William R. Hough Hall

Honoree

William and Hazel Hough

Hough was born in 1927 in Ft. Myers, Florida and grew up in the St. Petersburg area after his family relocated there when he was just 10 years old. A member of the first graduating class of UF’s MBA program in 1948, Hough credits his success as an investment banker to his UF graduate school experience and professors. In 1962, Hough founded William R. Hough and Company, a St. Petersburg, Florida-based municipal bond firm that he headed for 42 years until it was sold to RBC Dain Rauscher of Minneapolis in 2004. After the sale, Hough continued as a senior portfolio manager at RBC. Hough was also the chairman of Republic Bancshares, Inc., which was acquired by BB&T in 2004.

Hough’s dedication to improving the quality of UF is evidenced not only by his generous financial support but also by volunteer service. He has served on the Warrington College of Business Administration’s Business Advisory Council since 1989 and the UF Foundation Board of Directors since 2000.

Mr. Hough’s support of education, arts and medicine has benefitted many organizations including Boy Scouts, medical centers, cultural arts organizations and schools and colleges in the Tampa Bay area.

Hough continues to enjoy academic and athletic pursuits. When he visits the UF campus, you might find him sitting in on a UF business class. His athletic pursuits include snow skiing, sailing, biking and training for triathlons.

Facility History

William R. Hough Hall houses the Hough Graduate School of Business programs. It is just one element of Hough’s endowment to support teaching, academic programs and enhancements in the graduate school of business.