The University of Florida announced yesterday it's largest private gift ever - from St. Petersburg, Florida, resident and investment banker, William R. Hough. Both Tampa Bay area newspapers, the St. Petersburg Times and the Tampa Tribune had articles and photos relating to this recent gift. Hough gave $30 million for graduate business programs. Since his gift qualified for $20 million in matching state funds, the value of his gift is $50 million. His gift will establish an endowment for programs in the graduate business school., and will help pay for a new building, to be named William R. Hough Hall. The graduate school will be renamed the Hough Graduate School of Business. The renaming needs to be approved by various bodies at the University of Florida. Several years ago Hough donated $2.5 million to UF to start the Hough Program in Finance. This is one of many, many gifts that William and Hazel Hough have made to various educational institutions and museums. St. Petersburg has seen great benefits from the Houghs.
