Fall 2009 - Florida Tech Today - Florida Institute of Technology

Couple’s Bequest Endows Astronomy and Astrophysics Programs
After remembering family members in their
will, James and Sara Ortega left the balance of their
estate, valued at approximately $2.5 million, to Florida
Institute of Technology. Ortega, who died in October
2008, outlived his wife Sara by just one week.
Ortega was already well known to the university.
In 2004 he donated $150,000 to augment funding
for what today is the Ortega 0.8-meter reflecting telescope,
the largest research telescope in Florida.
In June 2009 the university received more
than $600,000 of the bequest to initiate the Ortega
Endowment for Astronomy and Astrophysics. The
endowment will fund scholarships, fellowships and
research opportunities for the department of physics
and space sciences.
“This gives the department a giant boost,” said
Kenneth Stackpoole, senior vice president for
advancement. “Dr. Ortega’s gift is a great example
of how someone can leave an estate to a good cause
while also taking care of family members.”
Terry Oswalt, head of the department of physics
and space sciences, spent a great deal of time
with Ortega in recent years. He said, “Although he
was a professor at the University of Virginia for many
years, Dr. Ortega felt
his gift would have a
much greater impact
on Florida Tech. The
legacy will benefit
students and faculty
here for generations
to come.”
The Ortega estate
includes bank accounts,
mutual funds, a condominium
and other
real estate as well as
his books, which he
donated to Florida
Tech’s Evans Library.
The condominium in
Melbourne Beach,
where Ortega lived,
will be used by visiting
professors.
Pictured by the plaque commemorating
Foosaner are, from left, President
Anthony J. Catanese, Dione Negroni-
Hendrick and Donald J. Hendrick.
Building Bridges
The bridge across the Botanical Garden between the Denius Student Center and the university’s northern residence hall
complex has been permanently named in memory of Samuel J. Foosaner, who was an early university supporter and board
of trustees member. The naming is in appreciation for a $25,000 donation from Sam Foosaner’s daughter Dione Negroni-
Hendrick and her husband Donald J. Hendrick of Cocoa, Fla. They are pictured here by the plaque commemorating her dad,
along with President Anthony J. Catanese.
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