• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Katherine Harris welcomes new USF system president to Sarasota

Steven Currall became the University of South Florida system president in July.


  • By Whitney Elfstrom
  • | 12:55 p.m. September 27, 2019
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Florida's former Secretary of State Katherine Harris and her husband Richard Ware introduced University of South Florida system President Steven Currall and his wife Cheyenne to the Sarasota community on Thursday.

Currall became the University of South Florida system president in July when Judy Genshaft retired after 19 years as president. Harris and Ware, who married in 2017, met the couple in Dallas when Currall was the provost of Southern Methodist University and Ware served on the board of trustees. 

Ware said as soon as it was announced that Currall would be the next USF system president, he and Katherine decided to throw them a welcome party. 

"We really wanted to introduce the Curralls to Sarasota to let them know how special this place is, how much we want to take care of them and how much we value USF," Harris said. 

The night began with a cocktail hour, followed by speeches surrounding USF's recent move toward consolidation of its three campuses and ended with guests watching the sunset from the home's terrace. 

 

Richard Ware, Katherine Harris, Steven Currall and Cheyenne Currall
Richard Ware, Katherine Harris, Steven Currall and Cheyenne Currall
Katherine Harris welcomes guests to her home.
Katherine Harris welcomes guests to her home.
Richard Ware, Katherine Harris, Karen Holbrook, Steven Currall and Cheyenne Currall
Richard Ware, Katherine Harris, Karen Holbrook, Steven Currall and Cheyenne Currall
Guests watch as Katherine Harris gives her speech.
Guests watch as Katherine Harris gives her speech.
Jim Holbrook, David Band and Eddie Beauchamp
Jim Holbrook, David Band and Eddie Beauchamp
Jon and Teresa Mast
Jon and Teresa Mast
Sarah Nakamoto, Kurtis Nakamoto, Ping Faulhaber, Keri Nakamoto and Robert Henning
Sarah Nakamoto, Kurtis Nakamoto, Ping Faulhaber, Keri Nakamoto and Robert Henning
Laurie Fox, Jennifer Beneie and Tredway Childress
Laurie Fox, Jennifer Beneie and Tredway Childress
Teresa Mast and Allison Imre Perkowski
Teresa Mast and Allison Imre Perkowski
Wendi Chapman and Barbara Gardner
Wendi Chapman and Barbara Gardner
Mimi Kinkead, Jeff Kinkead, Roberto Villanueva and Clara Reynardus de Villanueva
Mimi Kinkead, Jeff Kinkead, Roberto Villanueva and Clara Reynardus de Villanueva
Patrick Wright, Lisa Krouse and Keith Mercier
Patrick Wright, Lisa Krouse and Keith Mercier
Paul King and Karen Holbrook, regional chancellor of University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee
Paul King and Karen Holbrook, regional chancellor of University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee

 

Latest News

Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee
The house at 3638 San Remo Terrace overlooks the north Siesta Key bridge.
  • February 5, 2026
Rock star sells Sarasota estate for $7.5 million
Philip DiMaria says “there is a great opportunity here for St. Armands to evolve and become incredible again.”
  • February 5, 2026
Urban planner shares bold ideas to solve flooding on St. Armands

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
  • February 6, 2026
Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause
Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
  • February 5, 2026
Patriots Pier in Siesta Key receives new flagpoles
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
Perfectly in sync, Ski-A-Rees skiers Natalie Brannon, Debbie Brannon, Ella Walker and Steph Ouellette skim across Sarasota Bay, blending athleticism and grace.
  • February 5, 2026
From flips to ballet, Ski-A-Rees have done it all on the water since 1957
Sarah Firstenberger was named CEO of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce in June.
  • February 4, 2026
Siesta Key Chamber’s new leader takes the helm
Chamber launches summertime internship program
  • February 4, 2026
Chamber launches summertime internship program

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now