Samuel P. Bell III, a former legislator in the Florida House of Representatives and founder of the USF College of Public Health (COPH), was posthumously awarded USF’s Distinguished Citizen Award at the university’s 2023 spring commencement held May 7.

Bell died on March 14, 2023, at the age of 83.

USF’s Distinguished Citizen Award is one of the university’s highest honors and recognizes a U.S. citizen—usually a Floridian—who has rendered distinguished public service to those in the USF community and the state as a whole.

Bell was honored for his tireless support of USF and the people of Florida.

He served in the Florida House from 1974 to 1988. He lobbied the Florida Legislature to create a college of public health to train the next generation of public health officials and serve the health needs of Floridians.

In 1984, the USF College of Public Health (COPH), the first college of public health in the state, opened its doors.

Bell laid the groundwork for such public health initiatives as Florida Healthy Kids, a government-subsidized insurance plan, as well as the subsidized adoptions of special-needs children and regulation of tap water temperature to prevent scalding deaths.

He also served on numerous USF boards, including the advisory boards for WUSF Public Media, the Center for Strategic and Diplomatic Studies and endowed scholarships to the COPH, USF’s School of Music and the women’s basketball team.

“Sam Bell was a champion for USF and an advocate for making our communities better places to live,” commented USF President Rhea Law. “Not only did I have an opportunity to see Sam’s impact on the university, but I was also fortunate to work with him during my legal career and benefit from his smart, effective approach to creating good public policy.  We’re proud to honor Sam’s legacy as a very deserving recipient of the Distinguished Citizen Award.”

Betty Castor, Bell’s wife and former USF president, accepted the award, presented by COPH Dean Donna Petersen, on his behalf.

Noting that his “dedication, loyalty and love belonged to the University of South Florida,” Castor reminded the audience of the many accomplishments of Bell, his vast service to USF and the accolades the college he founded has garnered.

 “The trajectory of the college has been nothing short of miraculous. Sam was always the number-one champion, cheering every step of the way. Not one to sit on the sidelines, he was personally involved in the college serving as an affiliate professor. He met with faculty and students, traveled to the global office in Panama and visited with master’s degree students in faraway Uganda. He was eternally grateful when Dean Donna Petersen presented—err—negotiated a parking space close to the building. That was a gift! Sam established endowments for public health students and most recently established a new endowment in public health policy.”

Castor concluded her comments by noting that Bell “understood USF more than most and was immensely proud of its history and accomplishments. Sam Bell was a proud Bull!”

To view the commencement ceremony and Castor’s comments, click here.

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health