From collection Phi Gamma Delta AV Collection
2001 Dedication of the R. Kirk Landon (Georgia Tech 1950) Phi Gamma Delta House
This 1:36:30 color video is from the dedication of the R. Kirk Landon (Georgia Tech 1950) Phi Gamma Delta House at Florida International University on September 4, 2001.
The following is a letter sent to the FIU community by University president, Mark B. Rosenberg on March 25, 2015 on the passing of R. Kirk Landon (Georgia Institute of Technology 1950) which relates the service and generosity Kirk bestowed upon the FIU campus and community including the Sigma Phi chapter of Phi Gamma Delta.
Dear FIU community,
I am deeply saddened to share with you that former FIU trustee, a beloved friend and legendary FIU supporter, R. Kirk Landon, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 85 in his Coral Gables home.
Kirk has been one of FIU’s biggest advocates through the university’s entire history. He is woven into the essence of our university and his leadership has touched many aspects of the lives of our students, faculty and staff. Kirk’s contributions have been essential in helping us achieve our Worlds Ahead vision.
His legacy as a business leader is memorialized in the naming of the R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business. His enthusiasm for FIU athletics is evident in the R. Kirk Landon Fieldhouse.
Kirk’s involvement with FIU dates back to 1972, when he served on the University Advisory Board and the University Founders Council. He continued to be involved through the 80s and 90s and served on our Board of Trustees from 2005 to 2010. He was a member of the College of Business Dean’s Council, a founder of the FIU College of Medicine, and served on the FIU Foundation Board from 2003 to 2005 and again from 2011 to 2014.
Kirk was a past president of the South Florida Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and a supporter of FIU’s chapter. In 1998, the Kirk Foundation pledged a $1 million gift toward the fraternity house that now stands near the entrance to our Modesto A. Maidique Campus on 107 Avenue and SW 16 Street.
In 2003, we honored Kirk with an FIU Medallion.
A year later, Kirk made FIU history with a donation of $5 million – the single largest donation from an individual at that time – to create the R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business.
When we updated our football stadium, Kirk came forward with a generous $1 million gift. The headquarters of the football program was renamed to the R. Kirk Landon Fieldhouse in his honor.
Through the years, Kirk gave more than $10 million to FIU and he also gave freely of himself. He advocated. He pushed. He guided and mentored. And he made us all better. Kirk embodied the FIU spirit and was passionate about seeing the university continue to advance. In fact, just this last year, he volunteered to be a steering committee member for FIU’s capital campaign – helping the university to reach its next horizon.
Last year, he was honored with the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award at FIU College of Business’ Hall of Fame Awards. I invite you to watch the video we produced for this occasion. It captures him perfectly.
Kirk was also actively involved in many other community projects. He was the president of two charitable organizations: the Kirk Foundation and the Kirk A. and Dorothy P. Landon Foundation. He served as CEO of American Bankers Insurance Group until 1995 and chairman of its board of directors until his retirement in 1999.
Kirk is survived by his children Kathleen Staley and Chris Landon; his grandchildren Kirk Staley (FIU alumnus), Angela and Robert Spears; his niece Nance Guilmartin; and his partner of 18 years Pam Garrison.
Kirk leaves our community an invaluable legacy of leadership and generosity that will impact future generations of Panthers, and for that we are forever grateful. Kirk will be dearly remembered for his dedication and commitment to our FIU.
Details about services will follow as soon as they become available.
Sincerely,
Mark B. Rosenberg
President
Details
The following is a letter sent to the FIU community by University president, Mark B. Rosenberg on March 25, 2015 on the passing of R. Kirk Landon (Georgia Institute of Technology 1950) which relates the service and generosity Kirk bestowed upon the FIU campus and community including the Sigma Phi chapter of Phi Gamma Delta.
Dear FIU community,
I am deeply saddened to share with you that former FIU trustee, a beloved friend and legendary FIU supporter, R. Kirk Landon, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 85 in his Coral Gables home.
Kirk has been one of FIU’s biggest advocates through the university’s entire history. He is woven into the essence of our university and his leadership has touched many aspects of the lives of our students, faculty and staff. Kirk’s contributions have been essential in helping us achieve our Worlds Ahead vision.
His legacy as a business leader is memorialized in the naming of the R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business. His enthusiasm for FIU athletics is evident in the R. Kirk Landon Fieldhouse.
Kirk’s involvement with FIU dates back to 1972, when he served on the University Advisory Board and the University Founders Council. He continued to be involved through the 80s and 90s and served on our Board of Trustees from 2005 to 2010. He was a member of the College of Business Dean’s Council, a founder of the FIU College of Medicine, and served on the FIU Foundation Board from 2003 to 2005 and again from 2011 to 2014.
Kirk was a past president of the South Florida Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and a supporter of FIU’s chapter. In 1998, the Kirk Foundation pledged a $1 million gift toward the fraternity house that now stands near the entrance to our Modesto A. Maidique Campus on 107 Avenue and SW 16 Street.
In 2003, we honored Kirk with an FIU Medallion.
A year later, Kirk made FIU history with a donation of $5 million – the single largest donation from an individual at that time – to create the R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business.
When we updated our football stadium, Kirk came forward with a generous $1 million gift. The headquarters of the football program was renamed to the R. Kirk Landon Fieldhouse in his honor.
Through the years, Kirk gave more than $10 million to FIU and he also gave freely of himself. He advocated. He pushed. He guided and mentored. And he made us all better. Kirk embodied the FIU spirit and was passionate about seeing the university continue to advance. In fact, just this last year, he volunteered to be a steering committee member for FIU’s capital campaign – helping the university to reach its next horizon.
Last year, he was honored with the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award at FIU College of Business’ Hall of Fame Awards. I invite you to watch the video we produced for this occasion. It captures him perfectly.
Kirk was also actively involved in many other community projects. He was the president of two charitable organizations: the Kirk Foundation and the Kirk A. and Dorothy P. Landon Foundation. He served as CEO of American Bankers Insurance Group until 1995 and chairman of its board of directors until his retirement in 1999.
Kirk is survived by his children Kathleen Staley and Chris Landon; his grandchildren Kirk Staley (FIU alumnus), Angela and Robert Spears; his niece Nance Guilmartin; and his partner of 18 years Pam Garrison.
Kirk leaves our community an invaluable legacy of leadership and generosity that will impact future generations of Panthers, and for that we are forever grateful. Kirk will be dearly remembered for his dedication and commitment to our FIU.
Details about services will follow as soon as they become available.
Sincerely,
Mark B. Rosenberg
President
