Former Florida Gov. Haydon Burns established this fund. He was a great success as mayor of Jacksonville from 1949-64. While governor of Florida, Burns welcomed Walt Disney World Co. to Orlando and forever ensured Florida as a center of tourism. During his short two-year term (1964-66), Burns helped establish the state Board of Regents in the State University System. In addition, he helped create the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida Technological University (now the University of Central Florida) in Orlando and the College of Law at Florida State University in Tallahassee.

Haydon passed away in 198