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Board unanimously awards honorary doctorate to philanthropist Brian Rist after external vetting
Summary
After additional vetting and an external background check, the Board approved awarding an honorary Doctor of Laws to Brian Rist in recognition of philanthropic support exceeding $5 million and contributions to entrepreneurship at FGCU.
President Aysegul Timur returned a previously tabled recommendation to award an honorary Doctor of Laws degree to Brian Rist after the University implemented enhanced due diligence, including an external background check. "Based on the committee’s recommendation and the results of a comprehensive background check, she recommended awarding an honorary Doctor of Laws degree to local entrepreneur and philanthropist Mr. Brian Rist," President Timur said. The Board voted unanimously to confer the degree.
President Timur noted Mr. Rist's long-standing philanthropic support — more than $5 million since 2001 — which funded initiatives in the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship, Lucas Hall construction and the Rist Family Foundation Institute for Entrepreneurship, among others. Trustees discussed the revised honorary-degree regulation language that adds due-diligence and revocation procedures and said the process would be circulated for public comment before returning for formal approval.
