Estate gift is largest-ever to USF medical scholarships
TAMPA, Fla. (June 17, 2020) – The University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine recently received more than $4 million, the largest single gift to scholarships in the history of the medical college. The gift from the late Dr. Jack F. Ross will benefit the medical scholarship that bears his name.
“The University of South Florida is deeply grateful for this gift from Dr. Ross that will provide extraordinary benefits to Morsani College of Medicine students for years to come,” USF President Steven Currall said. “Dr. Ross’ generosity advances our vision to ensure that USF is where academic excellence meets opportunity for students.”
“This gift will have a tremendous impact on the lives of our medical students,” said Dr. Charles Lockwood, dean of the Morsani College of Medicine and senior vice president of USF Health.
“Though I never had the opportunity to meet him in person, this scholarship will leave a lasting legacy for Dr. Ross — one that will be carried on for generations through the talented future physicians who owe their education to his generosity.”
Ross, a retired Tampa psychiatrist, died at the age of 98 last summer. He had previously provided $150,000 to establish the endowed Jack F. Ross Medical Scholarship, which assists high-achieving medical students. To date, 13 students have benefited from the scholarship.
“I am truly grateful to people like Dr. Ross for helping me alleviate the debt of medical school,” said Andrew Lai, who earned his medical degree in 2018. “His financial support was a part of the generous culture of giving at USF, and I am very excited to pay it forward in the coming years.”
“The Dr. Jack F. Ross Medical Scholarship is such a wonderful example of the power of giving,” USF Foundation CEO Jay Stroman said. “It can’t be overstated that his legacy will live on through the generations of medical students who will be awarded this scholarship.”
Ross came to Tampa in the 1980s to practice medicine at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. He served as courtesy faculty in the USF Department of Psychiatry and Behavior for 20 years. He also supported piano education at the USF College of The Arts.
About the University of South Florida
The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report’s national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state’s 12 public universities. USF has earned widespread national recognition for its success graduating under-represented minority and limited-income students at rates equal to or higher than white and higher income students. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
About the USF Foundation
The USF Foundation connects the University with donors who want to make a difference by providing private, philanthropic support to promote student success, academic initiatives, research, and other strategic priorities of the University of South Florida. Our donors celebrate the energy, vision, and future of one of the country’s most exciting and engaged universities. Our people and programs, our ideas, our research, and our solutions comprise an ambitious plan to enhance healthcare, science, technology, education, business, the arts, and global partnerships.