By: Cassidy Delamarter, USF College of Education

Held at the USF College of Education, the 2026 Richardson Showcase brought together teachers from across the district, scholarship recipients and donors. The showcase honored the partnerships that prepare future educators in exceptional student education (ESE) —highlighting the mentors who guide them, the supporters who invest in them and the students ready to make a difference.

The 2025-2026 ESE mentors helped 84 students across the college’s undergraduate and graduate programs this year. Twelve of those students will graduate this May, and six previously graduated in December. 

“Our college is deeply appreciative of the support from our school districts in opening their doors to our students for mentorship opportunities,” said Jenifer Jasinski Schneider, interim dean of the USF College of Education. “Their collaboration is essential to the success of our programs and the development of our future educators.”

Jack and Alice Richardson paved the way for this annual event. When their daughter, Laurie, passed away tragically before her graduation at USF in 1985, they established the Laurie Ann Richardson Memorial Scholarship. It would end up being one of four scholarship programs they would go on to establish at USF to support ESE students at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels – benefitting more than 250 students since. 

“The Richardson Family was an exceptional family who left a mark on the hearts and lives of past, current and future USF College of Education students,” said Ann Cranston-Gingras, associate dean of student success and decision support. “As we move forward, our dedication remains steadfast to the core principles of educator preparation, rigorous research and meaningful engagement with both local and global communities.”

Throughout the year, students at every level engaged in hands-on research to help advance ESE. From exploring innovative strategies to contributing to new ideas, their work reflects a deep commitment to improving outcomes for learners of all abilities and addressing real-world challenges.

Each student and mentor teacher received a marigold—a symbol, especially for soon-to-be graduates, to seek out those who uplift and inspire them and to, in turn, become a “marigold” for others.

“We are committed to building upon the solid foundation of success and excellence laid by our community of alumni, family, friends, faculty, students and donors,” said Elizabeth "Betsy" Doone, ESE program coordinator.

2025-2026 Exceptional Student Education Scholarship Donors

• Jack Amor, Richardson Family Scholarships
• Theodore E. McCormack, David F. Griffin Graduate Scholarship in Exceptional Student Education
• Scott and Theresa Cook, Jim Yerman Scholarship in Special Education
• John and Donna Larson, John and Donna Larson Scholarship
• Lars and Brooke Olson, Gerald A. Mitchell Memorial Scholarship
• Kathleen McCarty, Laura Bailey Endowed Scholarship
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, SAE UMatter Scholarship
• Andy and Eileen Hafer, UMatter Scholarship

2025-2026 Scholarship Recipients

• Alice C. Richardson Undergraduate Endowed Scholarship
  • Reese Kantrowitz
  • Maya Moneze
  • Casey Wayne
• Cathy Lynne Richardson Doctoral Endowed Scholarship
  • Nikita Bates-Gilliam
  • Kevin Giordano
  • Jessica Shotts
  • Amy Wolstenholme
• Jack B. Richardson Scholarship in Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Amber Graham
• Jim Yerman Scholarship in Special Education
  • Alexandria Levesque
  • Tuba Smith
• John and Donna Larson Scholarship
  • Reese Kantrowitz
  • Anna Kardiolaka
  • Emily Lamorey
  • Alexandria Levesque
  • Maya Moneze
  • Tuba Smith
• Laura Bailey Endowed Scholarship
  • Amber Graham
  • Alexandria Levesque
  • Tuba Smith
• Laurie Ann Richardson Endowed Scholarship
  • Amelia Donnell
  • Richard Kayenda
• Gerald A. Mitchell Memorial Scholarship
  • Amber Graham
  • Maya Moneze
  • Amy Wolstenholme
• David F. Griffin Graduate Scholarship in Exceptional Student Education
  • Amelia Donnell