Jordan Zimmerman, USF Trustee and Alumnus, announces $10 million gift to USF College of Arts and Sciences
The Zimmerman School of Advertising and Mass Communications is named in honor of Zimmerman Advertising founder and chairman
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of South Florida announced today that its School of Mass Communications within the College of Arts and Sciences is now named after USF Trustee Jordan Zimmerman, the founder and chairman of Fort Lauderdale-based Zimmerman Advertising.
The change was made official this morning by a vote of the USF Board of Trustees. The newly renamed Zimmerman School of Advertising and Mass Communications recognizes the USF alumnus for his gift of $10 million to the school, the largest gift to the College of Arts and Sciences in its history. The gift will put the school on the map globally to attract advertising and mass communications students.
University officials held a special ceremony today to unveil the school's name change. In addition to Zimmerman, USF System President Judy Genshaft, Joel Momberg, chief executive officer of the USF Foundation and Eric Eisenberg, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, spoke at the event.
"I am pleased to be part of the University of South Florida, and beyond honored to have the school that I attended bear my name," Zimmerman said. "Being able to give back in a way that will change the lives of today's students and future generations by enabling them to pursue their own dreams is something I've always aspired to do."
Eisenberg said the College of Arts and Sciences is extremely grateful for Zimmerman's vision and support. "The advertising and mass communications industries have been rapidly changing, and it is imperative that we transform the way we are preparing our students to succeed in the world they are about to enter," Eisenberg said. "This transformational gift from Trustee Zimmerman will enable us to become a destination program for aspiring advertising and mass communications professionals."
"The University of South Florida is so proud that one of our own Trustees, Jordan Zimmerman, has made this commitment to the College of Arts and Sciences and the Zimmerman School of Advertising and Mass Communications," said USF System President Judy Genshaft. "The combination of his passion for his profession and his continuous support for the school creates greater learning and working opportunities for our students."
Zimmerman has been a longtime supporter of the advertising program at USF. In 2002, he endowed a scholarship for advertising students, and he established an endowed professorship in advertising in 2006. Zimmerman's unwavering commitment to providing USF students with the best advertising education is evident through cutting-edge classes he's designed with USF faculty. Top executives from Zimmerman's agency can be found each week in the fall on campus teaching students the most up-to-date advertising strategies.
Momberg said Zimmerman's philanthropy serves as a powerful example of giving back to the next generation in one's own profession. "USF Trustee Jordan Zimmerman has a history of giving to USF, with a focus on making a difference for future communications and advertising professionals," Momberg said. "We're grateful to Jordan for his continuing generosity to USF students. Jordan is a giant in the advertising industry and has consistently paid it forward to the next generation."
The newly re-named school bearing Zimmerman's name already is known for the Zimmerman Advertising Program (ZAP), a joint effort between the College of Arts and Sciences and the Muma College of Business. Founded by Zimmerman in 2005, this unique program immerses students in the world of advertising by housing them in the ZAP Living Learning Community on campus while working toward a business degree and a master's degree focused on advertising analytics.
Zimmerman added: "My goal is to make the Zimmerman School of Advertising and Mass Communications the number one of its kind in the nation. This gift, along with the successful ZAP program, will continue to bring even more currency and business rigor to the curriculum, which is focused on outcomes and student successes. It will help to advance the School of Advertising and Mass Communications by building a program of excellence that will increase the number of students participating in the program and ultimately working in the advertising and mass communications industries."
In April Zimmerman will be honored in Washington, D.C. by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. Zimmerman was selected for membership in this prestigious organization that honors the achievements of outstanding individuals and encourages youth to pursue their dreams through higher education. Since its establishment in 1947, the Horatio Alger Award is annually bestowed upon renowned leaders who have succeeded despite facing adversity, and who are committed to philanthropy and higher education.
About the University of South Florida
The University of South Florida is a high-impact, global research university dedicated to student success. USF is a Top 50 research university among both public and private institutions nationwide in total research expenditures, according to the National Science Foundation. Serving nearly 48,000 students, the USF System has an annual budget of $1.5 billion and an annual economic impact of $4.4 billion. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.
About Zimmerman Advertising
Zimmerman Advertising, an Omnicom Group company, is the leading integrated, retail agency in the country. Headquartered in South Florida, the agency has retail service offices throughout the country, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Nashville. For information on the agency, visit http://www.zadv.com.
About Omnicom Group
Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.
SOURCE Zimmerman Advertising
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