Inside The Gator Nation

Volume II, Issue I - October 11, 2008

stewarts — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:46:17 +0000

President Machen reflects on economic downturn, offers hope for UF’s future

Amid ongoing economic uncertainties, Machen is confident UF will persevere, and in the final analysis be stronger than ever…

Homecoming offers fun, Gator Growl to feature Steve Miller Band

This year’s Homecoming activities include the Homecoming Parade, Gator Gallop, Alumni Barbecue and Gator Growl — the world’s largest student-run pep rally…
Homecoming Web site | Gator Growl Web site

UF, Berkeley receive $4 million grant to continue mapping with lasers

The National Science Foundation recently awarded a five-year $4 million renewal grant to researchers at the University of Florida and the University of California at Berkeley…

This may bug you: new roaches possibly coming to Florida

UF research shows that a growing interest among reptile enthusiasts to farm the insects as lizard food could result in several new cockroach varieties invading the state…

NPR’s oral history project comes to Gainesville for 24-day stay

Members of the UF/Gainesville community are invited to share their individual life stories through a national audio recording project beginning in Gainesville on Oct. 23…

Wolves show scientists are barking up the wrong tree

UF research reveals that wolves raised by people are at least as good as — and perhaps better than — dogs at following human signals…

Shands at UF celebrates 50th birthday, Gala to benefit Cancer Hospital

Shands has grown a lot since the first patient 50 years ago…
Shands 50th Anniversary Web site | Shands 50th Anniversary Gala

Smith chosen as Draddy Trophy semifinalist

UF’s Tim Tebow was the youngest recipient of the Heisman Trophy last season as a sophomore, but senior long snapper James Smith is in the running for a “Heisman” of his own this year…

UF challenges Georgia in canned food drive

A contest between Florida and Georgia to collect canned food will culminate on Nov. 1 at the Florida-Georgia football game…

Tell your “Gator Story” at InsideTheGatorNation.com

When did you become a Gator? Tell your story in writing or video at insidethegatornation.com. A few sele
ct
videos will air on the jumbo screens at The Swamp and O’Connell Center…

THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Volume I, Issue 5 - August 15, 2008

akirby — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:50:11 +0000

Two UF professors chosen as volunteers for Beijing Olympics

Two professors in the UF’s College of Human and Health Performance were selected as official volunteers by the Beijing Olympic Committee, and a blog of their experiences is available…

Machen, Meyer to speak at 38th annual UF Joint Civic Club Luncheon

President Bernie Machen and Head Football Coach Urban Meyer will kick off the 2008-2009 academic year and football season at the 38th annual UF Joint Civic Club Luncheon on Aug. 20 at the Hilton…

Celebrate the Firsts

September 15, 1958 marks the official date of UF integration. A year-long commemoration of the 50th anniversary has begun. As we reflect on this historical milestone, we would like to keep a record of your memories and ‘firsts.’ E-mail submissions may be sent to Florida@uff.ufl.edu. A 50th anniversary Web site and video are available at http://www.urel.ufl.edu/50/

New executive director of UF Alumni Association named

One of the nation’s best-known and most-respected professionals in the field of alumni relations has been selected to lead the University of Florida Alumni Association…

UF Research: Florida mosquito populations are booming, but diseases aren’t

Sometimes, the tiny vampires cover Alan Curtis’ legs in writhing black. Other times, only a few come for a nibble…

Gatorettes win two national titles

The University of Florida’s Gatorettes, the twirling dancers of the UF Gator Band, recently won two national titles at the National Baton Twirling Association’s USA and World Twirling Championships…

Student Health Care Center receives distinguished accreditation

The UF Student Health Care Center (SHCC) recently achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). This distinguishes the SHCC from many other health care facilities by providing a safe-work environment and the highest quality of care to patients…

Calendar of events

Do you live near UF or are you planning to visit soon? A calendar of UF happenings is available by clicking on the blue “calendar” button at UF’s homepage…

Coming soon…

The Inside The Gator Nation e-newsletter soon will be linked to a new Web site. The site will allow for pictures, UF news, your personal Gator stories and more. Watch for it in coming months.

Volume I, Issue 4 - May 5, 2008

stewarts — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:16:53 +0000

Declining state revenues lead to $47 million reduction in UF budget In response to the budget adopted last Friday by the Florida Legislature, UF today announced cuts…

New UF provost named Joe Glover, interim dean of the UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been named provost effective July 1, as announced by President Bernie Machen. Glover succeeds Janie Fouke, who announced in March that she was stepping down…

New dean selected for College of Liberal Arts and Sciences The associate dean of humanities at theUniversity of Kansas has been selected as the dean of the UF’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences…

UF math professor wins Norway’s prestigious Abel Prize UF math professor, John Griggs Thompson, has won the world’s most prestigious award in mathematics — sharing a $1.2 million award…

Tebow honored at state capitol UF quarterback Tim Tebow recently met with Governor Charlie Crist and members of the Senate and House of Representatives in Tallahassee…

UF’s first full-scale emergency notification test a success The first full-scale test of UF’s emergency notification system concluded at noon on April 16 and proved successful, both in terms of what went well and what officials learned needs improvement…

Humans inhabited New World’s doorstep for 20,000 years The human journey from Asia to the New World was interrupted by a 20,000-year layover in Beringia, and the New World was colonized by approximately 1,000 to 5,000 people — a substantially higher number than the 100 or fewer individuals of previous estimates…

Social form of bullying linked to depression, anxiety in adults Spreading rumors and gossiping may not cause bruises or black eyes, but the psychological consequences of this social type of bullying could linger into early adulthood, a new UF study shows…

Future Army veterinarian among 8,675 students set to graduate from UF During his time in the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, Gregory Reppas has worked with the U.S. Navy’s mine-detecting dolphins, tended sled-racing dogs for Alaska’s Iditarod and done hands-on work with alligators in St. Augustine…

Softball team wins SEC title The Gators beat Tennessee on May 4, earning the team’s second conference title in school history…
THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

UF license plate first in the state to sell more than 100,000 in a single year

gogatornation — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:52:31 +0000

Thanks to the University of Florida specialty license plate, more than 100,000 Florida drivers now have The Gator Nation behind them wherever they go.

The UF plate outsold every contender and beat the second-place design, “Protect the Panther,” by more than 20,000 sales. Among universities, the closest competitor was Florida State University, which sold about 30,000 fewer plates.

The 105,361 sales last year spell good news for the newly redesigned license plate. The Gator plate was redesigned for 2007 with a Gator Nation theme to better fit the university’s overall marketing plan.

The high sales can be attributed to many things, including UF’s recent success in sports and the effectiveness of The Gator Nation branding campaign, said Dan Williams, UF director of marketing communications.

Most of all, he said, the plate is successful because people are proud to be associated with UF.

“The Gator Nation brand is based on pride,” Williams said, “and there’s no stronger emotion to base a brand on than pride.”

In addition to bragging rights, UF license plate sales bring with them a financial benefit to the university.

The extra $25 fee to purchase or renew a Gator specialty plate goes directly to UF. Of that revenue, 60 percent goes to scholarships as distributed by the provost, and 40 percent is used for the university’s general fundraising operation.

In total, UF received $2,634,025 from the 2007 license plate sales.

There are no plans for further revisions of the UF plate in the immediate future, Williams said. As long as sales are strong, the current design will live on.

“We don’t want to mess with success,” he said.

Volume I, Issue 3 - January 23, 2008

stewarts — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:03:37 +0000

Moffitt Cancer Center, Shands, UF to partner to improve cancer care Moffitt Cancer Center, Shands HealthCare and the University of Florida announced today that they will work together to develop world-class programs in cancer care, research and prevention…

Text messaging to students/employees a success The first test of UF’s new text messaging system was an overall success…

Pugh Hall opens in historic district A formal dedication will soon be held in recognition of the new Jim and Alexis Pugh Hall, a 40,000-square-foot facility in UF’s historic district. Read more and watch time-lapsed video of the construction…

UF Police Department is nation’s first to earn Triple Crown The University of Florida Police Department (UFPD) is the first in the country to receive “Triple Crown” status by receiving accreditation by three distinct entities…

UF’s middle-school reform efforts receive $600,000 donation Thanks to a donation by Fred and Christine Shewey of Gainesville, the College of Education is creating an endowment to support research and programs aimed at middle school reform and enhancement…

UF research warns of smokeless tobacco The “tobacco harm reduction” theory of weaning smokers off cigarettes by advising them to switch to smokeless products, such as snuff and chewing tobacco, could send the wrong message – encouraging nonsmokers to pick up a dangerous and addictive habit…

UF plans to build new life science, technology incubator Some 160,000 feet of life science- and technology-related laboratory and office space will be built on the UF campus…

T-shirts to be given away at Jan. 24 basketball game First-year Gator head coach Amanda Butler and the Florida women’s basketball team will host No. 14 Georgia at 7 p.m. Thursday at the O’Connell Center. The first 1,000 fans will receive t-shirts, courtesy of Gatorade…

2007 Basketball National Champions Stein

danwill — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:41:54 +0000

24 oz ceramic stein with oversized handle for easy gripping. Printed 2007 National Champions graphic on front, with the 2007 season schedule and results on back.

Gator Hugger

danwill — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:59:29 +0000

Wrap the Gator Hugger’s arms around anything and he will hold on tight! Gator Hugger is 24″ from the tip of his toes to the top of his outstretched “hands.”

Ceramic replica of The Swamp

danwill — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:31:22 +0000

Detailed replica of UF’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, known to Gators everywhere as “The Swamp.”

New items coming soon … stay tuned!

danwill — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 15:07:24 +0000

Oval Gator Platter

danwill — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:00:02 +0000

The Gator Nation is everywhere - even on your table. High quality painted platter from Magnolia Lane.