Bob Graham visits UF to talk about land-grant universities, water conservation

March 27, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Former Florida Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham will visit the University of Florida on April 3 for two public presentations.

The first focuses on the mission and responsibilities of land-grant institutions, as part of the York Distinguished Lecture Series. The second program will cover Graham’s efforts with the newly formed Florida Conservation Coalition.

At 2 p.m. in the Presidents Room of Emerson Alumni Hall, Graham will be the keynote speaker for the 27th installment of the York Distinguished Lecturer Series.

Titled “What Would E.T. York Do?: How Will Land-Grant Institutions Navigate the Next 150 Years?” the talk will focus on the importance of keeping public higher education accessible as well as UF’s responsibilities as one of the state’s two land-grant universities. The event is free and open to the public, and parking is available in the O’Connell Center lot.

The York Distinguished Lecturer Series is possible through a gift to UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences from Vam York and the late E.T. York. For a livestream link, log on a few minutes before 2 p.m.: http://yorklive.notlong.com.

At 6 p.m. at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service in Pugh Hall, Graham will discuss a new initiative aimed at preserving the state’s natural resources. The newly formed, bipartisan Florida Conservation Coalition is devoted to protecting and conserving land, fish and wildlife, and water resources essential to Floridians’ quality of life. The event is free, open to the public and will be streamed live at: www.bobgrahamcenter.ufl.edu.

Graham, a UF graduate, grew up in the Miami area. After graduation from UF and Harvard’s law school, he served in the state’s House of Representatives before running successfully for governor in 1978.

He served two terms as governor and was noted for his workdays, when he would spend a full day on the job performing duties new to him.

He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1987, and during his three terms became well known for his grasp on a wide number of topics, notably foreign policy and intelligence, but also environmental issues, such as the restoration of America’s Everglades.

He retired from the Senate in 2005 and founded the Bob Graham Center for Public Service.