The University of South Florida is poised to become a cybersecurity education hub with a historic $40 million donation from tech entrepreneur Arnie Bellini and his wife Lauren. This transformative gift will establish the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing, positioning Tampa as a potential cybersecurity powerhouse that can help address critical workforce shortages in these fields. The donation represents an ambitious attempt to strengthen America’s digital security infrastructure while creating a premier educational institution that could rival established tech education centers.
The big picture: USF is receiving the largest donation in its history to create Florida’s first college focused specifically on AI and cybersecurity.
- The $40 million gift from Arnie and Lauren Bellini will launch the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing this fall.
- The donation aims to transform Tampa into a cybersecurity education center that mirrors Stanford‘s relationship with Silicon Valley.
Behind the numbers: Arnie Bellini has a history of significant regional philanthropy after founding Tampa-based IT firm ConnectWise, which sold for $1.5 billion in 2019.
- Bellini previously donated $10.6 million to USF in 2022 to create a talent and career services center focused on closing the skills gap between academia and employers.
- He has also donated $15 million to Tampa Catholic High School for an arts center.
Why this matters: The investment addresses critical national security concerns by focusing on digital border protection amid growing cyber threats.
- Bellini specifically cited security threats from China and Russia while praising the growing concentration of cybersecurity companies and military presence at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.
- The college aims to secure America’s “geopolitical power for the next 200 years” by developing domestic cybersecurity expertise.
Key details: The new college will start with 3,000 students and 45 faculty members with ambitious growth targets.
- University leaders plan to expand to 5,000 students and 100 faculty within three years.
- The funds will support scholarships, faculty recruitment, and new facilities.
What they’re saying: “If we get AI right, it will unlock unprecedented innovation, efficiency and economic growth,” said Bellini, emphasizing the college’s potential economic impact.
- USF Foundation chair Jay Stroman noted that Bellini is “not a silent investor” but someone deeply involved with a passion for the project.
- Bellini stated plans to aggressively recruit top talent, saying, “We’re going after MIT professors. We’re going after Stanford professors. We’re offering signing bonuses.”
Looking ahead: Bellini is promising additional financial support beyond the initial donation.
- He will match additional donations up to $5 million, potentially adding $10 million more to the college’s funding.
- The entrepreneur is also considering implementing a tuition guarantee program that would ensure job placement for graduates.
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