For years, Bob and Susan Churuti have been dedicated supporters of USF St. Petersburg. On January 24, the university recognized their many contributions, including a new scholarship they created to honor a beloved family member.
The event was held in the USC ballroom and included the unveiling of a plaque that hangs near the university’s waterfront, which has special significance for the Churuti family and honors the scholarship they recently created, called the Scott Deering Hamilton Scholarship Fund.
Hamilton was a proud USFSP alumni and the brother of Susan Churuti, who is a current USF St. Petersburg Campus Board member. An enthusiastic sailor who loved the USF waterfront, he was also an “Iron Bull,” the designation given to the highest-level donors to USF athletics.
Hamilton died in 2016 at age 53. Before his death, he was very clear to the other members of his family, many of whom have ties to USF, that he wanted his estate to benefit the students at USF St. Petersburg.
“He really identified with the campus and he spent a lot of time at the waterfront. He knew everyone there,” said Susan Churuti. “When we got together as a family to decide how to honor Scott’s memory, this was a natural choice.”
The Scott Deering Hamilton Scholarship Fund will be open to full or part-time students who either major or minor in English or Literature. Preference will be given to students who have demonstrated sportsmanship.
In addition to a celebration of Hamilton and the scholarship named in his honor, Thursday’s event also highlighted the many contributions made by the Churutis, who are involved in numerous civic and philanthropic endeavors.
Bob Churuti served on the USF St. Petersburg Campus Board from 2010 to 2018. He held leadership positions with Creative Pinellas and the Mahaffey Foundation, and was a board member of the Morean Arts Center, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Florida Orchestra. In addition to her role as a member of the USF St. Petersburg Campus Board, Susan Churuti is a noted attorney who is also a Partner at the Hamilton Partnership, which owns and manages retail space in downtown St. Petersburg.
“The Churutis have given so much to USF St. Petersburg and we are honored to have the opportunity to thank them for their continued support of our students and this campus,” said Martin Tadlock, Regional Chancellor of USF St. Petersburg. “We are a better place because of their involvement, and this new scholarship will help students realize their hopes and dreams for the future.”