Up to the Challenge: $121,480 raised for student recruitment scholarships

For the 10th consecutive year, alumni and friends of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy stepped forward during the 2024 Crisafi Challenge to raise $121,480 for student recruitment scholarships. Their gifts helped the college unlock a $50,000 matching gift from Bob Crisafi, Ph.D., ’56, as the challenge celebrated another remarkable year.

The 10-day Crisafi Challenge, held from Nov. 8-17, inspired 140 gifts. Every dollar raised will support student recruitment scholarships for the incoming Pharm.D. class in fall 2025.

Dr. Bob, as he is affectionately known, established the Crisafi Challenge in 2015 with a vision to elevate the UF College of Pharmacy’s national standing and attract top-tier pharmacy students. The challenge has achieved both goals, with the college now ranked No. 4 in the U.S. News & World Report Best Pharmacy College rankings — its highest ranking ever. Over the past decade, the challenge has raised more than $1.2 million, providing scholarships to over 120 deserving students.

“I started the Crisafi Challenge to do something for the students who needed a scholarship to go to pharmacy school,” Crisafi said. “When I was a graduate student, I received a scholarship that fulfilled my ambitions of graduating from the University of Florida. It means a great deal to me to help UF pharmacy students in the same way.”

The UF College of Pharmacy expresses its deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to the Crisafi Challenge this year, including the 30 faculty and staff who gave over $9,100. The college generously matched all faculty and staff gifts to double the impact.