By Pete Reinwald, Jayme Ice, Megan Mowery and Rebecca Sage 

Charles E. “Charlie” Rockwood, a Florida State University professor emeritus and a transformational philanthropist, passed away on June 26, 2025 – four years after his trailblazing wife, Persis Rockwood. He was 93.  

Charlie Rockwood joined the FSU faculty in 1960. He retired as professor emeritus of economics in 1991.  

He and his wife generously gave more than $14.2 million in gifts to the College of Business, College of Music and College of Social Sciences and Public Policy.  

Their $10 million philanthropic investment in the College of Business in 2022 established the Dr. Persis E. Rockwood School of Marketing, the first U.S. marketing school named for a woman. Charlie Rockwood announced the gift a year after the passing of Persis, an FSU professor emerita who in 2018 became the first woman inducted into the College of Business’ Charles A. Rovetta Faculty Hall of Fame. She established an array of firsts, including the first woman at FSU to become a full professor of marketing in 1973. 

The two were married for 54 years.   

“The College of Business mourns the passing of Charlie Rockwood, a magnificent friend of our college and university,” said Michael Hartline, dean of the college. “We’ll always remember his extraordinary generosity, dedication to FSU and devotion to his beloved Persis. He made sure that our marketing department would forever stand in her honor.”  

The Rockwoods, significant supporters of Tallahassee’s arts community, also gave $2.25 million to establish the Rockwood Organ at the College of Music. This custom-built pipe organ, designed by renowned craftsman Paul Fritts, will become part of a planned renovation and expansion of the Housewright Music Building. In addition, the Rockwoods established a named parterre in Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, plus a $1 million endowment for piano students, which Persis Rockwood had played since she was a child. 

“Charlie was an avid concertgoer who delighted in sharing the joy of music with our students, faculty and audiences,” said Todd Queen, dean of the College of Music. “As we fondly recall Charlie’s smile and patronage, we are grateful for the legacy he and Persis established here. Their incredible gifts will carry forward the Rockwood name for generations.”  

In the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Dean Tim Chapin expressed sadness about Charlie Rockwood’s passing but appreciation for the Rockwoods’ support, which included the establishment of the Drs. Charles and Persis Rockwood Graduate Fellowship Endowment Fund. 

“Charlie Rockwood was a beloved mentor and intellectual voice during his long career within the Department of Economics, as well as a major presence in the broader Tallahassee community through the Rotary Club,” said Chapin. “Charlie’s wit, twinkling eyes and big heart were on display for all to see, especially when Persis was the topic of the moment. The impact of Charlie and Persis at FSU cannot be overstated – first as longtime, productive and impactful faculty members and then as immense supporters of the university that they loved.” 

During a 2022 event at the College of Business, Charlie Rockwood joined Hartline to announce the $10 million gift to establish the Rockwood School of Marketing. In his comments, Rockwood focused entirely on his wife, who taught in the college for three decades beginning in 1960.  

“She loved FSU,” he said of Persis. “She was very modest. She did not tell students her background, I don’t think ever. She would ask them things like, ‘What is your goal outside of your work ethic?  What have you got for a goal in life?'”  

The Rockwoods’ gift included a $3.5 million endowment for faculty support, including funding for an eminent scholar chair, professorships, emerging scholars and research; a $3 million endowment for student support, including scholarships and professional development; and a $2.5 million endowment for “preeminence,” providing discretionary funding for the Rockwood School’s most pressing needs.   

Their philanthropic investment also included $1 million for Legacy Hall, the college’s future home, scheduled to open for classes in Jan. 2026. That portion of the gift funded the Dr. Persis Rockwood Academic Programs Suite and the Dr. Persis Rockwood Academic and Behavioral Research Lab.  

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Florida State University celebrated an incredible FSU’s Great Give on March 5, raising more than $2.2 million during its 14th annual day of giving.

In a remarkable show of support, 4,342 donors from around the world helped fund over 100 projects across 30 colleges, schools and units.

“FSU’s Great Give exemplifies the boundless spirit and generosity of the Seminole community,” said Sadiki Perry, assistant director for digital and social giving for FSU’s Division of University Advancement’s Annual Giving team. “Year after year, we are amazed by the ever-growing support that empowers our university to reach new heights.”

Looking ahead, FSU’s Great Give will return in March 2026. To give to Florida State’s academic initiatives, visit give.fsu.edu or call (850) 644-6000.

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Florida State University is preparing for FSU’s Great Give, its 14th annual day of giving, on Wednesday, March 5. The million-dollar day aims to increase donor participation and support for academic projects and programs that drive student success, faculty excellence and innovation.

Sadiki Perry, assistant director of digital and social giving for FSU’s Division of University Advancement’s Office of Annual Giving, said he is inspired by the unwavering support shown by the global FSU community.

“FSU’s Great Give is a testament to the enduring strength of the Seminole spirit,” Perry said. “Each gift, large or small, helps to propel our university forward, fostering opportunities that change lives and shape futures.”

As one of the first and longest-running giving days in higher education, FSU’s Great Give continuously exceeds fundraising expectations. Throughout the 24-hour event, donors can contribute to more than 100 initiatives from various colleges, schools and units throughout FSU.

Gifts can be made online at greatgive.fsu.edu.

Supporters are encouraged to follow FSU’s Great Give on Facebook, Instagram and X for real-time updates, donor milestones and more throughout the day.

For those wishing to submit gifts via check or phone before March 5, please include FSU’s Great Give in the memo line along with your fund designation. To count toward our giving day total, gifts must be received by the FSU Foundation at 325 W. College Ave., Tallahassee, FL 32301 or (850) 644-2822 by 5 p.m. EST on March 5.

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In a significant show of support for their alma mater, Florida State University alumni Scott and Suzi Brock recently announced a $3 million charitable bequest that underscores the couple’s enduring appreciation for FSU Athletics, gives back to the College of Business and honors Scott Brock’s late father, a northwest Florida native who dedicated his life to public service.

Their gift includes:

• $1.5 million to support Seminole Boosters, which financially assists FSU Athletics.
• $1.4 million to establish the Scott and Suzi Brock Endowed Professorship in Accounting and the Scott and Suzi Brock Endowed Scholarship in Accounting in the College of Business.
• $100,000 to create the Hurdis A. Brock Endowed Graduate Scholarship in Public Administration in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy.

Scott Brock said the gift illustrates the family’s lifelong connection to Florida State University.

“This remarkable gift reflects the Brocks’ devotion to Florida State University and their belief in our students, student-athletes and faculty members,” FSU President Richard McCullough said. “We are deeply grateful to Scott and Suzi for their foresight and the example they set for our FSU family.”

The family’s connection to the university started with Hurdis Brock, namesake of the planned graduate scholarship in public administration. Hurdis attended FSU, leading the way for Scott, who earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1981. Scott is now senior director of state government affairs at Bristol Myers Squibb, where he has worked for 25 years.

“We’ve been blessed throughout our lives and careers,” Scott said. “As we developed our estate plan, we wanted to include a gift to Florida State University that would benefit faculty and students academically and athletically for generations.”

Suzi Brock earned a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1981 and added a degree in interior design in 1995. She owns a business, Suzi Brock, CKD, that designs kitchens and bathrooms.

Scott and Suzi each also followed an older sibling to the university, “contributing to why we attended FSU,” Suzi said. “I’m grateful to our alma mater and excited that we could make this bequest.”

Backing Seminole Boosters

The Brocks started attending sporting events at FSU more than 45 years ago when they embarked on their undergraduate degrees. As Tallahassee residents, they still do, tailgating before football games and attending various athletic events with classmates who became lifelong friends.

“We’re proud of Florida State University and always want to show our support,” Scott said.

Their pledge to Seminole Boosters will fully benefit FSU Athletics. Seminole Boosters, an FSU Direct Support Organization, provides funding for university athletic scholarships, facilities, operations and more.

“We genuinely appreciate the Brocks’ support of Seminole Boosters and Florida State University Athletics,” said Stephen Ponder, president and CEO of Seminole Boosters. “Such support allows our student-athletes to excel on and off the playing field, and this gift cements the Brocks’ legacy in FSU Athletics.”

Elevating Business

After graduation, Scott worked for two years in the accounting field before landing in government affairs in the pharmaceutical industry. He credits the college for launching his career and Dean Michael Hartline for raising the college’s profile nationally and globally. That includes Hartline’s leadership in fundraising and current construction of Legacy Hall, the college’s state-of-the-art future home.

“The College of Business helped me be successful in my career,” Scott said. “And it is great to see that Dean Hartline has been working diligently to create a new first-class facility for the college and to attract quality professors and students – improving not only the accounting department, which I’m fond of, but the entire college.”

Hartline said the pledge would “change lives, elevate our accounting department and college, and distinguish our students in their careers.”

“We genuinely thank Scott and Suzi for their extremely generous commitment to our preeminence,” he added.

Serving the Public Good

Scott said his father was a longtime friend of Reubin Askew, Florida’s governor from 1971 to 1979 and the namesake of the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s Askew School of Public Administration, which will oversee the new graduate scholarship.

“The college is honored by this investment by the Brock family in support of students with interests in public service,” said Dean Tim Chapin of the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. “Gov. Askew’s commitment to advance the interests of all Floridians is being upheld by the nationally renowned Reubin O’D. Askew School of Public Administration and Policy.”

Scott salutes his father as the first in his family to attend college. Enrolling after service in the U.S. Army during World War II, Hurdis Brock became among the first attendees of the newly named Florida State University, where he met Askew. An influx of male WWII veterans prompted the name change, in 1947, from the Florida State College for Women.

Hurdis returned to active Army duty to serve during the Korean War, just one semester shy of earning a bachelor’s degree. Upon his return to the U.S., he embarked on a career in the automotive parts industry and later served nine years on the Fort Walton Beach City Council. He performed community service throughout his adult life, including as a member of the Lions and Rotary clubs.

“Growing up after the Depression, he knew that, for many, food was scarce, so he always had a passion to help those who did not have enough to eat,” Scott, the youngest of three sons, said of his father. “Public service was always a part of his life, and he instilled that in my brothers and me.”

For more information about Seminole Boosters, visit boosters.fsu.edu. To learn more about the College of Business, visit business.fsu.edu. For more about the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, visit coss.fsu.edu.

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