The Burr & Forman Scholar Development Fund was established in the spring of 2015 by law firm Burr & Forman LLP. It provides up to $2,500 per student for academic enrichment over the summer for students in The Burnett Honors College.
Eric Golden, ’94, is the managing partner of the Orlando office. He recently spoke about giving back, creating the scholarship and his experience as a student at UCF.
What activities were you involved in as a student attending UCF?
I was a member of the UCF baseball team for the 1991-1994 seasons. Outside of my classwork, this is where I spent the majority of my time.
How did your UCF education help you to achieve your career goals?
Earning a baseball scholarship gave me the opportunity to obtain a top notch education at UCF. The outstanding professors and the overall learning environment provided me with the tools I need to be a successful lawyer and business person.
What part did you play in helping to establish the Burr & Forman Scholar Development Fund?
I, along with some of my partners and other colleagues at Burr & Forman met with [Burnett Honors College development officer] Bridget Holt and [UCF Athletics Association development officer] Matt Kommer to discuss what our firm could do to support the UCF Honors College and some of the amazing work the talented students in the Honors College are doing. After hearing from Bridget and Matt about some of the unique and important projects students were working to develop, we decided we wanted to be a part of that and to financially support additional learning experiences for students in the Honors College. It was an easy decision for us to establish this scholarship.
Did you receive scholarship support while a student at UCF?
I was very fortunate to have earned a baseball scholarship which paid for my education for four years. My scholarship opened so many doors for me and enabled me to obtain my UCF education. Without the financial support that my scholarship provided, my college experience would likely have been very different. My scholarship also allowed me to be part of a team representing our university that competed at the highest level.
Why is giving back important to you?
Having been on the receiving end of a scholarship as a student, I feel very strongly about being on the giving end as a professional and that is one reason why the Scholar Development Fund that our firm established is so important and meaningful. Our firm feels very strongly about giving back to our community and what better place to give back than our university.