Alumnus Gifts $1 Million to Establish Scholarships for Miami Herbert Business School, Athletics
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami announced a $1 million gift from Jeff and Tracy Brown to create a pair of scholarship funds—The Jeffrey Brown Family Endowed Real Estate Business Scholarship Fund, and The Jeffrey and Tracy Brown Family Endowed Athletics Scholarship Fund—that will directly support student scholarships at the University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School and Miami Athletics.
Jeff Brown, a University of Miami alumnus, is vice chairman and president of NFI Industries, a family-owned and operated company committed to providing the pinnacle in supply chain support for businesses of all sizes and varieties. The Browns’ daughter, Nicole, and son, Josh, are also University of Miami alumni.
“As a proud alumnus of the University of Miami and an even prouder father of two ’Canes, I know the value of a University of Miami education. I know the impact it had on me, and I see the difference it has made in the lives of my children who are both very successful in their respective careers today, thanks to the education they received at the U,” Jeff Brown said. “Through these endowed scholarships, Tracy and I want to extend that same opportunity and experience to future students.”
Over the years, Brown, who serves on the Dean’s Advisory Committee and the Real Estate Advisory Council, and his family have given over a million dollars to support students at Miami Herbert. In addition to supporting the School’s undergraduate and graduate Real Estate Programs, the Brown family also supports experiential learning experiences, diversity and inclusion initiatives like the Project Destined Real Estate Scholarship; and NFI Industries, sponsors the Miami Herbert Real Estate Conference.
“We are incredibly grateful to Jeff and Tracy Brown for their support of The U and our business students,” said John Quelch, dean of Miami Herbert. “It is this kind of philanthropic support that will help us create the next generation of principled leaders in commercial real estate.”
Brown has previously supported multiple athletics fundraising initiatives, including the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility and the Basketball Victory Fund, and is a longtime member of the Golden ’Canes Society.
“We are fortunate to have the support of someone like Jeff in our quest to build champions at The U,” said Blake James, director of athletics. “Jeff’s support for athletics, and for the University of Miami as a whole, has been instrumental in helping our students chase greatness in academics, in athletics and in life.”
With more than 73% of students who attend the U receiving financial aid, support for scholarships is critical.
“It is these kinds of gifts that make a University of Miami education a reality for thousands of students,” Josh Friedman, senior vice president of development and alumni relations, said. “We are grateful to Tracy and Jeff for their generous support. Endowed scholarships enable us to attract the best and brightest students who are looking to excel in the classroom, on the field, and in life.”
