James M. Seneff, a renowned alumnus and significant benefactor of Florida State University, shared with a group of distinguished business students, known as Seneff Scholars, last week regarding an FSU business course from the 1960s that profoundly impacted his life.
This course enlightened him about the significance of compounding – the growth of returns on an investment and its earnings.
“Because of that class, I needed to reorganize my mindset about everything,” Seneff stated. “I had to reevaluate my perspective on business, how to generate value within business, and how to allocate my time effectively.”
Seneff, who was inducted into the College of Business Alumni Hall of Fame in 2006 and serves as the founder and executive chairman of CNL Financial Group in Orlando, addressed the attendees as the guest of honor at a medaling ceremony for the sixth cohort of the James M. Seneff Honors Program.
This program commenced in the fall of 2019, supported by a $5 million donation to the college from the CNL Charitable Foundation in tribute to Seneff, who leads CNL Financial Group, a private investment management company now in its 52nd year. Since its establishment, the firm and its affiliates have developed or acquired entities with over $34 billion in assets.
“Regardless of what you learn or which strategies and tactics you apply, success is a product of The Compound Effect. The Compound Effect doesn’t yield immediate, linear outcomes but provides long-lasting, exponential results. It’s a superpower.”
— James M. Seneff
“The concepts I absorbed in finance at FSU have influenced me up to the present,” remarked Seneff, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1968.
The medaling event was held at the FSU President’s House, where President Richard McCullough and First Lady Jai Vartikar greeted 15 Seneff Scholars, along with their relatives and friends.
Also in attendance were Michael Hartline, the dean of the College of Business; Mark and Nan Hillis, dedicated FSU supporters and members of the college’s Alumni Hall of Fame; along with Seneff and his spouse, Martha.
“Jim and Martha, we appreciate your immense generosity,” McCullough expressed to the Seneffs.
The contribution to establish the James M. Seneff Honors Program and the James M. Seneff Fund for Preeminence “offers transformative experiences and opportunities for our top-tier business students, enhancing not only the college but the university in remarkable fashions,” McCullough explained.
“To the parents and loved ones” of the scholars, he continued: “I can only imagine the pride you must feel being here today.”
The Seneff program comprises a community of premier undergraduate business students who partake in an exceptionally challenging curriculum emphasizing innovation, leadership, collaboration, and enduring relationships.
This initiative aligns with the University Honors Program, enabling students to receive educational advantages in fields beyond the College of Business.
“We commend you for all that you embody, which reflects the qualities of the College of Business: integrity, leadership, and preeminence, just to begin with,” Hartline addressed the scholars. “You are the reason we stand out.”
Building on his insights about compounding, Seneff informed participants that he would present each Seneff Scholar with a copy of “The Compound Effect,” a book he identifies as a “condensation of the essential principles that have driven remarkable accomplishments in business, relationships, and beyond.”
“Regardless of what you learn, which strategies or tactics you put into practice, success arises from The Compound Effect,” Seneff explained to the scholars, reiterating it for emphasis. “The Compound Effect doesn’t provide immediate, linear results but instead delivers enduring, exponential outcomes. It’s a superpower.”
Seneff discussed the CNL Charitable Foundation’s mission to cultivate leaders “who are making a significant difference for those they influence,” along with the exclusive Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, which welcomed him as a member in 2010. This association awards scholarships to aspiring and dedicated students who demonstrate essential financial need, as well as integrity and resilience in overcoming challenges.
Seneff recounted the day he received his Horatio Alger medal. The ceremony was held at the U.S. Supreme Court and included a cohort featuring former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and retired four-star U.S. Army General Tommy Franks.
“I will always remember that day,” he recalled.
During the ceremony at FSU last week, Luke Hopkins, a senior lecturer and the director of the Seneff Honors Program, announced the names of each current Seneff Scholar. Seneff placed a medal around the neck of each student and took photos with McCullough and Hartline, capturing moments with all of them.
“One of the aspects that makes this program particularly meaningful to us is that students receive a medal, just as I did at the Supreme Court,” Seneff stated, referring to himself and his wife. “We are deeply grateful for these new scholars. We firmly believe that this program represents one of our most significant legacies.”
For more information regarding program eligibility and the application process for the 2025 cohort, visit business.fsu.edu/seneffscholars.
The 2024 Seneff Scholars, selected last fall, are:
- Savannah Boutwell (Real Estate ’26)
- Olivia DeForest (Finance and Professional Sales ’26)
- Tyler Doherty (Marketing ’27)
- Brinlee Foreman (Accounting ’26)
- M.J. Hanlon (Finance and Accounting ’27)
- Matt Kempinski (Finance and Real Estate ’27)
- Jaden Khokhar (Finance and Philosophy ’26)
- James Korec (Finance and Political Science ’26)
- Collin Mungall (Accounting and MIS ’27)
- Sean O’Leary (Accounting and Marketing ’26)
- Savanna Schenk (MIS and Professional Sales ’27)
- Drake Shook (Finance and Economics ’26)
- Charly Slager (MIS ’26)
- Kate Tipping (RMI and Actuarial Science ’27)
- Kieley Whittaker (Real Estate and Finance ’26)
The article Seneff Scholars receive medals, hear from benefactor about FSU lessons that ‘have impacted me to this day’ first appeared on Florida State University News.