The University of Florida Alumni Association is an alumni organization for former students of the University of Florida

University of Florida

The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...

. It was founded in 1906 by the graduating class of that year and is still around today.

History

With those words, the 14 graduates of 1906 established the UF Alumni Association at the close of their commencement ceremony. The first president was W.A. Munsell of Green Cove Springs. At that time, the main purpose of the Alumni Association was to hold annual meetings and social events. Before settling into Emerson Alumni Hall, the Alumni Association offices have had a number of homes on campus, including Thomas Hall, Anderson Hall

Anderson Hall (Gainesville, Florida)

Anderson Hall is a historic building in Gainesville, Florida, in the northeastern section of the University of Florida campus. On June 27, 1979, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places...

, Ustler Hall

Women's Gymnasium (Gainesville, Florida)

Kathryn Chicone Ustler Hall is an historic building on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. It was designed by William Augustus Edwards in the Collegiate Gothic style. On June 27, 1979, it was added to the U.S...

, the basement of the University Auditorium

University Auditorium (Gainesville, Florida)

The University Auditorium, originally known as the Memorial Auditorium and sometimes called the University of Florida Auditorium, is an historic building on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, in the United States....

 and the Reitz Union

J. Wayne Reitz Union

The J. Wayne Reitz Union is the student union of the University of Florida, located on Museum Road on the university campus in Gainesville, Florida...

 (to name just a few). There have been 77 presidents and their role has significantly expanded since they started in 1906.

The University of Florida Alumni Association was organized and chartered in 1906 by the first group of graduates from the Gainesville campus. They are headquartered at Emerson Alumni Hall in Gainesville, Florida

Gainesville, Florida

Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...

. Today University of Florida alumni on record total nearly 340,000. The alumni can be found in every state and in more than 100 foreign countries. The Alumni Association is responsible for a network of nearly 100 Gator Clubs in Florida, across the U.S. and internationally. These clubs are composed of alumni and friends who represent UF in their communities. They hold a wide variety of programs and events in support of the university. The Alumni Association is also actively involved with the recruitment of superior students to attend the University and with financial assistance programs in the form of scholarships sponsored by the Gator Clubs. In addition, this organization hosts outreach programs that bring faculty and administrators on the road to carry the University's message to alumni and friends. Overall this is one of the largest Alumni Associations within the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

.

Benefactors

University of Florida has had many financial supporters, but some stand out by the magnitude of their contributions.

Among those who have made large donations commemorated at the university are:

David A. Cofrin Jerry & Judy Davis Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. was a prominent American businessman, citrus grower, politician and philanthropist who was a native and resident of Florida. Griffin was an alumnus of the University of Florida, a former state legislator, a one-time candidate for governor and a patron of college sports and... Frederick E. Fisher William R. Hough William R. Hough William R. Hough is a prominent investment banker and is known for being the most generous benefactor of the University of Florida.Hough received his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Florida in 1948. Hough was a member of Delta-Delta chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.... Fred G. Levin Fred Levin Fredric Gerson Levin is an American plaintiffs' attorney in the state of Florida, who is the owner of his own law practice in northwest Florida, Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Echsner & Proctor, P.A. The Fredric G. Levin College of Law at the University of Florida is named for him... Bill & Nadine McGuire James W. Heavener

Alfred A. McKethan Alfred A. McKethan Alfred Augustus McKethan was a prominent American banker, citrus grower, businessman and political appointee who was a native and resident of Florida.- Early life and education :... Evelyn & William McKnight McKnight Brain Institute The McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Florida is a research and teaching center, which conducts integrated Research in neuroscience, neurology, psychiatry, cognitive science, and related areas.... John C. Pruitt Jim & Alexis Pugh Marshall E. Rinker Rinker School of Building Construction The Building Construction program at the University of Florida prepares graduates for exciting careers in the construction industry. The core curriculum includes a mix of technical, managerial, and business courses. Graduates receive a comprehensive education including theory and practical... George A. Smathers Alfred C. Warrington Alfred C. Warrington Alfred Coard "Al" Warrington, IV is a former American accountant and business executive. Warrington was a managing partner of Arthur Andersen and the co-founder of Sanifill, Inc., a company which ultimately merged to create the new Waste Management, Inc... Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney was an American businessman, film producer, writer, and government official, as well as the owner of a leading stable of thoroughbred racehorses....

Mission statement

The mission of the University of Florida Alumni Association is to foster and enhance the relationship between the University of Florida, its alumni and friends, and to support the University's mission of teaching, research and service.

External links

• Official website