Florida State College Foundation announced Thursday it has received a bequest from the will of Lu Ann Bear, totaling more than $1 million, to establish the Lu Ann and Doran Weinstein Memorial Fund Scholarship.
Between an initial gift of $600,000, which was matched by state funds, and the remainder of the estate to be disbursed, the total donation is estimated to be about $1.2 million.
The Lu Ann and Doran Weinstein Memorial Fund Scholarship will create scholarships for financially deserving students at Florida State College at Jacksonville who are pursuing business-related degrees.
“Florida State College Foundation greatly appreciates the generous support from Lu Ann Bear,” said Maggie Hightower, director of major gifts, in a news release from the foundation.
“Her gift will be placed in an endowment and last in perpetuity serving thousands of students over the years,” said Hightower.
“My grandfather, Doran Weinstein, had written his will to leave the majority of his estate to universities if he died before my grandmother, Lu Ann,” said Robyn Moore in a statement in the release.
“He always felt the best way to improve people’s lives was through education, and I think my grandmother wanted to honor his wishes,” she said.
According to the release, Lu Ann moved to Jacksonville in 1981 when she married Doran, who was president of Daylight Industries. Before moving to Jacksonville, she worked in advertising, including a stint as creative director for the Becker Advertising Agency.
The couple also traveled extensively and visited college campuses.
The mission of Florida State College at Jacksonville is to provide optimal access to high quality, affordable and relevant degree, career and community education to enhance the lives of students and economic development in Northeast Florida.
The Florida State College Foundation secures financial resources that will help Florida State College at Jacksonville provide access to education.