College of Business Administration Quarterly Newsletter
                                                                                                            April 2006 - Volume 6.1

COBA Homepage :: The Executive :: 2006 Free Enterprise Dinner Sets Record-Breaking Pace for Scholarship Fundraising

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006 Free Enterprise Dinner Sets Record-Breaking Pace for Scholarship Fundraising

Call it a “victory lap” for scholarships!

 With a backdrop of Indy racing as its theme, the 2006 Celebration of Free Enterprise Dinner set a record-breaking pace, raising more than $125,000 for scholarships. That’s more than double the highest amount ever raised in the 20-year history of the event, which is presented annually by the USF College of Business Administration.
 

Guest speaker and honoree Joie Chitwood III was the “checkered flag bearer” for the event. A 1995 MBA graduate of the College, Chitwood is the president and chief operating officer of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He is also the third generation of the famous Chitwood Thrill Show, which had its start here in Central Florida. That tradition of auto racing and entertainment was further addressed by the evening’s other guest speaker, Dr. Gary Mormino, the Duckwall Professor of History at USF St. Petersburg.

L-R: Joie Chitwood III (center) accepts his award from (L) Joe Teague, managing director of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network/The Teague Financial Group, Emcee and Presenting Sponsor of the event; (R) USF President Judy Genshaft, and COBA Dean Bob Anderson.

 
Nearly 400 guests, including many USF alumni, attended the event, which was held on Thursday, March 9, at the Marriott Waterside Hotel. The presenting sponsor and emcee for the event was Joseph P. Teague, managing partner of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network/The Teague Financial Group.

 And, in a special salute, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to outgoing Dean Robert L. Anderson.


Michael Andretti, CEO of Andretti Green Racing, and Indy racing celebrity, was a special surprise guest.		   A surprise feature of the evening was the guest appearance of Indy racing celebrity Michael Andretti, and an auction of some Indy memorabilia – including a piece of the original brick track of the 100-year-old “Brickyard” – and an all-expense-paid trip to the 2006 Indy 500, courtesy of Pacesetter Sponsor: Checkers Drive-In Restaurants. The winning bids totaled nearly $20,000.
 
 



L-R: 2006 Free Enterprise Honoree Joie Chitwood III (COBA Class of '95), USF Trustee Chairman Dick Beard, USF President Judy Genshaft, and Special Celebrity Guest Michael Andretti pause in front of a backdrop of the Indy 500 racing tower.