University of West Florida announces $9M+ gift to name football stadium

Pat O'Donnell
·2 min read

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — The University of West Florida launched the public phase of the “Here for Good capital campaign” on Thursday night.

It is reportedly the school’s largest campaign, which UWF President Martha D. Saunders shared today during a gala at the school’s Field House.

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The “Here for Good capital campaign” focuses on promoting the college’s future success through these areas.

Here’s what a UWF news release said about those areas:

  • “People – Every undergraduate student at the University of West Florida would have access to a scholarship.

  • Programs – UWF would bolster or create more high-impact programs for students and continue to earn national recognition for academic achievements, athletic accomplishments and groundbreaking research.

  • Place – UWF would enhance its physical environment through named facilities and new technology.

  • Community – UWF would make an even greater impact on Northwest Florida. With a successful campaign, UWF would have the opportunity to grow a larger footprint in the area such as expanding the UWF Historic Trust offerings, making more archaeological discoveries along the Gulf Coast and expanding the reach and resources of WUWF.”

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“The Here for Good campaign is a proclamation — a promise to expand the passion of our people and unleash the best of UWF,” Saunders said. “We are telling our community and our world that UWF is here today and here to stay.”

UWF has already raised $65 million for the campaign with a goal of $90 million.

Saunders announced a donation tonight that would put the university even closer to that goal: Darrell Gooden and Debbie Gooden gifted more than $9 million. Officials say this is the largest from a living donor in school history.

Darrell Gooden, a Pensacola native who studied accounting at UWF, said he is gifting the money to the university because he credits his professional success to his college education.

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“I am thrilled and honored to be able to give this donation on the ‘Capital Campaign Launch’ and towards the new football stadium to be built on campus,” Gooden said. “Today is a fun and great time to be an Argo with the new football program and now our very own stadium.

“It is an honor to have the new stadium and field named after me, and I also would like to thank all the numerous people that have worked so hard in getting football to this point! Again, I am very blessed today to be able to give this gift to the University to give back what they have given me. Thank you and Go Argos!”

University Advancement Division Vice President Howard Reddy, UWF Foundation Board Chair James Hosman and former UWF Foundation Board Chair Gail Dorsey made remarks at the gala.

Inspirational video also played to show how far the school has come since 1967.

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Those who want to contribute to the campaign can visit the UWF website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.