[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 19, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONONNG DR. RONALD VAUGHN AND HIS EXCEPTIONAL CAREER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 19, 2024

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the career 
and service of Dr. Ronald Vaughn, president of the University of Tampa. 
Throughout his 28 years of leadership with the University of Tampa, Dr. 
Vaughn has lifted students, faculty, the university, and the Tampa Bay 
community. He spearheaded a remarkable turnaround for the university 
and leaves UT ranked among the best medium-sized private universities 
in America.
  Dr. Vaughn's remarkable career, his lifelong commitment to education, 
and exceptional stewardship of the University of Tampa have propelled 
the school into being an academic powerhouse. During his tenure as 
president, the school's academic offerings and footprint grew into the 
dynamic, community-connected institution that we are proud of today. 
Dr. Vaughn embraced the history of the historic Tampa Bay Hotel, Plant 
Hall and the iconic minarets and infused the university with life and 
amenities for students including an expanded campus with 71 
construction projects completed or underway and investments worth a 
total of $950 million.
  The University of Tampa now hosts students from all 50 states and 
from almost all 195 countries. Dr. Vaughn's leadership has been 
fundamental to achieving academic excellence with a unique 
entrepreneurial spirit.
  Dr. Vaughn's academic journey is a model for my others--a B.A and an 
MBA from Indiana State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree 
from the University of Georgia. Dr. Vaughn's comprehensive career as a 
business owner of a multi-office marketing research and consulting 
company provided him with the skills to lead the university into the 
established institution we know today.
  His journey with the University of Tampa started in August 1984 as 
the Coordinator of the Marketing Department and holder of the Max H. 
Hollingsworth Endowed Chair of American Enterprise. Dr. Vaughn 
subsequently served as Director of the MBA Program, Dean of the College 
of Business and Graduate Studies and Co-Chief Academic Officer. In 
January of 1995 he became the president of the university.
  Dr. Vaughn and UT hosted President Barack Obama and Vice President 
Joe Biden in 2010 for a major economic policy announcement and a visit 
with students--the first time in UT's history that a sitting President 
made an official visit to the UT campus, and a rare joint appearance. 
President Joe Biden also visited the campus in 2023, the day after his 
State of the Union address, with many students watching from the pool 
deck and one noting ``pretty cool vibes.'' As Vice President, Joe Biden 
also made a major international affairs speech in the Fletcher Lounge 
to Bay area business leaders in 2016.
  Beyond his work as president of the university, Dr. Vaughn and his 
wife, Renee Vaughn, have been active members of the community. He has 
served on numerous boards and leadership positions, including the Straz 
Center for the Performing Arts, the Gulf Ridge Council of the Boy 
Scouts, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, and the Florida 
Aquarium.
  Dr. Vaughn has received numerous honors in recognition of his 
lifelong commitment to education and his exceptional stewardship of the 
University of Tampa. Among the countless awards that have been bestowed 
upon him nationally as well as locally are the Hillsborough County 
Administrative Volunteer of the Year for Tampa Bay's Chapter of the 
American Red Cross and the prestigious national recognition by the 
Ellis Island Honors Society in 2004. Furthermore, the multi-purpose 
Vaughn Center facility is named in his honor, and it serves as the hub 
of student life and activity on the University of Tampa campus.
  As we congratulate Dr. Vaughn for his remarkable career, we also 
express our gratitude for his continued commitment to uplifting the 
youth and laying the groundwork for a better tomorrow. Dr. Vaughn is 
the definition of a true public servant. On behalf of my neighbors 
across the Tampa Bay area, the great State of Florida, and our Nation, 
I thank Dr. Vaughn for his years of dedicated service and tireless 
commitment to making the University of Tampa the dynamic and growing 
university it is today.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our 
gratitude sending best wishes to Dr. Vaughn and his family in their 
future endeavors.

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