[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 140 (Monday, September 28, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING DR. JUDY GENSHAFT'S LEADERSHIP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH 
                                FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID W. JOLLY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 28, 2015

  Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I submit an article that appeared in the 
Tampa Tribune recognizing Dr. Judy Genshaft for her leadership as 
President of the University of South Florida. For the past 15 years, 
Dr. Genshaft has worked tirelessly to improve USF's academic successes, 
as well as expand USF's role in our local economy. It is my honor to 
recognize her achievements at the helm of USF, and we are fortunate to 
have her as a part of our Tampa Bay community.

         Editorial: Genshaft's Education and Economic Successes

                [From the Tampa Tribune, Sept. 12, 2015]

        Judy Genshaft has enjoyed the longest tenure of any 
     University of South Florida president, and by most measures 
     the university has flourished under her direction.
        But often overlooked is how her 15-year leadership also 
     has boosted the local economy.
        Improving USF's academic standing, to be sure, has been 
     the priority, and results have been impressive. The 
     graduation rate, a persistent trouble area, has jumped from 
     48 percent in 2008 to 67 percent, thanks to university 
     initiatives. The average SAT test scores of incoming freshmen 
     have increased by 159 points, reflecting USF's growing 
     status.
        The Tampa campus, once a barren collection of far-flung 
     buildings, has been transformed into a beautifully landscaped 
     and bustling community.
        Also impressive is how Genshaft has tapped USF's potential 
     as an economic engine. She strengthened its ties to the 
     business community and made it a catalyst for innovation and 
     investment. Former USF President Betty Castor, who served 
     from 1994 to 1999, also deserves credit for highlighting the 
     university's economic importance. Genshaft expanded that 
     effort.
        Genshaft, who has served as chair of the Greater Tampa 
     Chamber of Commerce and the Tampa Bay Partnership, actively 
     sought to recruit companies to the area, particularly those 
     that needed the resource of a research university.
        Indeed, the university has excelled at winning research 
     grants. As the Tribune's Anastasia Dawson reports, when 
     Genshaft came to USF it brought in about $171.3 million in 
     research funds. Last year that number was $440.5 million--
     43rd in the nation among public and private universities.
        These dollars have an impact far beyond campus. According 
     to the National Institutes of Health, every $1 in research 
     funding brings in $2.21 in local economic growth. So USF's 
     research funds alone are calculated to be responsible for 
     $974 million in new economic activity and account for 5,900 
     jobs with an average salary of $75,000.
        The emphasis on innovation has helped USF become the No. 1 
     university in the state for patents, and 10th in the nation 
     and 13th worldwide.
        With USF badly in need of renovating its 40-year-old 
     medical school facilities, Genshaft seized the opportunity to 
     partner with Lightning owner Jeff Vinik in the redevelopment 
     of downtown's Channelside District. Now, with the backing of 
     the Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott, the USF Morsani College 
     of Medicine and the new USF Health Heart Institute will be 
     the centerpiece of Vinik's downtown project, which will 
     include residences, offices, hotels and retail shops. The 
     school is expected to create 1,500 jobs and undoubtedly will 
     attract other health-care enterprises.
        Genshaft also is pushing to redevelop the challenged 
     neighborhoods near USF into an innovation district that will 
     attract and nurture new enterprises. Former Hillsborough 
     County Commissioner Mark Sharpe is heading the Tampa 
     Innovation Alliance.
        Thanks to such diverse efforts, USF is widely recognized 
     as a university on the move and is attracting widespread 
     attention and support. It's nearing its goal of raising $1 
     billion in donations.
        Genshaft has had the occasional tussle with the 
     Legislature, mostly stemming from lawmakers wanting more for 
     USF branch campuses in their communities. The USF system 
     includes St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee campuses. The 
     Legislature, in an act of fiscal lunacy, transformed USF's 
     Polk County branch into a separate university, Florida 
     Polytechnic, in 2012.
        Such dustups underscore the pitfalls of a branch campus 
     system that invites meddling by lawmakers focused on bringing 
     goodies to their districts.
        Granted, USF's football and basketball programs have 
     languished in recent years. But those rough spots pale in 
     comparison to USF's progress during Genshaft's 15 years.
        Her contract runs out next year, but she says she would 
     like to remain. That decision will be up to the USF Board of 
     Trustees.
        But there is a good reason Genshaft has managed to stay at 
     USF's helm for 15 years. She is getting the job done.

     

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