With the November General Election behind us, continuing recovery from three back-to-back hurricanes and the holiday season ahead of us, I find myself reflecting not on the topics that may divide us, but rather on the shared values of this unique community and the importance of our collective hopes for our region, our families and for the most vulnerable among us. 

It’s important to acknowledge the collective response to the election. While over half of the country is celebrating, some are worried about what may come under the new administration. I see this as an opportunity to strengthen our connections with each other, to listen more intently and to act with more empathy and respect. Our mission and purpose at Gulf Coast Community Foundation remains clear. We are committed to creating a positive impact through our work, supporting one another and serving our community with kindness and understanding. Regardless of how we voted, we have more in common than that which divides us. 

At Gulf Coast, we envision thriving communities with opportunities for all. Through bold and proactive philanthropy, together with our donors, we can profoundly transform our region. In short, we work for the greater good. As a community foundation, we remain nonpartisan, yet we strongly encourage civic engagement, both locally and nationally, across our entire electorate. I was especially inspired to see Gulf Coast staff bringing their children to the polls, giving them firsthand experience of the democratic process, where every vote counts and a peaceful transition of power is ensured.

We were all pleased to see that the continuation of the School District Millage Referendum passed by 84.07%. This is a win for our community and will help our public school district by maintaining and enhancing the quality of education. Renewing the Millage Referendum promotes student achievement and additional instruction time, attracts and invests in high-quality educators, enriches learning experiences, elevates workforce education and ensures safe and secure schools, ultimately resulting in a stronger workforce. Public schools are the heart of a community and supporting them unites us in a shared spirit of growth, pride and connection. 

As we look ahead, let us also remember that true community is built not only through shared celebrations but through collective action in times of need. From recovery efforts after the recent hurricanes to ongoing initiatives that support education, mental health and economic stability, Gulf Coast Community Foundation remains dedicated to uplifting every corner of our community. Together with our partners and donors, we are focused on building a resilient region that can overcome any challenge. This season, let’s carry forward the spirit of unity and gratitude, knowing that each contribution—big or small—helps strengthen our shared future.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the team at Gulf Coast, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving filled with warmth, joy, and the spirit of gratitude.

Phillip P. Lanham is President and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation.  

Photo courtesy Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

“I will not let these storms derail my education,” shared a State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) student post-Hurricane Milton, following his living without power for eight days. At SCF, this “we will overcome” attitude is shared among the students, faculty and staff.

Our college, as is our tradition, is known for adapting quickly and being responsive to the local community and the students we serve. Our resilience was magnified when our community was hit by three hurricanes back-to-back. 

SCF Bradenton suffered approximately $6 million in damage from Hurricane Milton. It will take us at least a year to repair several of the buildings and structures, but we resumed full operations in less than two weeks thanks to our public safety, facilities and community partners who went above and beyond to help us recover.

Everyone pitched in. The SCF Foundation and its directors along with SCF’s trustees, faculty and staff contributed to a disaster recovery fund that was also generously funded by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. This funding was vital to helping our faculty, staff and students who were severely affected by the hurricanes, some losing everything, recover and move forward. 

As you might expect, our Student Care division has seen an increase in student need because of the storms. We’ve been providing more counseling, food resources, transportation funding and academic accommodations to help our students recover from the hurricanes.

Despite the storms and ongoing challenges our college students face, SCF will proudly graduate more than 900 students during our Winter commencement ceremonies on Friday, December 6. This will include 730 associate in arts and science degrees, 134 baccalaureate degrees and workforce certificates. 

We’ll also recognize and celebrate our outstanding graduate nominees, Dakota May-Grace Duffina, Gia Francesca Goldflam and Tanner Stephens. These students demonstrated exceptional achievements in the areas of leadership, community service, academic achievement and school spirit. 

The ceremony will also recognize Faculty Excellence Award recipient Dr. Katy Wallis, assistant professor for Natural Science. Dr. Wallis was nominated by her peers for her overall excellence in teaching and advising, institutional service, professional development and scholarly activities. 

To date, SCF has graduated more than 62,000 students in the fields of business, education, technology, and health sciences. Our alumni, many of whom have remained local, are recognized for their academic excellence, technical skills and ability to persevere.

Tommy Gregory is President of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. 

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.