By Sarah Sell, University Communications and Marketing
Get ready to celebrate in green and gold at the second annual Bulls and Brews by the Bay.
The St. Patrick's Day-themed event will help raise funds for the USF St. Petersburg general scholarship fund, offering much-needed financial support to students during the academic year. The first Bulls and Brews by the Bay helped the university provide an additional $30,000 in student scholarships.
The 2025 event will be held along the campus's scenic waterfront from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 14.
It gives USF alumni, friends and family a chance to reconnect with fellow Bulls or meet new friends over live music, Irish-inspired cuisine and a selection of local craft beers celebrating the Brewing Arts Program. All six of the participating brewers are graduates of the program. Wine, hard seltzers and non-alcoholic options will also be offered during the celebration.
The fundraiser will feature Irish dancers, games, live music, prize drawings and a scavenger hunt — where those who visit all local breweries and restaurants listed will be entered for a chance to win a Pot o' Gold prize!
"We want to give our alumni a reason to come back and to reconnect with the friends they made during their time at USF," said E. Howard Rutherford, the associate vice president of development on the St. Petersburg campus. "And if you haven't been here yet, you need to see our stunning waterfront campus. The views along the seawall offer the perfect place to spot dolphins or manatees and enjoy the breathtaking sunsets over the water - it's truly a magical experience."
Bulls and Brews by the Bay 2023 featured German-inspired food, music and beer from local breweries.
In September 2023, more than 250 people gathered for the inaugural Bulls and Brews by the Bay, which at the time was a German-themed "Okto-BULL-Fest." The event was canceled in September 2024 due to back-to-back hurricanes. Taking advantage of the calmer weather in March, organizers decided to transform it into an Irish-themed celebration to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day.
USF Federal Credit Union is once again the main sponsor and have donated $25,000 for this year's event. The Beck Group, Harvard Jolly PBK, Kimley-Horn, Turner and Ann and Bill Edwards each donated $5,000. Additional sponsorships for $5,000 and $10,000 are still available, with all proceeds going to the USFSP Scholarship Fund.
Rutherford said the need for student scholarships has steadily increased, but the funds have not. Before the inaugural Bulls and Brews by the Bay, only five scholarships from the fund were awarded to students for a total of $5,000. Thanks to the money raised at the event, 17 scholarships were awarded to USF St. Petersburg students for a total of $34,000 in 2024.
"Not all of us can make a $5,000-$10,000 scholarship donation, so this event is a way for us to create something that can help a student and be part of something bigger than ourselves," Rutherford said. "It will be a fun-filled environment with great food and drink that people will want to return to every year."
Tickets for Bulls and Brews by the Bay are $50 for USF students, $100 for faculty, staff and alumni, and $125 for general admission. Everything is included in the price, and proceeds from ticket sales go directly into the scholarship fund.
Testimonials from scholarship recipients
Thomas Reilly, Finance major
"This scholarship will allow me to not only excel in coursework and networking for my future, but it will also allow me to hopefully improve the experiences of those around me."
Estefania Rodriguez, Marine Biology major
"Before receiving this scholarship, continuing my education had become an uncertain prospect. Thanks to your generosity, I now feel more secure in my path toward becoming a USF St. Petersburg alumnus."
Samhi Prabhakar, Finance major
"I am extremely grateful for your support with the foundation scholarships that have given me the amazing gift of being able to pursue something I believe in."