$1 Million Gift Leads To $4 Million AIDS Research Position At UF

December 8, 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A $1 million gift to fund AIDS research in the University of Florida’s department of pathology triggered $3 million more to create a $4 million endowed research “superchair.” The gift will count toward UF’s $150 million Faculty Challenge fund-raising initiative.

By making the gift, Orlando native John W. Holloway is fulfilling a personal commitment to fight AIDS and to honor his sister, Stephany, who died in 1990 of complications from the disease. The endowed research position will be named the Stephany W. Holloway University Chair in AIDS Research.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t understand how close to home AIDS can strike until it was too late for my sister,” Holloway said. “In naming this research chair for her, I honor her strength of character, her bravery and all those who have succumbed to the AIDS virus.”

The $1 million gift is eligible for $750,000 in matching funds from the state of Florida Trust Fund for Major Gifts. Additionally, $250,000 of matching funds will be provided by UF’s President’s Challenge, a special discretionary fund established with private donations specifically for the Faculty Challenge initiative.

Finally, to create the superchair endowed fund, $2 million is being assigned from an endowment fund in UF’s pathology department. A minimum of $4 million is required to establish a superchair at UF, which can be occupied only by a full professor.

Maureen Goodenow, a professor and co-director of experimental pathology in UF’s department of pathology, immunology and laboratory medicine, will fill the position.

“The Holloway gift brings to fruition an effort initiated in 2002 to endow a major pediatric AIDS program,” said Dr. James M. Crawford, professor and chairman of department of pathology, immunology and laboratory medicine. “This is truly a dream come true for our department, particularly because Dr. Goodenow is such a deserving recipient of this chair.”

Goodenow has been at UF since 1988 when, as assistant professors, she and John Sleasman started the HIV program. “The program is interdisciplinary and involves the basic sciences through clinical studies,” Goodenow said.

“The beauty of this endowment is that it is unrestricted for AIDS research and provides for a steady flow of funding for developmental venture science. We anticipate using the funding to integrate our HIV program with the latest technology in bioinformatics and to design strategies for vaccines.”

Goodenow also was a significant factor in Holloway making his gift. “Dr. Goodenow’s reputation in AIDS research is only surpassed by her continued dedication to studying the disease and her passion for finding a cure,” Holloway said.

Holloway’s gift also provides a boost to UF President Bernie Machen’s focus on raising private funds to dramatically increase the university’s endowment specifically for faculty support.

“Mr. Holloway’s generous gift not only shows a commitment to AIDS research at UF, but also to building and maintaining a world-class core of faculty, which is the essence of our current initiative to raise $150 million in endowment for faculty support,” Machen said.