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UF donors rally to support the university’s teaching, discovery and outreach missions

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University of Florida alumni and friends give record $449 million in FY 2016-17

University of Florida alumni and friends invested a record $449 million in UF’s programs and people this year to support the university’s aspiration to better serve families and communities across the globe. Those gifts provide scholarships, elevate professors’ work in classrooms and laboratories, and support key life-enhancing UF focus areas ranging from biodiversity, neuro-medicine and cybersecurity to early childhood studies, food sustainability and renewable energy.
This is the sixth consecutive year donors exceeded the previous fiscal year’s gift commitment total and continues a two-decade growth trend in private investments in the university’s mission and initiatives. Since 1996, UF’s philanthropic support has increased nearly 600 percent — from $76 million then to $449 million in the year that ended this June 30. Private giving has topped $400 million each of the past two years.
That support directly correlates with UF’s climb in national reputation and its abilities to address critical societal challenges, generate innovative ideas, stimulate the economy and groom new generations of civic and industry leaders. Recent accolades include producing more Fulbright Scholars than any other university, being No. 3 on Milken Institute’s “Best Universities for Technology Transfer” list, ranking sixth in the nation in number of university-inspired startup companies and sixth on The New York Times’ list of “Top Colleges Doing the Most for the American Dream.”
“The University of Florida already ranks among the top 10 public research universities in the nation in the majority of rankings. Our goal now is to join the top five. That Gators believe in that shared vision and support it so generously speaks to the compassion and spirit of our alumni and friends, and will make UF a truly transformational force for the 21st century,” UF President Kent Fuchs said.
More than 72,000 Gators made gifts in 2016-17 to support an array of UF programs and initiatives, including:

  • Signature facilities, such as the new Joseph Hernandez Hall chemistry building; Stephen C. O’Connell Center and Exactech Arena’s revitalization; the transformation of 107-year-old Newell Hall into a state-of-the-art, around-the-clock student study center; the second phase of Florida Innovation Hub; and the soon-to-be-completed twin Heart & Vascular and Neuro-medicine hospitals.
  • 37 new endowed professorships and chairs that provide consistent, reliable funding streams for research, equipment, student stipends and other resources that advance learning and discovery. Widely considered critical incentives for recruitment and retention of top faculty members, the new endowed positions bring UF’s total to 455.
  • Along with other forms of student support, $15 million for UF’s Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars program. Machen Florida Opportunity Scholarships open UF’s doors for first-generation college students from some of Florida’s most disadvantaged families — talented scholars who might not otherwise earn a college degree.

Another notable fundraising achievement is the growth of UF’s endowment, which increased from $996 million in 2006 to $1.6 billion this year. The endowment’s earnings ensure everlasting support for programs throughout campus. President Fuchs has called boosting its size crucial to UF’s ability to sustain its vision to be an international preeminent university.
“When you stop to consider the University of Florida and its potential, it’s obvious that we’re uniquely positioned. Not only is Florida a bellwether state, but the pure depth and reach of our university sets us apart. There is practically no issue that people care about that UF is not addressing. For that reason, it’s critically important that we’re coming together to support UF’s mission and vision,” UF Campaign Chair Anita Zucker said.
UF is the flagship university for the state of Florida, the third-largest state in the country. It serves more than 50,000 students from 50 states and 131 countries. With five professional schools and 200 research, service and education centers, bureaus and institutes on a single 2,000-acre campus, UF offers educational opportunities matched by only seven universities worldwide. Over 415,000 UF alumni represent the Gator Nation globally.

Blacklidge Posts Strong Fundraising Numbers

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The House District 69 candidate has raised over $73,000 since filing to run in early June.

The Ray Blacklidge Campaign today announced that it has raised over $73,000 since he filed to run for the District 69 seat in the Florida House two months ago. Eighty-five donors have contributed over $52,000 to his campaign, with Blacklidge’s political committee, Friends of Ray Blacklidge, raising another $21,000.
“I am very heartened by the very strong, early support we are receiving,” said Blacklidge. “I’m so grateful that so many people are stepping up to make sure we have the resources needed to take our conservative vision to Tallahassee. I will keep working hard to get our message out to voters across the district.”
Blacklidge, a Republican, has an extensive background as an entrepreneur with a record of protecting consumers and fighting fraud.  He currently works as an attorney in the management of a Florida-based insurance company. He is the first candidate to file for the seat since Representative Kathleen Peters announced she would not seek re-election in order to run for the Pinellas County Commission.
House District 69 covers the south Pinellas beach communities from Redington Shores to Fort DeSoto, as well as portions of St. Petersburg, Gulfport, Kenneth City, and Pinellas Park. With 36 percent of the district’s voter registration, Republicans maintain a slight lead over the Democrats’ 35 percent. Independents and minor parties make up 29 percent of the district.

Paid by Ray Blacklidge, Republican, for State Representative

Senator Book to Present $1.5 Million to Plantation Fire Department for New Station Building

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State Senator Lauren Book will be presenting a $1.5 million check to the City of Plantation Fire Station #1 today for the 2017 Appropriation during the City’s council meeting.
Fire Station #1 was established in 1957 to accommodate two small fire units and few part-time volunteers. Though it was later expanded in the 1960s, it was not built to house a full-time staff that works out of the station twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. In its current state, staff is unable to effectively operate out of the station. The City hopes to use the appropriation funds to construct a new fire station.
“Fire Station #1 has been dedicated to serving the residents of Plantation for 60 years,” said Book. “I am honored to have the opportunity to present this check to such a deserving organization.”
The council meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 9th, at 400 NW 73rd Avenue in Plantation.

Apopka woman wins top prize in the $1,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE Scratch-Off game

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The Florida Lottery announces that Glamorous Cornelius, 62, of Apopka, claimed a top prize in the $1,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. She chose to receive her winnings in annual payments of $52,000 for the duration of her life, guaranteed for a minimum of 20 years.
Cornelius purchased her winning ticket from Publix, located at 1538 South Federal Highway in Delray Beach. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
The $2 Scratch-Off game, $1,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE, launched in July and features more than 10 million winning tickets, including eight top prizes of $1,000 a week for life! The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-4.43.
Scratch-Offs are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, generating more than $784 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in FY 2016-17, and comprising approximately 68 percent of ticket sales.

Cortes Condemns Public Service Commission's Decision to Double Rates

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Cortes says the request puts an undue burden on West Seminole residents

State Representative Bob Cortes today made the following statement regarding the Public Service Commission’s unanimous approval of Utilities Inc.’s request to nearly double water and wastewater rates for Seminole County residents:
“This decision, which doubles rates for West Seminole residents, demonstrates that the Public Service Commission is not standing on the side of consumers.  Without a compelling case from Utilities Inc. and despite a public hearing where citizens expressed their concerns, the PSC moved ahead with a decision that would clearly impose an unfair burden, especially for seniors on fixed incomes. In the Legislature, we have repeatedly worked to do just the opposite, as we have passed numerous measures to reduce taxes and fees, including the property tax exemption passed just this year.  Floridians should expect better from public servants like the Public Service Commissioners, and I hope they will do better going forward.”

Excerpts from Commissioner Putnam’s Remarks at Florida Chamber Foundation’s Opportunities Summit

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today delivered remarks at the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2017 Military, Defense and Veterans Opportunities Summit. Below are excerpts from his remarks:
“Think of the millions of soldiers, sailors and airmen whose first introduction to Florida is through training here. All the pilots in Pensacola and folks who are stationed here. Folks who end up at one of our combatant commands, and they fall in love with Florida. They resolve that at some point, they’re going to end up back here with their families to begin the next chapter of their lives in the Sunshine State.
“Florida needs to be in an open position of offense because no one is better suited to take talent, take investment, take missions from other states than we are. And the reason for that is we have been a multi-year process not just to BRAC-proof our existing installations, but to be able to play offense in any future decisions that are made about moving missions around.
“For example, the natural resources policy of our state has baked into it military readiness, encroachment protections. When the Department of Agriculture evaluates Rural and Family Lands purchases, one of those considerations is the opportunity to create a buffer around existing bases.
“DoD and MILCON spending is a force multiplier for private investment in Florida’s economy. So not only are we focused on the pure military and homeland mission, but how to leverage that into private investment. When you look at what we have leveraged because of our commitment to veterans and military, that has resulted in Eastern Shipbuilding in Panama City getting a multi-billion-dollar Coast Guard contract to build the next generation of cutters in northwest Florida. And creating a workforce opportunity never before imagined for that community in that industry.
“When you look at the growth of the Space Coast, now the aerospace coast, it goes from south of Merritt Island all the way up to Jacksonville now. And we look to the future that the glory days of Florida’s space age will not have been the Apollo program, and will not have been the space shuttle program, but it will be the joint process of civilian and military investment that is going forward right now, where the factories that will build the satellites will be in Florida. The rockets will be assembled in Florida. They will be launched from Florida. They will land in Florida. They will be refurbished and repurposed to relaunch in Florida. We’ll be in the entire life cycle and entire supply chain of the commercial space enterprise.
“The military and defense spending in Florida is a force multiplier for the private sector investments that we’re seeing take place now. Talent retention is the single most important part of this puzzle. Who wouldn’t want to hire the talent that Uncle Sam has spent a fortune developing for us? For cyber. For IT. For healthcare. What superintendent wouldn’t want retired military to be that role model in their classrooms, in their administration? What community wouldn’t want an army of small business men and women, fresh out of the military, applying their passion, their drive, their discipline to free enterprise to rebuild our communities, to take our economy in a totally new direction?
“And that’s why we’ve made it a priority to eliminate the application fees for veterans transitioning into civilian life. We ought to tear down the barriers that are preventing veterans from immediately and seamlessly transitioning into a civilian economy in the Sunshine State, and together we can do that.
“That’s why I wrote my old friend Heather Wilson, who I served with and who is now Secretary of the Air Force, and said the F-35 belongs in northeast Florida, and all of your objective metrics demonstrate that.
“We need to make sure that our veterans nursing homes continue to expand and grow and add to meet the growing needs of a growing veterans population in our state. It’s not just about taking care of veterans at the very end of life, though, it’s about giving that 42-year-old retired major the opportunity to start an exciting new chapter in the Sunshine State. To launch that business in Panama City, in Bartow, in Mayport, in Green Cove Springs, in Homestead.
“It’s about making sure there’s a seamless transition for our state colleges and our universities to take a wave of individuals who already have their security clearances and give them the topping off skills to create an entirely new industry in cybersecurity here in the Sunshine State. Something that the whole world—civilian and military alike—is desperate to develop more talent for, particularly in the United States. That can be done in Florida.
“These are the things that are so important – big things, little things; structural things, symbolic things. We’ve hosted 405 events, serving 3,100 veterans to have access to public lands and private lands to hunt, to fish, to lobster, to kayak, to sail, to do all kinds of things in the most beautiful outdoor areas of anywhere in the country. They get to do it in Florida.
“And Florida will roll out the welcome mat for veterans and their families who want to make Florida their home.”

Congressman Ted Yoho Joins Small Business Owners for a Luncheon Discussion on Pro-Growth Tax Reform

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The Main Street Growth & Opportunity Coalition, along with the Putnam County Republican Executive Committee, today hosted a luncheon with Congressman Ted Yoho, small business owners and other supporters to discuss the urgency behind pro-growth tax reform and ways Congress can help small businesses grow and create jobs, which will lead to a healthier, more secure economy.
“For years constituents, business leaders, and people from all walks of life have been demanding tax reform. Today’s discussion is yet another affirmation of that call to action. As always, the feedback and depth of knowledge from our local business community proved to be helpful and encouraging as we take on the imperative issue of tax reform,” said Representative Ted Yoho (FL-03). “Today’s meeting re-affirmed my belief that now is the time for action. As a business owner myself, I know how badly these reforms are needed and look forward to getting this issue across the finish line with my colleagues in Congress. Americans need relief now.”
Attendees discussed the challenges they face as small business owners and leaders, and the need for elected officials in Washington, D.C. to support policies to help advance Florida businesses.
“I’d like to thank Congressman Yoho for joining us and listening to our thoughts on why comprehensive tax reform is a critical factor for both the success of small businesses and the success of our country,” said Tom Williams, owner of TMT Auto Clinic and Chair of the Putnam County Republican Executive Committee. “We are pleased to support the Congressman’s efforts in working enact pro-growth tax reform as soon as possible.”
About the Main Street Growth & Opportunity Coalition – Florida
The Main Street Growth & Opportunity Coalition is an alliance of businesses, local trade associations and concerned individuals committed to supporting a common sense, pro-growth agenda for America. For more information, please visit www.mainstreetgrowthandopportunity.org/florida.

Gov. Scott Highlights New Jobs at Think Anew in Tampa

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Information technology services firm to create 20 new jobs


Governor Rick Scott today announced the creation of 20 new jobs at Think Anew, an information technology managed services provider in Tampa. The new building is the company’s first Florida location. The small business considered other locations, including Mississippi, but ultimately chose Tampa as the best location for their new facility.
Governor Rick Scott said, “I’m proud to highlight small business Think Anew which chose Florida as the best place to expand and create 20 new jobs for families. Florida continues to outpace the nation for job growth and our unemployment rate is at a 10-year low which is great news. In order to attract more companies like Think Anew to Florida, we created the new $85 million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. This transparent, flexible program will continue our push to make Florida the premiere destination for job creation.”
Think Anew CEO Don Glidewell said, “The excitement building around job creation and recruitment of top tier companies to the Tampa area, especially in the Health and Life Sciences sector, is undeniable. This is a reflection of not only the talent coming from the communities and universities, but also the hard work and determination of the staff at Tampa Hillsborough EDC, Enterprise Florida, and Governor Scott’s office. As a company that believes in the American Dream and supports the healthcare community by making their operations safer, compliant and more efficient, Think Anew will bring new advancements and higher paying jobs to Florida.”
The project was made possible through strong partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, City of Tampa, Hillsborough County and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Think Anew, LLC is a great example of our pro-growth policies coming to fruition and helping Floridians find jobs. The company will find a talented workforce in Hillsborough to fill its high-skill, high-wage STEM job openings. I am proud that Florida has created an environment ideal for business expansion and job creation.”
Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Stacy White said, “We’re pleased to welcome Think Anew to Hillsborough County and thank them for choosing our community. We recognize the tremendous value that the information technology sector contributes to our region’s economic future, and are committed to helping companies like Think Anew get the business assistance they need to thrive in our market.”
Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation Chair and President of Hillsborough Community College Dr. Ken Atwater said, “Tampa is an incubator for the information technology sector – particularly those providing business-to-business service. We are confident that Think Anew will enjoy the same level of prosperity here as others that have similarly chosen to expand in Hillsborough County, including Accusoft, BlueGrace Logistics, CareSync, DAS Health, Nitro, ReliaQuest, and SunView Software.”
About Think Anew
Think Anew, founded in 2007, provides information technology services that enable efficient interaction between hardware and software for the healthcare, education and government sectors. The company offers full technical support services, including help desk; wireless, cloud and connectivity solutions; mobile device management and encryption; onsite implementation; data migration; disaster recovery and business continuity, and more.  For more information visit ThinkAnew.com.

Secretary Detzner Announces 2018 Florida Folklife Apprenticeship Program Artists

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Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today the selection of six traditional artists to serve in the 2018 Florida Folklife Apprenticeship Program. The chosen artists areDeVaughan Woodside (Lake Mary), Junkanoo costume design; Leonidas Zafiris (Holiday), Greek outi; Shaila Sateesh (Sarasota), bharatanatyam; Betty Ford-Smith (Sebring), pine cone quilting; Dany Illas (Miami), Afro-Cuban song; and Lepoleon Williams (Pensacola), mbira making.
“Since 1984, the Florida Folklife Apprenticeship Program has supported 191 apprenticeships in a variety of traditional art forms,” said Secretary Detzner. “This year’s artists truly represent the diversity of Florida’s living cultural heritage and are committed to preserving folk arts through their apprenticeship.”

Junkanoo artist DeVaughan Woodside performing with Junkanoo Near You.
Photo courtesy of Woodside.

The Florida Folklife Apprenticeship Program fosters the preservation of the state’s folk and traditional arts by supporting masters who pass their knowledge, skills, stories and techniques on to apprentices. Traditional arts are expressions of shared community identity that reflect the values and aesthetics of the groups that practice them. Traditional arts include a wide range of creative forms such as custom, belief, technical skill, language, art, music, dance and ritual. These arts are typically learned informally and are maintained and perpetuated without formal instruction. As part of the program, master artists work intensively with one or more apprentices during a period of up to eight months. Program support consists of honoraria to the masters and apprentices to cover expenses for lessons and supplies.
To apply for the Florida Folklife Apprenticeship Program, master artists should be known in their community as expert practitioners of a living traditional art form that is considered a valued aspect of that community’s folklife. The Florida Folklife Program defines folklife as the living traditions that are currently practiced and passed down by word of mouth, imitation or observation over time and space within groups or communities. Each apprentice must have demonstrated an aptitude for, and a commitment to, the art form which he or she wishes to study and an involvement with the cultural community that sustains the tradition. The next deadline for applications to the Folklife Apprenticeship Program is May 15, 2018.
The Florida Folklife Program is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts’ Folk and Traditional Arts Program. To apply for the Florida Folklife Apprenticeship Program visit our website or contact the Florida Folklife Program at 850.245.6427.
About the Florida Department of State’s Florida Folklife Program
The Florida Folklife Program, a component of the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources, documents and presents Florida’s folklife, folklore and folk arts. The program coordinates a wide range of activities and projects designed to increase the awareness of Floridians and visitors alike about Florida’s traditional culture. Established in 1979 by the legislature to document and present Florida folklife, the program is one of the oldest state folk arts programs in the nation. For more information, visit flheritage.com/preservation/folklife.

FWC adds new category to Florida Saltwater Fishing Records program

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in collaboration with the International Game Fish Association, maintains state all-tackle records for the heaviest marine fishes caught in Florida waters, including 77 species in both conventional tackle and fly-fishing categories.
Recently, a new category for kingfish (whiting), which includes species in the Menticirrhus family, provides an additional challenge for anglers. Kingfish (whiting) caught after June 30, 2017, are eligible for state record submission. Also, three new Florida saltwater state records were approved in the past year, including a 33-pound, 8-ounce almaco jack caught by Thomas Milliren; a 6-pound, 3-ounce vermilion snapper caught by Dawn M. Delisle; and a 26-pound horse-eye jack caught by Sharon Kartrude Pryel (view current records at CatchaFloridaMemory.com by clicking on “Programs,” “Florida Saltwater Fishing Records” then “2016-2017.”)
Several new saltwater world records were caught in Florida in the past year, including a junior record for permit; all-tackle records for black grouper, mahogany snapper and yellowtail snapper; and line-class records for Florida pompano, spotted seatrout, gray snapper, black drum and red grouper. Visit IGFA.org for a complete list of saltwater world records.
To qualify for the Florida Saltwater Fishing Records program, catches must be made according to FWC and IGFA angling rules. The application must be accompanied by line or tippet samples and photographs as specified in the IGFA world record requirements. Species that pose a problem of identity require determination by an ichthyologist or qualified fishery biologist. Visit the International Game Fish Association website, IGFA.org, to learn more about requirements.
Currently, there are a number of fish in the Florida Saltwater Fishing Records program with records not yet claimed including two in the conventional tackle category and 26 vacancies in the fly-fishing tackle category. The IGFA verifies state records in Dania Beach. For more information on the Florida Saltwater Fishing Records program, visit CatchaFloridaMemory.com and click on “Programs” and “Florida Saltwater Fishing Records” or contact [email protected].
Florida Saltwater Fishing Records are part of FWC’s Saltwater Angler Recognition Programs. Anglers can gain recognition for catching record-sized fish and by participating in other programs, including Saltwater Fish Life List, Saltwater Reel Big Fish and Saltwater Grand Slams. These programs recognize anglers for their fishing efforts while encouraging them to target a diversity of species and strengthening marine fisheries conservation ethics. Programs are free, available year-round, and open to all ages and experience levels. To learn more, visit CatchaFloridaMemory.com