Philanthropy Spotlight: JAXPORT

During this season of giving, Jacksonville University would like to thank and spotlight its generous corporate donors for their support this past year. 

The Philanthropy Spotlight Series will continue with JAXPORT. See why it choses to partner with Jacksonville University on the Connected community outreach program, benefitting the St. Johns River.

What is JAXPORT’s philanthropic philosophy?

As Northeast Florida’s economic engine, JAXPORT is committed to giving back to the community through initiatives that enhance the economic vitality of Northeast Florida and improve the quality of life for citizens throughout the region. JAXPORT supports programs focused on environmental stewardship, education, small business, workforce development, and community initiatives.

How does supporting Jacksonville University and the Connected initiative align with JAXPORT’s philanthropic values?

The St. Johns River is Jacksonville’s connection to the global economy and is critical to the quality of life for all of us in Northeast Florida. Protecting the river is a priority of JAXPORT and the Connected program combines two key pillars of our community outreach program, education and environmental stewardship, to benefit our river and community.

In addition to the Connected partnership, what are other ways that JAXPORT supports Jacksonville University and its students?

In 2020, JAXPORT hosted a session of JU’s Virtual Marine Science Summer Camp to educate students ages 8-18 about the economic impact and job opportunities created by cargo activity at JAXPORT. You can watch the video here.

If you have JU students or graduates working at JAXPORT, how would you describe them as employees and how have they been able to contribute to the company?

JAXPORT has JU alumni in several departments of the organization, including cargo sales, marketing and finance. Our Chief of Staff and Chief Financial Officer Beth McCague, ’87, holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Jacksonville University.

“The business world is always changing and evolving. To stay ahead, I decided to broaden my perspective and enter into the Executive MBA program at Jacksonville University. In the program, I was surrounded by people of all different backgrounds, each of whom provided different perspectives. The program strengthened my approach to problem-solving, a skill I have used throughout my life and career.” – Beth McCague, ’87, JAXPORT Chief of Staff and Chief Financial Officer

JAXPORT’s JU graduates are extremely knowledgeable in their fields, and are able to quickly adapt to the rapidly changing transportation and logistics environment.