TAMPA, Fla. — In a heartfelt celebration of opportunity, gratitude, and community, The University of Tampa hosted its annual Scholarship Luncheon on Tuesday, April 1, an event that brings together scholarship donors and student recipients to share the powerful impact of financial support.
Held during inauguration week for UTampa’s 11th president, Dr. Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg, the luncheon was as symbolic as it was celebratory. With a packed room of trustees, faculty, staff, students, and alumni, the event offered a unique window into the lives changed by scholarship funding.
“Today isn’t just about celebrating scholarships,” said Dr. David Stern, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “It’s about recognizing the champions behind academic achievement — our donors, our faculty, and above all, our students.”
Dr. Stern, who has served the university for more than a decade, highlighted the deep connections between scholarships and student success.
“Scholarships allow our students not only to attend The University of Tampa but to thrive here,” he said. “They create possibilities that ripple through families, communities, and professions.”
For many attendees, the luncheon served as more than a meal — it was a moment to witness the transformative effect of donor generosity. Dozens of students in attendance were able to meet the individuals who helped make their education possible. Throughout the room, conversations buzzed with expressions of thanks, future aspirations, and reflections on what UTampa means to them.
During her remarks, Dr. Dahlberg emphasized the emotional and practical importance of scholarships, noting that they are often the reason a student chooses UTampa over another institution.
She shared a story from earlier in the day when she had met a scholarship recipient while passing out chocolate-covered Oreo cookies on campus. The student approached Dr. Dahlberg to share how she applied to 32 colleges before choosing UT.
“She said the moment she stepped on campus, she knew it was where she belonged,” said Dr. Dahlberg. “But it was the scholarship that made her decision possible.”
That story, Dahlberg said, was just one of many she has heard since arriving in Tampa.
“Over and over, I meet students who say, ‘I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for a scholarship,’” she said. “These students are the future leaders of our region and the world, and your generosity fuels their journey.”
Dr. Thomas Witherspoon, vice president for Access and Community Programs, also spoke at the event, focusing on the university’s growing commitment to inclusion and opportunity through initiatives like the Success Scholars Program.
“Scholarship recipients are not just excellent students,” said Witherspoon. “They are engaged citizens, campus leaders, and community builders. They’re the students starting clubs, volunteering locally, and planning their futures with purpose.”
He emphasized that many of these students are the first in their families to attend college.
“Our Spartan Success Scholars come from diverse backgrounds,” said Witherspoon. “They form a community within a community, and from the moment they arrive, we surround them with mentorship, academic support, and leadership training.”
A video presentation during the luncheon highlighted the experiences of several students who expressed how their scholarships shaped their time at UTampa. One said they chose The University of Tampa over a top-tier university because of the university’s emphasis on belonging and personal growth.
“UTampa didn’t just give me a scholarship,” the student said in the video. “It gave me a community.”
Throughout the event, one theme became clear: Giving is more than a transaction — it’s a legacy. The Scholarship Luncheon served as a living illustration of that legacy, demonstrating how access to higher education creates real and lasting change.
“Scholarships aren’t just about affordability,” Witherspoon added. “They’re about access, equity, and empowerment. They open doors that lead to classrooms, boardrooms, nonprofits, and innovation hubs.”
As UTampa continues to grow its national reputation and deepen its impact on the Tampa Bay region, events like the Scholarship Luncheon reaffirm the university’s core values: student-centered education, meaningful relationships, and a commitment to shaping the next generation of leaders.
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Thumbnail image caption: Dr. Thomas Witherspoon (right) and four students speak at the annual Scholarship Luncheon in Plant Hall on April 1.