Courtelis International Student Awards

This fund was established by Louise H. Courtelis in 2003 to support the educational experience and environment of University of Florida students, faculty and staff by promoting a global perspective.

Louise was born on a dairy farm in Corfu, NY. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Miami. After graduating, Louise taught at Notre Dame Academy for Girls and Coral Gables High School, both in Miami, FL. She donated to the expansion of UF’s Veterinary Medicine teaching hospital and was elected chairperson of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Advisory Council in 1987. In 1993, Louise received a Distinguished Achievement Award for being a longtime volunteer supporter of the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Louise’s late husband, Alec, was born in Alexandria, Egypt, to Greek parents. In 1948, he emigrated to Miami. He was named to the Board of Regents in 1987 by former Governor Bob Martinez and served until 1994. Alec was a Miami developer, finance chairman of the state Republican Party and vice chairman of President Bush’s finance committee. The couple co-founded Town and Country Farms in 1970, one of the nation’s most prestigious Arabian horse farms.

UF’s equine hospital complex was dedicated in honor of Louise and Alec in 1994 for their longtime support of the college.

Louise and Alec had two children, Kiki and Pan. Alec passed away in 1995 and their son, Pan, passed away in 2001.

In 2009, Louise as inducted by Charlie Crist into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame.