An entrepreneur who revolutionized the furniture business, a couple with a love for wellness and college sports, a University of Florida trustee, and a pair of Gators with a passion for social equality were recognized on Friday, March 1, for their commitments to UF and the people it serves.
Plantation’s Keith Koenig, Windermere’s Don and Irene Dizney, and Atlanta’s Rahul Patel and James and Elizabeth Gadsby were inducted into the university’s Academy of Golden Gators during the sixth annual ceremony honoring philanthropists and volunteers whose support and leadership is driving UF’s ascent as one of the nation’s best institutions of higher learning.
“We are deeply grateful to the six people recognized as Golden Gators this year. Their support helps UF reach new heights,” said UF President Kent Fuchs. “As we look toward the future, it’s partners like these awardees — people who share UF’s vision to be a force for good in the world — who will power our university forward.”
Four awards were presented during this year’s Academy of Golden Gators: Lifetime Philanthropists, Lifetime Volunteer, Young Philanthropists and Volunteer of the Year.
Lifetime Philanthropists Award
Most Gators recognize the Dizney name from the campus lacrosse stadium that bears the family’s name. But Don and Irene Dizney’s contributions to their adopted university go far beyond the stadium. The Dizneys — whose children David and Danielle (MS Nursing ’08) attended UF — also created the Donald R. Dizney Chair in Psychiatry, the Don and Irene Dizney Gator Room at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the George Brand Center Court Club in the O’Connell Center (named for their grandson) and the Dizney Plaza overlooking left field at the Alfred A. McKethan baseball stadium. Don Dizney is founder of United Medical Corp. and owns assorted other health care-related businesses. Double Diamond Farm, a 550-acre horse breeding, boarding and training operation in Ocala, also belongs to the couple. In 2015, Don Dizney received the College of Medicine’s Distinguished Achievement Award.
Lifetime Volunteer Award
Keith Koenig, who earned a UF bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1973 and an MBA in 1975, has a long history of service to his alma mater. President of City Furniture, he is a life member of the UF Foundation’s national board and is on the business college’s advisory council. Other leadership roles include the university’s 2014 president search committee, the Miller Center for Retail Education and Research’s executive board, the Broward County regional council, the business college’s campaign steering committee and its MBA advisory board. In addition, he established the City Furniture Professorship in Business, as well as an endowment to support the Keith and Doreen Koenig MBA Student Information Center. He was selected the most outstanding MBA alumnus in 1997.
Young Philanthropists Award
James and Elizabeth Gadsby spend much of their energy helping others rise to their potential. Former Gator quarterback Danny Wuerffel’s Desire Street Ministries — with its mission to revitalize impoverished neighborhoods — is one of their favorite ways to do that. Another is through their alma mater. While the Gadsbys have supported a number of UF colleges and programs through the years, they are especially generous when it comes to scholarships, funds and endowments for students and professors. James Gadsby, who earned his UF bachelor’s in finance in 1991, is Desire Street Ministries’ chief operating officer; Elizabeth Gadsby, who earned her UF bachelor’s in microbiology and cell science in 1992, is an independent executive technical consultant.
Volunteer of the Year Award
Rahul Patel was a student leader while attending the university. One of his roles was on UF’s Preview team, helping incoming freshmen and transfers navigate their new school. So it made sense that Patel would continue his goodwill toward the university after graduation. In the years since earning his bachelor’s in economics in 1994 and Juris Doctorate in 1997, he served on UF Law’s alumni council, the Atlanta regional council and as president of the Alumni Association. He is currently a trustee for the university and the Law Center Association, and is on the UF Foundation’s executive board (where he is former chair of the philanthropic advisory council), UF Health Jacksonville board and Student Affairs development advisory board. A partner with the firm King and Spalding, Patel was selected an outstanding young alumnus.
By recognizing philanthropists whose commitment enables UF to address societal and wellness challenges and improve lives throughout the world, the Academy of Golden Gators reflects UF’s goal to be one of the nation’s preeminent public research universities. The academy honors the generosity and vision of donors and volunteers who embody the spirit of the university.
The 165-year-old University of Florida has a long history of established programs in international education, research and service, and is one of only 17 public, land-grant universities in the prestigious Association of American Universities. It is ranked No. 8 in the most recent U.S. News and World Report’s list of public universities. The university is in the midst of an eight-year, $3 billion campaign, tagged Go Greater. The campaign, set to conclude in 2022, is currently at $1.9 billion.
