Gainesville, Fla. – Alumni and friends of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences are invited to celebrate 150 years of the land-grant institution at TailGATOR on Oct. 20.
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and College of Agricultural and Life Sciences has hosted this annual event since 1997. TailGATOR will begin three hours prior to kickoff of the UF vs. South Carolina game in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. TailGATOR tickets are $12 and the registration form can be downloaded online at www.cals.ufl.edu/tailgator.
“We’re excited to be celebrating the 1862 Morrill Act and land-grant institutions such as the University of Florida this year,” said Valerie Dailey, CALS Alumni and Friends President. “I hope many of our alumni and friends will join us as we recognize the importance of this historic piece of legislation as well as some of our own outstanding alumni.”
In addition to celebrating the Morrill Act Sesquicentennial, participants will be able to welcome new students, talk with departmental representatives, enjoy Hill’s Bar-B-Que and bid on silent auction items.
CALS Alumni and Friends will recognize its Award of Distinction and Horizon Award recipients at TailGATOR. The 2012 Award of Distinction recipients are Thomas Richard Barber, Jr., BSA ’61, of Ocala and Wayne Smith, Ph.D., BSA ’60, of Melrose. The 2012 Horizon Award recipients are James T. DeValerio, BSA ‘81, MS ‘10, of Starke and Brian Estevez, BSA ’04, MS ‘07, of Live Oak. These awards recognize alumni and friends for their contributions to UF, IFAS, CALS, and the agriculture, natural resource, life science and related industries and professions.
CALS Alumni and Friends will also recognize its scholarship recipients at TailGATOR. The scholarships are funded by the CALS Alumni and Friends Scholarship Endowment. TailGATOR attendees will have the opportunity to contribute to this endowment by bidding on silent auction items, including a limited edition Guy Harvey print and a branded UF cutting board.
“In 2011, we were able to raise more than $1,800 through our TailGATOR silent auction to support scholarships,” said Dailey. “This helps us to provide financial support for future leaders in agriculture, natural resource, life science and related industries.”
CALS Alumni and Friends is dedicated to building a network to enhance awareness and promote the quality programs of UF IFAS through fraternity among graduates, former students and friends. For more information on CALS Alumni and Friends or TailGATOR, visit www.cals.ufl.edu or call (352) 392-1963.