Estate gift will create an endowed scholarship and facility fund in the USF College of Engineering
TAMPA, Fla. (Dec. 9, 2020) – The University of South Florida today announced a $2 million gift to the USF Foundation that will benefit students and faculty in the College of Engineering. The estate gift from David Miga, owner and president of Electronic Design Specialists (EDS), will establish the David Miga Endowed Scholarship for Electrical Engineering and create the David T. Miga Innovation Facility Fund.
“As a successful entrepreneur, David Miga understands the power of innovation and discovery,” USF President Steve Currall said. “His generous bequest will help the University of South Florida support its commitment to nurture the next generation of innovators as they explore their passions and interests.”
The gift will lessen the financial burden of college costs for generations of students while also supporting the operational needs of the College of Engineering for at least 10 years. Specifically, the college will receive funds for equipment, supplies and maintenance associated with an open use “maker space” for students. This will provide the critical, tangible tools needed to effectively teach the hands-on aspects of the engineering curriculum.
“We are extremely grateful for the support of our donors,” College of Engineering Dean Robert H. Bishop said. “As engineering is all about helping people, these crucial investments are assisting us in making our collective future that much brighter.”
“Mr. Miga’s generosity will have a transformational impact,” USF Foundation CEO Jay Stroman said. “The legacy he is leaving at USF will provide burgeoning engineers scholarship opportunities he never had.”
Miga, a self-taught engineer, founded EDS in 1981. The company provides contract design, engineering and small quantity manufacturing services and has developed products such as the wireless auto security system, digital ribbon tachometer and the automobile engine control computer. Prior to his work with EDS, Miga founded the Delta Base, which was a mobile communications, audio and security store.
“I want to reinvigorate the American spirit of innovation and invention by helping to provide engineers the access and opportunity they need to excel and, thusly, propel our country forward. I hope my endowment to USF will help accomplish this goal and maybe even inspire others,” Miga said.
USF’s College of Engineering comprises seven departments and serves nearly 7,000 students. The college has 12 major research centers and institutes, and is actively engaged in local and global research activities with foci on sustainability, biomedical engineering, computing technology and transportation. It has been recently recognized as a national leader in inclusivity and diversity.
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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. Learn more at www.giving.usf.edu.