PENSACOLA - Nathan Green and the Green-Simmons Company, Inc. have provided a gift of $30,000 to the University of West Florida Construction Program. The gift will provide UWF with much needed resources to continue to build and sustain the construction program as well as establish an endowed scholarship to support students. The majority of the gift, $25,000, will be used to meet the immediate needs of the department, and the remaining $5,000 is part of a multiple-year pledge to create a scholarship endowment for UWF students in the Construction Program.

"I chose to provide an additional gift to UWF because I have first-hand experience with the quality of students in the program," said Green, president of the Green-Simmons Company. "Several UWF students started out interning with me and are now an integral part of the Green-Simmons team."

The hands-on experience that UWF students receive from the UWF Construction Program prepares students for careers in many of the industry fields. Developing knowledge for construction of all types, UWF students are able to hone their skills and abilities to help them meet their future professional challenges. Due to the past support of many organizations in the construction community, awareness about the program is increasing and student enrollment has climbed to 120 this fall.

"Thanks to Nathan's leadership and continued support, we will be closer to achieving our strategic goals which include obtaining accreditation and providing scholarships for our students" said Glenda Mayo, coordinator of the UWF Construction Program.

The Green-Simmons Company, Inc., established in 1996, is a licensed General Contractor in the states of Florida and Alabama. The company focuses primarily on commercial construction projects for local, state and federal governmental agencies. "Nathan Green's generosity is very much appreciated," said UWF President John Cavanaugh. "We cannot succeed as a regional comprehensive university without private support and the strong partnerships we enjoy with companies like Green-Simmons."

For more information, contact Gretchen VanValkenburg at (850) 474-2875 or gvalkenb@uwf.edu.

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