Common Reading Book author to speak at convocation

August 19, 2014

GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- Will Allen, author of “The Good Food Revolution,” the 2014 Common Reading Program book, will speak at the New Student Convocation at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 22 in the O’Connell Center.

Doors open to students at 8 a.m.

Allen grew up as the son of a sharecropper and went on to a brief career in professional basketball. After working in corporate marketing at Procter & Gamble, he returned to his roots as a farmer, using his retirement package to purchase a plot of inner-city land with greenhouses, where he established and functions as the CEO of the country's preeminent urban farm and nonprofit organization, Growing Power.

The book, which is required reading for all UF freshmen this year, is the story of his personal journey, the lives he has touched, and a grassroots movement that is changing the way the nation eats.

New Student Convocation, a bookend to commencement, is UF’s official welcome for all new first-year students. As the one and only time all members of the class will convene, this event celebrates the class of 2018's entry into higher education and inducts its members into UF’s community of learners.

Parking impact

Parking for convocation is expected to affect availability in the O`Connell Center main lot, west lot and Garage 7, as well as the commuter lot on Gale Lemerand Drive.  Drivers who normally park in these areas are encouraged to seek alternate parking during this event. Because red/red 1 decal parking restrictions are lifted during the summer/fall semester break, additional alternate parking will be available in Garage 5 (located just south of the intersection of Lemerand Drive and Museum Road).

For more information on campus transportation and parking, visit www.parking.ufl.edu or call 352-392-PARK.