Walk into Mark Zeigler’s classroom and you will find him inspiring hundreds of students through a course in public speaking. Ranging from finance to humanities majors, Mark’s students are being taught invaluable skills that will apply in every facet of their professional and personal lives. His courses teach his students how to speak in the boardroom, give wedding toasts, and create human connection. The values that Mark teaches go beyond any knowledge found between the pages of a textbook.

For the past ten years, he’s spent his summer break with students in the London Communication Exchange Program. For six weeks, he guides students in discovering London’s culture while teaching rhetorical communication. One of Mark’s claim to fame (and endearment to students) is his participation at each graduation ceremony – reading every name of each student as they come up the stage to receive their diploma. His dedication to an honored tradition significantly contributes to the student experience, sending them off to a new chapter in their lives as proud graduates of Florida State University.

In their careers, alumni executives from Facebook to NBC Universal have found Mark’s foundations to be essential to their success. Generations of students have joined together to create the Mark Zeigler Center for Public Speaking Excellence as their way of saying ‘thank you’ and ensuring future ‘Noles are afforded the same opportunities they were.

Why it Matters

Mark’s dedication to his students and the university is unparalleled. Your gift creates opportunities for faculty members like Mark to reach more students.