The University of West Florida Board of Trustees recognized and honored Randall K. "Skip" and Martha Ann Hunter Dec. 12, 2008 by formally naming the Vince Whibbs Sr. Community Maritime Park amphitheater in their honor as the "Randall K. and Martha A. Hunter Amphitheater." The Hunters gifted $1 million to the University of West Florida Foundation to support the construction of the amphitheater and to support the development of the Vice Admiral John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center.

"Naming the amphitheater in honor of the Hunters was the Board's way of expressing its thanks for their tremendous generosity," said K.C. Clark, chair of the UWF Board of Trustees. "The amphitheater will be an important part of the university's presence at the Community Maritime Park, and will enhance the quality of life in Pensacola and the region."

Architectural design services for the amphitheater have been donated by Bullock Tice Associates of Pensacola. The firm has been working with Kyle Marrero, director of the UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts and chair of the Music Department, and other community arts organizations over the past months to develop a program and design for the amphitheater.

When matched through the State of Florida's Alec P. Courtelis program, the Hunter's gift will result in approximately $1.2 million in funds earmarked for the amphitheater and approximately $800,000 designated for the maritime museum. The gift, along with the state match, will fund the entire cost of construction for the amphitheater. The amphitheater will be built in the initial phase of the Community Maritime Park and will be operated as a UWF facility.

For more information, contact Dean Van Galen, vice president for University Advancement, at (850) 474-3306 or e-mail dvangalen@uwf.edu.