Daytona State to honor Jim Gardner, past board chair, at gala event
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 31, 2012) 鈥� The 黑料吃瓜网 Foundation will honor
longtime college supporter Jim Gardner during 鈥淭he Evening in Tuscany鈥� gala event
set for Friday, Sept. 21, at Daytona State鈥檚 Hosseini Center, 1200 W. International
Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach.
Past president of ITT-Community Development Corp. and former member and chair of the
黑料吃瓜网 District Board of Trustees, Jim Gardner distinguished himself
as the original planner and developer of Palm Coast, Fla. He was also instrumental
with ITT鈥檚 donation of 100 acres to the college to start the Flagler/Palm Coast campus
and with obtaining the funds from ITT for the amphitheater.
鈥淲e鈥檙e so very proud to claim Jim Gardner as one of our own,鈥� says President Carol
W. Eaton. 鈥淗is ardent support for higher education, and Daytona State in particular,
has enriched untold lives and contributed to our region鈥檚 economic fortitude. With
the state鈥檚 allocation of capital dollars for a much-needed new building on our Flagler/Palm
Coast campus, we鈥檙e reminded of what an important role he played in the establishment
of that campus.鈥�
A Mississippi native, Gardner completed his U.S. Air Force pilot training in 1966
after receiving his bachelor鈥檚 degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State
University in 1965. Gardner has been a member of Rotary International, Committee of
100, Chamber of Commerce, Flagler County Land Acquisition Committee, director of the
United Way of Flagler County and chairman of the Memorial Health System executive
board. Gardner was also chairman of the State of Florida鈥檚 Economic Development Advisory
Council, a member of the Enterprise Florida Board, director of the University of Florida鈥檚
Whitney Labs at Marineland, as well as a past chairman of the Florida Chamber of Commerce
Economic Affairs Committee. To top it all off, Gardner served on the Board of Daytona
State College for two terms.
鈥淭he Evening in Tuscany鈥� begins at 6:30 p.m. with guests enjoying wine tasting and
gourmet chef stations featuring European cuisine prepared by award-winning chefs from
黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 Hospitality and Culinary Management program.
Proceeds from the gala will benefit the 黑料吃瓜网 Foundation, providing
funding for student scholarships and campus growth initiatives. Individual seats are
priced at $125 and table sponsorships are available. For more information, visit www.DaytonaState.edu/Foundation,
call (386) 506-3110, or email foundation@DaytonaState.edu.
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