SAE brother Marty Rifkin receives "Lifetime Achievement Award" at Annual Awards Ceremony
The University of Tampa's John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center, part of the Sykes College of Business, hosted its annual Alumni Awards ceremony on Feb. 29. This year's event honored individuals for exceptional contributions to entrepreneurship and society.
Marty Rifkin (’82) received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his enduring impact and contributions to the entrepreneurial landscape. Rifkin co-founded and launched (with his wife, Kate) Northwest Natural Products, inventing and bringing to market brands like Gummy Vites and Vitafusion. Rifkin called the evening, which had a record attendance of about 200 people, “uplifting for all the entrepreneurs in attendance.”
Marty was the original founder of the Florida Chi chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at the University of Tampa. Brother Rifkin was instrumental in starting the chapter, served as our first Eminent Archon, recruited the entire first class of founders, and was the main cog in bringing the SAE fraternity on campus from 1979-1982.
Dean A. Koutroumanis, associate director of the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center said, “Each awardee's journey reflects the transformative power of entrepreneurship, inspiring us all to reach greater heights and make a lasting impact on the world."