Image courtesy of USF
By Jeffery Caicedo
It is time for an Oktoberfest twist at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. The campus is preparing for its debut “Bulls and Brews by the Bay” festivity, alternatively termed “Okto-BULL-fest.”
Scheduled for Oct. 20, the 4 to 7 p.m. gathering is designed as a funding system for the campus’ increasingly essential general scholarship fund.
This scholarship initiative offers pivotal financial relief to students each new academic year, and the need is escalating. Howard Rutherford, the campus’ associate vice president of development for university advancement, shared that the scholarship demand has surged in a press release. Astonishingly, 132 applications were submitted for the 2023-24 academic year, but funding limitations restricted awards to merely five students, each receiving $1,000.
Supported by the USF Federal Credit Union with a $25,000 contribution, the event is teeming with enticement. Attendees can indulge in craft beers from a selection of local breweries, including 3 Daughters, Green Bench and Mastry’s Brewing. Each brewery has its own unique connection to the university, mostly through USF graduates who are contributing crafted beers in homage to the university’s Brewing Arts Program. Great Bay Distributors is also chipping in with beverage trailers, wine and alcohol-free options.
Guests will be treated to an authentic German culinary spread featuring dishes like beer bratwurst, schnitzel and apple strudel. The Ocean Road Band will entertain guests with live performances, while attendees can also look forward to giveaways throughout the event. As a keepsake, all those who make it to the festival will leave with a unique t-shirt and a German Stein.
Christian Hardigree, USF St. Petersburg’s regional chancellor, praises the initiative as a “win-win.” The event promises to be not only an enjoyable time, but also an opportunity for the USF community to unite for a cause that impacts students directly.
Other notable donors include the Bank of Tampa, contributing as the official alumni sponsor with a $10,000 gift, and The Beck Group with a $5,000 donation. Sponsorship opportunities remain available for interested parties. Tickets are priced at $100 for the USF community—students, staff, faculty and alumni—and $125 for general attendees. All revenue from ticket sales is allocated directly to the scholarship fund.
According to Rutherford, the event provides a more accessible way for people to contribute to the scholarship fund. “Not everyone is in a position to donate large sums, so this gathering offers a way for us all to be part of something larger than ourselves,” he noted. “We’re offering a celebration that we hope will become a treasured annual tradition.”
The university offers a range of scholarships and fellowships to help students and their families manage college expenses. Those interested in exploring these opportunities for the 2024-2025 academic year should mark their calendars; the application portal is set to reopen in November 2023. The application window for the USF Foundation Scholarships for the 2023-24 academic year has already closed, but will become accessible again for applications in December 2023.
