USF-Sarasota-Manatee's 'Brunch on the Bay' draws 1,000 in effort to help college students

MANATEE -- This academic year marks the 40th birthday of the thriving University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus on North Tamiami Trail along Sarasota Bay.

In fact, Sandra S. Stone, USF Manatee-Sarasota's regional chancellor, on Sunday said in the next five years the campus will see more students and more programs that meet local workplace needs, additional buildings on campus and the school's first venture into intercollegiate athletics with a woman's rowing team, all part of a recent strategic plan.

But things weren't always thriving, say those familiar with USF Sarasota-Manatee. In fact, many remember that for the first 18 years of its existence, USF Sarasota-Manatee was a mystery to locals. That was before Dr. Anila Jain of Manatee County and a group of charter committee members came up with the idea of a public event involving student scholarships and cuisine from the area's top restaurants that they gave the catchy name, "Brunch on the Bay."

On Sunday, 1,000 attended the 22nd Brunch on the Bay on the campus, and many said it has not only worked beyond their wildest dreams as a fundraiser but it also has established the school's brand by introducing it to many who may never have visited the campus.

"Brunch on the Bay started because we had a cam

pus that no one knew about in Sarasota," said Charles Baumann of the Sarasota accounting firm Kerkering Barberio. "We needed something for people to get used to USF Sarasota-Manatee, so we had this not to raise money but to raise friends. It's been a success from the beginning. We had 600 people the first year, and now we have 1,000, and we had to cap it at that because we don't have space for any more people."

The event has become a who's who of the area, with attendees this year ranging from USF system President Judy Genshaft, Manatee County commissioners Betsy Benac, Vanessa Baugh, Charles Smith and John Chappie, and former Florida state senator and current Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett to the charismatic Carolyn Major-Harper, mother of Sarasota schoolteachers Ronnique Major Hundley and Rashea Major Johnson.

"This is the best fundraiser of the year," Bennett said as he held a plate of food prepared by some of the event's 20 chefs. "It's a wonderful deal. I think it's because the whole community gets involved. I don't care if you are from Manatee or Sarasota. It's like everyone is here."

Jain, who graduated from USF in Tampa in 1981 as a biology major and is now a physician and medical consultant, was not only on that first "Brunch" committee but was co-chair of this year's event with Tracy O'Neill.

"We were a group of community leaders and we felt such an event would bring Sarasota and Manatee counties together," Jain said. "That first year we thought if we get 200 or 300 people we will have a major, successful, event. Look at how it has grown now. It is called one of the premier events in Sarasota and Manatee counties and we are also happy we have so many students we can assist with scholarships."

It seems the Bull alums are proud of "Brunch."

"It's amazing," said Sheena Maini , a USF graduate and now co-owner with her mother, Poonam Maini, of Tandoor Fine Indian Cuisine at 8453 Cooper Creek Blvd. in Bradenton, which prepared Chana masala, chicken curry, basmati rice, Chutney and other dishes Sunday.

"Giving back through USF Sarasota-Manatee is a privilege," Sheena Maini said.

The early tally on this year's Brunch was more than $370,000 in scholarship money, a new record, Jain said.

"I think we might hit $400,000 when it's all done," Jain added.

Since 1994, the Brunch has contributed more than $1.3 million to the "Brunch on the Bay Scholarship Endowment," which has generated more than $1 million in scholarships, Jain said. More than 1,400 students -- mostly from Sarasota and Manatee counties -- have received scholarships, Jain said.

Restaurants this year included Cakes By Ron, Flemings Prime Steak House & Wine Bar, Mar Vista Dockside, Tandoor Fine Indian Cuisine, So Ma Creek Side, Broken Egg, Fete Polo Grill, Pier 22, Sophie's at Sak's Fifth Avenue and many others.

Marina Jacks seemed to be the unofficial winner this year of the most popular food award with its cold water Canadian lobster tails with butter. The restaurant flew in 1,000 live lobsters on Thursday, their chef said.

A scholarship winner

Sarah Smith, 20, a senior from Sarasota majoring in marketing, is one of the 1,400 students who have received a Brunch scholarship.

"It has allowed me to pursue many internship opportunities because I don't have to worry about coming up with the money in order to pay for my classes," she said of her scholarship this year. "It's made a major impact on my life because I can work different internships that don't pay a lot or don't pay at all so I can focus on an experience working toward a future that I love and building a career that will make a difference in the world."

The scholarship allowed Smith to take an internship at Xplor Inc., a Bradenton marketing agency. where she did everything from writing a marketing plan to holding sales meetings and taking care of their social media, she said.

Still a full-time student, she is now carrying two new internships, including one with UTC Venture Group and with Mr. D. Math, a man who writes his own math curriculum.

"I take care of all of his marketing and communication," she said.

Smith's goals are clearly outlined.

"My goal is to either be working in business development or for a marketing agency," she said. "I am keeping my options open just because I don't want to knock a good experience because it wasn't on my list."

Smith was home-schooled through elementary, middle and early high school, then was dual-enrolled in State College of Florida.

During her high school years she was a professional Irish dancer and will break into an Irish dance if asked.

She is also a concert pianist, plays the violin and adores spending her few moments of spare time at the Ringling Museum of Art.

"I love anything that promotes the love of art," she said.

Smith also has a cat named "Minnie" who would have loved the lobster tails from Marina Jacks.

Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7072.

This story was originally published November 1, 2015 at 8:51 PM with the headline "USF-Sarasota-Manatee's 'Brunch on the Bay' draws 1,000 in effort to help college students ."