Graduates become alumni for life

March 24, 2009

As we get ready to celebrate the upcoming graduation of the Class of 2009, it is a good time to think about the important role alumni play in the life of the University of Florida.

Alumni serve as ambassadors for the university by sharing the good news about their alma mater.

Alumni help the university by being effective advocates through such programs as Gators for Higher Education, http://gatorsforhighered.ufl.edu, a grass roots advocacy program.

Alumni provide valuable career advice to fellow alumni and students through the nearly 100 Gator Clubs around the globe, along with the Gator Nation Network, which is accessible through the UF Alumni Association’s Web site, http://www.ufalumni.ufl.edu.

Alumni, through their respective Gator Clubs and special-interest organizations, provide more than 200 scholarships a year. Alumni also provide much-needed financial support for UF through the Florida Tomorrow Campaign, http://www.FloridaTomorrow.ufl.edu.

Alumni serve as the torchbearers of the institutional spirit. The Alumni Association, through the work of the Florida Cicerones and the Student Alumni Association (the largest such organization in the nation), produce the “F Book” as a way to celebrate UF’s proud history.

Alumni express their loyalty to their alma mater by joining the UF Alumni Association. UF’s Alumni Association has more than 55,000 dues-paying members, the largest in the SEC.

The University of Florida Alumni Association is proud to support these efforts. We encourage the upcoming Class of 2009 to stay connected to its alma mater. You are a student for a few years, but an alumnus for life.

The Gator Nation is everywhere. We look forward to working with you in advancing the university and enriching the lives of our students, friends and alumni.

Go Gators!

Leland D. Patouillet
Associate Vice President, Alumni Affairs
Executive Director, UF Alumni Association