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Philanthropy

Creating a Collaboration Between the Catholic and Jewish Traditions

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When Saint Leo’s Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies (CCJS) was established more than two decades ago, its mission was to provide interfaith education and dialogue for thousands of students and members of the Tampa Bay area community. Today, with the creation of the Maureen and Douglas Cohn Visiting Chair in Jewish Thought, the center is providing more opportunities to engage in dialogue with better resources and information, making CCJS the only academic center of its kind in the Southeast.

Made possible by the generosity of Maureen and Douglas Cohn in December 2021, the new chair enables CCJS to feature a Jewish scholarly voice at the center of its vision, mission, and educational programs. A unifying force in their work with the Tampa Jewish Community Centers and Federation, the Cohns are longtime friends of CCJS and have supported Saint Leo on this front since the early 2000s.

“We are excited to collaborate with the university and the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies to help increase engagement between the Jewish and Catholic faith in our community,” Maureen Cohn said.

“By establishing a full-time faculty position that also works closely with local religious leaders, we can create more opportunities for people of all faiths to talk directly to a scholar for generations to come,” Douglas Cohn continued.

The Cohn Visiting Chair is devoted to scholarly research and teaching and allows students, faculty, and members of the community to significantly deepen their understanding of Judaism by having direct and regular access to a scholar of Jewish thought.

The west coast of Florida is home to many Catholics as well as Jews. One of the most unique aspects of the Cohn Visiting Chair is that it puts a scholar of Jewish thought and culture into regular conversation with individuals outside of the college classroom—with everyday people, including members of other religions. In addition to teaching undergraduate students, the visiting scholar will provide a series of spring educational workshops for the Tampa-area community.

“The center is unique in the way our faculty teach in the community, as well as in the classroom,” said Dr. Matthew Tapie, CCJS director. “We are building bridges of understanding that lead to a more just and peaceful society.”

Because the position is a visiting chair, the scholar will teach and research at CCJS and in the community for up to three years before another scholar takes the helm to carry out the center’s mission, building mutual respect, understanding, and appreciation among people of goodwill.

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Philanthropy

A Drive to Give Back

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The road that led Pete Biscardi ’70 to Saint Leo was similar to many. He wanted to go to a college in Florida, he loved sports, and most importantly, he had untapped potential just waiting to be unlocked.

Originally from Haledon, NJ, Biscardi was delighted to join many other students who also traveled from the Northeast to attend the university. Because of the remote location of the campus, Biscardi’s experience was made memorable by the relationships he developed with his classmates and professors. He also enjoyed playing intramural sports in the Bowl.

Biscardi recalls how one of his professors, Dr. James Horgan, inspired students to overachieve and to appreciate the unique opportunities and talents of individuals.

“Dr. Horgan valued the underdog—that was something many of us students could relate to,” Biscardi said.

Reflecting on how Saint Leo’s values have remained consistent since he was a student, Biscardi said, “When I walk around the campus today—the same campus where my journey began more than 50 years ago— I still see those values in action.”

The values Biscardi learned during his time in college stayed with him through his professional career. After graduating from Saint Leo College in 1970, Biscardi worked for Hertz Corp. for 16 years. He would later go on to serve as the president of National Auto Care (NAC) Corporation for more than 20 years.

“I hired the person, not the résumé,” Biscardi said when asked about how Saint Leo’s values carried with him after college. “I looked beyond the surface to find the best in people—the hidden gems.”

Now, Biscardi dedicates his time and talent to Saint Leo University as a member of the board of trustees. He believes that his life was made better by his experience at Saint Leo, and now as an alumnus, he recognizes an obligation to give back and invest in student-focused programs and athletic initiatives.

“I choose to give back to those who gave to me,” he said. “Saint Leo gave me an opportunity, and I am fortunate enough to continue that mission by giving opportunities to others.”

You, too, can be like Pete Bicardi and give back to Saint Leo University by investing in programs that matter to you.

To learn more about how you can support the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and doers, contact our Development Office by email at development@saintleo.edu or by phone at (352) 588-8450.

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Chronicles

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Makes $28,000 Gift

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Alpha Phi Alpha Scholarship Ball
Alumni of the fraternity start a new tradition in giving.

With the 30th anniversary of their founding approaching, members of the Rho Xi Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., wanted to do something special to commemorate the occasion.

The chapter was founded at Saint Leo College in the spring of 1989 by a group of 10 students. The organization would provide leadership and a brotherhood experience within the frame work of Greek life to minority students. On November 11, 1989, under the guidance of Terrence Hood, the Rho Xi Chapter became nationally recognized and chartered. 

The fraternity places a strong emphasis on service and helping minorities and disadvantaged individuals achieve success. “Since its founding, the chapter has been providing educational and social opportunities to the campus and the local community,” said Stuart Hart ’98 ’15, who helped reinvigorate the chapter at the university in 1995.

“We wanted to celebrate our 30 years in a special way,” said James Cummings ’09, who was one of the alumni members who helped organize the effort. “We thought, ‘why not create a scholarship to help this group of individuals.’” Working in partnership with the university’s Alumni Engagement and Sustained Giving office, they did just that, establishing the Alpha Phi Alpha Outstanding Leadership Scholarship to benefit student leaders with financial need.

As part of the 2019 homecoming weekend, fraternity members came together and hosted a scholarship ball at University Campus. At the festivities, they presented the university with a check for $28,080, permanently establishing the fund and creating a new philanthropic tradition for the fraternity.

“It was a lot of hard work, but it was exciting, though,” Cummings said. “We were more than excited to start something we felt would leave a legacy at our alma mater.”

Hart said strong fraternities enjoy active engagement from alumni, so it is important for alumni members to stay connected with current students. “Celebrating this milestone reunion and establishing the scholarship would help in this area,” he said.

The reunion weekend brought together Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity members dating back to 1989, including members of the current chapter as well as friends, advisors, and family.

Photo by Renee Gerstein

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Spring 2019

Saint Leo Supports Students in Need

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In December, President Jeffrey Senese represented the university at the Gold Shield Foundation’s annual meeting and announced that Saint Leo University will offer a full scholarship to one student per year through its work. The Gold Shield Foundation provides financial assistance and helps ensure a college education or vocational training for the spouse and dependent children of Florida law enforcement officers and firefighters of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Polk, and Marion counties killed in the line of duty.

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Spring 2016

Partners in Excellence

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On January 27, 2016, the women’s and men’s basketball team celebrated Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Appreciation Night at the Marion Bowman Activities Center. Fans took part in the White-Out, with many sporting special T-shirts created for the event. At halftime of the men’s game, President Bill Lennox and Athletics Director Fran Reidy presented Florida Hospital Zephyrhills CEO Randy Surber with a signed ball, thanking him for the hospital’s recent $100,000 gift. That gift made the Bowman Center’s new scoreboards and video boards possible.

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