Commishioner Judah among four named to UFF board
Four individuals have been named to the board of directors for the Uncommon Friends Foundation: Thomas H. Gunderson, Chair of Henderson Franklin (Attorneys at Law) Real Estate division; Ray Judah, representing Lee County. Judah is District 3 County Commissioner; Gary A. King, Chief Information Officer, Chico’s FAS, Inc.; Tom Scott, representing the Lee County School Board. Scott is director of the Southwest Florida Enterprise Center for the City of Fort Myers.
The Uncommon Friends Foundation, established in 1993, is a character education foundation whose mission is to instill ethics, moral values and a sense of purpose in tomorrow’s leaders. The foundation is dedicated to enriching society by promoting the positive values late Beach resident and author James D. Newton discovered in five unique men and their wives-Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Dr. Alexis Carrel, and Charles Lindbergh-intellectual giants who helped shape the 20th Century.
Additional information about the foundation may be obtained by calling 337-9505 or checking the website at www.uncommonfriends.org.
Other UFF news….
Teachers in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties Are Eligible
Elementary, middle, and high school teacher nominations are being sought for the annual Character Education Awards to be presented by the Uncommon Friends Foundation. Teachers and staff members in public and private schools in Lee, Charlotte, and Collier counties are eligible to be nominated-either by themselves or co-workers. The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 22.
Awards will be presented to those selected during the Uncommon Evening dinner on Thursday, June 2, at Harborside Event Center, Fort Myers. The award recognizes outstanding educators who effectively use Lessons Learned from the Uncommon Friends to foster in students the characteristics of the uncommon friends. These educators inspire colleagues to teach and emulate the philosophy of the Uncommon Friends Foundation.
Nominated individuals must have participated in an Uncommon Friends curriculum training workshop, have used the Uncommon Friends character education curriculum two school years or two semesters in different school years, exhibit characteristics of the uncommon friends in their personal and professional life, and have the endorsement of a school administrator.
Criteria and the nomination form are available on the foundation’s web site, www.uncommonfriends.org. The nomination form and a letter of support from the nominee’s supervising administrator are to be sent to Dr. Larry Byrnes, via email at larry.byrnes0@gmail.com by the April 22 deadline. Additional information about the nomination process and the award are available by contacting the Uncommon Friends Foundation at 337-9505.
Scholarship applications still available to students in Southwest Florida
Students in Southwest Florida still have time to apply for Uncommon Friends Foundation scholarships. The scholarships honor deserving individuals who have a financial need and the potential to succeed in school. Completed applications are due by April 1. The recipients of the scholarships will be announced on June 2 at the foundation’s “Uncommon Evening,” being held this year at the Harborside Event Center in Fort Myers.
– Scholarship categories include the following:
1. The Special Recognition scholarship is awarded to an individual who has financial need, the desire and potential to succeed in school, and possesses positive character traits.
2. High Tech Center scholarships provide assistance with tuition, books, and supplies for one term at High Tech Center. There are no age requirements for this scholarship.
3. Florida Prepaid College Foundation scholarships provide scholarships for college tuition and local fees to ninth grade students who contract to succeed in high school, say free of drugs and crime, and fulfill other scholarship conditions.
4. The Boy Scouts of America scholarship helps pay for books for the first semester of college.
5. The Edison College Single Parent scholarship provides assistance to single parents who have overcome extraordinary obstacles in furthering their education and in gaining skills to enter the workforce.
6. The Future Teacher scholarship is awarded to students matriculated in a program leading to a degree in education.
Since 1998, the foundation has provided scholarships to more than 275 individuals who have demonstrated the personal traits of the five unique men and their wives James D. Newton wrote about in his book, Uncommon Friends. His “uncommon friends” were Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Dr. Alexis Carrel, and Charles Lindbergh and their wives.
The Uncommon Friends Foundation, established in 1993, is a character education foundation whose mission is to instill ethics, moral values and a sense of purpose in tomorrow’s leaders.
Application forms may be obtained by calling 337-9505 or checking the website at www.uncommonfriends.org.