Stephen Root Talks About His Journey Into Acting and His Love of the Gators

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WINTER 2019

OH YEAH, THAT GUY Emmy nominee Stephen Root talks about his journey into acting and his love of the Gators. p32

WILDLIFE ABCs PROFESSOR PLANET FORESTS FIRST UF & OUR Do you know these top Meet professors whose This CEO says his big-time ENVIRONMENT animal experts? p20 worldwide work helps success stems from his your environment. p38 small-town start. p48 UF’S ENVIR NMENTAL CHAMPIONS

AS FLORIDA GATOR CONTINUES ITS YEARLONG CELEBRATION of Gators who tirelessly work to help the environment, UF leaders extend their heartfelt thanks to each and every person. Among those are the board members of the 1923 Fund, a charitable organization created by the late Gainesville physician Dr. WINTER 2019 David Cofrin and named for his birth year. Cofrin and his family, who are perhaps most known for launching the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art FEATURES (named for Cofrin’s father-in-law), have consistently fueled UF’s environmental eorts over the years. The Wild Bunch For instance: 20 Gator experts are everywhere. Meet these alumni and UF professors who are among the world’s top animal scientists. The board facilitated the 28 On the Trail with Henry and Balloo purchase of 24 land parcels How and why one couple’s shelter pooch and kitty became hiking that expanded UF’s Ordway- Swisher Biological Station buddies, and now Instagram stars. by more than 460 acres, greatly enhancing UF’s land 32 Oh Yeah, That Guy! management research eorts. Stephen Root has appeared in more than 200 films and TV shows (1,000- plus if you count each episode). But this humble star is just a Gator at heart. 38 Professor Planet These UF researchers are moving mountains to help your environment, Fund gifts have enhanced numerous Florida Museum thanks to private support. of Natural History exhibits, including a new storytelling 42 The Incredible Journey of Mariel White project about Florida’s water that This UF junior survived harrowing odds and — thanks to the support of empowers visitors to become Gator Nation — started her comeback this fall. advocates for — and stewards of — this precious resource. 48 Power Ranger Gator Terry Baker says his small-town Panhandle upbringing and his UF experiences are what helped him rise to the top of the forestry industry. 1923 Fund members also DEPARTMENTS supported research and programs at UF’s Whitney 5 CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT KENT FUCHS Laboratory for Marine 6 UNIVERSITY AVENUE: News from UF Bioscience, which increases the lab’s eorts to boost the 54 GATOR NATION: News about Alumni health of marine life. 66 THE DECADE THAT CHANGED AMERICA AND UF 74 FINISH LINE: Softball’s Stacey Nelson (BA ’09)

Remarkably, the board has contributed almost $4 million toward UF’s eorts to help the environment. Meanwhile, the 1923 Fund also supports UF programs in healthcare, arts and culture, education, social ON THE COVER

WINTER 2019 Stephen Root (AA ’72) says he and human services, and community development. For these gifts and the many other ways 1923 Fund would have likely followed in his OH YEAH, father’s footsteps and worked members demonstrate the Gator Good, the Gator Nation thanks them. Their consistent eorts will be THAT GUY in construction if his passion for Emmy nominee Stephen Root talks greatly appreciated by generations of Gators for many, many years to come. about his UF journey and how he still spars acting hadn’t been sparked at UF. with SEC rivals. p32 Find out more about his proliﬁc acting career on page 32. WILDLIFE ABCs PROFESSOR PLANET FORESTS FIRST UF & OUR Do you know these top Meet professors whose This CEO says his big-time ENVIRONMENT animal experts? p20 worldwide work helps success stems from his your environment. p38 small-town start. p48

2 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 3 FLORIDA GATOR The University of Florida’s alumni magazine Conversation with Kent Fuchs VOLUME 7, ISSUE 3 UF ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHAT DO GATORS HAVE PRESIDENT Katrina D. Rolle (JD 91), Tallahassee

PRESIDENT-ELECT TO GAIN AND LOSE? Mark J. Criser (BA 92, MA 94, JD 97), Tampa AS UF RISES IN NATIONAL RANKINGS, LEADERS TAKE A VICE PRESIDENT CLOSE LOOK AT WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE HEART OF THE Passion James E. Gadsby (BSBA 91), Marietta, GA UNIVERSITY: ITS STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF AND ALUMNI. IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT It’s a Gator thing. Brian D. Burgoon (BA 94, JD 97), Atlanta PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS Shortly after last fall’s news that UF had It’s important to keep the question Ramon O. Looby (BA 06, MAMC 08), Washington, D.C. Robert J. Taylor (BSEE 02, MS 04), Parker, TX moved up to 7th among public universities of who we are — and what we most REGIONAL DIRECTORS in the U.S. News & World Report wish to maintain about UF — at the Region 1: Amanda L. Robinson (BSPR 01), Sebastian Region 2: Prineet D. Sharma (BSBA 94), Windermere ranking, I asked in my monthly student forefront as we continue our quest Region 3: Renee H. Dabbs (BA 85), Tampa newspaper column, “As UF rises, what to increase our stature and raise our Region 4: Gordon J. Glover (BSESS 01, MESS 02), Ocala Region 5: Dr. Sunil N. Joshi (BS 94, MD 98), Jacksonville should endure?” excellence even higher. Region 6: Kevin F. Reilly (BA 08, MS 09), Pompano Beach My question was whether our rise in the Having served as president for ve years, Region 7: Jennifer M. Adams (BSTEL 97), Marietta, GA Region 8: Amy R. Summers (BSPR 97), New York, NY rankings poses a risk of undermining the there are several attributes and values of Region 9: Jacqueline M. Davison (BSJ 06), Alexandria, VA values, attributes and culture that de ne UF that I especially love and cherish. AT-LARGE DIRECTORS who we are at UF. I also asked readers to I love that we are an intentionally and Ashton C. Adler (BA 09, MS 11), Fort Lauderdale; Rebecca L. Brock (BA 94, JD 98), Jupiter; Jason T. Brodeur (BSA 97, MBA share the things they most cherish about intensely comprehensive university, one 03), Sanford; Steve M. Bunch (BSAC 98, MACC 99), Tampa; Christopher L. Carmody (BA 02, JD 05), Orlando; Kristin M. our university. with an amazing breadth of programs, Carter (BSJ 93), Fort Lauderdale; Carlos M. del Sol (BSIE 72), e responses I received expressed both from anthropology to zoology. Newberry; Juan C. Enjamio (BSBA 82 ), Miami; Richard “Rick” M. Goldman (BSBC 97), Orlando; Jess J. Johnson (BSBA concerns and hopes. I love that we are exceptional in 04, BSJ 04, MS 06), Tampa; Jessica Furst Johnson (JD 07), At the heart of the concerns was a fear academics and NCAA athletics and that Alexandria, VA; Dr. Lance A. Karp (BS 96, DMD 00), Sarasota; Kristine M. Lambert (BA 91, JD 94), St. Petersburg; Kevin that our push to rise in the rankings would we are proud of that excellence in both. M. Mayeux (BA 92, JD 96), Arlington, VA; Jocelyn M. Moore damage the exceptional education we (BA 98, MED 00), New York, NY; Dr. Trey A. Mueller (BSA 01, DMD 05), Tampa; Ryan D. Murtagh (BSBA 96), Tampa; Nikul provide students. “Nik” Patel (BA 96, MBA 01), Jacksonville; Oscar A. Sanchez (BA 79, MA 80, JD 82), Miami; Jamal A. Sowell (BA 05), St. For example, one alumnus wrote that as Petersburg; Lori A. Spivey (BA 96), Orlando; M. Scott Thomas faculty strive to be even more competitive (BS 90, JD 93), Ponte Vedra Beach; Barbara P. Tilman (BSR 00), Tampa; Dr. Larry W. Tyree (BAE 66, MED 68, EDD 72), in their research, it could distract them Orlando; Joshua B. Weingard (BSBA 94, MBA 98, JD 98), from their teaching excellence and the Miami; Bettina W. Weiss (BSAC 97, MACC 97), Jupiter; Dr. Homer “Scooter” Willis (BSEE 98, MBA 03, MSCE 05, PHD individual time and attention they devote 10), Boca Raton; Tad A. Yates (BA 91, JD 94), Orlando to students. UF BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPRESENTATIVE At the same time, respondents were Marsha D. Powers (MBA 79), Ponte Vedra Beach hopeful that UF would continue to I love that we value being caring, loving STUDENT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT Nate Miller (4LAS), Ripley, WV prioritize education and students as the and supportive of one another, and I STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT heart of our rise. feel strongly that we should never let Michael Murphy (3LAS), Fairfax Station, VA As another alumnus wrote me, “e competition or ambition undercut our FLORIDA GATOR support and celebration of our classmates [email protected]fl.edu most special thing about UF has always 352-392-1905 been the students, and the fact that the and colleagues. P.O. Box 14425, Gainesville, FL 32604-2425 This publication is available in an alternative faculty and administration and alumni I love our land-grant heritage and focus format for the blind and visually impaired. Please recognize it, and (that) they will do on serving the people of Florida, even as contact [email protected]fl.edu. anything to help these extraordinary we maintain and grow our global pro le. UF ALUMNI ASSOCIATION: [email protected], 352-392-1905, students succeed in school and in life. If And nally, I love that we enjoy UF P.O. Box 14425, Gainesville, FL 32604-2425 you protect that value, valuing students and have fun, even as we work harder to SUPPORTING UF: the very most, it will carry you to that top- achieve new heights. To make a gift to the University of Florida or any of its programs, contact UF Advancement at ve ranking.” I’m sure there are other attributes and Great teams are driven by a passion to succeed. At UF Health, we’re www.u.ufl.edu/Giving or talk with Joe Mandernach at I wholeheartedly agree and note that values of UF that others love and that we no di erent. As home to the No. 1 research hospital in Florida and jmandernach@u.ufl.edu or 352-392-5406. FLORIDA GATOR is published quarterly by the key elements of raising our ranking, such should also preserve, and I hope you will consistently ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News University of Florida Alumni Association Inc. for its as improving our student-faculty ratio, join me in proclaiming and championing & World Report, we have galvanized our resources to solve the members. Address changes can be sent electronically to [email protected], faxed to 352-846-3636 or are intimately tied to our commitment those attributes and values as we rise. toughest challenges in medicine. Because when we win, you win. mailed to Alumni Records, UF Alumni Association, to students and to their education. For, as I posted on social media when P.O. Box 14425, Gainesville, FL 32604-2425. We put our passion to work for you and your family. In fact, many of the faculty we are my column was published, “What is the Standard postage paid in West Allis, Wis., and at UFHealth.org additional mailing offices. Membership and hiring are known nationally for their pro t if we gain the whole world and advertising queries should be sent to the above address. exceptional teaching. forfeit our soul?” FLORIDA GATOR | 5

25680 FL Gator Mag Winter Ad.indd 1 9/27/2019 9:34:11 AM UNIVERSITY # UF RISESU.S. News & World TO Report ranks7 UF AVENUE Lor the 7th best public university in the nation; Graduate programs also rise

nce again UF has improved its ranking on the U.S. News & World Report Top Public Schools list, climbing to No. 7. Last year, UF tied with Georgia Tech for the No. 8 spot and two years Oago tied for No. 9 with the University of California, Irvine, and the University of California, San Diego. “I am incredibly excited by this news,” said Mori Hosseini, UF Board of Trustees chairman. “It clearly demonstrates that [UF] is on an unstoppable trajectory. We are tremendously grateful for the support of the Legislature and Gov. [Ron] DeSantis.” President Kent Fuchs expressed his gratitude and congratulations to the entire UF community, emphasizing that this news reinforces the rise of UF’s graduate programs, which was announced earlier this year. “e rankings are an indicator of our national stature among the nation’s very best research universities, the quality of the education our students are receiving and the steadily increasing value of a University of Florida degree,” he said. UF’s overall rise is attributed to improved scores in numerous ranking categories, including alumni giving (14%, up from 13% last year), peer reputation, student-to-faculty ratio (18:1, up from 19:1 last year and 21:1 four years ago) and the percentage of students who graduate within six-years (90%, up from 88% last year). Several of these improvements are the result of UF’s drive to hire 500 additional faculty. More than half of those are in place. is win, related to UF’s undergraduate programs, compliments a parallel sweeping rise in UF graduate rankings. Among public universities nationwide, UF now has 39 graduate programs ranked in the top 30 (up from 38); 33 in the top 20 (up from 30) and 12 in the top 10. UF remains the most highly ranked university in Florida and the only university in the state in the top 10.

TOP 10 U.S. PUBLIC TOP 10 UF GRADUATE UNIVERSITIES PROGRAMS 1. UCLA Education online #1 2. UC-Berkeley Tax Law #1 3. Michigan – Ann Arbor Ag. and biological engineering #3 4. Virginia Counselor Education #3 5. Georgia Tech Special Education #7 5. North Carolina – Chapel Hill Materials Science #8 7. FLORIDA Environmental Law #9 7. UC-Santa Barbara Pharmacy #9 On Sept. 9, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis joined UF Board of Trustees members and other 9. UC-Irvine Full-time MBA #9 Gators to announce UF’s rise to No. 7 in the U.S. 10. UC-San Diego Accounting #9 News & World Report best public colleges list. Physical Therapy #10

PHOTO BY UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA | BERNARD BRZEZINSKI As ranked by U.S. News & World Report magazine 6 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 7 UNIVERSITY AVENUE

HEARD IN GATORVILLE NUMBERS OF NOTE “It’s as important as ever to teach future journalists the “It’s not a thing of the future. 22 power and importance of essential journalism ...” It’s happening now.” New faculty hired this quarter as part SARA GANIM, PULITZER PRIZEWINNING JOURNALIST of Provost Joe Glover’s drive to add BRETT SCHEFFERS, AND FORMER CNN CORRESPONDENT 500 faculty and reduce UF’s student- UF RESEARCHER who will spend the next year as a Hearst Journalism Fellow in UF’s to-faculty ratio. These additions bring Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, striving to bridge the lapses who suggests that wildlife is on the move as a total hires to 253, and UF’s ratio down in government data that deprive the public of civically essential information. result of climate change, and Florida’s fauna to 18-to-1 from 21-to-1 two years seem to be following the trend. AT RIGHT, ago. The colleges with the most new A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation hires are: Commission researcher examines a snail Liberal Arts and Sciences ...... 133 kite raptor at Paynes Prairie in April. The endangered bird hadn’t been seen as far north Engineering ...... 75 as Gainesville for 100 years, until last year. Agriculture and Life Sciences ...... 32

“Their skill, dedication and compassionate service $3.14 Return on investment in research is at the heart of all our funding for every state dollar UF used to accomplishments.” hire faculty in preeminent focus areas. ED JIMENEZ, UF HEALTH SHANDS HOSPITAL CEO $776.2M Crediting physicians and sta for UF’s Research funding UF received in ﬁscal inclusion on the “100 great hospitals in year 2018-19. Of that amount, 68% America” list by Becker’s Healthcare. FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION came from federal grants, 5% came from state grants, 7% from industry grants and 13% from foundation and Once a Gator, non-proﬁt organization grants.

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UF|IFAS SAMANTHA LEWIS, THIRDYEAR COLLEGE OF 4 YEARS THE ARTS MASTER’S STUDENT Length of UF/IFAS plant pathology professor Pamela Roberts’ $3 million, who creates UF theater sets out of 100% USDA-funded research study that is recycled/reused materials expected to produce better ways to reduce bacterial diseases in many types of peppers. She’s leading a team ABOVE: Lewis stands in the set shop of pepper experts from Georgia, Ohio, at UF’s School of Theatre + Dance. North and South Carolina. In 2018, bell AT RIGHT: The set of “Hills on Fire” and chili peppers alone were a $181 in the Black Box Theatre. Scenic million industry in Florida and a $628 design by Lewis, lighting by Jordan million industry nationwide. Lindquist, junior BFA lighting student. PHOTOS BY CORAL DIXON 8 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 9 UNIVERSITY AVENUE NEW COURSE SERIES AT UF ASKS STUDENTS TO EXAMINE THEMSELVES Since 2012, the required course about 100 courses. Once the roll-out is “What is the Good Life?” has complete, students must take one course encouraged UF students to explore from each tier, each of which will count their own perceptions and views though toward humanities requirements. 25 the arts, philosophy, culture and other 200% Years since Je Weakley was bitten UF President Kent Fuchs said he hopes Improvement of one Florida first grader’s humanities-based subjects. by something while surfing o Flagler the program will encourage students test scores after she learned reading In response to students’ and Beach. This summer, a blister-like bulge and spelling strategies delivered by UF’s employers’ positive reviews, the Provost’s to “probe major questions, such as the on his foot opened to produce a tooth James Patterson Literacy Challenge in oce is launching UF Quest, a similar relationship between justice and power, fragment. He asked UF scientists at the the College of Education. Her early scores Scientist Erica Goss is seeking the source of a mold that causes “swamp nature and culture, and war and peace, Florida Program for Shark Research to three-tiered curriculum that over the hovered around the 30s and below mark. cancer.” Photos by Pamela D’Angelo/WVTF/Virginia Public Radio with an eye toward addressing our examine the tooth, which they identified next eight years will expand upon this But now she’s earning 90s and higher as a blacktip shark. Weakley said he is concept of student introspection and planet’s most pressing challenges today.” grades. See a short video about her UF EXPERT ASKED TO TRACK MYSTERIOUS ILLNESS practical skills development. grateful to finally have his mystery solved. Angela Lindner, associate provost for progress at u.to/patterson200. UF shark researcher Lei Yang said about The cancer “has these undergraduate aairs, says UF Quest 70 percent of shark bites are caused by long filaments … like addresses the “everyday skills employers 4 unidentified species, and more precise seek most: critical analysis, self- UF faculty recently recognized with data on which types are involved could fingers that reach out reection and decision making.” e the Presidential Early Career Award improve bite mitigation strategies. into the tissue it infects is past spring, UF piloted the rst for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), series also “creates a shared experience” to pull in nutrients.” 12 courses that include “Fairy Tales and the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. for students who are in college for the ERICA GOSS, Identity,” “e Idea of Happiness” and government for these professionals: “Race and Law in the American City.” rst time and helps students prepare for UF PLANT PATHOGEN Aging and Geriatric SCIENTIST ese and other courses are part of the the type of rigor they will experience in researcher David Clark, rst tier, called UF Quest 1. their other courses, she said. whose work on mobility AT LEFT, Goss works on By fall 2020, UF Quest 2 will launch UF Quest Director Andy Wolpert function in people with Virginia’s Eastern Shore. with more courses that focus on natural said some of the courses include study neurological impairments, and social science grand challenges, UF plant pathogen scientist Erica Goss and other experts were called in by Virginia abroad opportunities. He added that including the elderly and stroke or spinal and teach practical skills, such as data o²cials to determine the source of a “swamp cancer” that killed eight native wild injury patients, was nominated by the analysis and communication. e third his team is developing an even greater ponies in Virginia and infected three humans in Texas, Illinois and Georgia. The culprit Department of Veterans Aairs tier, UF Quest 3, will be added in fall variety of courses students can take is oomycete, a fungus-like water mold that lives in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Electrical and computer 2027 and focus on experiential learning. throughout their undergraduate years. Refuge’s shallow ponds and standing water used by migrating birds and the ponies. engineer Domenic Forte, In all, the program will encompass uff.to/UFquest. Goss and other scientists are working to determine why some of the native ponies whose work on counterfeit contracted the cancer while others didn’t. She is using her data to build a map of electronics detection and infected waters. u.to/CNWRponies DOUBLE 2019 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS avoidance was nominated by the Department of Defense “There’s room for everyone in “I mean, we call it a workout, Biomedical engineer Aysegul Gunduz (PhD the fight against oppression.” but we’re not in shape.” ’08) whose development 30M DELLA MOSLEY, UF KYLE MENDES MS ’18, of smarter therapeutic Number of solar panels UF will help COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY COACH OF UF’S MEAT deep brain stimulation test before they are installed as part ASSISTANT PROFESSOR JUDGING TEAM for people with neuropsychiatric of a massive eort to make Florida the Whose research on the wellness After members took a practice round disorders was nominated by the National Southeast’s top solar state. This project of marginalized communities, at the Penn State-hosted competition Science Foundation includes a new solar grid monitoring particularly LGBTQ+ people of color on Sept. 27. UF’s team took home the Civil and coastal engineer sensor from UF engineering assistant who face disproportionate levels of beef division title at that meet, and Maitane Olabarrieta professor Joel Harley, the elimination violence, is sparking action among finished 7th overall in November at the UF is the 2019 American Society of Civil Engineering’s National Concrete Canoe race whose improvements of of Florida Power and Light’s last coal- human rights groups. From January National Intercollegiate Meat Judging winner. UF engineering club members propelled their vessel (called Free Floatin’ in numerical models that powered energy plant and the U.S. through September 2019, the number Championship, in addition to other top memory of musician Tom Petty) through 200- and 400-meter sprints with 180-degree predict coastal change, Department of Energy’s endeavor to of transgender people killed in the U.S. wins in specific categories. The demand hairpin turns. What’s more, the team’s title helped UF win the 2019 Engineering Dean’s erosion and flooding were nominated reduce solar energy costs by the end of reached 25, the most on record. Of for skilled meat inspectors is growing as Cup. Akin to athletics’ All-Sports trophy, the award is based on how university student by the Department of Civil and the decade. See full story at those, 84% were people of color and USDA shortages recently rose from 4% engineering clubs fare in various national and global competitions. UF’s clubs took part in Coastal Engineering u.to/30mSolar. 80% were women. to 8% nationwide. 30 competitions this year. u.to/EngDeansCup Facebook.com/UFConcreteCanoe 10 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 11 UNIVERSITY AVENUE CAMPUS COLLECTIONS 47 UF INNOVATES: 2 YEARS Years David Colburn served A FEW OF THE LATEST Length of a campus safety and UF before he died Sept. 18 security study which resulted due to complications from UF TECHNOLOGIES in the creation of UF’s Physical an extended Security Department this fall. Led LONGER-LASTING IMPLANTS: illness. His Many by Joseph Souza, this team will numerous UF medical implant devices, such as create security policies, procedures roles included heart valves (at left) are made with and standards to keep the campus history protein-based materials that can and its faculty, sta and students professor and department break down after long-term use, safe. Souza comes from the chair, provost, International causing calci cations and cell University of Central Florida’s Center dean and Bob Graham death. Some chemicals developed to Department of Security where he Center for Public Service x this issue can provoke an immune planned, designed and oversaw 4 director. The week he died, response, increasing the likelihood of implant construction of its Global Security the three-time teacher of the rejection. UF scientists have developed a new Operations Center. year was to receive a lifetime procedure that stabilizes these proteins, increasing MICHAEL GANNON achievement award from the the lifespan of implants. Documenting an extraordinary life Florida Humanities Council. 70 FASTER PHONE NETWORKS: Electrical The only other recipient of that UF students helped so far this For many Gators who attended UF between the late 1950s and early engineering assistant professor distinction was his longtime year by UF’s Trans Care Team, a 2000s, Michael Gannon was a quiet source of strength and a sounding Roozbeh Tabrizian and graduate universitywide partnership between friend, UF history professor 1 board on a host of issues. He was a Catholic priest turned UF professor and research assistant Mayur Ghatge Michael Gannon (see opposite the Student Health Care Center historian, prize-winning author, war correspondent, mediator and radio (9ENG) invented a frequency page). Graham Center student (Infirmary building), Counseling announcer. He was the rst priest appointed to the St. Augustine Catholic lter that enables mobile phone Caroline Nickerson (BA ’17, and Wellness Center and other Church and Student Center when it opened in 1959, and he retired in 2003 companies to deliver more data in BA ’17) summed up her grief specialists who support students as a UF history professor. less time because it eliminates some of the this way: “Dr. Colburn taught identifying as transgender or Gannon died in 2017, but his work lives on in the interference between cell tower transmitters and me what it means to be a something other than male or Smathers Libraries collection that bears his name. In phone receivers. is development is expected good citizen. I am one of the female. This number is up from the the collection’s 70 boxes and four oversized folders, to make 5G and future networks more ecient many students he inspired to 54 students who library patrons can nd his writings, research notes, and reliable. embrace the study of history, were supported correspondence, photographs and even eight chapters of uphold democratic values and last year, primarily his un nished autobiography that he was working on at WHO’S CALLING, PLEASE? Have pursue service.” He was 77. because awareness the time of his death. you ever received a phone call about the UF program is still Among these many documents are Gannon’s interviews with National from what looks like your bank or growing. “What we’re doing for Review magazine founder William F. Buckley, historian and Ku Klux Klan credit card company, only to nd students is better than many documentarian David Mark Chalmers and Norton Baskin, the husband out it was a nefarious attempt to universities nationwide,” Grooms of renowned author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. It also includes Gannon’s get you to divulge your nancial or says. “We start at the beginning and conversations with experts on poetry, Everglades hydrology, energy personal information? UF researchers have seen about 50 students all the conservation, microsurgery and the history of St. Augustine. in the Department of Computer and Information way through their transitions.” Science and Engineering have invented AuthLoop, 2 Digital items in the collection, such as videos and audio a system that thwarts criminals’ attempts to recordings, are available online at ufdc.ufl.edu/Gannon. manipulate the name displayed on your caller ID 1 IN 5 To support this or other library collections, contact $11,000+ Children from 2 to 19 years old who Royalties paid to alumni screen, called “spoo ng,” that has been linked to Sara Piety at 352-273-2505 or spiety@ufl.edu. are obese. UF’s Michelle Cardel, an who opt into a free program more than $2 billion in consumer fraud reports. assistant professor in the Health from Smathers Libraries and SAFER DEVICES: A plethora of devices use USB Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics BiblioLabs to make print-on- 1. Gannon served as a correspondent during the team, received a five-year, $782K demand versions of UF theses protocols that allow the transfer of both data Vietnam War. grant from the National Institutes and dissertations available via and power. However, this universal connection leaves many computing of Health to develop a weight 2. Gannon presents President John F. Kennedy Amazon and Barnes & Noble. with a copy of the oldest written document platforms vulnerable to malicious loss intervention specifically for Authors who opt in receive on American record from St. Augustine. The attacks. UF researchers have teenagers. Learn more at 20% royalties and retain president was assassinated four days later. u.to/Cardel copyright. Learn more through developed a vetting system that . Read Cardel’s “Helping 3. Gannon’s interviews National Review founder UF librarian Chelsea Johnston examines and validates USB devices, New York Times column Children Learn to Eat Well” William F. Buckley. at cjohnston@ufl.edu or eliminating the need for source codes at 352-273-2904. and speeding up analysis. u.to/NYTEatingWell. 4. Gannon worked to diuse tensions between innovate.research.ufl.edu 3 police and students in this 1972 local protest. 12 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 13 FACULTY SUPERSTAR TARA SABOATTWOOD ¶ ENVIRONMENTAL & GLOBAL HEALTH GATOR NATION CELEBRATES UF’S 90TH HOMECOMING Thousands of Gators gathered WHERE HUMANS in Gainesville for homecoming & POLLUTANTS MEET festivities that included: ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY «SOULFEST: Student clubs 107 showcased their culture and talents EXPERT SAYS EXPOSURE Age of Elver Hodges in an eort to inspire, teach and CAN INFLUENCE EVEN THE when he died in connect Gators from dierent September. Hodges backgrounds. The group winner, COMMON COLD AND FLU was UF’s first Danza Dance Company, and the solo/ forage professor at duo winner DJ McDu²e who sang Q. What specifically does your team study? the Range Cattle “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone, A. We know that environmental pollutants impair Research and performed at Gator Growl. health and cause disease in humans and wildlife. Extension Center in UF Alumni Association reception Gator Growl performer Blanco Brown •LEADERSHIP PAGEANT: A faculty But the world’s understanding of how this happens Ona. His pioneering judging panel selected three king on the molecular level is limited. My team’s work studies of pastures finalists and three queen finalists focuses on the extremely small (1-100 nanometers) led to today’s from more than 40 contestants, synthetic particles in consumer products, such forage production who participated in a pre-pageant as sunscreens and electronics, and their potential and management interview, resume review, opening toxic eects on living things, from sh to humans. systems. When he number, Gator spirit round, business For instance, exposure to these nanomaterials can was 100, Hodges dress round (aided by UF’s Molm increase our susceptibility to pathogens, like viruses. created a fund for Family Gator Career Closet) and an the center to help on-stage question round for Q. What has your team found so far? continue its research semi-finalists. and livestock A. We were the rst to show that lung exposure “It’s not about who has the most to certain types of nanoparticles can signi cantly industry support. Gator Gallop leadership positions,” said pageant impact an infection with the u — increasing viral director Sydney Brandenburg (4 particles in a mouse model by over 60 fold. Our MAR). “It’s about whether their work is informing environmental regulators, who ways to preserve and interact with our environment. impact on campus can be really felt.” seek to protect humans and ecosystems. Integrate the outdoors into everyday activities. •GATOR GALLOP: A 2-mile fun run Q. Why UF? Q. How do you encourage young women in this «PARADE: With 120-plus male-dominated field? A. UF oers a remarkable environment for organizations, this event is billed as collaborative interdisciplinary research. I worked A. When I started out I was the sole female in the the largest student-run parade in here as a student and was glad to come back department. I saw this as an opportunity to become the nation because I knew what outstanding environmental a role model for my peers and students. ere is 2000 «FESTIVAL: On the Plaza of the toxicologists UF has. Also, the College of Public great power in mentorship and I’m grateful to have The year UF Hall of Americas after the parade, it includes Health and Health Professions has empowered Famer Thaddeus live music, bounce houses, vendor and experienced strong women mentors during my Soul Fest contestants UF Association of Black Alumni Reunion me to integrate my STEM training with public journey. Also, I started college-wide initiatives that Bullard graduated student booths from UF. Known health practice to oer the One Health degree address gender issues as part of routine wellness. •GATOR GROWL: Pep rally featuring across the globe master’s and doctoral programs — the rst of their Q. What is your primary environmental goal? country musician Chase Rice, as WWE Superstar kind in the nation. rough these, we can address TrailerTrap artist Blanco Brown and Titus O’Neil and a complex global health problems by teaming up with A. To protect people by better understanding emcee Scooter Magruder (BSTel ’11) experts in other disciplines, such as infectious and how human-environment interactions inuence widely recognized •UF ALUMNI ASSOCIATION TAILGATE: environmental diseases, air/water contamination and health. We tend to study large-scale pollution, but children’s advocate Where alumni and fans alike rallied other ecosystem challenges. there are also unique settings where we can help. and champion, in preparation for the Gators’ battle For example, we are monitoring air quality at UF Bullard will serve as Q. How can Gator Nation help the environment? against Auburn. UF won 24-13. Shands along a high-trac road that is the future UF’s university-wide A. Communicate its importance to younger site of a garden where pediatric patients will visit. commencement •ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ALUMNI generations (K-12). Teach them what we have My team ensures the air quality is acceptable for speaker this spring REUNION: Festivities included learned so far and encourage them to create better those who may be more susceptible to pollutants. in Ben Hill Gri²n all these events plus a reception Stadium. UF Alumni Association President Katrina Rolle Homecoming court and brunch. 14 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 15 UNIVERSITY AVENUE SEEN IN GATORVILLE 9 TIPS FOR NEW GRADS Accomplished health and About 300 people, including UF staer tness author, former Men’s Keith Curry-Pochy and his 3-year-old Health magazine editor and son, Cypress, gathered around this Department of Journalism new alligator statue near University chair Ted Spiker, who was UF’s Auditorium at the corner of Newell Teacher of the Year in 2016-17, Drive and Union Road on Dec. 3 for the oered these bits of advice to “Lighting of the Gator.” The 8-foot-tall new graduates at this summer’s and almost 9-foot-wide steel statue commencement ceremonies. was commissioned from local artist Leslie Tharp (BFA ’08) to celebrate the holidays and alleviate some of the stress 1. Electricity. ink about what kind of and anxiety of finals. The statue will be energy you bring to others. Be a power removed after fall commencement and source, not a drain. reinstalled next December. 2. Plasticity. e ability to change/adapt over time. People who can adjust are those who lead the way.

AARON DAYE AARON 3. Humility. Let others do the bragging for you. 4. Generosity. In a world with lots 1. In September, Hyundai Hope on The new Delta Gamma house on SW 13th Street. Photo by Scorpio. Wheels gave $300,000 to UF of pressure and expectations, remind Health to support its pediatric yourself what it means to get behind cancer research. someone. It can fuel your spirit, too. NEW SCHOOL YEAR, NEW HOUSE 2. In October, Dr. Dean Hautamaki 5. Tenacity. Keep asking the important After ﬁve years of planning and 12 months of construction, (BS ’86, MD ’89, HS ’92) and questions. Keep searching for answers. the new $10 million Delta Gamma house at SW 13th Street his wife, Elizabeth, of Sarasota Keep pushing the limits to make our and Museum Road (south of Norman Field) opened this fall. created a $1 million scholarship for world better. Keep going. While DG was the ﬁrst permanent sorority house built on medical students. UF’s campus in 1952, alumni involved with the project said its Jokinen 3. President Kent Fuchs celebrated 6. Embrace criticism. While your UF tech-laden replacement will provide living quarters for 71 UF homecoming by joining the grades have stopped, your critiques have student members well into the future.

1 2 ERIC ZAMORA Fightin’ Gator Marching Band. JONES JESSE not. Challenge yourself to learn from A plethora of Gators were involved in the project, from DG See how he performed at them. ey’ll make you better. alumnae Debbie Filipe (BSADV ’84) who led fundraising u.to/FuchsGatorBand. 7. Your phone gives you tremendous eorts and former cheerleader Martha Newton (BAART ’82) 4. Five giant cast-bronze sculptures power. Use it wisely. Be a smart consumer of who designed the wallpaper and rug patterns, to former UF Newton of now-extinct birds were installed information. Be careful what you read baseball player John Jokinen (BSBA ’65) of E.J. Victor who by the Florida Museum of Natural provided custom furnishings, and Domenic Scorpio (BDES History as part of the “Lost Bird and how you react to it. Celebrate Project” to highlight humans’ diversity of thought. Understand the ’94, MBC ’98) whose construction ﬁrm built the home. impact on biodiversity. importance of credible information. “The opportunity to partner with so many fellow Gators on u.to/LostBird Check sources and challenge assumptions. ink this project made it particularly special and fun,” Scorpio said. before you scroll and share. “Any time the Gator Nation gets together to make something

CORAL DIXON CORAL 3 Scorpio 8. Consider your words. You’ll speak and write happen, you know it is going to be extraordinary.” millions of words during your life. Not all of them will really matter, but you never know which ones might. Choose GAMING WITH GRANDMA your words intentionally and know they may stick with someone for a very long time. Online gaming with friends or family when they play with family or friends members — remotely or directly — (established friends or new ones 9. Fortify your verbs. Verbs de ne could be one solution for seniors made through gaming), they tend to how you work and live. You will fall, who feel increasingly isolated, says be more informed and engaged in fail and ourish; text, snap and post; a UF College of Journalism and civic or political activities, and feel create and conquer. And you will Communications study. stronger connections to others. always chomp. UF Telecommunications Assistant The survey did not dierentiate Watch Spiker’s full speeches to graduate Professor Yu-Hao Lee surveyed between types of games u.to/TedSpikerPHD and undergraduate more than 1,000 seniors who play (collaborative vs. competitive).

ROB MACK 4 u.to/TedSpikerUG students video games online and found that u.to/OADG. 16 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 17 GOING GREATER FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT UF EFFORTS TO BOOST WILDLIFE AND PLANET HEALTH ARE ON THE RISE

“In the end, we protect what we love; we love what we understand; Explaining the current extinction event, in which the planet is and we understand what we are taught,” said Ron Magill (AA ’80) expected to lose 1 million species within the next 50 years — the at a Go Greater campaign reception in October. Magill, Miami- highest extinction rate since the loss of the dinosaurs, Magill Dade Zoological Park and Gardens’ communications director emphasized UF’s role in educating and preparing students who can and spokesman explained how his UF education led him to love, slow this rate and take actions that will help in coming years. study and work to preserve wildlife and the environment. Magill “is aects all of us, even if you don’t care about animals, wildlife appeared at the event to help Gators understand the importance of or the environment,” he said. “It’s a delicate chain with every UF’s programs and research that support environmental health. UF species connecting to something else.” is in the midst of a $3 billion fundraising eort, which will support numerous UF programs including those that seek to improve See a highlight video from the event at u.to/MagillEnv. the environment. Support UF’s environmental eorts at uf.to/environment.

TOP: Miami Zoo spokesman Ron Magill (AA ’80) encourages Gators to do their part to protect wildlife. LEFT: Also at the event, UF Health and Shriners Hospitals for Children leaders announced a new partnership to help children with musculoskeletal problems. A $10 million Shriners gift will allow UF Health to conduct specialized research, faculty and sta development, program enhancements and continuing education at its Children’s Hospital and Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute.

FLORIDA GATOR | 19 TheWhat do you know about wombats, wood storks,Wild white Bunch rhinos and other members of the animal kingdom? These Gators study and work with all sorts of wildlife, and strive to protect the environment through their results. Here is a peek into their world.

BEES CUBAN TREE FROG ALLIGATOR Jamie Ellis Steve Johnson Mark Hostetler (MS ’92, PhD ’97) Gahan Endowed Professor of Associate Professor, UF/IFAS Professor, UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Entomology, UF Honey Bee Department of Wildlife Ecology Ecology and Conservation Research and Extension Lab and Conservation A beekeeper since age 12, Jamie Ellis leads An invasive nuisance in Florida for over 100 e alligator isn’t just UF’s mascot, it’s also an archosaur, a type of animal a group that predates reptiles UF researchers who are working to strengthen years, Cuban tree frogs gobble up native frogs and lizards, going back 35 million years. Although they prefer to eat sh, birds, small mammals and the world’s bee colonies. e team’s focus: and insects, take over birdhouses and clog other reptiles, alligators will occasionally snack on fruit. B combating the deadly varroa mite, pathogens indoor drains. ey’ll even eat their own kind Mark Hostetler and his department colleagues are among the nation’s leading alligator experts. eir and other stressors that are rapidly killing o if food resources are low. work includes teaching people how to interact safely with alligators, conserving the species and studying bee colonies — last year by nearly 40 percent. Herpetologist Steve Johnson has been studying the impacts of Burmese pythons and invasive species on gator groups, called “congregations.” Beekeepers can combat this die-o by splitting these color-morphing cannibals for two strong hives so new queens produce more decades. He recommends using this humane Alligators are more closely related to birds than reptiles. at’s because gators and dinosaurs evolved GO UF baby bees each year, says Ellis. method of euthanasia if you catch one: (1) from the same ancestor, prior to the common ancestor of other reptiles. apply benzocaine to frog’s back or belly; (2) A We can’t aord to lose honey bees: ey are plop it in a plastic bag; (3) store in freezer for essential to pollination of fruit, owers and 24 hours; (4) dispose. (Wear gloves to protect vegetables, supporting about $20 billion yourself from the frog’s toxic mucus.) worth of U.S. crop production annually.

Male frogs snort loudly to attract females Of the 20,000 species of bees, only nine during matingC season. produce honey.

20 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 21 DOBERMAN PINSCHER HOUSE CAT INDIAN RHINOCEROS JUMPING SPIDER Amara Estrada (BS ’93, DVM ’98) Julie Levy Ron Magill (AA ’80) Lisa Taylor Professor of Cardiology, Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Fran Marino Endowed Prof. of Shelter Zoo Miami Communications Director; Assistant Research Scientist, UF UF College of Veterinary Medicine Medicine Education, UF College of Emmy Award-winning documentary Department of Entomology and Veterinary Medicine filmmaker Nematology Doberman pinschers are prone to a fatal heart-muscle ailment known as DCM With 94.2 million owned felines in the Zoo Miami made history in April 2019 when Most spiders cannot see colors, but jumping (dilated cardio-myopathy), which strikes nearly half of all Dobermans. country, house cats are America’s most a rare one-horned Indian rhinoceros gave spiders do, notes entomologist Lisa Taylor. After a decade of preliminary research involving 1,000 Dobermans, veterinary popular pet. birth via arti cial insemination and induced Her research reveals these cardiology specialist Amara Estrada and two of her peers are undertaking the tiny spiders evolved Along with that popularity comes overover-- ovulation, a rst for this vulnerable species. tiny spiders evolved rst-ever lifetime study to evaluate the inuence of genetic mutations in the vivid colors on their population. Researcher Julie Levy founded Wildlife champion Ron Magill documented vivid colors on their breed. ey will also examine how environment and nutrition impact the bodies to facilitate Operation Catnip, a life-saving program that mom Akuti’s 15-month-long pregnancy and bodies to facilitate progression of DCM. communication has spayed, neutered and vaccinated more delivery of female calf Sarita. communication during courtship. D than 55,000 free-roaming cats in With only 3,000 to 3,500 Indian rhinos left in German tax collector Karl Dobermann bred the first Doberman Gainesville since 1998. the wild, Sarita’s birth is “an insurance policy “Females are pinscher in 1890; he wanted a fierce, loyal dog to protect him on voracious predators that Levy is also working on against a very uncertain future in the wild for voracious predators that his tax-collecting rounds. sometimes attack and eat contraceptive vaccines these animals,” says Magill. sometimes attack and eat males before they have a chance to mate,” says and expanding spay/ Taylor. In other words, spider Romeo waves neuter to young While rhinos are solitary animals, a group his brightly colored arms to alert his Juliet, kittens. of mother and calves is called a “crash.” Also, J H each rhino has a unique dung scent, so they “Hey, babe, I’m not dinner!” EVENING BAT FLORIDA MANATEE GALAPAGOS TORTOISE “I’m create large poop mounds to communicate Terry Doonan (BS ’77) Dianne Behringer Peter Pritchard (PhD ’69) excited National Geographic lmmaker and fellow Mammal Conservation Coordinator, School Programs Coordinator, Director, Chelonian Research Institute; with each other about their health, age and to be Gator Felipe DeAndrade tapped Taylor’s Florida Fish and Wildlife Florida Museum of Natural Science TIME magazine’s “Hero for the Planet” readiness to mate. expertise for an episode of “Untamed: e teaming up with wildlife biologists to develop expertise for an episode of “Untamed: e Conservation Commission Weird Sex Lives of Jumping Spiders.” Once on the brink of extinction, the Florida Centuries of hunting and other threats have practical methods to count and track elusive During zoology alumnus Terry Doonan’s manatee is making a comeback. e sea cow’s seen the number of giant Galapagos tortoises free-roaming cats,” she says. “at’s going 25-year career, he’s sought to help the 13 bat Jumping spiders can leap up to numbers in Florida waters are now at 6,500, dwindle. Some subspecies have already to be a powerful tool for managing outdoor species in Florida. But he says his last ve years 50 times their body length. after having dwindled to a few hundred in gone extinct. cat populations.” have been a race through the 1970s. One reason for the bounce back: caves, buildings and In June 2012, a male Pinta Island slower “no wake” zones for boats. Abe Lincoln was the first president to other roosting locations tortoise named Lonesome George bring cats into the White House. He fed I to survey the number, Each year, between 8,000 and 10,000 drew his last breath, leaving “Tabby” and “Dixie” from the table during health and environmental schoolchildren ock to the Florida Museum no descendants. Renowned state dinners. conditions of tiny evening where they discover the origins of this gentle zoologist Peter Pritchard bats and their cousins before the beast, thanks to Dianne Behringer and her was among theG devoted dreaded White-Nose Syndrome fellow educators. Students use inductive scientists who spent reaches Florida colonies. is reasoning to gure out the identity of a partial decades trying to nd a disease has killed millions of manatee skeleton. ey also contrast the mate for George. bats across North America. “We need skeletons of a modern manatee and its extinct “He had one unhappy defect, that he had no COLLARED KINGFISHER a lot more information … so we can better ancestor to understand how this mammal interest in reproducing,” said Pritchard. David Steadman (MS ’75) evolved over millions of years. understand problems that occur when” it Curator of Ornithology, reaches Florida, he said. “One major dierence students can observe For decades, the Charles Darwin Florida Museum of Natural History is the extinct sea cow had hind limbs,” says Foundation offered a $10,000 reward to EWhile most mama bats give birth to one With its white “collar” and vivid blue-green plumage, the collared king sher is one of the most Behringer. “ese fossil remains anyone who could procure a female Pinta striking birds of the tropical Paci c islands. “pup” per year, evening bats typically have show that modern manatees tortoise for George. It was never two babies at a time. is is good news for derived from four-legged claimed. Curator David Steadman was one of the rst researchers to survey this species on Tonga, and he farmers who need the 2¼-inch-long critters to land mammals.” says the plentiful birds are worth watching — not just for their beauty but for the dire environmental naturally battle caterpillars, beetles and moths. message their absence signals. e Florida “It is one of the last species of birds to leave when an island’s habitat is destroyed or modi ed,” he says. manateeF is “If king shers are gone, the place is in really rough shape.” related to the K elephant. Some Collared kingfishers perform acrobatic courtship flights, after which the male offers the female a historians believe fish, small lizard or other treat. the plump sea mammal also inspired the legend of mermaids. 22 | WINTER 2019 LICE RHESUS MACAQUE NEOTROPICAL FLORIDA PANTHER David Reed Jane Anderson (PhD ’16) LEAF MINER Madan Oli Associate Director of Research Assistant Professor, Texas A&M Akito Kawahara UF/IFAS Wildlife Ecology and and Collections, Florida Museum University Kingsville Associate Professor and Curator, Conservation Professor of Natural History UF McGuire Center for Lepidoptera Brought from Asia to Silver Springs in the & Biodiversity A subspecies of North American puma, the Florida panther once roamed Having lived on humans for millennia, 1930s to entice tourists, wild rhesus macaques the southeastern U.S. but is now found mainly in the forests and swamps of bloodsucking lice provide valuable clues in are now a growing threat — destroying Gracillariid leaf-mining micro-moths still southwest Florida. their genes about our evolutionary past, says wildlife, attacking boast hundreds of undescribed species in the biologist David Reed. By sequencing ancient In 2019 ecologist Mandan Oli and peers from the Florida Fish & Wildlife humans and carrying a tropical Amazon. But curator Akito Kawahara louse DNA, Reed has con rmed homo Commission released a study showing eorts to increase the Florida panther’s deadly herpes B virus. is working to change that. He has searched for sapiens began wearing clothes while in Africa genetic diversity have rescued it from extinction. In the 1990s, there were only 20 them in Brazil,N Ecuador and French Guiana, L80,000 to 100,000 years ago, long before the A 2015 study by Jane to 30 Florida panthers in the state, many suering from physical abnormalities due identi ed new species and collaborated on an Anderson and UF’s to inbreeding. P need for warm clothing in places like Europe illustrated catalogue that revises the insect’s and Asia. Steve Johnson classi cation. Between 1995 and 2003, eight female Texas pumas were temporary released in Florida predicted the Most modern humans have a tiny bit of to mate with locals. Today, the Florida panther population is up to 230 healthy animals. number of feral Don’t hate the white blotches and tunnels Neanderthal DNA due to interbreeding monkeys in that leaf miners inict on leaves, Kawahara “ere’s hope for endangered species,” Oli said. between the two species long ago, Reed says, Central Florida says. at cosmetic damage may have hidden and lice are the same way. would double from 175 to 350 by 2022. bene ts, such as delaying plant aging. Florida panther kittens are born with dark spots to camouflage them on forest floors. “We are using lice collected from people Now the state wants to eliminate the “We don’t know how they do it, but all over the world to pin down when and nonnative species, but many locals object to understanding this could have broad where modern humans and Neanderthals killing such an adorable animal. Anderson implications in terms of allowing crops and overlapped,” Reed says. QUAHOG NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT SCHAUS’ SWALLOWTAIL estimates you could reduce the population by produce to last much longer,” Kawahara says. Leslie Sturmer WHALE BUTTERFLY one-third by sterilizing the females. Cleopatra was buried with a golden nit UF/IFAS Regional Molluscan Shellfish Tim Gowan (9 ALS) Jaret Daniels (PhD ’99) Gracillariidae comes from the Latin word comb — a sign of status in ancient Egypt, Aquaculture Extension Agent Research Associate, Fish and Wildlife Associate Curator and Director, A rhesus monkey named Sam flew to an that means graceful and slender. where only the rich wore wigs. Plebs and Research Institute, Florida Fish and UF McGuire Center for altitude of 55 miles in 1959 on a NASA When the closure of local oyster beds and a Wildlife Conservation Commission Lepidoptera & Biodiversity slaves went bald. rocket, paving the way for space travel. 1994 statewide voter-approved gill net ban M Measuring up to 55 feet long, the North Swallowtail butteries can be found on every virtually killed the economy in Cedar Key’s Atlantic right whale is one of the largest continent, with 500 colorful historic shing village, quahog specialist animals in the world, as well as one of the species uttering about Leslie Sturmer and scientists from most endangered — fewer than 500 remain. on tapering chevron both UF and Harbor Branch FLORIDA BURROWING OWL Historically, right whales were hunted for their wings. Among the rarest Oceanographic Institution oil, but today they are more likely to die from is the Schaus’ swallowtail, a Allison Smith (7 ALS) stepped in to help the town UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife ship strikes or entanglements in shing gear. chocolate-brown species that refocus its unique skills Ecology and Conservation once ourished in Miami and the on farming the mollusks. Florida plays a unique role in their survival, says specialist Tim Gowan: e state’s Florida Keys. By 2012, there were Weighing less than a can of soda, the tiny Florida burrowing owl is Better known as clams, northeast coast is the only place in the world only four Schaus’ swallowtails left in disappearing nearly everywhere except Marco Island, thanks to Owl these marine animals are where pregnant North Atlantic right whales their native habitat, making the insect Watch, a community/scientist research collaboration started by UF tasty to eat, but also serve as come to give birth. all but extinct. experts and funded by Audubon of the Western Everglades. environmental puri ers, due to their ltration capacity. at’s when Jaret Daniels’ scientists UF grad student Allison Smith manages 60 Owl Watch volunteers, Right whales have rough patches at the McGuire Center rolled up Sturmer’s study of the town’s 2012 quahog S who monitor burrows on this urban resort island. In 2019, they of skin on their heads, called callosities. their sleeves. ey produced 1,000 Schaus’ harvest (135 million clams) showed that protected the homes of 241 breeding pairs, who gave birth to Each whale’s callosity pattern is unique, swallowtail larvae, of which 50 adults and the animals ltered 544 million gallons of 563 chicks, the highest number on record. enabling researchers to identify individuals 200 caterpillars were released into Biscayne seawater daily and removed more than 25 “Burrowing owls are a big personality packed into a tiny ball of Q from photographs. National Park in 2014. thousand pounds of nitrogen and 761 feathers,” says Smith. “ey need to be bold to survive in a city.” thousand pounds of carbon from Florida’s Today, UF’s ongoing eorts have stabilized coastal environment. the Schaus’ swallowtail population at Owlets scare predators from their burrow by mimicking the between 800 and 1,200 individuals sounds of a rattlesnake. O It takes 25 to 28 months for quahog in the wild — a small but miraculous larvae to reach market size. Left in the step forward. wild, their average life span is 33-36 years. R However, in 2007, scientists discovered a When a swallowtail isn’t sucking nectar, specimen of ocean quahog that was between its flexible tongue coils into a spiral. 405 and 410 years old. 24 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 25 MALAYAN TIGER UNGULATES WHITE IBIS XENOPUS LAEVIS Kae Kawanishi (PhD ’02) Samantha Wisely Peter Frederick Dr. Je Hill (MS ’98, PhD ’03) Director, Malaysian Conservation Associate Professor, UF/ Research Professor, UF Department of Invasion ecologist, UF/IFAS Tropical Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT) IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Aquaculture Laboratory Wildlife Ecology and With fewer than 200 animals left in the Conservation With its white plumage and curved orange beak, the white ibis is Almost 80 years ago, doctors commonly used Xenopus (ZEE- wild, the Malayan tiger is the most critically Ungulates are hoofed the quintessential southeastern wading bird. Its native habitat is no-puss) aquatic frogs, also called African clawed frogs, for endangered tiger species on earth, notes mammals, a diverse group shallow wetlands, but ocks will also forage in urban parks and pregnancy tests. But when better tests were invented, many wildlife biologist Kae Kawanishi. She has including deer. lawns, where they soak up mercury and other dangerous toxins. labs released the frogs into the wild creating an invasive species spent the last 21 years trekking through on four continents. Riverview, south of Tampa, is home to one of In 2011, an experiment by UF’s Peter Frederick showed mercury remote Malayan rainforests to study and In the late 1800s, there were these populations. Associate Professor Je Hill and his doctoral student contamination reduces white ibis reproduction by 50 percent. protect these big cats: rst as a doctoral fewer than 20,000 deer in Florida; today, after intensive management and Allison Durland say the frogs aren’t quite at the same level as other Male ibis exposed to mercury had low levels of testosterone, and student (her research was the rst-ever reintroduction, there are 700,000, says wildlife expert Samantha Wisely. Her invaders, such as pythons, lion shX or zebra mussels, but the carnivores more than half paired o with other males, behaving as though population study of Malayan tigers) and then team is working with deer farmers to test a new vaccine to prevent a deadly can survive harsh environmental conditions and will eat just about any they had laid eggs. as the founder and director of MYCAT. hemorrhaging disease in the animals. small aquatic animal. Hill’s research is being used to track environmental “Hormones can be easily upset,” Frederick told CBS News. impact, teach sh farmers how to protect their ponds, identify which sh Today, the MYCAT Citizen Action for Tiger “Nationally, deer trophy hunting is an $8 billion industry, so keeping deer “I think that is the scary part. We are to some extent controlled stop or slow the invasion and help the aquarium industry pro t, since the Watch program draws NGOs and 2,000 healthy is economically important for farmers, and it helps improve the by what we are exposed to.” little frogs don’t mind when owners forget to clean their sh tanks. people from 37 nations to patrol tiger habits. health of wild deer populations,” she says. While most people assume Kawanishi’s job is Deer see about five times better than we do, but they e University of Miami’s mascot is a Xenopus’ eyes are fixed on top of their head so they can see food dangerous, she has never encountered a Malayan only perceive the colors yellow and blue. white ibis named Sebastian. particles falling from above. ey grab food with their front claws and tiger in the wild — they are that rare. Her worst push it into their mouths, unlike other species that use long, sticky tongues. injury doing eldwork? “I had an anaphylactic reaction to an insect sting,” she says. “I fainted U and cracked my canine and a rib.”

e Malaysian nickname for this species is Pak VOLCANO HUMMINGBIRD YELLOWW FEVER MOSQUITO ZEBRAFISH Belang, Filipe DeAndrade (BSTEL ’12) Barry Alto (PhD ’06) James Liao T “Uncle National Geographic Associate Professor, UF/IFAS Florida Associate Professor, UF Department of Biology, Wildlife Filmmaker Medical Entomology Laboratory Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience Stripes.” Measuring only 3 inches long with purple throat feathers, the tiny volcano If there is a mosquito you should fear most, it’s the yellow fever Part of the minnow family, the zebra sh is prized in research because hummingbird is a mighty pollinator. is species feeds on nectar from brightly mosquito, says entomologist Barry Alto. is species carries not scientists can peer through its transparent body to see organs and colored tubular owers in the forests of Central America. just yellow fever but dengue, West Nile virus, chikungunya and systems developing and functioning in real time. Zika, infecting hundreds of millions of people per year. Documentary lmmaker Filipe DeAndrade Biomechanist/neuroscientist James Liao channels this unique happily spent months in Costa Rica lming Alto heads the biosafety level 2 and 3 facilities for UF’s medical feature to understand how delicate sense organs these and other hummingbirds — up close and entomology lab, where he routinely oversees experiments on in the zebra sh (identical to those in the in slow-mo — for Nat Geo Wild. live mosquitoes carrying lethal diseases. To prevent infection, human ear) enable it to navigate all scientists follow strict safety protocols and wear a body suit, “ey’re one of the most colorful, charismatic, all scientists follow strict safety protocols and wear a body suit, turbulent currents. gloves, head hood and a respirator. So far, Alto has never been vibrant and lively creatures in the animal “I want to know how bitten in the lab, but he admits he’s gotten “thousands” of skeeter kingdom — little rainbow torpedoes,” underwater animals move and Z bites doing eldwork outdoors. he enthused on social media. what they’re sensing so we can “Everything I do in life is just a harness the genius of their evolutionary V Only the female mosquito designs,” Liao recently told Hakai magazine. cover-up so I can spend time feeds on the blood of humans with hummingbirds,” he and other animals. Males stick Liao’s results can help us better understand human deafness added, jokingly. to plant nectar. and balance disorders.

A volcano Zebrafish are frequent fliers on the International Space Station, hummingbird’s where researchers study their bone degeneration and muscle atrophy in tongue licks at a space for clues about old age in humans. flower’s nectar 13 times per second. Y

FLORIDA GATOR | 27 HENRY&BALOO AN INSTAGRAM TALE OF TRAILS & LOVE TRUE

STORY BY NICOLE NEAL | PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANDRE SIBILSKY AND CYNTHIA BENNETT o say they are bonded is an understatement. T More accurate: ey are soldered together — the lanky German Shepherd- Husky-Boxer-Staordshire Terrier-Aussie mix and, perched atop his head on a hiking trail, or axed to his back as they ford a stream, or snuggled next to him in a sleeping bag, his Siamese-mix sidekick. Henry and Baloo, as they are known, are more than just a dog and cat who defy interspecies stereotypes. ey are Instagram stars, their cuteness attracting 1.5 million followers as their adventures together cavorting across the Great Plains and Western states are documented and shared by their human companions, Andre Sibilsky (BSBA ’10) and Cynthia Bennett. ere’s a Henry and Baloo calendar. And guest appearances at conventions and on television shows. And, when the two join Sibilsky and Bennett at TURNS OUT, A DOG WITH cafes in Denver, plenty of fawning by an adoring and SEPARATION ANXIETY AND A CAT disbelieving public. WITH ABANDONMENT ISSUES e most frequently asked question: How the heck do you guys do it? MAKE GREAT EMOTIONAL SUPPORT “As much as we’d love to take credit, a lot of it is that ANIMALS FOR EACH OTHER. they really just complement each other,” says Sibilsky, who came to UF from Dallas as a National Merit to that a shared love of the outdoors and a beautiful Scholar. friendship was born. Immediately evident when the couple adopted Henry As for their human counterparts, Sibilsky, who works ve years ago: the energetic puppy loved being with in nance for TSYS, said he, Bennett, Henry and Baloo Sibilsky and Bennett. Also immediately evident: he are loving the life they’ve built. ey head for the trails, hated not being with Sibilsky and Bennett. Partly to foothills, canyons and open road whenever possible. keep Henry company, the couple adopted Baloo who, as And they’ll keep sharing their adventures. “We want to part of a rejected litter, had his own baggage. put positivity out there,” says Sibilsky. “ere’s enough Turns out, a dog with separation anxiety and a of the other stu. We’ll just have to say ‘Go Gators’ cat with abandonment issues make great emotional more often.” support animals for each other. e clingy (literally and For more on Henry, Baloo, Sibilsky and Bennett, guratively) kitten seemed to view Henry as a surrogate follow HenryTheColoradoDog on Instagram and visit mother. is suited the needy Henry just ne. Add OurWildTails.com

Henry (dog) and Baloo nap during a hike break in Colorado. ABOVE: Andre Sibilsky (BSBA ’10) and his girlfriend, Cynthia Bennett, pause for a selﬁe while Baloo relaxes in his usual hiking pose on top of Henry’s head. 28 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 29 From backpacking to canoeing to lounging, Henry (dog) and Baloo want to join in the fun no matter where Colorado’s trails and their Gator dad, Andre Sibilsky, take them. When Sibilsky isn’t hiking, he’s a brand development and marketing consultant.

30 | WINTER 2019 By Bobby Ampezzan

rt may mirror life, but actor Stephen Root (AA ’72) has discovered that sometimes it’s a fun house mirror. In his two seasons on the HBO series “Barry,” his malignant character Monroe Fuches has been beatenA bloody, bound and threatened with dismemberment, tortured by tooth ling, arrested and attacked by a “feral mongoose” of a tween martial artist who sinks her full bite into his cheek. Tough go for Fuches. Bully for Root! “I want Stephen Root to get an Emmy nomination for this season of ‘Barry,’” tweeted Vox TV critic Emily VanDerWer. “… He’s never been so much as nominated for an Emmy despite being a phenomenal actor who has appeared in every show made on television since he was born,” tweeted New York Times staer James Poniewozik in response. Emmy-nominated Stephen Root (AA ’72) portrays Monroe Fuches on HBO’s dark comedy “From a standpoint of universal justice he deserves at least 10 of them.” series “Barry.” Photo provided by HBO.

FLORIDA GATOR | 33 Indeed, the Television Academy #MeToo movie “Bombshell” was released says Reddy, who recalls a time about 20 of photojournalism — he eventually sergeant, he and Demi Moore bonded e following year, however, Root included Root as an Emmy nalist this with Root’s role supporting those of years ago when Root set up a three-way understood his mother’s coaching when over raising young kids in this peripatetic dispelled any doubt with his performance year in the best comedy supporting actor A-listers Nicole Kidman, Charlize eron phone call so the friends could talk while he took a theater elective at UF and occupation. as a blind Southern radio station man in category, but another actor walked away and Margot Robbie. He’s also in lming watching the Florida-Georgia football performed as a “spear carrier” in one en, in 1995, came what Root still the Coen Brothers’ “O Brother Where with the award. No matter; after almost a for the comedy thriller “Happily,” a game on TV. “He said, ‘We gotta watch student play. considers his de ning career break: He Art ou.” half century in the business, Root’s stock “Perry Mason” episode and a crime drama it boys!’ No, the truth is, in the early Root says that class led him to begin was cast as Jimmy James, the “idiot or “If you’re looking for the bent guy, like is still rising. And as a character actor, he’s “Empty Man” that’s due out in August. days, we [UGA] were getting our butts hanging out at the Hippodrome, where idiot savant” station owner in “News the principal in ‘Buy happy to remain “that guy” and add even whipped pretty bad, and the reason he his dating life ourished and the energy Radio,” a critically acclaimed ve-season the more titles to his 12-page-long IMDb list ALWAYS A GATOR wanted that phone call was because he of the stage marshaled his imagination sitcom. Only Root, star Dave Foley of credits. At 68, the aable and approachable knew Florida would win!” and work ethic. and co-star Andy Root’s epic talent for turning small roles Root says he loves his life, his work, his Toward the end of his senior year he into completely memorable characters family — and the Gators. e die-hard ‘HE CAN DO THAT, TOO’ attended the Southeastern — such as Milton from the lm “Oce fan was in Orlando in August for the Root is the son of a construction eater Space,” whose red Swingline stapler football season opener against Miami supervisor, whose industrial projects were remains a pop culture classic 20 years preferring to sit among fans, rather than so lengthy, specialized and lucrative later — is what led him to rewarding and in the President’s Box. that the family revered turns in Coen Brothers movies, His actor friends, Brian Reddy and rowdy comedies like “Dodgeball” and Wayne Knight, say Root’s serious supporting characters in award- proselytizing winning TV shows. But it’s his turn as Fuches that drew the Television

Jimmy James News Radio (TV) Radio Station Man O Brother, Where Art Thou? (Movie) Milton Waddams Office Space (Movie) Vampire Slayer’ who took drugs Man who hires Wells and then talks about it … I’m him,” Root No Country For Old Men (Movie) Dick, appear says. “Even in the Coen Brothers’ stu, I’m in all 97 episodes. the odd guy.” Gary Murray “I think I became known within the But Root says in the industry, it’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV) Conference and industry … that is where the name easy to get pigeonholed, which is why Gordon Pibb caught the eye of the National ‘Stephen Root’ stuck. ‘Oh, the guy in he makes sure to play each of his roles Shakespeare Company: He left UF just News Radio.’” he says. en, Root says as dierently as possible. “I did ‘News Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (Movie) accepted three credits short of his degree. his Coen Brothers projects brought Radio,’ a comedy, for ve years. All I got Eddie Gauthier moving state-to-state every “another level” of recognition. was sitcoms after that, and I consciously SMALL STAGE TO BIG SCREEN True Blood (TV) couple years. at’s how he landed at Nestled snug in between came the had to turn those down until I got ‘West for Gator Vero Beach High School. His mother After more than a decade of traveling role Root says is 90% of what prompts Wing’ so I can show casting directors, Nation goes back to the ’70s when was an educated stay-at-home mom and performing “Audrey e Country complete strangers to ask him for sel es: ‘OK, he can do that, too.’ en you can they met in the National Shakespeare who nurtured a love of science ction Wench” and “Corin e Old Man” the the “squirrelly” Milton Waddams in take a comedy or two again,” he said. Academy’s notice Company. Reddy and Knight, both and a conviction that the arts could be a same night, as he’s put it in interviews, he Mike Judge’s “Oce Space.” He’d been Reddy says Root’s strategy has worked and, nally, its Emmy nomination. known for their roles in “Seinfeld” — professional pursuit. decided to make the leap to the screen. lending his voice to Judge’s primetime perfectly. Root says he’s had little time to celebrate Reddy as the “High Talker” and Knight Although he held to more traditional His rst credited role in 1988’s Crocodile Fox show “King of the Hill,” but in a “Steve has a wonderful quality of the honor, however. as “Newman” — are both University of jobs during his early college days — he Dundee II is “DEA Agent (Toilet).” His later interview, Judge admitted he had subsuming himself in a role,” Reddy, says. is fall he worked opposite Glenn Georgia alumni. paid for school by working summer second is a mad scientist in “Monkey to go to bat for Root with studio execs “For many years, people didn’t know who Close in the lming of “Four Good “For years Steve has been shootin’ construction gigs and turned his high Shines,” a horror movie. Two years later, because “you’re not a name, and it’s a he was because he was so convincing in Days.” In December, the acclaimed this [crap] about Florida being better,” school hobby of photography into a study on the set of “Ghost,” playing a police fairly important part,” Root recalls. his characters.

34 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 35 Root expects to Reddy says Root can also be a few months. e Coen Brothers have also Did You chameleon. begin shooting called him into action again. is time, Know? “Physically, Steve is right in the middle — his third season it’s a billing that harkens back to those STEPHEN ROOT ... perfect as a character actor. I’m balding, and roles that rst called him away from UF: you can’t change me too much. Steve … of “Barry” soon. Shakespeare, and speci cally, “the Scottish Has appeared in Is a true character Finding Nemo and Still has Of ce was starting out Stephen Root to can change himself. Just very versatile as an play” (Macbeth). four lms as of 2019 actor, a supporting King of the Hill; a Space movie fans because they were come up because actor, and smart as a whip,” Reddy says. Root says he’s happy to retrace those that were nominated actor who plays plethora of movies, approach him to ask character actors who that’s not who you’re for the Best Picture unusual, interesting such as Ice Age and about his iconic red eventually got to play supposed to be “Steve has an enormously good, strong steps today. It reminds him that if it hadn’t Oscar: Ghost in or eccentric Finding Nemo; and Swingline stapler lead roles seeing. That’s why “DILIGENT, DISCIPLINED AND KIND” reputation of being somebody who is been for his journey through UF, he might 1990, No Country characters TV shows, such as I’m not on social Despite his hectic work life, Root continues diligent, disciplined and kind,” Reddy says. have ended up wearing hard hats instead for Old Men in 2007 King of the Hill media. I want you to to stay connected with his alma mater. His at’s how you earn longevity in the of costumes. Used these words Would invite these (won the category), think of me as the gift in 2003 provided an acting studio in business, Root says. “Do your work as well “My whole background for my family Made his movie when asked to character actors to Selma in 2014 and character, whoever the Nadine McGuire eatre and Dance as you can, be a nice guy, and have people was construction. … I would have debut in the 1988 Was born on Nov. 17, describe himself: his fantasy dinner Get Out in 2017 you see up on Pavilion by the J. Wayne Reitz Union. want to work with you,” because in the case continued,” Root imagines. “ere’s no adventure comedy 1951, making him a kind, awkward and party: Frank Morgan, the screen” He’s seeding a Stephen Root Scholarship of guest and limited roles, “you’re going chance for me to know … but if I hadn’t Crocodile Dundee II Scorpio a talented nerd Strother Martin and Fund. And he’s returned to UF on several into a family that’s already established.” gone to a liberal arts college and been Donated $100,000 W.C. Fields occasions to teach a master class for aspiring His current family, the cast of “Barry,” exposed, even to rst- and second-year to UF in 2003 to fund Voiced characters in Played a Klingon in Looked up to Dustin Says the strength of actors. Why keep coming back? Root says reunites soon. Root expects to begin history and philosophy and English, I the Stephen Root three video games: Star Trek: The Next Hoffman and Gene Once said: “I don’t his work comes from kindness is a code to live by. shooting the third season within the next would not have ended up here.” Acting Studio Blade Runner, Generation Hackman when Root want the name preparation

each other. Since that time, Stephen After all, I am a Bulldog. As a person, Stephen’s generosity STEPHEN ROOT: has become one of my best friends in Seriously, Stephen has ... traveled eventually entered into his work. His the world. He was the best man at my around the globe to support family and ability see the full measure of person, Gator Emeritus wedding, he’s the godfather of my son, friends, fearlessly been there for those on their strengths, weaknesses and foibles and when my mother passed away the precipice, and celebrated his friends’ has made him a more complete actor. and Friend of shortly after my wife gave birth and triumphs, performances and life events. He can reach comedic heights by taking couldn’t attend the funeral, Stephen flew A simple example ... [involved] the chances with the outer reaches of a a Bulldog to Georgia and took care of me during reunion of the supergroup, Cream in character or mine the subtle nuances that time as a true brother. within. I believe the honors he received by Wayne Knight He’d do just about anything for me “He’d do just about recently are not only truly deserved but except get the Gators to lose! Since anything for late in being recognized. It takes a view of 1990, and the arrival of Steve Spurrier, the body of his work to realize how many ’ve known Stephen Root me except get the Ifor almost 40 years. life has not been a bowl of cherries for times he has Zelig-like disappeared into We met in New York as theatrical us Bulldog fans: 1995 alone (when the Gators to lose!” the fabric of a ﬁlm or show — making it gunslingers; I was doing my first play Gators scored over 50 points in Sanford real for us. ... And he keeps growing. The on Broadway and Steve was touring Stadium) was enough to become a 2005. This was my favorite band as a kid work he is doing now is probably the best nationally in “Driving Miss Daisy.” We recurring heartbreak and nightmare. and I had gone to their 1968 farewell tour. of his career. He’s getting better, dammit! sized each other up and have been I cling to memories of Vince Dooley At Stephen’s urging, we got on a plane I just hope Root is not indicative of the competitors and friends ever since. and Herschel Walker and delight in any and witnessed their final US concert. Gators at large. Although we still have the Root preceded me to Los Angeles game show hosted by Tim Tebow. But Why pass up the opportunity of fulfilling edge on the rivalry, the last 20 years have and seemed to do every guest spot does Root gloat over all these victories? a fantasy? It may not seem like much, seen a steady march toward parity or imaginable until I arrived. We became Does he rub it in on his sad UGA buddy? but it’s part of Root’s [penchant] to go the God forbid, something worse. I can count much closer on the Left Coast as we YOU BET HE DOES! The strength of extra mile. Without his encouragement, on Stephen Root to sympathetically laugh didn’t have so many friends readily Root’s attachment to Gator Nation takes I would have missed out on one of my in my face if that happens. available and had to make do with precedence over mere human kindness. greatest memories.

36 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 37 Professor Planet FROM LOCAL BEE HIVES TO THE AMAZON FOREST, UF EXPERTS SHARE HOW THEY’RE HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT WHILE MENTORING THE NEXT GENERATION, THANKS TO GATOR INVESTORS.

es, the Gator Nation is everywhere. Meet two UF professors new control options, develop better strategies for who go above and beyond — and around the world — to managing pests and more. We also invest heavily Yshare their expertise with people who are helping people in extension and instruction eorts aimed at preserve our planet — including future generations of planet-keepers. educating beekeepers/students and improving the sustainability of beekeeping for the long term.

PROFESSOR POLLINATION OR “THE BEE GUY” HOLMES: Why is UF’s new bee lab important? Jamie Ellis leads the UF Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab and serves as North America’s representative to the International Bee Research Association and ELLIS: Its amazing infrastructure allows us to a North American representative to the Prevention of Honey Bee Colony Losses conduct top-quality bee research, develop and Group. He is interviewed below by Jennifer implement state-of-the-art extension and instruction Holmes, president of the Florida Beekeeping programs, and house our growing team under Association, whose political support and nancial one roof. We now have dedicated teaching space, contributions led to state funding and subsequent a teaching apiary and a permanent home for construction of Ellis’ lab last year. the UF/IFAS Bee College. Our new faculty are already expanding instruction and recording new HOLMES: How long have you worked with bees? podcast series on beekeeping. One new scientist ELLIS: I’ve kept bees since I was 12, so 29 years. focuses exclusively on research to help commercial beekeepers. And a new lecturer is teaching three HOLMES: Are managed bee populations still declining? courses on beekeeping. We have room now for our many undergrad volunteers and international ELLIS: is is tricky to explain. On average, JENNIFER HOLMES visiting scholars. I could go on. beekeepers experience about 40% gross loss rates (above) is president of yearly because of various stressors. (If you have 100 the Florida Beekeeping HOLMES: What can we all do to help bees? colonies, you stand to lose 40 of them in a year.) Association ELLIS: Become beekeepers. Landscape with However, beekeepers can split up the 60 surviving colonies so new queens will produce more bees. pollinator-friendly and native plants. Provide And, beekeepers import/purchase more colonies nesting habitat for native bee species. Use pesticides each year. Together, that brings the net change in sparingly. Support bee research as volunteers or even U.S. bee numbers to a 1% increase annually. (If you nancially.

PHOTO BY AARON DAYE begin the year with 100 colonies, you will end the HOLMES: Describe the importance of bees. year with 101.) e net number of colonies is driven by economics. When it’s nancially feasible to have ELLIS: Honey bees are responsible for an estimated DR. JAMIE ELLIS (blue more colonies, the numbers go up despite the high 20+% of the food we consume. No other agriculture shirt), UF Honey Bee gross loss rate. commodity can claim that. ey contribute to Research and Extension healthy ecosystems, as well, through the pollination Lab director, and EMILY HOLMES: How is your team helping bees? services they provide to plant communities. NOORDYKE, second ELLIS: We study the main stressors of bee colonies year master’s student, (varroa, a mite that feeds on honey bees; nutrition; HOLMES: How many times have you been stung? inspect a hive at the lab. various pests/pathogens; etc.) in an eort to identify ELLIS: Tens of thousands of times. 38 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 39 SPEAKING UP FOR THE LAND,AIR AND SEA Environmental attorney Tom Ankersen directs UF’s Conservation Clinic, which allows UF law students to take part in active legal matters involving land, water and air. While his focus has been on Latin America and the Caribbean, his work has led to domestic and international agreements, including a United Nations treaty system. He is interviewed below by Larry Sellers (BSBA ’75, JD ’79), a Holland & Knight partner in Tallahassee, who also specializes in environmental and land use law. Sellers and his wife, Cathy (BS ’76, MEd ’82), a Florida administrative law judge, personally support the Conservation Clinic.

SELLERS: Having worked/taught in 30 countries, what is one legal issue you’ve faced the most no matter the locale? TOM ANKERSEN, director of UF’s ANKERSEN: Property disputes. Whether negotiating safari Conservation Clinic, with his former student concessions on tribal lands in Africa to protect wildlife habitat, KATIE SLATTERY (JD ’19), who is now a writing briefs in international tribunals on the human right to NOAA Sea Grant fellow in the clinic. communal property, drafting conservation easements in Florida BEE FACT: Honey bees are not native to North America, South or ensuring local ordinances do not “take” private property, the America, Australia and various islands around the world. ey came sacrosanctity of property has been paramount. to the U.S. with the earliest European settlers (plus some importations SELLERS: From sea grass restoration SELLERS: What revelations do your home base in subtropical Florida, I was after that). ere are only nine honey bee species on the planet. All and turtle conservation to beach students often have at the clinic? able to become one of them. NEXT GEN DEFENDER but one are native to Asia; the other comes from Europe, the Middle access and forest protection, which East and Africa. ANKERSEN: Much of what environmental and land use environmental issue means the most SELLERS: What value does the Katie Slattery (JD ’19) of Satellite Beach worked lawyers do doesn’t always involve the law. e hardest to you and why? Conservation Clinic bring to in the Levin College of Law’s Conservation Clinic expectations to manage are your own. e world doesn’t run on Floridians? ANKERSEN: e protection of marine while earning her environmental and land use law semesters. Even in the age of the internet you have to pick up NEXT GEN BEEKEEPER and coastal environments, especially ANKERSEN: We undertake projects degree. This fall, she became the clinic’s fulltime the phone. Emily Noordyke, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a second beaches. I grew up in Melbourne that our clients might not pursue, if Sea Grant Legal Fellow. In 2020, she will gain more year master’s student working for Dr. Jamie Ellis in UF’s Bee on the Indian River Lagoon and the it weren’t for our services. In many experience as a Knauss Marine Policy Fellow. Research and Extension Lab. Atlantic Ocean. My childhood was cases, these projects represent policy What’s your job like? a relatively unfettered exploration innovations that then diuse across In a competitive law school environment where it What’s your job like? the state. e clinic’s ngerprints can It’s amazing because Dr. Ellis is ﬁrst and foremost a beekeeper; of these ecosystems at a time when can be di²cult to distinguish yourself, the clinic be found in a number of areas of state that’s how he started. Because of that, he’s well prepared for Melbourne was changing from a provided me with experiences and skills that and local law, and internationally. applied honey bee research. Florida frontier town to the epicenter helped me stand out. I worked directly with clients of the space program. Sea turtles I am fortunate to have developed a on complex legal issues. Why UF? occupy every jurisdiction under the long-term relationship with Florida Dr. Ellis thinks about our work from the beekeeping For instance, my work with the Sea Turtle law of the sea, and I have followed Sea Grant and UF/IFAS extension perspective. That was a big reason why I came here. I Conservancy involved the evaluation of sea them. and with the Tropical Conservation started as a beekeeper in Michigan ﬁve years ago. I was an and Development Program in the turtle management in coastal parks throughout Florida and the development of best management art major and heard about this beekeeping student club. SELLERS: Why contribute your Center for Latin American Studies, I fell in love with it and started doing research on honey practices for state and local stakeholders. My PHOTOS BY AARON DAYE talents to UF over some other law which support our work by providing bee nutrition. Coming down here and getting a completely school? scienti c support and community fellowships are undoubtedly attributed to my time dierent beekeeping experience was a great draw. We have with the Conservation Clinic. ANKERSEN: I knew I was going focus access at home and abroad. a prolonged season for research, which allows me to get my career in and on Florida, and in PARTING THOUGHT: “Our clinic — How has the clinic helped you? into more projects. UF’s entomology department is very addition to being my alma mater, and the law school as a whole — is As he does with each student entering the strong, giving me a good diversity of experiences working it is the best law school in the state. fortunate to have a strong alumni Conservation Clinic, Professor Ankersen paired with everyone and not just on bees. There are a lot of visiting Also, I credit former Dean Jon Mills network,” Ankersen said. “I’m grateful me with clients and projects that allowed me professors, too, so it’s been easy to connect with experts with giving me the space, literally and to UF law grads like you, Larry to explore my interest in water law and policy. worldwide. Also, Dr. Ellis’ former students have great careers guratively, to ourish. e ’90s were [Sellers], who mentor students and My work with the Florida Springs Institute and worldwide, so I think my prospects are good. exciting times. You could t all the support the travel that is required of Sea Turtle Conservancy recommending more How many times have you been stung? international environmental lawyers a statewide — and even international stringent regulations for outstanding Florida I can’t even count how many times, but it’s been a while since LARRY SELLERS, a Holland & Knight partner in the world in a small room. With — clinical practice, which strengthens springs and sea turtle management has been the last one. in Tallahassee, and his wife, Cathy, a Florida UF’s tropical conservation reputation our overall environmental, land use instrumental as I launch my career. administrative judge, both mentor UF law students. preceding me in Latin America, and a and real estate law program. 40 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 41 Two years ago, near-fatal complications from a rare The Incredible Journey disease interrupted a sophomore’s quest for her degree. Now this brave Gator is back on campus — getting by of Mariel White with a little help from her UF friends.

STORY BY BARBARA DRAKE (MFA ’04) PHOTOS BY AARON DAYE attooed on the wrist of 21-year- old Mariel White (2HHP) are two T words: “She persisted.” at phrase only hints at the epic battles Mariel has fought and won in the last two years. In September 2017, Mariel was an active sophomore — taking a full load of classes, cheering at Gator games with her Phi Mu sisters, running at the gym, working two part-time jobs — when severe neck pain and a fever landed her in UF Health Shands Hospital. Back home near Atlanta,

she was diagnosed with Churg-Strauss/EGPA, an PROVIDED PHOTOS extremely rare vascular disease with only 2 to 5 new cases per year out of every 1 million people. Doctors started her on oral chemotherapy and steroids. But in January 2018, complications from the incurable disease caused Mariel to suer four strokes. She lost partial vision in one eye and was permanently paralyzed from the waist down. Mariel White with Phi Mu sister Ally Tacket Friends and family guarded Mariel ercely in early in August 2017, weeks before falling ill. 2018, assuring her she “would return to UF one day.” at phrase became the young woman’s rallying cry over the next 18 months as she courageously fought to overcome her physical and cognitive impairments and to master caring for herself as a paraplegic. “It was never an option not to go back to UF,” Mariel said. “I knew I was going to work as hard as possible to make that happen.” On August 2, 2019, nearly two years after falling ill, Mariel returned as a student to UF. Whatever lies ahead, Mariel, now 21, is determined to graduate from UF with a Bachelor of Science in sports management, and a minor in mass communications, ideally in fall 2021. Her goal is to Friends Ally Tacket and Riley Marshall visit be a sports reporter and analyst. Mariel in the hospital in January 2018. “I’ve never let anything stop me from dreaming Mariel enters her Intro to Public big and setting big goals and high standards,” Mariel Speaking class with her service dog, wrote on her new blog. “is is no dierent. Lassie (short for Molasses). “I am strong. I am capable. I am not de ned by my disability.” Here are scenes from her rst semester back at UF.

42 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 43 August 22, 2019 | Phi Mu Sorority House ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” blares as about 150 Phi Mu sisters in sequined disco gear mill about on the front lawn, awaiting the new members on Bid Day. With glitter on her face, Mariel grooves in her wheelchair, Lassie panting beside her in a pink Phi Mu bandanna. Since Mariel rst got sick, friends, family and the Gator Nation have enveloped her in their care and willed her to ght back. For instance, nine months into her recovery (October 2018), the Tim Tebow Foundation W15H program hosted Mariel and her family in Gainesville for the LSU vs. Florida game. Mariel’s VIP treatment included attending practice with the team and being Tebow’s guest on ESPN’s “SEC Nation.” Tebow also introduced her to ESPN host and sideline reporter Laura Rutledge (BSTel ’11). But perhaps Mariel has no greater friends than her Phi Mu friends, who live by their sorority’s motto, “e Faithful Sisters.” When she was rst paralyzed, they sat by her hospital bed in Georgia and held fundraisers to help pay for her medical expenses. Now Phi Mu is doing all it can to make her and future sisters with disabilities feel welcome, including installing an elevator and a wheelchair-accessible shower. “We’re really, really happy to have her back,” says senior Riley Marshall (4ENG), who has been known to carry Mariel piggyback. “It was so incredibly hard when she was ill.” Service dog Lassie gets in the middle while Mariel and her mother, Jill Olney, make her At 6 p.m., 80 new Phi Mus come running down the dorm room bed in Cypress Hall. “Yes, Lassie, this is your room too,” says Mariel. hill to their new home. ree years ago, Mariel was one Sorority sister Riley Marshall carries of them. August 2, 2019 | Cypress Hall Dorm Mariel on the lawn of Phi Mu house. “I’m glad my friends are learning about accessibility and how it really impacts me,” Mariel writes later. “It’s Blog Post Move-in day is monumental for Mariel. It’s August 7, 2019 | A VERY GOOD DOG something I never even noticed or considered before, but “I have so many thoughts of equally so for her mother, Jill Olney, who is A trained 3-year-old chocolate Labrador, now I have to think about it everywhere I go.” excitement and fear running through doing a heroic job of letting go of her daughter for a second time. Lassie (short for Molasses), has been with my head,” she writes. “I’m excited to be “I’m super happy, super nervous to have her Mariel since June 2018, just after her back with my friends, back in school, here. Really, she is ready for this. Plus I’m only hospital discharge. Mariel says she can’t back to college life, but also afraid of all ve hours away,” Jill says, reassuring herself. imagine life in a wheelchair without her. the what ifs and unknowns. Another safety net to calm Jill’s fears: every Lassie can pick things up and hand them “I’m worried about what people will inch of her daughter’s room in Cypress Hall, to Mariel, push buttons to open doors and think about me and if they’ll accept me. hailed as “the most accessible residence hall in elevators, and open and close drawers if I’m worried I’m not going to be able to America,” has been planned and out tted for they have a bandanna tied to them. keep up in the way I want to. I’m worried people with mobility impairments: a zero-entry “I’ve almost never gone in public without I won’t be able to do certain things shower, a height-adjustable sink, easy door her,” she says. “I’m teaching her how to put because they won’t be accessible. And openers and a computerized system to control my dirty clothes in the laundry.” Also, Lassie has changed Mariel’s social I’m terrified I’m going to get sick or have lights and window blinds. Plus, a personal interactions. my symptoms flare.” assistant will be helping Mariel with weekly shopping and room cleaning. “When I’m with Lassie, other people see Mariel is already taking charge of her space. her, rather than someone in a wheelchair,” Now that she can fully support her own weight Mariel says. with her arms, she no longer needs the room’s overhead lift system. “We can take that down,” FROM LEFT: UF head football coach Dan Mullen she says. with Mariel and Tim Tebow (BSA ’09) in fall 2018. 44 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 45 September 13, 2019 | Rinker Hall To anyone observing today’s Intro to Public Speaking class, Mariel appears to be just another bright, articulate student who freely shares her opinions in discussions. Classmates don’t realize that her disease brought on learning issues. “I’m more disabled because of my strokes and chronic illness, the things you can’t see, rather than the spinal stroke (paralysis) and wheelchair, the things you can see,” she writes in her blog. Immediately after the strokes, Mariel had problems recalling words. “I couldn’t tell you what my favorite food was, my friends’ names, or what I called my grandmother,” she writes. “I also had to relearn how to read; I didn’t even know what the letter W was called.” Mariel plans a group presentation with her classmates. “Public speaking Other skills she had to relearn include basic is something I would’ve been terrified of a year ago, but now I feel like math — starting with 2+2 — and the practice I’ve had enough experience that I’m prepared,” she says. of scanning a text, made dicult by the loss of peripheral vision in her right eye. ACCESSIBILITY AT UF Today after considerable rehab, therapy and practice, Mariel’s cognitive impairments are UF’s national rank for inclusion of students with disabilities, per greatly improved; but she still has farther to 6TH U.S. News & World Report. Criteria include classrooms and dorms go. is fall, she reduced her schedule to two accessibility, and campus awareness of inclusion. classes to ease her transition. Even so, she nds Occupancy of UF’s Cypress Hall dorm, which features numerous herself caught up in familiar anxieties over 255 amenities including 35 rooms with ceiling lifts, door openers and grades, homework and tests. But this time, her custom-fitted furniture, carpet-less rooms for students with allergies, single rooms perspective is dierent. for those with anxiety and depression, and accessible workout rooms. “I’m grateful that now I’m able to stress about school,” she writes. UF students with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities 3,000 who receive services from UF’s Disability Resource Center Mariel takes advantage of the Student Rec Center’s elevated stretching area, designed to facilitate lateral transfers from wheelchair to mat and back. Sept 20, 2019 | Phi Mu House It’s the annual reveal, when the new “little sisters” nd out August 2, 2019 | Cypress Hall Dorm which older Phi Mu has become their mentor, or “big sister.” e gym is Mariel’s domain. It was in her freshman September 4, 2019 | Blog Post Until a week ago, Mariel wasn’t sure if she would be called year, and it still is — except now she favors dierent Living with Churg-Strauss syndrome means on to participate. en she got a text message and sprang into action, ordering custom items from Etsy (a T-shirt, a workouts and equipment. accepting limitations. cozy blanket, and more) and dropping them o each evening “Before, I would always be on this side of the gym,” “I’m learning more how my autoimmune condition she says, nodding at the banks of Stairmasters and for her little at Phi Mu, anonymously. aects me on a daily basis,” Mariel writes. “On days elliptical machines. “I mainly worked my legs.” On the front lawn, the new members walk in circles — where I go nonstop or stay up later than usual, I Triceps exing, Mariel grasps her wheels and once, twice — around the veterans, singing “We are the propels herself to the free-weight section, where she start to have lots of pain. The pain sucks, but it sisters of Phi Mu.” Each little cradles her latest gift. When grabs a pair of 15-pound dumbbells. forces me to stop what I’m doing and go to bed, so she spies someone with a matching item, she has found her “Now, I mainly focus on upper body,” she says I guess it’s kind of preventing anything worse from big sister. between push-press reps, bicep curls and pull-ups. happening.” At the third pass, sophomore Danielle Murphy of Atlanta Prior to returning to UF, Mariel worked with a Then there is the bittersweet realization that time is still searching. en she runs to the bottom of the hill, personal trainer to build her upper body strength hasn’t stood still for the Class of 2020: having spied Mariel there holding an identical glass. and lose the 50 pounds she had gained from her “I’ve loved being back, but it’s been really hard “Oh my god, thank you so much! I love the blanket,” prescribed steroids. Key to her success was Disability knowing that a lot of my friends are going to Danielle gushes. “I’m so glad,” says Mariel. “I still have the blanket my big Icon (DI), an online program with customized graduate in May and leave me behind,” she writes. Mariel meets her new Phi Mu little sister, Danielle Murphy. gave me.” tness, nutrition and lifestyle coaching for “Hearing everyone talking about being seniors and wheelchair users. Later, Mariel writes on her blog: “Life is hard for everyone graduating, and their plans for after college, it’s e work paid o. Mariel’s con dence soared in MORE ON MARIEL at times, but it’s so important to take a step back and get really hard.” September 2019 when she ew on her own from Her blog: marielwhite.com Meeting Tebow: bit.ly/2N6LEfE perspective. Appreciate where you are. Appreciate where Jacksonville to Salt Lake City to attend a four-day DI instagram.com/mariel_adair Cypress Hall: bit.ly/2pI6zhd you’ve been. Dream and prepare for where you to want to empowerment workshop for women in wheelchairs. go. Perspective is the key to joy.” 46 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 47 POWERPOWERPOWER RANGERRANGERRANGER

This seasoned leader goes out on a limb to ﬁght for our nation’s wild areas — and for diversity in forestry.

Story by Barbara Drake (MFA ’04) Photography by Steve Johnson (BSJ ’11, MS ’15)

March 12, 2012, McKenzie River Ranger District, Willamette National Forest, western Oregon Terry Baker, a new district ranger, had battled dozens of raging res in his 13 years with the U.S. Forest Service. But the one facing him tonight in the crowded Upper McKenzie Community Center threatened to dwarf them all — and not a single match had been lit. For months, environmentalists had been protesting the “Goose Project,” a wild re-prevention plan designed by his Forest Service predecessor to thin 2,100 overgrown acres of the 1.7 million-acre Willamette National Forest, with the trees being sold to local timber companies. Just months after Baker (BSF ’04) took command of the McKenzie River Ranger District in late 2011, opposition to the Goose Project had exploded, with the local paper, River Reections, as the chosen forum for community outrage. In its pages, readers sparred about potential harm to the forest and its northern spotted owls, and labeled Baker and his fellow foresters “greedy” — to name the mildest of epithets. e controversy was tearing apart this rural community in the Cascade Mountains.

48 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 49 So Baker had called tonight’s meeting to statement, leading to small changes in the hardworking single mother, Velma, and share the forestry science behind the plan original plan. However, the 2012 meeting so in high school Terry’s thoughts turned and discuss people’s concerns. He’d talk marked a watershed in Baker’s evolution as to college. A talent at nurturing owers rst; then his sta would take over. a leader. made him consider majoring in landscape No uniforms, he had told them: “You’ll “I realized my beliefs about valuing architecture or ornamental horticulture at nd out why later.” people resonate with others,” Baker told Florida A&M University. At 7 p.m. sharp, wearing his green Leadership Nature podcast in 2017. One night, while working at a Forest Service work shirt and pants, Baker In 2018, based largely on his exemplary convenience store during his senior stepped to the podium and smiled at the leadership at McKenzie River, Baker year, Baker got a surprise phone call. It 100 or so faces glaring back. Taking a deep breath, he welcomed everyone, stressing the need for openness and mutual respect. en, as an ornithologist might say, the “Terry is one of the few people who knows proverbial owl droppings hit the fan. Audience members shouted that the how to put the sciences within a social and project would damage the forest, ruin their cultural context to make holistic decisions peaceful community and destroy the owls’ nesting habits. about the management of forests.” To their surprise, Baker calmly explored — UF/IFAS Professor Taylor Stein each objection, demonstrating that most of their fears were unwarranted. e threats to wildlife? e Forest Service had considered those, but maybe a more was tapped as CEO of the Society of was a recruiter who had tracked down detailed risk assessment needed to be done, American Foresters, becoming the rst Baker through a college fair, and he he admitted, taking notes. African American in the role. As such, he was oering a full scholarship through Gradually tension in the room eased. represents 11,000 foresters and forestry the Multicultural Strategic Workforce But a core group wouldn’t give up. students across the nation, doing public Initiatives program. is federal “You don’t care anything about the outreach and advocating in the halls of partnership between the US Forest community!” one man yelled. Congress so everyone understands the Service and historically black land- An hour in, Baker asked the Forest importance of trained foresters to our grant universities provides tuition and Service employees sitting in the audience ecosystem. bene ts so minority students can enter to stand. “You can manage anyone,” he said on the natural resource elds. Baker would “I want you to look at these people,” Leadership Nature. “If you want to lead spend his rst two years at FAMU before he told the crowd as his sta rose. “ey people, you have to make an eort to transferring to UF/IFAS’ School of Forest go to church with you, they’re your kids’ connect with them and give them reason Resources & Conservation, where he baseball coaches. ey live in and care to believe in you.” would earn a bachelor’s degree, plus a about this community as much as you second bachelor’s in Agricultural Sciences do, and you have a responsibility to treat OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS from FAMU. them with respect.” (ON WOOD) Baker was intrigued but still somewhat “I’m in uniform,” continued Baker, his Baker’s path to forestry was mysti ed by the eld that was welcoming voice rising. “I’m doing this so you can serendipitous. him with open arms. hurl all your anger at me. But they are A native of Marianna, in the Florida “I had no idea that forestry as a your neighbors, and you should talk to Panhandle, Baker grew up helping his profession existed,” he says. “Not only them as such.” grandparents on their small farm. His that, I had no idea that one of the largest at was the switch that turned an angry earliest memory is of taking part in the national forests east of the Mississippi was town hall into a community-building annual family ritual of making sugarcane 40 miles from my house.” eort, says Baker, recalling the moment syrup. It was the children’s job to feed With his mother’s blessing, Baker seven years later. e most vocal opponents the stalks through the press, and 8-year- said yes to the scholarship, interning quietly left the building; most people old Terry and his older brother, Tyrell, that summer at the nearby Apalachicola stayed to have one-on-ones with the sta. grabbed stfuls of cane as their uncle led National Forest, home to pine sand hills Baker’s problems with the Goose Project an old white bull in circles to power the and swamps, spring-fed rivers, bobcats, were far from over — the Forest Service classic setup. black bears and alligators. He would ended up being litigated and was forced Education was highly valued by continue interning at national forests to conduct an environmental impact the Baker family, especially by his throughout college.

50 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 51 FROM HOTSHOT TO By the time Baker transferred to UF in timber, grazing, wildlife, water quality homogeneity of land-owning Americans Baker “is a brilliant example of what a STAR GATOR fall 2001, he had already established and more. Baker served at nine of them, 100 years ago or more. successful forestry student can be like,” himself as a student to watch. in Florida, Oregon, Nebraska, Arizona “at in itself is probably the biggest says Stein. In spring 2000, he’d taken a semester o and Colorado, rising from forester to barrier [to people of color entering the from FAMU to train with the Asheville district ranger to deputy forest supervisor. profession]: not seeing yourself physically HARD-EARNED ACCOLADES Interagency Hotshot Crew, an elite team Whatever standard-issue Forest Service represented in the community, even if Baker’s leadership has not gone of wildland re ghters based in North headgear he wore — yellow hard hat, you value the woods and the experiences unnoticed elsewhere in the Gator Nation. Carolina. e Hotshots respond to green baseball cap — Baker always of hiking, camping and hunting,” Baker is year, the UF Alumni Association large res in remote areas, and their followed the advice his mother gave explained. honored Baker at the annual 40 Under grueling training pushes re ghters him long ago: Never put yourself above To increase diversity and inclusion, 40 event. to their physical and mental limits. Baker’s walk down name tag lane anyone else, and always pitch in when SAF oers postsecondary scholarships to Terry and Jessica ew down to “One day, we did a run that ended reflects his incredible journey. there’s work to be done. women and people of color, and Baker Gainesville for the April ceremony, where up being 11.8 miles, plus another Even as an undergraduate, Baker is widening that eort by promoting College of Agriculture and Life Sciences eight hours of clearing brush and possessed the “soft skills” needed to environmental education in primary and Dean Elaine Turner praised Baker’s trees,” Baker vividly recalls. “I think “Little did I know that he would later interact with a wide variety of interest secondary schools. e more children and “career path and achievements [which] I lost 20 to 30 pounds in those be running the entire organization!” says groups, says Professor Tim Martin, co- teens understand the good that forests show future students the possibilities four months!” Stein. “He has put a personal face on the director of UF’s Forest Biology Research and foresters do, the more young people available to them with an agricultural and Fire ghting is just forestry profession.” Cooperative. will aspire to become natural resource life sciences degree.” one aspect of forest A secret to Baker’s success, says Stein: “I think Terry’s understanding of the professionals, the organization reasons. e shiny 40 Under 40 statue now rests management, as Baker “He doesn’t pretend forestry is all about value of interpersonal relationships is proudly on the desk in Baker’s oce. soon learned at UF. the ecological sciences,” adding that one of the strengths he carried into his But tucked away in a drawer is a humble professional life,” says Martin. object he treasures just as much. It’s a yellowed clipping from River Reections, INCLUSION IN THE FOREST the small Oregon paper at the epicenter In 2017, Terry married fellow Forest of the Goose Project controversy. In its Service professional Jessica Baker, and ink-stained pages, locals denounced the “If you want to lead people, you the couple moved to Colorado, where Forest Service’s plans and lambasted have to make an eort to connect Terry became deputy supervisor of the Baker himself. Arapahoe-Roosevelt National Forest. But not in the newspaper’s subsequent with them and give them reason to ey had barely nished unpacking in editions, especially on Jan. 9, 2014. believe in you.” — Terry Baker 2018 when Terry got an unexpected call: Its banner announces “Reader’s Picks How would he like to become CEO of for the Best of the McKenzie River,” the Society of American Foresters? with Baker’s smiling face underneath the Stepping away from his federal career headline, “Man of the Year.” was something Baker had never planned, he says. But an opportunity to lead the GO GATORS, GO UF/ prestigious 119-year-old nonpro t was (From left) Jessica and Terry Baker Baker’s experiences growing up as an “As a forester, you have to be well too good to pass up. took this photo by Emerson Alumni IFAS SCHOOL OF versed in science and hydrology and African American male on the Panhandle Terry and Jessica relocated to D.C. in Hall during their recent UF visit. FOREST RESOURCES ecology, and even, to a certain extent, shape how he views and makes decisions fall 2018, with the new CEO trading his engineering,” Baker says. about forests today: drab Forest Service duds for tailored suits & CONSERVATION “Terry is one of the few people who Today, Baker’s SAF work involves and silk ties. As the face and voice of SAF, Martin says he admires the “pragmatic, Catch up on UF’s latest SFRC regular collaboration with his former knows how to put the sciences within Baker raises the pro le of forestry and non-confrontational approach” Baker UF professors, who distinctly a social and cultural context to make foresters, while making the profession brings to diversifying forestry. news at www.sfrc.ufl.edu remember their star student. holistic decisions about the management more inclusive. “Terry has helped SAF and his fellow Professor Taylor Stein, graduate of forests.” “I’m just a little dierent,” he laughs, foresters understand what it means to Learn more about the Society program coordinator at the UF/ After earning dual bachelor’s degrees noting his racial visibility gets him a foot be a minority in forestry, what some of American Foresters at IFAS School of Forest Resources in 2004, Baker continued what would in the door with the media, who might of the barriers might be to entering www.eforester.org & Conservation, still marvels become a 19-year-long career with the US otherwise overlook forestry concerns. and staying in the profession, and how at Baker’s willingness as an Forest Service (1999-2018), interrupted People of color are rare in forestry for we can work together to make things Support SFRC students and only by a stint at Yale University to earn a undergraduate to volunteer for many reasons, Baker says, but a major better,” says Martin. programs through Julie Conn new experiences, from studying Master of Forestry degree. factor is the profession, like wooded Baker is also assisting the UF/ in Costa Rica to chairing UF’s National forests, unlike national parks, acreage itself, tends to be passed down IFAS School of Forest Resources & at jrconn@ufl.edu or Society of American Foresters are managed for multiple purposes that over generations, usually from father to Conservation’s eorts to diversify their (352) 392-1975 student chapter. are often wildly divergent: recreation, son, replicating the gender and racial student body and the profession.

52 | WINTERWINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 53 NEW ROCKSTARS Gator Filup Molina (far right) and a full sta of alumni from Theater Strike Force, the UF student improv club, are gaining an enormous YouTube following by celebrating the nerd in everyone. Called “New Rockstars,” Molina’s team delivers intensive breakdowns of TV shows, films and even movie trailers, including “Game of Thrones,” “Stranger Things,” “Avengers Endgame” and “Frozen 2 .” From pointing out obscured props to making connections between wardrobe choices, musical scores, lyrics and other symbols and references, the team provides — fire hose style — a torrent of details easily overlooked by even the most obsessive fans. Molina (Microbiology ’03-’06, English ’06-’08) said the success of their channel has proven that “the most popular things in pop culture right now are also the nerdiest.” Lead writer and co-host Erik Voss (BSJ ’10), right, says delivering so much content each week is a skill he developed in reporting class. He and Molina add that their comedic approach and penchant for seeing “just how far we can push a concept” came from their experiences with Theater Strike Force (TSF). Voss and Molina were part of the TSF team that pranked fellow students in 2008 with the “We Are Gary” fake presidential campaign, which resulted in cable TV ads, T-shirts and a massive Reitz Union rally. Another project, “New Low,” a full-length movie, ended up at the Sundance Film Festival. “I’ve never found a group of people who are as talented and as smart as those I met in TSF,” Molina said. Voss, the youngest of five siblings who all attended Florida State University, said he opted for UF after his friends in Jacksonville told him about TSF. Molina, the youngest of seven, is the first in his Miami family to attend college. In 2010, Molina, Voss and three other friends took a chance and moved to Los Angeles. Nine years later, their YouTube following — almost 2.5 million at press time — continues to grow daily. They also just launched NRDS, New Rockstars Digital Studios, expanding into podcasts and other evolving media platforms. Molina’s wish: to teach a UF class on developing social media- based businesses. “It’s time for UF to o¦cially teach those skills,” he said.

54 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 55 GATOR NATION

GREAT GATORS WITH GREAT NEWS ON THE RISE IN D.C. UF Alumni Association Board member Jessica Furst Johnson (JD ’07) is a partner at the law ﬁrm Holtzman Vogel Joseﬁak Torchinsky in Washington, D.C. She is the former general counsel for the National Republican Senate Committee and has held numerous roles within the National Republican Congressional Committee.

GATOR FIRST A Gator is the first to receive a lifetime achievement award from the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA). Frank Gummey III (JD ’72) is a retired New Smyrna Beach city attorney who also served in the same capacity for Daytona Beach and as a Volusia County Deputy Attorney. He was in the first group of Florida lawyers certified as specialists in local government law and the first group of IMLA local government law fellows. He was a founding member and first president of the Florida Municipal Attorneys Association. FROM SEA TO SEA J. Powell Brown (BA ’89) of Winter Park (above, left) and George Pollock (BSAC WHEN IN ROME ... ’89, MACC ’90) of Lithia participated in Race Across America, a 3,100-mile team In June when Matthew Cole (BA ’93) and Karen Johnson (BSPR ’93), far left, married and endurance bicycle trek that started at honeymooned in Rome (they met as UF freshmen in 1989), Matthew was able to meet the Oceanside, California, on June 15 and Vatican Athletic team and take a casual run with them through many landmarks in Rome. ended in Annapolis, Maryland on June 23. During their brief meeting with Pope Francis (right), he also exchanged zucchettos (skullcaps) with the Supreme Ponti. See videos from their adventure at www.bit.ly/mattandkaren. Brown has raised more than $1 million — partly through this race — for mental illness awareness. This time his proceeds STUDENTS TO benefited Skyland Trail, an Atlanta-based non-profit that oers support for people SALESMEN coping with mental illness. “Suicide is the Maren Nelson (BSECI ’87), left, and Jerey (From left) Eric Straehla (BSPE ’78) of Brad Gamble (BSBA ’99) second leading cause of death in youth Martin (BSECI ’87) of Livingston, Texas, took Melbourne, Marty Moir Scabarozi is founder of The Selling ages 10 to 24. I’m riding to change that,” their Gator flag to approximately 78° north in (BSA ’79) and Mike Scabarozi (BS 79) Factory, a Gainesville said Brown, who is CEO of Brown & Brown Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway. of Indialantic took this photo in Ponta company that employs insurance in Daytona Beach. Delgada, Azores, Portugal. and trains UF students in Pollock said he rode to raise money for sales, customer service, the FSH Society, which funds research on entrepreneurship and other business a specific type of muscular dystrophy. The skills. Along with his partners Ian Massenburg (BA longtime friends say their marathon ride ’01) and Adam Grossman, a former UF Hillel rabbi, JUST IN was truly memorable. Former UF Student the company recently celebrated the graduation of Storytellers Steve Johnson (BSJ ’11, Government president and “Being able to participate in this race its 100th student, about half of which are business MSEnt ’15) and Ryan Jones (BSJ homecoming king Cory alongside George while raising awareness majors. Gamble said many of the business-to- ’14, MS ’19) completed a project with Calvin (MBA ’10) wrote this for causes that are personal to us is a business campaigns his company uses to train TIME Magazine in which they built the memoir about his journey tremendous honor,” Brown wrote. “I students come through partnerships with other first AR experience that tracks illegal through UF, struggling to appreciate all of the support … and I’m Gator-owned companies. “They like having UF deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. embrace his own sexuality proud of the positive impact these funds students working on their campaigns, and they feel See their imagery at Seeboundless.com and his “authentic self,” as a will have on education, research and like that supports UF in a way,” he said. or download the TIME immersive app for means of inspiring others. Briana Ryan (BA ’11, BS ’11) of Brooklyn, Jim Halling (BSBA ’73) of Brookhaven, treatment of these serious diseases and the AR experience. NY, took her flag to Mount Kilimanjaro’s GA, took his Albert golf club cover to disorders that can aect our friends, summit in Tanzania. The European Club in Wicklow, Ireland. family and colleagues.”

56 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 57 “… Users may be prone to believing that others are more likely to share false news than themselves, con rming the third‐person eect.”

— JOURNALISM RESEARCHER PAUL MENA (PHD ’19) IN HIS ARTICLE “CLEANING UP SOCIAL MEDIA.” HIS FINDINGS ABOUT FAKE NEWS, FACT-CHECKING AND THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA WARNING LABELS TO CURB THE SPREAD OF ERRONEOUS INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON UF’S COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM AND COMMUNICATIONS SITE: JOU.UFL.EDU/ TAG/PAUL-MENA. MENA NOW TEACHES JOURNALISM AT UC-SANTA BARBARA.

FAMILY FOCUS Jennifer Boston Williams (BA ’06, BA ’06) recently WHAT’S earned Florida Board certiﬁcation in adoption, an accomplishment held by Find Events, Attractions & only 29 other attorneys in GOOD. the state. She works in Jacksonville. Rediscover Gainesville. Come cheer for the home team, but stay for the adventure. With a perfect RIDING HIGH Jennifer Lawson blend of restaurants, craft breweries, outdoor excursions, a thriving music scene, theatre and the arts, Joe Mohan (BA ’91) is (BA ’08, JD ’11) of you’ll have fun reminiscing about your favorite places and create fond memories discovering new ones. vice president of American Longwood stopped for this Airlines. He manages the photo at Peyto Lake airline’s global alliances, in Ban, Alberta, Canada. international planning activities and interline product distribution, as well John Farese (BSBC ’84) and Patti as oversees joint business agreements. Mohan (Thomas) Farese (BSPT ’84) wore is the former CEO of VivaLatinamerica, an their Gator shirts while sailing and airline holding company, and served in several cycling through the Greek Islands management posts at Continental Airlines. in June 2019. However, he says his career began when he served as an aide to Sen. Bob Graham (BA ’59), working in foreign policy and intelligence. Text WhatsGood to 22828 GATOR STRONG Jim Mackie (BSPE ’74), for the weekly events guide. May-li Cuypers (DVM ’92) ﬁnished a Gators athletic trainer 15th at the 2019 ITU Cross Triathlon JUST ANOTHER from 1972-88, wrote this SWEETWATER WETLANDS PARK PHOTO BY WESLEY HETRICK World Championship in Pontevedra, SM ELLY FOOT book about the sta and Spain. The 53-year-old veterinarian students who worked in UF TOM PETTY BIRTHDAY BASH PHOTO BY JOHN DAVISSON also volunteers on the UF College Chris Paick sports medicine and with of Veterinary Medicine’s disaster Ty Griffith Dr. Robt Cade the Gatorade development

response team that provides Sam Lankf d Jim MacKie Dave Wn team. A portion of the emergency support for animals after proceeds from the book will

Shy Buickel Su natural disasters. This year Cuypers & Jim Mackie The History of Athletic Training and support former UF athletes also made a gift to her college through Gatorade at the University of Florida JIM MACKIE, M.ED., LAT, ATC with medically related Where Nature & Culture Meet her will that supports shelter medicine ﬁnancial issues and athletic eorts. She lives near Clearwater. trainer education.

58 | WINTER 2019 GATOR NATION

HEAD, HEART, HANDS, HEALTH TEACH • CONSULT • INSPIRE Deborah Nistler (PhD ’14) is the 4-H youth development state program leader for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. She is the The choice is yours former UF|IFAS’ state civic engagement and 4-H legislature program coordinator, as well as the Bradford County, FL, extension director. SCOUTING FOR LIFE with a UF DBA John Searcy (BEE ’55), 87, of Jacksonville received the National Eagle Scout Association’s Outstanding Eagle Scout PROGRAM VALUE Award this fall, recognizing his personal and professional contributions at the local, state and regional levels. “I was – Expand your teaching skill set – Three-year program with only two shocked and humbled,” Searcy said about the award. weekend visits per semester “… Scouting has been an important part of all aspects of my – Network with cohort members who average life — family, church, education, business and community. 16 years of management experience – Rigorous courses with top faculty The principles I learned as a young Boy Scout still guide my actions.”

MORE INFORMATION

→ warrington.ufl.edu/DBA or contact Angie at: [email protected]

Andy McCaddin (BS ‘08, MS ‘14) took this photo of his wife, Vanessa Walthall (BS Nancy Lomax Leslie (BS 60) Vicki Cotto of Gainesville ’08, MPH ’17, DVM ’17), and Richard Leslie (BA 58) represented the Gators at and their son, Warren, of Coral Gables shared their the Women’s World Cup in at the summit of Bald Gator spirit with hundreds of Lyon, France. Rock Mountain near penguins in Antarctica. Lincolnville, Maine.

Amy Husted (BSTEL ’96) of Coconut Creek wore her Gator jacket on her ﬁrst trip to Ireland this year.

Jonathan Adkins (BSEE ’98) of Madison, Ala., chomped it up at 941-320-3113 Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska.

Send your photos & captions to: FloridaGator@ ufalumni.ufl.edu 60 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 61 Years since Mario Cartaya (BAARCH ’74, MBC ’75) left Cuba with his parents great gator legacies to seek a better life. Fort Lauderdale attorney George Allen (JD ’62), whose numbers of note This fall, the Fort Lauderdale resident distinguished legal career spanned 57 years, died in celebrated his architecture firm’s 40th November. He was the first African American to graduate 59 anniversary at one of its buildings, from UF. Back then, Allen had turned Years Carl Stein the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines. At the down Ivy League law school oers in (BSPR ’73) was a event, U.S. Congress member Debbie Wasserman Schultz favor of attending Florida’s College photojournalist with (BA ’88, MA ’90) presented him with a proclamation honoring of Law because he said, “I’m a native KCBS-TV in Los his accomplishments in Broward County and throughout Floridian, and I felt that somebody Angeles. He retired South Florida. He talked about the community he loves and his had to integrate [UF].” in 2014, but this lifetime of service. year received a Lifetime Achievement And he did. With his degree, Allen Award from the Press Photographers “From [arriving] as a scared 9-year-old refugee with dreams went on to help integrate Broward Association of Greater Los Angeles. greater than my family’s income, to having my name County schools, as well. During his enshrined into the Congressional Record is a validation of lifetime, he also saw his daughter, Amy Allen (JD ’03), Years Steve Futch (BSA ’75, PhD ’97) Over the course of his career, Stein my journey and my parents’ sacrifice, leaving their dreams graduate from UF’s Levin College of Law. He was 83. served as a citrus extension agent in covered the LA riots, wildfires and behind so I could have mine,” Cartaya said. multiple Florida counties before retiring earthquakes, the full OJ Simpson trial, in June. His first experience with citrus the Oscars and Emmys, Dodgers and Gators football linebacker was working in his great-grandfather’s Angels, Clippers and Kings, USC and Neiron Ball (BSAg ’14) Wauchula grove (est. 1905). But after UCLA, the Olympics in Nagano, the died Sept. 10 in Orlando freezes in the 1980s claimed his own Pope’s visit, a 2007 May Day protest during which he was beaten by police and a at the age of 27. Ball grove, he took his first extension agent plethora of other news events. made a whopping 94 career tackles at UF, even job at UF, helping a plethora of growers “I shot the very first chopper TV news live shot in Miami @WPLG-TV back in 1978,” though he sat out the 2011 with pest, fungus he said. “And, how the TV news business changed dramatically with the advent of season to have surgery and other issues live coverage anytime, most anywhere with satellite trucks, portable ‘live’ packs that helped his congenital from Lake Alfred and then the transition into the digital realm.” (Polk County) brain condition, called AVM. In 2012 Ball was drafted by down to Indian He lives in Scottsdale, AZ. the Oakland Raiders, but played just one season before River, DeSoto, a brain aneurysm caused paralysis. His family created a GoFundMe page to help with his medical bills. Hardee, Manatee 34 Number of consecutive years Jack Bierley (BA ’58, and Sarasota LLB ’63), now 82, has made a contribution to UF. He’s counties. tied for the longest cumulative years of giving at 55 Hazel Hough died in August. During her lifetime, she years. The international attorney who has volunteered and her husband, Bill Hough (MBA ’48), contributed in many capacities at UF, in addition to his monetary $30 million toward the construction of Hough gifts, says philanthropy has always been an important Hall, which now serves as UF’s hub for graduate part of his life. business students. She also donated “I received great things from the university and have millions — with her always supported things where I feel I have an obligation family — to other — where I feel I benefited from it,” he said. Florida institutions, Bierley said during his college years he engaged in as many opportunities as he Home23 runs hit by Pete including St. could to become involved in student life by serving, among other roles, as a student Alonso in the final Petersburg’s politician, Florida Blue Key member and, in 1962, homecoming general chairman. round of the MLB’s Museum of Fine “I learned how to become a leader and bring people together through my activities 2019 T-Mobile Home Arts, the Salvador at the university,” he said. “Those skills translated into my career, which is why I’m Run Derby to clinch Dali Museum, Canterbury School and the able to give back today.” the title and $1 million University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Bierley’s lifetime of UF donations, including a law school prize, of which he A 1949 journalism graduate of Florida State scholarship, an international visiting professor fund and donated $100,000. The College for Women (now Florida State University), even a Japanese art piece for the Harn Museum, have New York Mets player Hazel met her husband on a blind date and they enhanced 11 UF programs. is a former Gators first married in 1951. Bill started a municipal bond baseman (LAS 2014-16). firm in St. Petersburg in 1962, and Hazel ran its “A lot of people don’t realize the status of UF in the In November, he was community relations division, in addition to raising context of the public universities in America. It’s a leading named National League their three children. and outstanding institution, and one we should support.” Rookie of the Year. 62 | WINTER 2019 53 FLORIDA GATOR | 63 VETERANS ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM WELCOME LIFE MEMBERS! MEET FELLOW GATOR DANNY SAMPLE US Army Veteran, SELYNE SINGH UF VEP Class of ‘18 Owner, Siluria Brewing Company (Alabaster, AL) “While studying at UF, I had the pleasure of meeting Gators from around the world. I joined the UF Alumni Association to maintain the friendships I have formed ART JACOBS MBA ’75 and to establish new US Army Veteran, UF VEP Speaker, Mentor, & Supporter ones. The Gator Nation is Founder & CEO, Valkyrie Consulting everywhere!”

— Selyne Singh (BA ’18) of Tampa is a recruiting administrator for McKinsey & Company, a global management Extending the University of Florida’s Reach to consulting business. Empower America’s Veterans

The UF Veterans Entrepreneurship Program is an intense learning and development opportunity that equips veterans with the tools to launch or grow a business. Qualified veterans with service-connected disabilities and those who have uniquely distinguished themselves in the military are provided the experience at no cost. OF YOUR FELLOW GATORS BECAME LIFE MEMBERS OF APPLY, REFER OR DONATE AT: 321 THE UF ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SINCE SEPTEMBER 1. May 10– 17, 2020 warrington.ufl.edu/VEP Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2020 University of Florida | Gainesville, FL Members receive a plethora of beneﬁts, but more importantly, their Questions? 352.273.0330 dues support career networking programs, scholarships and fellow and future members of the Gator Nation. Your UF Alumni Association is proud to keep Gators connected to campus and to each other. JOIN TODAY by visiting ufalumni.uﬂ.edu or calling 352-392-1905.

FLORIDA GATOR | 65 It was the Age of Aquarius — a time to love, and a time to hate, a time of war, and a time of peace.

cross America, protesters implored politicians to stop the Vietnam War. Pastors, college students and housewives marched for Asocial justice. Police scattered crowds with ﬁre hoses and dogs. Men burned draft cards. Women burned bras. The Ku Klux Klan burned crosses. The Cold War smoldered. Assassins took the Kennedy brothers, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Yet, in the midst of that decade’s unrest, astronauts walked on the moon. Schools were integrated. The ﬁrst black U.S. Supreme Court justice was appointed. Voting rights became law. On UF’s campus, the graduates of 1969 would be forever changed. As they were inducted into UF’s Grand Guard this year, some shared these memories:

66 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 67 MAE WEST WILLIAM ELAINE TANKARD STEVE SPURRIER (BSJ ’69) (‘63-’66, BSPE ’81) GIRARD ANDREWS (BA ’69) (BSJ ’69, JD ’72)

(I remember) being ‘shu°ed’ out I remember of the law library with my freshman exactly Two of my most I remember well the roommate“ because we were where I “ memorable events were: Vietnam War protesters, women and not welcome. Over the 1) being“ told by my the sit-in“ at Tigert Hall was when years, I’ve wondered whether any counselor during fall (April 1971), the armored Tankard was a member of Theta President of those ‘Boys from Old Florida’ registration in 1967 that I police vehicles parked Sigma Phi (now Association for Kennedy later regretted their unwritten should consider a di®erent across the street, the Women in Communications), was killed. secret practice to which they degree than math because march on the ROTC helped create the then-women’s I was leadership group UF Savant subjected any female who set foot I already had two strikes building and the (an alternative to the then-all- in their sanctum sanctorum, before hitchhiking against me — I was female gatherings in the Plaza of male Florida Blue Key) and was women’s liberation put an end to it from Gainesville to and I was Negro; 2) being the Americas. President editor of the women’s handbook and opened wide all areas of study Johnson City, Tennessee, part of such a history- (Stephen C.) O’Connell “The Florida Coed.” She is now a to both sexes. Quite frankly, it’s still with a buddy of mine for making event — the did an excellent job freelance editor in Austin, Texas. my favorite UF memory because Thanksgiving. Nobody does desegregation of not just controlling/di®using the it illustrates how far women have that anymore, but that’s how our educational system but situation with no violence come since then. we saved money. ... I didn’t STEVEN APTHEKER of this nation. The killing that I can recall. of Martin Luther King was have 20 bucks [for a bus (BA ’69) heart-breaking. I couldn’t ticket] back then. We started outwardly protest because BRYAN PAGE MARY WILSON DUNGEY at University and 441. ... In (BA ’69, PHD ’76) (BAE ’69) it would have cost my Lake City, a car came by the I recall wearing a black arm band when Dr. King was dad, James West, his job other way ... It slowed down murdered, as some other students did, while there were as chef at Phi Kappa Tau. and [the driver] said, ‘The others celebrating“ Dr. King’s death. My few friends called me The woman who led the movement During such president just got shot.’” The night that Bobby was shot was the day before my names because I wouldn’t to prohibit prayer in schools spoke turbulent times Spurrier left UF in 1966 to play last ﬁnal. I could not concentrate because Bobby protest with them. on campus in“ 1968. A passionate “there were football for the San Francisco was still in surgery. An awful day. speaker with strong opinions, she peaceful places. One of UF’s few black 49ers. In March, he coached e®ectively defended atheism, the Father Michael Aptheker, now a Port St. Lucie attorney, says he students, Girard said she the AAF’s Orlando Apollos in a use of Anglo-Saxon cuss words, Gannon, a priest recalls that Gator football got more attention than didn’t feel welcomed at game at Legion Field, the site A Florida Alligator women’s rights and the growing at St. Augustine anything happening in Washington, D.C. or Vietnam. most UF activities. The of the historic 1970 Alabama student newspaper opposition to the Vietnam War. Catholic Center, Nevertheless, between the draft and the ROTC retired Hillsborough School vs. University of Southern reporter, Andrews requirement for all male underclassman, the thought Board administrator An ROTC cadet and son of an single-handedly had a front-row seat California football game. USC’s of going to war loomed. Not long after graduation, he says the “bittersweet” FBI agent, Page said he attended interrupted a to UF events. He’s African-American athletes — went to Vietnam as a U.S. Army intelligence ocer. time was worth it: “UF debates concerning the war huge Kent State now an attorney with whose performance soundly “Until the horrible events of 1968, I think it was a presented obstacles and and other issues of the times, demonstration GrayRobinson in defeated the Tide — were the positive thing to be at school on a gorgeous campus opportunities that made but stayed away from campus by his amazing Jacksonville, focusing on ﬁrst of their race to play in a with beautiful weather without being bueted by the me the woman I am. My demonstrations. He recalls ability to labor and employment college game in the South. controversies and drug culture that were riling up the experience encouraged smelling teargas from a Vietnam law and actively communicate with and calm down rest of the country,” he says. three generations of my War protest on University Avenue Spurrier shared his recollection participating in civic students. Attending Mass and family to pursue and while he studied in the library in of the event with his Apollos groups. lectures about our faith helped me graduate from UF — three spring 1972. “I could hear students before their game: Running feel at peace through it all.” generations of African clashing with police outside, but I back Sam “Bam” Cunningham American UF alumni who did not participate. My father was Then an ocer in UF’s Young “ran for a whole bunch of yards bleed nothing but orange still an agent … and I did not want Republican Club, Dungey became a against Alabama,” he said. “That and blue.” to attract the attention of his boss, teacher, social worker and assistant helped convince people in the J. Edgar Hoover, who tended to school principal. She lives in Stuart South that … they certainly and retired in 2016 from Fort Pierce’s punish fathers for the sins of their needed to allow the black sons.” Page is a University of Miami Saint Anastasia Catholic School. athletes to play.” anthropology professor.

68 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 69 In November, the Class of 1969 returned to UF for its 50th reunion ■ UF’s ﬁrst black and induction into the Grand Guard 1961 undergraduates 1963 Society, ■ Bay of Pigs enroll an elite invasion of ■ UF students Cuba ■ Cuban Missile Crisis regularly protest group that

1962 whites-only policy celebrates ■ Americans

at College Inn ARCHIVES.GOV NATIONAL begin to build Gator Nation’s Cafeteria backyard rich history nuclear bomb ■ Martin Luther and revels in shelters King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech meaningful experiences ■ Gainesville Women for Equal Rights around established this milestone anniversary. During ■ President Kennedy Grand Guard Weekend each year, UF assassinated welcomes a new class with a full slate of activities followed by the induction ceremony. All Grand Guard Society ■ UF honors Vietnam War members are invited to participate veterans with Operation and help welcome the new inductees. Appreciation For video highlights from the 2019 ■ Malcolm X assassinated event, or to learn more about Grand UF students take part in Selma, Guard Society, visit u®.to/GrandGuard.

UNITED PRESS INT’L UNITED PRESS ■ Ala., march for civil rights

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LIBRARY 1969 1970 ■ Voting Rights Act ends 1964 1965 discrimination at polls ■ UF’s ACCENT Speakers ■ Beatles U.S. tour launches Bureau hosts “Dimensions ■ First Earth Day “British Invasion” ■ Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated of Freedom” series on the ■ National Vietnam War, religion, drugs, Guardsmen ■ Vietnam War begins Spencer Boyer, UF law’s ﬁrst African- ■ sex, civil disobedience, race kill four Kent American visiting professor, receives and other topics State University death threats African American students protesters; UF Ron Coleman becomes UF’s ﬁrst ■ ■ protest inequity at Tigert students strike to African American student-athlete Hall cancel classes in

1966 OF CONGRESS LIBRARY (track and field) response Gay Liberation Movement National Organization Robert Kennedy killed ■ ■ ■ begins for Women (NOW) ■ Thurgood formed Marshall ■ Astronauts walk on moon SOURCES: AMERICA’S BEST HISTORY, PBS Black Panther Party confirmed to Woodstock: Three Days of ■ ■ AND UF ARCHIVES formed Supreme Court Peace and Music ■ Stephen Stills (1963) ■ Race riots across ■ UF students and faculty records “For What It’s U.S., including hold Plaza of the Americas Tampa Worth” with his band, “Gentle Wednesday” peace (Clockwise from top left) Howard Rosenblatt Bu¢alo Springfield rallies (BAE ’69, JD ’81), Steve Spurrier (BSPE ’81), ■ Steve Spurrier (BSPE David Clark (BSOT ’65), Susan Copeland Lee ’81) wins Heisman (BSOT ’69), and Carol Gwin (BSOT ’69) share Trophy 1967 1968 memories and reconnect at the reunion.

70 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 71 You recently partnered with LinkedIn to oer tips for people who want to start their own businesses. How does it feel to be positioned as a career-path sage at 30-something? Fast Ways LinkedIn has been a fantastic partner. I started working with them a year ago doing short videos on tips and hacks. I had been doing to Get my own version [through social channels] because I thought I should share my mistakes Ahead In MINUTES and all this knowledge that I was picking up KIM along the way. But now with LinkedIn, it’s been great to reach dierent audiences. Not Business WITH only is it touching people in the U.S., I’ve 5 3 also received emails from people in India, the BY KIM KAUPE KAUPE UK and Brazil who say the course has helped CLAUDE STEPHEN HURST them. I still give my time to UF and meet with students up here in New York, but by GET A MENTOR. This is a huge game changer. Find partnering with LinkedIn people can access 1 someone a bit higher up than you in your industry. Ask information on their own time and even in them to co®ee or to hop on a 30-minute call. It’s easy, their pajamas whenever they feel like it. fast and can change the direction of your life. Of all the tips you oer, which one is a must CHOOSE YOUR BOSS, NOT YOUR JOB. You will be for anyone in any industry? spending the majority of your life with the people you 2 work with. Pay attention to who you will be reporting Mentorship — in all caps. It’s so important to have mentors around you who can listen to and working around. It’s better to have a great team ENTREPRENEURIAL ALUMNA TALKS ABOUT HER METEORIC RISE IN THE to you and be a sounding board to your life, than a great name brand job title or company. BUSINESS WORLD AND HER RECENT PARTNERSHIP WITH LINKEDIN your career. I believe in having lots of mentors. LEAVE YOUR JOB, NOT YOUR CONTACTS. e word mentorship scares people because When leaving an internship or job remember to take it seems so ocial and time consuming. But 3 your contacts with you. LinkedIn and im Kaupe (BSBA ’08) is co-founder and CEO of e Superfan Company, an agency founded in 2011 that creates one-of-a-kind Kproducts for extreme fans, as well as programs and strategies for celebrities and brands. So far, she’s produced fan packages for Katy it could mean having breakfast with someone social media has made it so easy to Perry, the New York Mets, KISS, Shawn Mendes, ACE Comic Con, Miller Coors and Paul McCartney, to name a few. once a quarter or a phone call once a week. stay in touch! She’s been named to numerous prominent entrepreneurs-to-watch lists, won several oers on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” served as a 2019 Which Gators inspired you or shaped RESPECT PEOPLE’S TIME. If youIf you Miss USA pageant judge and contributed many articles to media outlets, such as Forbes, e Wall Street Journal and Forbes Woman. your approach? have a 30 minute meeting set up, Her most recent side project is a series of entrepreneurship video classes for LinkedIn. at’s one thing about the Gator Nation 4 make sure you ﬁnish the meeting Despite her hectic schedule, Kaupe has purposefully carved out time to meet with UF students and share her lessons learned. She’s that’s so great: ere are so many Gators up on time. Tell the person your headlined events hosted by the Gotham Gator Club, UF Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and UF Alumni Association. in New York and Manhattan who have helped meeting time is running out me countless times. ere’s tons of great and you want to respect their In the 11 years since you graduated, you’ve accomplished more How has your success changed you? Gators who constantly inspire me from Adam time. It will blow them away than many people. Describe what that’s been like? I’ve had a lot of opportunity to grow as a leader and a Schwartz (BSTel ’08) at TeePublic to Myka and won’t make them late A lot of it is getting lucky. Success in business is having the right businesswoman. Success has taught me to become a better listener, Meier (BSPR ’07) at Beaumont Etiquette. to their next meeting! idea at the right time in the right space with the right people. and more empathetic to what people are going through around me. Other Gators have been so generous with their ASK FOR HELP. Tell is recipe for me led to a lot of fast growth and success. It was Leadership comes from getting into the not-so-fun stu. time and experience, advice and contacts that everyone and anyone de nitely not something that I ever planned. When I went to have been invaluable. We are so fortunate to 5 Why do you stay involved with UF? who will listen about UF there was no such thing as the Center for Entrepreneurship be Gators because not only do we graduate what you need to I’ve lived by the saying “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.” I and Innovation or the Hatchery. What UF and Jamie Kraft are with a great degree, we become a part of a succeed. The world remember participating at the business school while I was at building over there is amazing. ey’ll help you build businesses great community. is small and you will UF and we had tons of Gator guest speakers come talk to us — and write business plans. What a fantastic resource. I look back be surprised at the heads of companies and retired executives. All their roles and titles Anything else you’d like to tell Gator Nation? now and I’m very jealous. My entrepreneurial path was an number of people who and experiences were amazing to hear, but I didn’t see myself in It’s so important to give back. Sometimes exciting awesome blur. I either had the best day ever or the worst reach out to o®er you a any of those people. So I think it’s important to get out there and people get it into their head that they can’t day ever — for about three years. I’ve never had a baby, but I helping hand! imagine it as having a baby. e concept of “at was fun and talk with students while my company is still growing and I’m in give back until they’re accomplished or older terrible and let’s do it again.” the thick of it. Don’t wait until you’re 50 to give your perspective. or rich. But your most valuable asset is time. In my case, I’m 33 and a founder. e more the students can see e sooner you can give back in whatever way themselves in you and your story, the more they can get that spark that looks like, that’s really the key in how and con dence that they can do it, too. we’re going to keep our community of Gators going strong.

72 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 73 BY PAT DOOLEY (BSJ ‘76) STACEY NELSON

eld and totally dierent o the eld. school is. You have to be all in.” It tells a great story that you can be an She worked with an organization to athlete at such a high level and still have build a bread factory, but the organization this academic interest.” she worked with “wasn’t trustworthy.” So It was like there were two Stacey Nelsons Nelson continued to raise money hoping with dierent levels of passion. to nd a better solution. “[Uganda] was something she was really “I was sitting on $35,000 to be spent passionate about,” said UF head softball in Northern Uganda for about a year,” coach Tim Walton. “I was actually afraid she said, “and then I was at this party and when she was playing here she’d leave in someone introduced me to a guy who was the middle of a semester and go abroad.” from the exact village I had been working Once she was nished with an amazing with. I can’t tell you how remote it is. career at Florida that included a gaudy People in Uganda don’t know where it is.” 136-36 career record and 0.99 ERA (as His message to her was simple — the well as Florida’s rst appearances in the bread factory is ne. But what northern Women’s College World Series), Nelson Uganda really needed was agriculture, “IT STRUCK ME was o to pitch in Japan. the backbone of the area. So she started “It’s sad for me to say because the working to do both. SO DEEPLY, BUT game of softball has given me so much,” Nelson ended up spending a year in Nelson said. “Pro softball was a bit of a Uganda working toward the goal of WHAT COULD disappointment for me because I didn’t nding employment for people after the have the camaraderie I had in college. chaos of war. WE DO? ” “When it became all about the “I try to stay on top of the nances,” — Stacey Nelson money, I knew I she said. “You can’t come in needed to stop.” as an American and create She had dreamed I’M 32 AND solutions. ey were so about going to law “ used to being given things, school since she was I’M KIND OF getting handouts. We had cultures, you don’t know if you are doing FROM SOFTBALL TO SOCIAL JUSTICE a little girl. But rst to teach them how to work the right thing or the wrong thing.” there would be a WONDERING for them, to empower them At the same time, she can smile because Stacey Nelson (BA ’09) brushed away her still damp hair as “It struck me so deeply, but what could we do?” Nelson said. “It stop in Uganda in to create wealth and have a not only has the Kope Foundation (named she sat in a hotel lobby on one of the biggest days of her life. took hold of me and after that I just wanted to learn more about 2011. e people WHAT’S NEXT. livelihood.” after the word for “the problems are not She would be inducted later that day into the UF Athletic Hall the problem.” she had never met ” As her mother Karolyn there”) empowering women to work of Fame. Part of it was being on a college campus and being exposed to had never left her — Stacey Nelson says, the seed was planted but reducing domestic violence in the But her mind was in Uganda. It’s always there. “ey’re such more viewpoints. Part of it was just being a Gator. heart. e issue early in Stacey, and it community. happy, loving people,” she said. “I miss them all the time.” “A large part of who I am was developed by UF: academically was that the Acholi continues to grow, And there’s this — she coached a e former Florida softball star pitcher — arguably the best to as well as the human aspect, volunteering, giving back to the people had been trained for the workforce “What a dierence she’s made over little softball team in Uganda, securing ever play for the Gators — made quite a journey from Los Alamitos, community. It became a part of my nature. It was a part of who I after war but only a handful were employed. there,” Karolyn said. “She hit the ground donations from her old pitching coach and Calif., to Gainesville to play softball for four years at Florida. But was when I left [UF].” She decided there had to be a way to build running and had to do a lot of adjusting, others for equipment. that pales in comparison to the many trips she has made to a remote While Nelson was still at Florida, she knew she wanted to do something to oer employment to so many but her goal was to help the people. I’m For now, though, she is back in the Los village (Pader Town Council) in northern Uganda where she has something. So she went to area high schools encouraging teenagers people who wanted to work. But it would very proud of her.” Angeles area working as a lawyer for the worked with the Acholi people to try to nd answers. To understand to study about Uganda’s situation. have to wait because law school at Loyola Nelson swats away praise, much like she oce of the inspector general monitoring the questions, you have to go way back on the 32-year old’s timeline. e winner of an essay contest would receive a $1,000 Marymount awaited. credits her teammates for her All-American jail conditions in Los Angeles County. Nelson studied about the children being used as soldiers in scholarship. Nelson worked with Steve Noll, a Florida history and “It was like a monkey on my back in softball career. ere’s more to do. “I’m 32 and I’m kind of wondering Uganda as a high school student, but it was a documentary about UF disability professor, turning a six-month independent course law school,” Nelson said. “I never stopped “It’s not satisfying because I worry if I’m what’s next,” she said. Pete Singer’s book “Children at War” that really hit her. She study into a year-long exercise. thinking about it, but you know how law doing all I can,” she said. “When you cross So is everyone else. was home from college when she saw it and her attitudes about “She’s intellectually curious,” said Noll. “I’ve never met helping others were starting to evolve. someone who can ip the switch like her, be a bulldog on the https://www.gofundme.com/f/kope-foundation or www.kopefoundation.org

74 | WINTER 2019 FLORIDA GATOR | 75 University of Florida Alumni Association NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION P.O. Box 14425 US Postage Gainesville, FL 32604-2425 PAID University of Florida Alumni Association

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