The virtual event will honor President Donal O’Shea’s mathematical achievements, and his unwavering dedication to New College. O’Shea is retiring in June.
(March 12, 2021) MaryAnne Young, vice president of advancement and executive director of the New College Foundation, announced that New College of Florida is planning a virtual event to celebrate New College President Donal O’Shea, who is retiring in June after serving in his role since 2012. The “O’Shea Formula” is a virtual event, May 6, 6-7 p.m. Sponsorships are available; individual tickets are $250. All proceeds benefit student scholarships. For more information, visit https://www.ncf.edu/osheaformula/ or call the Foundation at 941-487-4800.
Young adds that additional details are forthcoming but she’s sure of one thing. “It will be lighthearted and fun as we come together to celebrate and honor Dr. O’Shea’s achievements, and his unwavering dedication to New College.” She adds that organizers can accept sponsorships through March to receive full benefits but that all sponsorships will be accepted through the month of April.
Honorary chairs for the O’Shea Formula include Beverly and Bob Bartner, Ron Christaldi, Doug and Erin Christy, Renee Hamad, Chuck and Carol Hamilton, Sue Jacobson, Christine Jennings, Bill and Betsy Johnston, Charlene Lenger, Keith Monda and Veronica Brady, Charles and Vicki Raeburn, Mary Ruiz and Dennis Wilkison, Felice Schulaner and Dennis Rees, George and Tina Skestos, Dan and Sara Stults, and Lawrence and Elizabeth Vernaglia.
During O’Shea’s tenure as president, New College received more than $10 million from the state legislature to increase its enrollment to 1,200 students and boost four-year graduation rates to 80 percent by 2028. He also secured state funding for an addition to the Heiser Natural Sciences Complex and to launch the master’s program in data science, two $750,000 grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support arts and humanities and community engagement, and significant private gifts to fund student scholarships. He also oversaw the launch of a dual-degree program with the University of Florida, in which students can earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts from New College and a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the UF Wertheim College of Engineering in five years.
For more information about The O’Shea Formula or the New College Foundation, call 941-487-4800 or email foundation@ncf.edu.
About New College of Florida
Founded in Sarasota in 1960, New College of Florida is a top-ranked public liberal arts college and the Honors College of Florida. It prepares intellectually curious students for lives of great achievement by providing a highly individualized education that integrates academic rigor with career-building experiences. New College offers 45 undergraduate majors in liberal arts and sciences, a master’s degree program in data science, and certificates in technology, finance, and business skills.