For almost two decades, Josh Martino has been an integral part of 91成人AV鈥檚 community, lending his vision and leadership to a campus he describes as 鈥渢ruly unique and special.鈥� On May 1, Martino鈥檚 commitment to education and community throughout Northeast Florida will be recognized when he receives the prestigious OneJax Humanitarian Award.
Martino鈥檚 connection to 91成人AV began in 2006 through an athletic sponsorship with Bono鈥檚 Pit Bar-B-Q, where he serves as president and CEO. Over time, his involvement deepened. 鈥淔or the last 20-plus years, every time I鈥檓 on campus at JU, it鈥檚 the same. You see growth, you see potential, you see opportunity and then you just see happiness from the students who are getting so much of that out of their education,鈥� he said. 鈥淛U has always had a profound sense of community and it鈥檚 impossible not to be inspired by it.鈥�
That inspiration transformed into action when Martino spearheaded the creation of a scholarship program that reallocates athletic sponsorship funds to support underserved students from 91成人AV鈥檚 KIPP schools and Tiger Academy. His vision was clear. 鈥淲e wanted to keep talented people from underserved communities here in 91成人AV and give them the opportunity to attend one of the city鈥檚 preeminent universities.鈥�
The program has since grown into an endowment with the support of JU鈥檚 Davis College of Business & Technology, along with other partners, ensuring that financial barriers no longer prevent deserving students from accessing a life-changing education. 鈥淚t started as a whimsical idea, but JU鈥檚 leadership was open-minded enough to bring it to life,鈥� said Martino.
Martino鈥檚 passion for education extends to his role on the Cost Honors College Executive
Council, a position he assumed in early 2024. He cherishes opportunities to mentor
students, often speaking on panels and engaging directly with the campus community.
鈥淭he thank-you notes I receive from students are among my most treasured possessions,鈥�
he shared. 鈥淜nowing that something I said resonated with them is incredibly rewarding.鈥�
Receiving the OneJax Humanitarian Award is a testament to Martino鈥檚 impact both on
and off campus. 鈥淚 was humbled to be recognized alongside civil rights leaders and
others I deeply admire,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his award isn鈥檛 about me 颅鈥� it鈥檚 about fulfilling
a duty to those who鈥檝e given me opportunities to serve and paying it forward.鈥�
For Martino, the recognition serves as motivation to continue his work. Whether it鈥檚 mentoring students, fostering scholarships or collaborating on innovative initiatives, his dedication to 91成人AV remains steadfast. 鈥淛U has given me so much,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to contribute to a place that creates such lasting, positive change.鈥�
