Former Rep. Cliff Stearns has made a significant gift to the College of Central Florida Foundation.
The $269,919.01 gift will establish the Friends of Cliff Stearns Endowed Chair to support an annual speaker series event to be held in the Learning Resources Center at the college.
“I am delighted to support the CF Foundation with this gift toward developing a speaker series to bring notable persons to the college’s Learning Resources Center,” Stearns said. “The speaker series will provide an opportunity for the college community and citizens in Marion and the surrounding counties to meet and hear from distinguished Americans.”
The endowed chair will allow the college to bring in national and regional speakers on topics such as history, political science and technology. The speaker series would be open to all students, faculty, staff and the public.
“Research shows that students engaged with faculty, staff and peers who attend college events and presentations by guest speakers are more likely to be successful in their academic endeavors,” said Dr. Mark Paugh, vice president for Academic Affairs. “This new endowment will contribute significantly to CF’s student engagement plan.”
Stearns is an executive director with APCO Worldwide, based out of Washington, D.C., and he serves on APCO’s International Advisory Council. He is a former member of Congress for Florida’s Sixth District. Stearn’s wife, Joan, retired from the college in 2013.
“I can’t say enough about the Honorable Cliff Stearns” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, college president. “Both he and his wife, Joan, have been huge supporters of the college. We are grateful for their generous gift, which will advance the learning environment for students at CF.”
The CF Foundation, founded in 1959, is a not-for-profit corporation that enhances the college’s programs and services through the development and management of private contributions and community partnerships. To learn more, visit CF.edu/foundation.