department, our first responders and emergency management personnel, our health-care professionals, and our team members in facilities, housing, Student Success and USF Dining. They prepared our campuses for hurricanes Helene (Sept. 26) and Milton (Oct. 9) and assisted with recovery efforts to ensure we could reopen as quickly as possible. Many of our dedicated employees worked long hours and were pulled away from their families to serve critical roles.

I am also very proud of how quickly our students, faculty and staff responded to pressing needs in their communities. They volunteered to transport and care for individuals in special-needs shelters, helped at comfort and hygiene support stations and at a field hospital, delivered meals, assisted with cleanup efforts in neighborhoods and on beaches, and contributed to recovery efforts in many other ways. Despite their own significant challenges, including power outages and property damage, countless members of our USF community demonstrated tremendous compassion in a time of great need.
 
We know that some members of our community face a long and complex recovery. We continue to share resources and address individual needs. For those who wish to support students, faculty and staff still struggling to regain their footing, the USF Foundation offers two funds: the USF United Support Fund for students and the Employee Hardship Assistance Fund.

We appreciate everyone who has generously contributed to this effort.

The storms-related challenges led us to postpone our Homecoming activities, which had been scheduled for the week after Hurricane Milton made landfall. Thanks to the hard work of a large team representing all three campuses and led by the USF Alumni Association and USF Student Success, more than 60 beloved traditions took place Nov. 4-9.

Highlights included the much-anticipated groundbreaking for our on-campus stadium. Beginning on page 26, you can learn about the many ways the stadium will enhance the USF student experience and inspire Bulls fans to revisit their alma mater. As a proud USF alumna, I know how incredibly special that is because it allows us to share our Bull pride and strengthen our connection to USF.

I also want to extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Amir Abdur-Rahim, the head coach of USF’s men’s basketball team, who passed away unexpectedly in October. Together with his staff and players, Coach Amir transformed the basketball program last season, setting records along the way to winning our first-ever American Athletic Conference regular season championship. Coach Amir was humble and compassionate, and he believed strongly in developing authentic relationships and in serving the community. He was an inspiration to all of us.

We have so much to be proud of at our university, and as we look ahead to 2025, I am excited about what the future holds for USF. Thank you for your continued support of our students and our university. I wish you a new year filled with peace and good health.

Rhea F. Law, ’77, President Life Member #976