26th Annual Donors and Scholars Luncheon Celebrates Generosity

3/12/2026

SPC student and basketball player Celine Forine speaks to the audience at the 26th Annual Donors and Scholars Luncheon.

For St. Petersburg College student and basketball player Celine Forine, the journey from homelessness to student athlete was made possible largely by the support she received along the way.

Forine, one of eight children raised by a single mother, shared her story at the SPC Foundation’s 26th annual Donors & Scholars Luncheon, held Wednesday, March 11, at the Hilton Carillon in St. Petersburg. The event provides an opportunity for SPC donors to meet some of the students who have benefited from their generosity through scholarships and program funding.

“Because of scholarships, I’ve been able to pursue my goals with stability and confidence instead of fear,” said Forine. She shared that for a brief time growing up, she and her family were homeless. Through the generosity of others, her family finally got into stable housing, but finances were always a struggle. She didn’t think college was an option for her, but through playing basketball, she learned about the women’s basketball team and the scholarships available at the College.

“The generosity of donors like you has had a life-changing impact," Forine said. "Scholarships provided by your financial support have allowed me to focus on my education and basketball without financial stress or worrying how I would help my family back home.”

This year alone, the SPC Foundation awarded more than 4,000 scholarships, providing over $2.8 million in support to fuel innovation across the College. The College’s Pathway to Better campaign aims to continue supporting students like Forine by raising $100 million by SPC’s 100th anniversary in 2027. The campaign expands scholarships, invests in career-focused programs, and strengthens communities.

Economic and Generational Impact

SPC alumna and Director of Pinellas County Economic Development Dr. Cynthia Johnson also spoke at the event. Her SPC story echoed Forine’s in many ways. Also one of eight children, Johnson shared how a similar leap of faith led her to SPC decades earlier.

“After my siblings and I graduated from high school we were expected to go to work. We never thought college was an option for us,” she said. Through a friend’s encouragement, Johnson learned about SPC and scholarships that made college a reality.

“Your generosity doesn’t just go toward funding scholarships; it fuels, trains and transforms lives for generations to come,” said Johnson.

Johnson went on to say that SPC serves as a powerful economic engine for Tampa Bay – preparing graduates to step directly into the workforce and make an immediate impact.

“SPC has generated over $190 million of economic activity in the region and created over 31,000 jobs for our citizens of Pinellas County,” said Johnson. “The intellectual and social impact of SPC graduates is shaping our region and strengthening our nation.”

Celebrating the Spirit of Resilience

SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams closed out the luncheon by emphasizing that both Forine’s and Johnson’s stories are prime examples of how SPC students overcome adversity.

“They represent the spirit of the SPC student,” said Dr. Williams. “Our students have grit. They don’t let their circumstances define them.”

Williams went on to say that donors play a big part in giving students an opportunity they might not have had.

“Your generosity is seen every day," Williams said. "It shows up in classrooms, in labs, in textbooks, in emergency support and in the confidence our students feel when someone believes in their potential.”

The 26th annual luncheon served as a powerful reminder that while grit gets students through the door, it is the support of the donor community that keeps the door open. The SPC Foundation continues to prove that investing in a student today secures the future of generations to come.