Category: Spotlight

The Association of Black Faculty and Staff: Advocating through action

In a Samuel Proctor Oral History Program interview conducted in 2011, Distinguished Service Professor Carlton Davis, Ph.D., recalled the words of his mentor Professor Glenn Johnson as, in 1970, Johnson persuaded Davis to join the University of Florida rather than accept positions at other organizations he was considering.

“The University of Florida needs you more than USAID [the United States Agency for International Development], or, if I dare say, the University of West Indies,” Davis recalls Johnson telling him. “It’s not going to be easy, but I think that you can have an impact on the University of Florida in terms of what you can do — in terms of breaking down barriers.”

College of Medicine staff member goes from cardiac arrest patient to CPR advocate

In April 2020, Steve Ryan experienced sudden cardiac arrest that stopped his heart for 12 minutes.

“It turns out if you really care, it makes a difference.”

When she assumed the role of UF’s vice president for human resources five and a half years ago, Jodi Gentry’s vision was to help create a competitive advantage for the university through people — strong individual contributors, high-functioning collaborators and teams, and excellent leaders — where their best work would be encouraged, enabled, expected and recognized.

UF TREEO Center celebrates its instructors

The UF Center for Training, Research and Education for Environmental Occupations, or TREEO, recently held a day-long workshop and award luncheon for more than 20 trainers who have helped make the center a leader in environmental occupations training since 1977.

Looking for new listening material? Try tuning into a UF podcast

Whether you’re going for a walk or run, stuck in traffic or just washing the dishes, podcasts can make your daily routine more fun and informative. And because here at UF we have countless experts on what seems like every topic under the sun, it’s likely no surprise that we’re also home to a number of podcasts.

If you’re looking for a new podcast to enjoy, tune into one or more of the podcasts below and be sure to let us know if we forgot any of your favorites!

How UF helps veterans succeed as they pursue an education

Veterans Day is a time for us to honor those who bravely served our country. Thanks to the GI Bill, thousands of military veterans have been able to pursue an education at the University of Florida.

In a recent episode of From Florida, Roselind Brown of the Collegiate Veterans Success Center, discussed UF’s history of working with veterans, and U.S. Coast Guard Officer and UF|IFAS Ph.D. student Savanna Turner talked about the opportunities and challenges veterans face on a college campus.

McKnight Brain Institute staff member’s warmth and compassion inspire others

Greta Walker has worked at UF for more than 20 years in her current role as a custodian for the McKnight Brain Institute (MBI).

Gilbert Rivers Upchurch elected to the National Academy of Medicine

Gilbert Rivers Upchurch Jr., M.D., has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine.

Nurturing Pride in community with LGBTQ+ affinity groups

As part of LGBTQ+ History Month, community organizations throughout Gainesville come together in October to celebrate Gainesville Pride.

An unexpected conversation builds trust, overcomes one man’s hesitance

Mark Hall was skeptical about the COVID-19 vaccine and unvaccinated. One night at Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille, Duane Mitchell, M.D., Ph.D., renowned cancer researcher and director of the UF Clinical and Translational Science Institute, sat down next to Mark by chance. The two got to talking about the vaccine and Mark asked Dr. Mitchell all of the questions he had about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. After three hours of respectful conversation, Mark decided he was ready to get vaccinated if Dr. Mitchell would be by his side when he did.