Studers gift $2.25 million to support Maritime Museum

The University of West Florida has announced that Quint and Rishy Studer have gifted $2.25 million to support the Vice Admiral John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center. The gift to the UWF Foundation will be submitted for a dollar-for-dollar match through the state of Florida’s Alec P. Courtelis program for university facilities, translating into $4.5 million in support for the design and construction of the museum. The charitable gift is the largest from living donors in the university’s 40-year history.

As part of the Vince Whibbs Sr. Community Maritime Park, the Vice Admiral John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center will be dedicated to the continued education, preservation and research of Florida’s cultural and natural maritime resources. The museum will be owned and operated by UWF, having strong connections to the university’s academic programs such as underwater archaeology, environmental science, marine biology and maritime history. The museum will include a state-of-the-art interactive theatre, education center and hands-on exhibits on topics such as hurricanes, coastal and marine ecosystems, ships and tugboats, navigation and shipbuilding.

“On behalf of the University of West Florida and our entire community, I want to express thanks to Quint and Rishy Studer for their extraordinarily generous investment in education and in the future of Pensacola,” said UWF President John Cavanaugh. “From the thousands of visitors who travel to Pensacola, to our K-12 students who will enhance their understanding of history, culture and science at the museum, to the UWF students who engage in the hands-on learning opportunities the museum will offer…the Studers will impact the lives of so many through their generosity.”

Quint and Rishy Studer are frequent contributors to many organizations in Northwest Florida. In 2007, they were named Philanthropists of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the West Florida chapter. Their goal is to improve the quality of life for residents of Northwest Florida. Notable donations have been made to the Westgate Special Education School for the Snoezzlen project, E-Care for early childhood literacy and Special Olympics, to name a few.

“Rishy and I believe in Northwest Florida,” said Quint Studer. “The region has a proud past, and working together, we can create a better tomorrow. Vice Adm. Fetterman set an example that we can all learn from and follow. He worked to help others through his distinguished military career and through the work he did after leaving active duty. His tireless efforts kept the Navy base in Pensacola, employing thousands and built the reputation of the Naval Air Museum, which educates millions. And, his effort to secure the sinking of the USS “Oriskany” in Pensacola Bay created educational opportunities and jobs for our area. His final vision was for a great community maritime waterfront park, with open water access to all, so that residents and visitors could learn, earn and play. This vision included the creation of a world-class maritime museum. Adm. Fetterman was a difference-maker. He was committed to improving our area resident’s quality of life. It is a commitment Rishy and I share. We are grateful, through the Grace of God, that we have the means to be part of the solution in making Northwest Florida better.”

For more information, contact Dean Van Galen, vice president of University Advancement for UWF, at (850) 474-3306.

By Janice Cooper, University Marketing Communications