FORT LAUDERDALE — Leaders in business and education gathered recently at the Tower Club to honor Dr. Henry Lewis III, who was appointed the 12th president of Miami Gardens-based Florida Memorial University in November 2010.
McKinley Insurance Company hosted the gathering and the firm’s President and CEO Ralph Campbell praised Lewis for his “Vision 2020” plan for South Florida’s only historically black university.
Campbell also announced a $10,000 pledge to support the school’s plan for the future.
“We’re proud to support FMU and honored to help the university gain more awareness in Broward County as it expands its campus here,” Campbell said.
McKinley Insurance is based in Fort Lauderdale, with branches in Miami and Orlando. The company represents more than 100 insurance carriers and is licensed in more than 30 states.
AutoNation Vice President Gale Butler also pledged $10,000 a year for three years to fund scholarships.
Businessman John Ruffin, vice chairman of the FMU Board of Trustees, rounded out the evening’s contributions by announcing a $1,000 donation from a church in Georgia.
Broward College President David Armstrong offered support for the university, pledging to find ways the two institutions can work closer together.
Lewis, who served as dean and professor in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Florida A&M University before coming to FMU, shared his outlook for the school.
“My vision as president of FMU is to make it a world-class university. FMU will move from good to great,” Lewis said.
The FMU Broward campus is located in Lauderdale Lakes. More than 2,000 students combined are enrolled at that campus and the main campus in Miami Gardens.
Florida Memorial University, a private, historically black institution, offers 41 undergraduate degree programs and four graduate degree programs to a culturally diverse student body.
For more information on the university, visit www.fmuniv.edu.
Photo: Ralph Campbell, CEO of McKinley Insurance Company
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