The 15th annual FSU’s Great Give on March 4 raised more than $1.5M, thanks to the generosity of more than 5,500 donors who contributed during the 24-hour event.

With more than 113 projects benefiting the Florida State University community, donors from all over the world reaffirmed their commitment to excellence by investing in FSU.

“Each year, FSU’s Great Give reminds us just how powerful the university community truly is,” said Sadiki Perry, associate director for digital and social giving. “Seeing thousands of Noles stand together and give so generously is inspiring. As pioneers in this space, FSU’s annual day of giving shines a spotlight on the power people have when they unite for a common cause. Thank you to all our donors.”

If you missed FSU’s Great Give this year, you can still make a gift online at give.fsu.edu. FSU’s Great Give will return in March 2027.

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Florida State University will be kicking into high gear for its 15th annual day of giving on Wednesday, March 4, with FSU’s Great Give. Over the past decade-and-a-half, Seminoles around the world have come together each year to support FSU and ensure its future remains bright.

During the 24 hours of giving, FSU’s Great Give aims to raise at least $1 million to support students, faculty and staff, alumni, programs and groundbreaking research. Gifts made during FSU’s Great Give help FSU remain ranked among the nation’s top universities while offering students unique experiences, both on and off campus.

“FSU’s Great Give is more than a day on the calendar — it’s a celebration of the way Seminoles show up for one another,” said Sadiki Perry, associate director for digital and social giving. “Each gift helps create meaningful experiences in and out of the classroom, supports world-class faculty and ensures that our university remains a place where students can dream big and achieve more.”

Gifts can be made online at greatgive.fsu.edu beginning at midnight Wednesday, March 4.

Support FSU’s Great Give on social media using #FSUGreatGive and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X for real-time updates.

For those submitting gifts via check or phone before March 4, please make sure to include “FSU’s Great Give” in the memo line along with your fund designation(s).

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Florida State University Trustee Brian Murphy, founder and CEO of ReliaQuest, will be the keynote speaker for the 2026 Seminole 100 celebration Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.

Seminole 100 honors the fastest-growing businesses owned or led by FSU alumni. The annual event recognizes entrepreneurial excellence and celebrates the impact of FSU graduates across industries.

Under Murphy’s leadership of ReliaQuest, a global leader in AI-driven cybersecurity, the company has grown from a startup into an enterprise valued at more than $3.4 billion, serving over 1,000 customers with a team of 1,200 teammates across six international operations centers. Its AI security operations platform, GreyMatter, helps organizations increase visibility, reduce complexity and manage risk by detecting and responding to threats in less than five minutes.

ReliaQuest, which has appeared on the Seminole 100 list five times, has earned repeated recognition as one of Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Technology and Inc.’s Top Workplaces, and was named Fast Company’s Innovation Team of the Year in 2020. The company has also consistently ranked on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500, a list of the fastest-growing technology companies in North America.

Murphy’s achievements include induction into the FSU Herbert Wertheim College of Business Hall of Fame in 2022 and recognition as one of Goldman Sachs’ most exceptional entrepreneurs in 2023. He was named an EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017 and received Junior Achievement’s Vanguard Award in 2020 for his commitment to youth education and development. Murphy also serves as board chairman and a Founders Circle member for Embarc Collective, Florida’s fastest-growing startup hub.

A proud Florida State alumnus, Murphy earned bachelor’s degrees in accounting and finance in 2000 before beginning his career with PwC. He is a member of the Florida State University Board of Trustees and the FSU Herbert Wertheim College of Business Board of Governors.

The Seminole 100 celebration is presented by the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship in partnership with the FSU Alumni Association and is made possible in part through the support of gold sponsor GMF Steel Group.

For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit seminole100.fsu.edu.

About the Division of University Advancement

The Division of University Advancement works to enhance Florida State University’s leadership, reputation and private financial support in academics, research, service and athletics. The division oversees the FSU Alumni Association and the FSU Foundation. Learn more at advance.fsu.edu.

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Florida State University alumnus and Kennesaw State University lecturer John “JD” Doughney IV will deliver the keynote address at FSU’s 2025 Seminole 100 Celebration.

The annual Seminole 100 list and celebration recognizes the fastest-growing businesses owned or managed by FSU alumni and represents some of the most innovative and profitable companies in the U.S.

Doughney is a two-time FSU graduate with bachelor’s degrees in communication and political science (2002) and a master’s degree in integrated marketing communication (2003). He also holds an MBA from Emory University and has a distinguished career spanning over two decades. He teaches international marketing, advertising and social media at Kennesaw State University.

Previously, Doughney served as chief marketing officer at Bay Point Advisors, an Atlanta-based hedge fund with $1 billion in assets under management, where he led strategic growth initiatives to expand internationally and enhance brand presence.

Earlier in his career, Doughney held leadership roles at Coca-Cola Co. and Glaceau, where he helped scale the VitaminWater and Smart Water brands from a $175 million startup to over $1 billion in annual revenue. He also worked in brand marketing at Red Bull North America and E&J Gallo Winery.

Additionally, Doughney had an 11-year tenure at Meta, spearheading global partnerships with leading consumer packaged goods and automotive companies. He was instrumental in developing award-winning global advertising campaigns for top brands like Toyota and Coca-Cola. Under his leadership, Meta’s market cap grew from $50 billion to $1.5 trillion and his team generated over $1.5 billion in annual recurring revenue.

“I am honored to return to Florida State University to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and accomplishments of my fellow alumni. The Seminole 100 honorees exemplify the innovation, dedication and leadership that make FSU alumni so exceptional.” 

— John “JD” Doughney IV, FSU alumnus and Kennesaw State University lecturer 

“I am honored to return to Florida State University to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and accomplishments of my fellow alumni,” Doughney said. “The Seminole 100 honorees exemplify the innovation, dedication and leadership that make FSU alumni so exceptional.”

The Florida State University Seminole 100 Celebration’s presenting sponsor is the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship in partnership with the FSU Alumni Association. Honorees and their businesses will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee.

Tickets to the 2025 Seminole 100 event are available for purchase at gonol.es/S100.

For more information on the Seminole 100 event, including sponsorship opportunities, visit seminole100.fsu.edu.

Follow along on Instagram @fsualumniand the hashtag #Seminole100.

About the Division of University Advancement

The Division of University Advancement works to enhance Florida State University’s leadership, reputation and private financial support in academics, research, service and athletics. The division oversees the FSU Alumni Association and the FSU Foundation. Learn more at advance.fsu.edu.

Florida State University Alumni Association reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine the final list.

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Florida State University recognized the fastest-growing companies owned or led by FSU alumni during the 7th annual Seminole 100 award ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.

Southern Spear Properties, LLC, led by FSU alumnus Sean W. Compton (B.S. ’08), was named the 2024 No. 1 fastest-growing business.

The company, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a full-service engineering and project management shop on a mission to be the most trusted contractor of its kind in the South and credits its expert focus on craftsmanship and logistical efficiency for its early success.

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Florida State University is gearing up for FSU’s Great Give, its 13th annual day of giving, on Wednesday, March 6, and hopes to raise over $1 million toward academic projects and programs.

Sadiki Perry, assistant director of digital and social giving for FSU’s Division of University Advancement’s Annual Giving team, looks forward to seeing the FSU community unite in support of students, faculty and university success on what they’re calling a “million-dollar day.”

“FSU’s Great Give is an exciting opportunity for the Seminole family to come together and give back to the things they love at FSU,” Perry said. “I have no doubt that Noles everywhere will rally in support of our students with great generosity.”

Since its inception in 2011, this annual day of giving has garnered tremendous support from donors worldwide. Last year, a little over $1 million was raised from 5,155 donors.

During the 24-hour event, supporters can give to various initiatives organized by colleges and units across the university. Gifts can be made online at greatgive.fsu.edu.

Supporters can follow FSU’s Great Give on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X for updates, donor totals and more throughout the day.

For those who would prefer to submit a gift via check or phone before March 6, please ensure they are earmarked for FSU’s Great Give and received by the FSU Foundation at 325 W. College Ave., Tallahassee, FL 32301 or 850-644-2822 by 5 p.m. EST on March 6.

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Florida State University has released its latest Seminole 100, an annual list that recognizes the fastest-growing businesses owned or managed by FSU alumni and represents some of the most innovative and profitable companies in the U.S.

“The exceptional alumni at the helm of these businesses exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit flourishing at Florida State University,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “Their achievements are a source of pride for the university and serve as a beacon of inspiration for a new wave of innovators and future business leaders. We are thrilled to celebrate their success.”

Honorees and their businesses will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.

The list, below in alphabetical order, is unveiled at the annual celebration in ranked order, culminating with announcing the No. 1 alumni-owned business.

EY, a multinational financial services firm, verified the information submitted by each company and ranked the businesses based on compound annual growth rate over the last three years.

The 2024 Seminole 100 A-Z list of fastest-growing businesses is:

• 4J Energy LLC
• Aaron Rich Marketing
• Abyde
• AgAmerica Lending
• A-LIGN
• Align Business Advisory Services
• Atlanta Family & Immigration Law
• Blue Air Training Corp
• Boomerang Transportation LLC
• Brundage Workforce Solutions
• Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate
• CIO Partners
• Cohen & Newmark PLLC
• CompassMed
• Corporate Interiors of Orlando LLC
• Corporate Solutions Tech
• Cortes Hodz Family Law & Mediation P.A.
• Distinction Agency
• DMF Homes LLC
• Don’t Tell Comedy
• Doumar Insurance & Financial Services Inc.
• Drip Drop Fitness
• Enlight
• ESPMedia Production Co.
• Evergreen Home Buyers LLC
• Fiore Communications
• Fire Capital Management
• Fishweir Brewing Company
• Florida Environmental & Land Services Inc.
• Florida State University Credit Union
• Global Sales
• Goodwipes
• HAWM Law
• Health Advocates Network
• HR & Beyond
• Impact Landscaping & Irrigation LLC
• Imperial Fence Supply LLC
• Independence Digital
• Jeff Kottkamp P.A.
• Joe Knows Tickets
• JustFOIA
• Kaye Kendrick Enterprises LLC
• Kerigan Marketing Associates Inc.
• Keva J Swimwear LLC
• Killearn Lakes TaeKwonDo
• Kupanda Capital LLC
• Law Office of Matthew C. Williams
• Law Offices of Ryan Cappy
• Law Offices of Stephen A. Smith
• Marmer Construction Inc.
• Miller Visions Transportation Group LLC
• Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo LLC
• North Florida Spine and Wellness
• Ology Brewing Company
• OmniCon
• OneLife Health & Performance
• Otter’s Chicken
• Owenby Law P.A.
• Pantin Gov LLC
• Payne Law PLLC
• PFS Signature Wealth
• Physical Equilibrium LLC
• Pittman Law Group
• Pizza Box Express LLC
• Play LLC
• Pomeranz Law PLLC
• Prime Meridian Bank
• Professional Business Services
• Rambana & Ricci PLLC
• Rapid Business Plans
• RennWorks
• Rentyl Inc.
• Right Aim Media
• Robert Nichols Insurance Group Inc.
• Russell Rowland Inc.
• Sanchez Fisher Levine LLP
• Siegel Financial Group
• Silver Spoon Solutions
• SimplerBuilt Inc.
• Sloane Staffing
• Social Catering and Events
• Southern Fields Brewing
• Southern Spear Ironworks LLC
• Southern Spear Properties LLC
• Southwestern Insurance Group
• SRI Management LLC
• Stack Moxie
• Stewart Simmons
• Summit Physical Therapy Inc.
• Tal Search Group Inc.
• Tallahassee Financial Advisors
• Taylor Day Law
• Taylor Financial
• The Concrete Yedi Inc.
• The Nieves Law Firm APC
• The Watson Firm PLLC
• Tomahawk Crane & Rigging LLC
• Trulight LLC
• Tutors for Tally
• Zicaro Plumbing Services

Follow on Instagram @Seminole.100 and the hashtag #Seminole100  

The Florida State University Seminole 100 Celebration is presented by the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship.

To learn more about the Seminole 100 event, including sponsorship opportunities, visit seminole100.fsu.edu.

About the Division of University Advancement

The Division of University Advancement works to enhance Florida State University’s leadership, reputation and private financial support in academics, research, service and athletics. The division oversees the FSU Alumni Association and the FSU Foundation. Learn more at advancement.fsu.edu.

Florida State University Alumni Association reserves the right to verify that the nominees meet the criteria and reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any nominee for any reason.

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