Gator Couple Strengthens UF and Their Local Community

Vero Beach couple says creatively funding scholarships for top local students helps everyone

UF President Kent Fuchs (left) inducting Sam Block into the Grand Guard as the UF Class of 1968 celebrates their 50th reunion.

To Vero Beach attorney Sam Block (BSJ '68) and his wife, Linda, community means everything, and investing in local students is something everyone can do.

Sam first learned about the concept of supporting college-bound students when his parents created multiple scholarship funds at UF in the 1980s. Their first happened to be awarded to Danny Wuerffel (BSPR '96), who went on to become UF's top quarterback under head coach Steve Spurrier and win the Heisman Trophy during his senior year. Danny also graduated from the same college Sam attended in the '60s: Journalism and Communications.

"That's where it all started," Sam says. "My parents always believed in education. When they became attached to UF, they wanted to make sure students had the opportunity to go there if they had the ability."

Sam has since followed their lead by contributing to various local scholarship efforts. One is a student-athlete scholarship at UF that he funded by combining his life insurance policy with a cash gift in his will.

"Life insurance is an easy gift because you sign it over to UF and you still get the tax deductions every year," Sam says. "Plus, you give students an opportunity to have something that nobody can take away from them — an education."

Beyond this scholarship, the Blocks contribute to the Treasure Coast Gator Club's scholarship program and other Indian River County scholarship efforts. They also supported the construction of UF's Otis Hawkins Center for Academic and Personal Excellence.

Linda and Sam Block know the importance of investing in their community. Through a gift in their estate plan, they are doing just that.

Sam says he has two expectations for students who are fortunate enough to receive his scholarship funds.

"I expect them to respect ... the opportunity to attend UF and do as well as they can do," Sam says. "That doesn't mean they have to get straight As, but just do the best they can do and get that degree."

Secondly, he says after graduation they should pay forward the generosity they received.

"I hope they remember where they came from and give back in the same manner," he says. "It doesn't have to be the same amount I gave; whatever they can do."

For others thinking about starting a scholarship at UF, Sam says it's a worthwhile and meaningful act.

"The proof is in the pudding," he says. "If you could talk and keep in contact with these kids like I have, you'd see what I see. When you make just one difference in one life, you've made a difference in the world."

Learn more about the ways your life insurance policy can help strengthen your community by contacting UF's Office of Estate & Gift Planning: giftplanning@uff.ufl.edu or 352-392-5512, toll free at 866-317-4143.