John Barrett: Charter Graduate Gave Back to UNF Athletics
John Barrett would do homework in his car while waiting to begin his shift loading trucks at United Parcel Service. His determination and hard work paid off. Barrett earned a BBA in transportation and logistics in 1973 from the UNF College of Business and parlayed his part-time UPS job into a career, retiring after 30 years as the company's North Florida district manager.
As a longtime employee, Barrett held a considerable number of shares of stock when UPS went public in 1999. In 2001, he provided long-term scholarship funding for the UNF Athletic Department with the creation of the John Barrett Endowed Scholarship and added to that gift in 2003 as a charitable remainder unit funded with UPS stock.
A unitrust like Barrett's is a custom-designed and individually managed trust that makes it possible for someone to make a gift to UNF - while retaining a variable lifetime income or an income for a fixed term of years - and claim a current income-tax deduction. At the end of the term of the unitrust, the principal goes to UNF to support the donor's wishes.
As Barrett intended with his donation, the John Barrett Endowed Scholarship has supported more than a dozen UNF student-athletes across multiple sports - including the current recipient, Ivan Gandia-Rosa, a guard for the men's basketball team.
"I am grateful to Mr. Barrett for believing in UNF athletes at such an early stage," said Gandia-Rosa, an ASUN Academic Honor Roll member. "I know my scholarship would not be possible without the help of people like him. The Barrett Scholarship is more than financial assistance to me. It's part of a community of support cheering for me on and off the court."
