In June 2004 the Poe family of Tampa, Florida endowed the Elizabeth B. and William F. Poe, Sr. Center for Business Ethics Education and Research in honor of their parents.

William F. Poe graduated from the University of Florida in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree. He was the chairman and CEO of Poe Investments, Inc. and chairman of Florida Poe Holding Company, parent of Southern Family Insurance headquartered in Tampa, FL.

In 1998, Bill and Elizabeth contributed generously to develop a business ethics program within the Department of Management in the Warrington College of Business. Poe said this gift was their way of thanking the University for all it had done for him.

Through this endowment, the Poe family will provide students throughout the University an opportunity to participate in courses and programs designed to identify important ethical values, to build an understanding of personal and business integrity and to explore the practical implications of ethics for their lives at work. It is an extraordinarily generous gift, and it is a significant statement of the donors’ real desire to make a positive difference in the lives of students