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University Recognizes Community Efforts

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 3, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - As youngsters, they belonged to the same church and both attended the University of Tampa. But it wasn't until long after Temple Terrace resident Sylvia D'Aloia's graduation that she came to recognize the significant role Ron Govin has played in the Tampa Bay area.

So impressed was D'Aloia - a University of Tampa National Alumni Association member - that she nominated her fellow Temple Terrace resident for the 2008 Esse Quam Videri Outstanding Alumni Award, the school's highest honor bestowed on a graduate.

To her delight, Govin was named its recipient, based upon the outstanding achievements in his career, his involvement in the community and his contributions to the university. The award affords him the privilege of donning a cap and gown and sitting among other dignitaries on the speakers platform during the college's commencement ceremony May 10.

"I so admire his integrity in everything he does. He is one of the best," she said.

Govin, 67, is chief executive officer of MarkMaster, a highly successful, family-owned and -operated manufacturer of products such as rubber stamps and name badges that was the 2001 Greater Temple Terrace Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year. The company contributes annual scholarships to Latino students at UT and the University of South Florida, commemorating Govin's grandparents who emigrated from Cuba in 1906.

He served as the chamber's president in 1998 and was given its President's Award in 1999.

Govin is a co-founder of Hospice of Hillsborough, now LifePath Hospice, and was a member of its board of directors for 13 years, including 1988 through 1990 when he was president.

He served an eight-year term as a commissioner on the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission and in 1990 was its chairman. He also is a board member and treasurer of the Ybor City Museum Society and Missions Unlimited.

Govin was elected to the Temple Terrace City Council in November 2004 and is the council's representative in the downtown redevelopment negotiations between developer Ram Development Co./Pinnacle Realty Advisors and city staff.

In addition, the city councilman is a deacon and Sunday school teacher at the First Baptist Church of Temple Terrace.

Govin said the alumni award was unexpected.

"I was shocked, to be honest," said Govin, who moved from Tampa to Temple Terrace in 1986. "I just enjoy doing things to help others, and you do these things because you feel they need to be done."

He has been married to his wife, Judy, for 47 years and is the father of sons Mark, 46, and Kevin, 44, who also graduated from UT and are employed in the family business. One of his four grandchildren, Katie Scarlet Govin, is a senior at the university.

"As his wife, I'm very proud of his significant civic involvement and of his love for the Lord," Judy Govin said.

Longtime Temple Terrace residents Sherrill and Paul Tomasino consider Govin a good friend.

"I just think it's a well-deserved honor because Ron has represented the community and the region very well," Sherrill Tomasino said.

Paul Tomasino echoed his wife's sentiments.

"I don't have the adjectives to describe him, but he certainly is one of the tops out of the people I've been associated with," he said.

Govin's friend and former Temple Terrace City Councilman Jerry King said that whenever there is an issue that needs attention, Govin is always willing to get involved.

"He always has a quiet energy, and he never ducks negative issues," King said. "He can agree to disagree with people on some things, but it doesn't affect his relationship with them. In my view, that's a marvelous trait."

Former Temple Terrace Mayor George Fee described Govin as a man who "is always giving, never taking."

"He takes on projects nobody else will," Fee said.

"He's No. 1 in my book."

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