By Tom St. Myer
The University of West Florida launched the public phase of its “Here for Good” capital campaign with the announcement that a new football stadium is coming to campus.
Darrell and Debbie Gooden made a gift in excess of $9 million to break ground on the Darrell Gooden Stadium. The transformative gift is the largest by a living donor in UWF history. Darrell Gooden studied accounting at UWF and attributed a significant portion of his professional success to his college education.
“Since I went here back in the ’70s all we talked about was getting a football team, but we never had one” Gooden said. “Then we finally got football thanks to Dr. (Judy) Bense and one thing led to another and then all of the sudden we got out here on campus and everything was rolling good so we decided we’d try to put it together. One of the ways to put it together was I had to step up to the plate and get it going and now we’re really going.”
Gooden estimated the university will break ground in about 18 months and the stadium will take about two years to build. He expects the stadium to be complete by the end of 2028.
The gift from the Goodens contributed to the university raising $65 million during the silent phase of the campaign, easily surpassing the initial goal of $55 million. The fundraising goal is to now raise $90 million, making this the largest campaign in the nearly 60-year history of the university.
UWF President Martha Saunders announced the campaign and the gift from the Goodens during a gala Thursday night in the UWF Fieldhouse. Inspiring videos played during the event that showcased the growth of UWF since 1967 and promoted its future success. The university is in the midst of record enrollment with over 14,000 students enrolled for the 2023-24 academic year.
“Since 1967, we have been a pillar for our region as an institution focused on individual growth and community advancement,” Saunders said. “Now more than 50 years later, we look forward to the future and focus on our commitment to impact our region and beyond. The Here for Good Campaign is a promise to extend the passion of our people and unleash the best of UWF. We’re telling our community and the world that UWF is here today and here to stay.”
Focus areas of the campaign include people, programs, place and community.
If the university meets its fundraising goal, every undergraduate student will have access to a scholarship. In addition, UWF will bolster or create high-impact programs for students with the intent to continue earning national recognition for academic achievements, athletic accomplishments and groundbreaking research.
“Gifts to our programs will bolster our academic departments by providing high-impact practices and transformative learning experiences outside of the classroom for students before they go to the workplace,” Saunders said. “Better programs mean better graduates.”
The university plans to address place by enhancing its physical environment through named facilities and new technology. Community growth includes expanding the UWF Historic Trust offerings, making more archaeological discoveries along the Gulf Coast and expanding the reach and resources of the radio station WUWF.
“As the only four-year public university in Northwest Florida, UWF is a key player in the economic, social and cultural development of the region,” Saunders said. “We’re not only enhancing opportunities for learning, but we’re also elevating our community to new heights.”
To make a gift to the UWF capital campaign, or for more information, visit uwf.edu/hereforgood.
Howard Reddy, UWF vice president for the Division of University Advancement, will be my guest this morning on “Real News with Rick Outzen” at 8.