USF in London dinner celebrates USF alumni, students, and faculty in capital city

Winston Churchill first coined the term “special relationship” when talking about the uniquely close ties between the United States and Great Britain. The University of South Florida didn’t exist when the phrase was coined some 80 years ago, but USF has forged its own enduring British connections.  

The special relationship is bolstered by USF’s 700 alumni who live in the UK, its 230 faculty members who have engaged in research, business, or creative endeavors in the UK and through its partnerships with five leading British universities. The USF in London experience underpins the relationship as a flagship study abroad program that over 1,800 USF students have participated in since it launched in 2013.

However, beyond these impressive numbers, there is something deeper to celebrate. On June 26, more than 50 USF alumni joined over 130 USF students and their faculty to kick off the USF in London program in style. The welcome dinner was filled with countless surprise alumni reunions and numerous opportunities for students to connect with accomplished professionals from various fields. 
 
The alumni’s enthusiasm was palpable and inspired USF students and faculty alike. The USF World team was thrilled to learn about their amazing careers since leaving USF and forged many wonderful connections that will benefit future USF in London programs. 

Attendees heard remarks from renowned shipwreck hunter and prominent alum David Mearns. They listened attentively as he spoke about his recent Shackleton discovery and when he credited USF for his successful career. He joked that he is a “proud graduate of a school he could not get into today.” Mr. Mearns was so touched by the event, the following day he spearheaded a fundraising effort to help USF meet its goal of raising the final $5,000 needed to endow the study abroad scholarship. 
  
The crowd of Bulls also heard from former USF in London student, Sarah Glaser who went on to pursue her graduate studies at the London School of Economics and Royal Holloway through a Fulbright grant.  She announced she’s starting her career in the UK this fall at WPI Strategy which inspired many of the students to queue up to speak to her and many alums to welcome her into London’s professional world.

During her closing remarks, USF World Vice President, Kiki Caruson expressed sincere gratitude to the USF Foundation for hosting alumni for dinner and thanked the USF leaders in attendance who are committed to seeing USF students succeed at home and abroad.  

Leading the USF delegation were USF St. Petersburg Regional Chancellor Christian Hardigree; Vice President for Student Success, Cindy DeLuca; College of Arts and Sciences Assoc Dean Undergrad Studies, Allison Cleveland-Roberts; and Senior Associate Vice President of Development Kelley Gibson. 
 
USF is a young university, but its ties to the UK connect it to centuries of knowledge, history, culture, and art. USF offers British exchange students the opportunity to immerse themselves in an AAU institution in one of the world’s most dynamic, sun-soaked regions and to become part of the Bulls global family. There’s nothing more special than that.