Tampa, FL, August 23, 2017 – Michelle Turman, CEO of Catalyst Consulting Services has established a $25,000 scholarship to enrich study abroad pursuits for students in the College of Arts and Sciences. Turman, who studied abroad as part of her undergraduate studies at Florida State University (Florence, Italy) and graduate program at the University of South Florida (Paris, France) understands the value of studying abroad and the financial investment. “The experience offers life-changing and enduring academic, career, intercultural, personal, and social benefits. It can train future leaders to be more effective, respectful of other cultures and political and economic systems, and willing to take a stand for the world’s welfare, not just what benefits a specific country.”
The Turman Scholarship in Ancient Studies will provide students “hands on” experience in the area of archeological field work for USF programs in Realmonte, Sicily or Nicopolis, Greece. “This scholarship will enable our best students to participate in programs that will change their lives and shape their world views, no matter what career path they may choose. Because scholarships like this enable good programs to become excellent ones, we are particularly grateful for this support” says Dr. William Murray, Director of the History Department’s Ancient Studies Center. Turman made the gift in honor of parishioners of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Clearwater. In 2014, the church was damaged in a fire and over the past two years, Catalyst Consulting Services worked with staff and community volunteers to help raise more than $5 million towards a new place of worship.
With over twenty-three years of nonprofit experience, Turman has been responsible for increasing the impact and best practices of nonprofit organizations she serves and has raised over $60 million for the Tampa Bay community through her professional and personal philanthropic efforts. In 2015, Turman was recognized by Tampa Bay Metro Magazine as one of Tampa Bay’s Distinguished Women in Business and the Face of Nonprofit Change in 2016 and nominated by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as Business Woman of the Year in 2007, 2016 and 2017.
Catalyst Consulting Services facilitates positive change for nonprofit organizations.