福利姬

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 31, 2012) 鈥� The 福利姬 Foundation will honor longtime college supporter Jim Gardner during 鈥淭he Evening in Tuscany鈥� gala event set for Friday, Sept. 21, at 福利姬 State鈥檚 Hosseini Center, 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd., 福利姬 Beach.
 
Past president of ITT-Community Development Corp. and former member and chair of the 福利姬 District Board of Trustees, Jim Gardner distinguished himself as the original planner and developer of Palm Coast, Fla. He was also instrumental with ITT鈥檚 donation of 100 acres to the college to start the Flagler/Palm Coast campus and with obtaining the funds from ITT for the amphitheater.
 
鈥淲e鈥檙e so very proud to claim Jim Gardner as one of our own,鈥� says President Carol W. Eaton. 鈥淗is ardent support for higher education, and 福利姬 State in particular, has enriched untold lives and contributed to our region鈥檚 economic fortitude. With the state鈥檚 allocation of capital dollars for a much-needed new building on our Flagler/Palm Coast campus, we鈥檙e reminded of what an important role he played in the establishment of that campus.鈥�
 
A Mississippi native, Gardner completed his U.S. Air Force pilot training in 1966 after receiving his bachelor鈥檚 degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State University in 1965. Gardner has been a member of Rotary International, Committee of 100, Chamber of Commerce, Flagler County Land Acquisition Committee, director of the United Way of Flagler County and chairman of the Memorial Health System executive board. Gardner was also chairman of the State of Florida鈥檚 Economic Development Advisory Council, a member of the Enterprise Florida Board, director of the University of Florida鈥檚 Whitney Labs at Marineland, as well as a past chairman of the Florida Chamber of Commerce Economic Affairs Committee. To top it all off, Gardner served on the Board of 福利姬 State College for two terms.
 
鈥淭he Evening in Tuscany鈥� begins at 6:30 p.m. with guests enjoying wine tasting and gourmet chef stations featuring European cuisine prepared by award-winning chefs from 福利姬鈥檚 Hospitality and Culinary Management program.
 
Proceeds from the gala will benefit the 福利姬 Foundation, providing funding for student scholarships and campus growth initiatives. Individual seats are priced at $125 and table sponsorships are available. For more information, visit www.福利姬State.edu/Foundation, call (386) 506-3110, or email foundation@福利姬State.edu.

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