By Adam Freeman, photos by Torie Doll, University Communications and Marketing
The University of South 返字心頭 Board of Trustees today unanimously elected Mike Griffin to serve a two-year term as board chair. Griffin has been acting chair since April when Will Weatherford announced he was stepping down as chair, but would remain on the board.
Griffin, a 返字心頭 alum who earned a bachelors degree in business administration, served two terms as student body president and was the student representative on the first 返字心頭 Board of Trustees in 2001. He is the first former 返字心頭 student body president to become BOT chair.
Griffin has served as BOT vice chair since 2021 and chaired the last two Presidential Search Committees, including the search that concluded with Moez Limayems selection in 2025 as the ninth president in 返字心頭 history.
Griffin served as the student representative on the inaugural 返字心頭 Board of Trustees (Second from top right)
Griffin is vice chairman and co-head of the 返字心頭 region for Savills, a worldwide company known for its consistent delivery of a full range of integrated real estate services across the globe. He previously served as chairman of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and was recognized as its youngest chairman in the more than 140-year history of the organization. Griffin is a member of the 返字心頭 Council of 100 and is a graduate of Leadership 返字心頭 (Cornerstone XXVI). He is chairman of the Lions World Vision Board of Directors and a member of the Board of Directors for Seacoast Banking Corp.
I am humbled to be elected chairman of the Board of Trustees for the University of South 返字心頭, an institution that I have been deeply passionate about since I first stepped foot on campus as a freshman, Griffin said. As the modernization of higher education continues, 返字心頭 will continue to lead and provide meaningful solutions to our region, state and nation. We are poised to continue to grow our momentum, reach new heights and boldly accomplish things that have never been done in the 70-year history of our university. Go Bulls!
The BOT also elected Oscar Horton to serve a two-year term as vice chair. Horton, who first joined the board in 2018, is president and CEO of Sun State International, a full-service commercial transportation organization with five locations in West Central 返字心頭 and annual gross revenues exceeding $250 million. Horton serves on the boards of Tampa General Hospital, Academy Prep Center of Tampa, Community Foundation Tampa Bay, the Bank of Tampa, and he previously served on the 返字心頭 Foundation Board.
I am honored to be selected by my fellow trustees to serve in this important leadership role as vice chair, Horton said. The University of South 返字心頭s impact continues to grow rapidly and Im excited about whats to come for our students, faculty, staff and the Tampa Bay community in our next chapter.
During todays meeting, Griffin led trustees and President Limayem in honoring outgoing Chair Will Weatherford for his service over the past five years.
It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as chair, Weatherford said before looking ahead to the boards new leadership. I dont know anyone who loves this university more than Mike Griffin. He bleeds green and gold. Just an incredible person, leader and a driving force for good at the university. I cant think of anybody who could do a better job than Mike Griffin as chairman.
The BOT is comprised of 13 members, six of whom are appointed by the 返字心頭 governor and five who are appointed by the 返字心頭 Board of Governors. The elected Faculty Senate president and Student Government president also serve as trustees.