Give to the Robert T. Hattaway and Family Endowed Scholarship for Business, Entrepreneurship or Real Estate

Business owner. Real estate investor. Family man. Entrepreneur.

For Bob Hattaway, every day is precious. He has embraced that mantra his entire life, shaping his focus, drive and determination.

Bob’s indomitable spirit, passion for serving his community, and legacy as a businessman, inspired him and his family to instill these qualities in future business leaders through the establishment of the Robert T. Hattaway and Family Endowed Scholarship for Business, Entrepreneurship or Real Estate at Seminole State College. 

"The secret recipe is being involved and living your life in a way that people respect you and respect what you have done," he said, "because anybody can do what I've done."

That's a humble exaggeration, as Bob’s efforts through the years have made an indelible impact on the Central Florida community, especially Seminole County.

Bob’s involvement in the development and history of our community is evident in many ways, but his favorite accomplishments include: 

• his business ventures from humble beginnings in agriculture to growing the largest outdoor storage space in the country.
• his role in government, serving in the Florida House of Representatives for the 33rd district from 1974 to 1982 where he secured funding and initiatives that shaped the future of our community to what it is today.
• his involvement in establishing Orlando as a worldwide travel destination as a member of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), including four years as chair, where construction increased from $10 million to over $500 million in eight years. Earlier, he served on the Orlando Sanford International Airport Board of Directors and pushed for improvements that served as the groundwork for the expansion you see today.
• his civic involvement with the Orlando Jaycees, serving to create positive change and engaging other active young citizens to do the same.

His commitment to family, which includes Charlotte, his wife of almost four decades, two adult daughters, Teri and Pam, his grandson, Robert, and his many nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.

As a teenager, Bob would work for his father during the summer months pulling weeds in the fernery for 25 cents an hour. It began to shape a work ethic that would stay with him throughout the years. A Lyman High School graduate, Bob declined to attend college, as the family business beckoned.

Hattaway would spend nearly two decades in the family agriculture business, eventually expanding to greenhouses in 1972. He eventually converted the greenhouses to a self-storage business in Seminole County, home to several famous tenants including an army tank owned by Arnold Schwarzenegger; the bus from the 1994 film “Speed,” featuring Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves, and the Renault Type CB Coupe de Ville from the 1997 blockbuster film "Titanic."  The business grew incrementally, becoming the largest outdoor storage unit in the United States.

Bob urges students to use their time and education for a greater purpose: to become involved in our community, make an impact, value friends and cherish family.

His work ethic and consideration for others continue to resonate. It's a lesson we can all take to heart, and he hopes that recipients of his scholarship put it into practice in their lives and careers.

Seminole County high school graduates who possess a 3.5 GPA or higher and are pursuing a degree in business, entrepreneurship, or real estate through full-time enrollment (12+ credit hours per term) are eligible to apply. 

Learn more about Bob Hattaway’s legacy.