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USF Announces: State Farm gift to Gus A. Stavros Center for Free Enterprise and Economic Education

TAMPA, Fla. (February 10, 2015)

The ×îÐÂÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ College of Education is pleased to announce that State Farm has donated $20,000 to the Gus A. Stavros Center for Free Enterprise and Economic Education in support of the Center's K-12 Teacher Financial Education Workshops.
Gus a. Stavros Center Building

These workshops feature a particular emphasis on the Center's financial literacy education program. State Farm will present a check to the Stavros Center on Tuesday February 17th at 4:30 p.m. The check presentation ceremony is scheduled prior to a financial education workshop at the Jim Miles Professional Center located at 5204 US Hwy 98 S. in Lakeland, FL.

"We are most grateful for the strong support the USF Gus A. Stavros Center for Free Enterprise and Economic Education has enjoyed from State Farm over the past several years. We commend them for their view that the professional development of K-12 educators in "financial literacy education" is essential in providing our nation's youth with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage their financial matters," said Dr. Dick Puglisi, director of the Gus A. Stavros Center for Free Enterprise and Economic Education.

During the 2013-2014 academic year, approximately 1,600 K-12 educators participated in a myriad of professional development programs offered by the Gus A. Stavros Center. Many of those programs received funding from State Farm to cover a range of expenses, including instructional costs, food and beverage for the educators, curricula materials and other outlays related to workshops. The professional development programs funded by State Farm were held under the title, "Enhancing Global Literacies –Teaching Financial & Economic Literacy."

One of the teachers who participated in State Farm sponsored workshops is Rachel Sanchez, a teacher of Gifted Education (K-5) at Spook Hill Elementary in Polk County. Sanchez attended "Sunny Money," a workshop designed to help teachers integrate economic standards and financial literacy concepts with their lessons. Dr. Deborah Kozdras, from the USF Stavros Center, encouraged teachers to enter the Florida Council on Economic Education's Governor's Awards competition. With the mentorship of Kozdras, Sanchez submitted a digital storytelling project that was awarded the Council's "Best Rookie" project. "This project really helped the kids understand concepts about money, saving and spending, and making good choices," said Sanchez. "It's a great learning experience. I love the Stavros workshops. I always learn something valuable that I can take back and use in my classroom."

Sanchez is just one of the many teachers who are able to use the children's literature books provided by the State Farm grant. Her experience with the workshop was so gratifying, she has agreed to co-present with Kozdras at a workshop this year.

"The College of Education is pleased to continue the partnership with State Farm. The work done around Financial Literacy Education provides invaluable information for educators throughout the state of Florida," said Dr. Vasti Torres, Dean, USF College of Education.

State Farm has given a total of $78,000 in gifts to the Gus A. Stavros Center in support of financial literacy education.

About State Farm®:
State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 17,800 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts – more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 43 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit

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The ×îÐÂÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ is a high-impact, global research university dedicated to student success. ×îÐÂÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ is a Top 50 research university among both public and private institutions nationwide in total research expenditures, according to the National Science Foundation. Serving nearly 48,000 students, the USF System has an annual budget of $1.5 billion and an annual economic impact of $4.4 billion. ×îÐÂÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ is a member of the American Athletic Conference.