The G Fund was named after Giovanni Villanueva.  As a diver, coaches could not yell across the pool "Giovanni" so they lovingly called him "G" - and it stuck.  Giovanni was involved in the orchestra (cello), scouts, sports (diving & gymnastics), and cooking.  After graduating from Freedom High in Orlando, FL he went to UNCW as a Marine Biology major and a diver on the Swimming & Diving team.  After 2 years he made a big change in his life and came home to begin studying culinary arts at Valencia College.  Thanks to Chef James Slattery he also got his start in a fine dining kitchen.  

Giovanni was also epileptic, and in 2016, at the age of 21 he died from SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy).  Although he did not finish his education Valencia awarded us his diploma in Culinary Management (in memoriam).