Happy Birthday UF!

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/

UF Alumni Association

I hope everyone enjoyed the first of many Gator victories this football season.  The University of Florida's Alumni Association is one of the largest alumni networks in the country.  This weekend, I had the pleasure of briefing the Board of Directors on the projects I am working on.

I shared an update on the progress of the Blue Light mobile application that I have been working on.  This app will improve safety on campus by providing students with a Blue Light phone on the screen of their smart phone.  I also shared my legislative goals with the board - to keep higher education affordable and predictable for current and future students.  Finally, I discussed ways that the Alumni Association can expand student memberships and engage the student body with the work that the Alumni Association is doing.

Don't forget that the Alumni Association has student memberships as well as alumni memberships.  Student memberships are inexpensive and provide many benefits, including: a UF Alumni tailgate chair, a koozie, a wide variety of Gator Savers discounts at various locations all over Gainesville and a BEAT T-shirt for each home game.  For more information, go check out the UFAA website at www.ufalumni.ufl.edu.