November 4 event will explore a century of arts, culture, science and enterprise and the people and institutions shaping Sarasota’s future

Sarasota, Fla. – New College of Florida will bring together leaders from Sarasota’s arts, science and business communities Wednesday, November 4, for “What Built Sarasota? A Century of Arts & Culture, Science and Enterprise,” a panel discussion exploring the people, institutions and ideas that helped shape Sarasota and what will define its future.

Presented through the Markovitz Socratic Stage, the event will examine how Sarasota developed from a small Gulf Coast city into a community known for its cultural institutions, scientific research and entrepreneurial spirit. Panelists will reflect on the vision and investments that contributed to Sarasota’s growth, what makes the community distinct and how that legacy can be carried forward.

 “Sarasota’s story is one of people who saw opportunity and had the vision to build something lasting,” said New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran. “This year, as New College marks the 100th anniversary of College Hall, a bayfront home that became a place of learning, that story feels close at hand. From the arts and scientific research to business and entrepreneurship, the institutions that define this community are the work of generations. This conversation is an opportunity to reflect on that history and consider what it will take to build on that legacy for the next generation.”   

The discussion will feature leaders representing several of the organizations and industries that have played a significant role in Sarasota’s development, including:

• Mark P. Famiglio (moderator), president and chairman, Sarasota Film Festival
• Dr. Jenne K. Britell, co-chairman, Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation
• Dr. Michael P. Crosby, president and CEO, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
• Heather Kasten, president and CEO, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce
• Dr. Michael C. Markovitz, entrepreneur and founder, Markovitz Socratic Stage

Together, the panelists will discuss the intersection of arts and culture, scientific discovery, philanthropy and business in Sarasota’s history, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing the community in the decades ahead.

The event will take place at Caples Courtyard on the New College of Florida campus, 5313 Bay Shore Road in Sarasota. A welcome reception will begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by the panel discussion from 5:00  to 6:00 p.m. An audience question-and-answer session will follow.

The event is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending can register at https://www.ncf.edu/event/what-built-sarasota/.

New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran is available for interviews ahead of the event to discuss the panel. Media interested in scheduling an interview should contact [email protected].

About New College of Florida

Founded in 1960, New College of Florida is the state’s designated public honors college. Recognized nationally for its academic excellence, rigorous inquiry, and commitment to free expression, New College offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, graduate programs in Applied Data Science, Marine Mammal Science, and a new Master’s program in Educational Leadership, and a growing NAIA athletics program on a 151-acre campus on Sarasota Bay.

Sailors athletes go above and beyond the ‘Earned It Challenge,’ completing more than 350 hours of service to build meaningful connections with Sarasota’s senior community

SARASOTA, FL, Sept. 14, 2026 — Urban Edge Mentorship, Inc. will recognize the Sarasota High School football program, its coaching staff, and its student-athletes with a $20,000 contribution in recognition of an extraordinary commitment to community service and leadership during the 2025–2026 school year.

The award will be presented at approximately 7:10 p.m. during pre-game festivities on Friday, September 18, prior to the Sarasota High School football game against Parrish Community High School. Dr. Megan Green, Chief of Secondary Schools for Sarasota County Schools, and Dr. Nate Francis, Executive Director of Secondary Schools, will join the check presentation at midfield.

The $20,000 award is twice the $10,000 community engagement award originally established by Urban Edge for participating teams that met a prescribed level of collective volunteer service. Sarasota High School did far more than meet the challenge; the Sailors exceeded the program’s expectations through an exceptional commitment to service and community engagement.

“This is about much more than volunteer hours,” said Mitchel Ruzek, Ph.D., President of Urban Edge Mentorship, Inc. “We challenged these young men to take what they learned in the lecture series and put it into action in their community. Sarasota High didn’t simply meet the challenge, they embraced it. What they demonstrated was leadership, compassion, service, and character. They showed us exactly why mentorship matters.”

Building Future Leaders Founded by Hall of Fame coach Urban Meyer, Urban Edge Mentorship is a Sarasota-based nonprofit organization dedicated to youth mentorship and the development of future leaders. The program is presented in partnership with the Police Foundation of Sarasota, New College of Florida, and Urban Edge Mentorship, Inc.

The Urban Edge Mentorship Series is built around five pillars considered critical to long-term personal and professional success:

• Leadership
• Conflict Resolution
• Communication
• Fiscal Literacy
• Career and College Preparation

During the 2025–2026 season, more than 100 local youth, coaches, and community supporters participated in a five-night lecture series held on the historic campus of New College of Florida.

The series featured presentations from Coach Meyer, internationally recognized speakers, subject-matter experts, community leaders, donors, and other professionals who shared their knowledge and experiences with participating students. Each evening concluded with a buffet-style dinner in College Hall overlooking Sarasota Bay, providing students with an opportunity to continue conversations with speakers, mentors, and community supporters in an informal setting.

The entire program is 100% donor-funded, allowing contributions to directly support participating athletes, their programs, and their continued positive development. Participating schools during the 2025–2026 season included Booker High School, IMG Academy, Riverview High School, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, and Sarasota High School.

From Learning to Service Following the lecture series, participating schools were challenged to turn the principles discussed during the program into action through the Earned It Challenge, a summer initiative focused on outreach, volunteerism, civic engagement, and positive community improvement.

Sarasota High School responded in a way that went well beyond the program’s expectations. Members of the Sailors football program, their coaching staff, and volunteers from New College of Florida completed more than 350 hours of community service working with the Senior Friendship Center of Sarasota.

Rather than simply completing volunteer hours, the athletes developed genuine relationships with members of Sarasota’s senior community. The students participated in conversations and games, made crafts, shared stories and experiences, and even spent considerable time on the dance floor with the seniors they were visiting.

For Urban Edge organizers, that interaction represented the true purpose of the challenge.

“The most impressive part wasn’t the number of hours they volunteered,” said Ruzek. “It was the way they showed up. They sat down, they listened, they laughed, they danced, and they built relationships. They treated the people they were serving with dignity and genuine respect. That is leadership.”

A Community Celebration Community members, families, alumni, donors, supporters, and friends of Sarasota High School are encouraged to attend and help celebrate the accomplishments of the Sailors and the young men who have demonstrated that leadership extends far beyond the football field.

The award is intended not only to recognize what the Sarasota High athletes have already accomplished but also to reinforce the importance of continuing their commitment to service, leadership, and positive community engagement.

About Urban Edge Mentorship, Inc. Urban Edge Mentorship, Inc. is a Sarasota-based registered nonprofit organization focused on youth mentorship, character development, and preparing young people to become future leaders. Through partnerships with schools, community organizations, law enforcement, higher education institutions, and private donors, Urban Edge provides young people with opportunities to develop practical skills and meaningful relationships that can positively influence their educational, professional, and personal futures.

Urban Edge is led by a volunteer board of directors, with Mitchel Ruzek, Ph.D., serving as President, and is supported through its partnership with New College of Florida, the Police Foundation of Sarasota, and generous community donors. The organization’s programs are designed around a simple premise: young people become leaders by being given opportunities to learn, serve, and lead.

Media & Program Information For additional information about Urban Edge Mentorship, the 2025–2026 or 2026–2027 Mentorship Series, or the September 18 recognition ceremony, please contact:

Mitchel Ruzek, Ph.D. President, Urban Edge Mentorship, Inc. VP, New College of Florida [email protected]