Abare has served at Flagler for 40 years

Historic City News has learned that to mark President William T. Abare Jr.’s 10th year of leadership, Flagler College will host a special tribute event — featuring a dinner, a silent auction and warm recollections of Abare’s contributions to the college and the community.

The event, “Dr. William T. Abare, Jr. Enters the Lions’ Den: Roasting and Honoring 10 Years of Presidential Leadership,” will be held Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. in the college’s dining room in historic Ponce de Leon Hall. The roast takes place on the eve of the annual President’s Golf Classic at Sawgrass.

Abare has served at Flagler for 40 years, and this upcoming academic year marks his 10th as president. Prior to assuming his position as the institution’s chief executive officer, Abare served as the executive vice president and dean of academic affairs for 12 years.

St. Augustine Mayor Joe Boles will serve as honorary “Roast Master” at the tribute event and will be joined onstage by fellow “roasters” State Rep. and college Chancellor Dr. William L. Proctor, Alumnus Mitch Walk and Bill Abare III, who will share stories and invite participation from attendees.

In support of Abare’s passion for sports, the evening will include a silent auction featuring sports memorabilia, including signed Johnny Unitas photos and a photograph of the Ponce de Leon Hotel autographed by Fred Funk, VJ Singh and Jim Furyk.

In addition to the silent auction, a special live auction will feature a signed Johnny Unitas jersey, a set of 25th Anniversary Jack Nicklaus Commemorative clubs and a 2000 S-Type 4.0L V8 Jaguar. Kelly Blue Book value on the Jaguar is $6,500; bidding will start at $4,000. The golf clubs are a limited edition reproduction of the MacGregor clubs played by Nicklaus from 1961 through 1967. All proceeds from the evening’s auctions and roast ticket sales will benefit the Flagler College Athletics Scholarship Fund.

“The roasting of Bill Abare will be a jolly affair,” said Boles. “We’ll offer up our falsehoods, realizing there is not a bad word to possibly be said about him. We’ll have to make up our own!”

Tickets for the roast event and registration for the President’s Golf Classic are available by contacting the Office of College Relations at 904-819-6205.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News archive photograph