Today marks the 161st birthday of our beloved University of Florida. In the past century and a half, the Gator Nation has grown to include 50,000 current students and over 370,000 alumni living in 135 different countries. Gator alumni include the inventor of Gatorade, Dr. Robert Cade, nine former Florida Governors, two Nobel Prize laureates, three Heisman Trophy winners, Olympic medalists, authors, actors, comedians, and musicians.
In its 161 years, UF has seen the invention of the television, alumni John Atanasoff invented the digital computer, the rise of indoor air conditioning, two World Wars, a large portion of the Women's Suffrage movement, the Civil Rights movement, transition from an all male institution to a co-educational institution in 1924, and racial integration in 1958.
The Gator Nation has a large number of achievements to be proud of in our 161 year history and much to look forward to in coming years. Our university is growing and expanding, and will soon be among the top ten public universities in the nation. We are also unveiling the first ever fully online, 4-year degree program which launched this spring. There has never been a better time to be a Gator. Happy Birthday, UF. Here's to 161 more fantastic years!
Here are some cool "Then and Now" pictures from locations around campus
Photos from http://www.dmarlin.com/uf-then-now/
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