The Witters Competition, an annual multi discipline team charrette in the College of Design, Construction and Planning, was conceived by Arthur G. and Beverley A. Witters in 1992. Annual funding was by the Witters. In 1995 they forwarded a gift of $100,000 to which was added 50% state funding to make the competition permanent. The annual funds received from the endowment are used for the winner’s award and necessary expenses.

Arthur was born on September 22, 1919. He earned his bachelor’s degree in building construction in 1941 and a master’s degree in architectural engineering from Iowa State College in 1949. He was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary aerial flight against the enemy in WWII. He was the first Air Force engineer in the initial design and construction of the United States Air Force Academy. He retired as a colonel in 1965.

Beverley was born on February 24, 1921. They were married on May 16, 1942 and have four children: Anne, Arthur, Curtis and Richard. Anne earned her bachelor’s and master’s of arts degrees from the University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1964 and 1986 respectively. Arthur earned his bachelor’s of science degree from the UF College of Health and Human Performance in 1970. Their brother, Curtis also graduated from UF. He received a bachelor’s of arts degree from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1971 and went on to earn his juris doctor from UF in 1974. Richard graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a bachelor’s of science in 1972 and earned a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Catholic University of America in 1976.