Fall 2020   
A NOTE FROM THE DEAN
I hope this finds you and your loved ones safe during this challenging time. As the college prepares to celebrate our 75th anniversary in 2021, I was reminded by Carl Van Ness, our university archivist, that HHP is rooted in moments like these.

This college grew out of an academic division focused on hygiene and health – created following the Spanish flu outbreak in 1918. In 1946, that division was transformed into our college. It has evolved and changed over three quarters of a century. But our roots are deep and we remain committed to advancing human wellness, equipping students for their future, and translating academic findings to improve lives.

In this issue of Performance, we celebrate new records in research funding and philanthropy, our highest student enrollment to date, and the amazing work being accomplished by our outstanding faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Enjoy the read and Go Gators!

Mike Reid
NEWS AND UPDATES
Fall 2020 – Welcome Gators!

At UFHHP, we’re excited to welcome new Gators to the college. This fall, the college enrolled a record number of students and hired new faculty across all four departments.

Meet the new faculty and learn more about the start of the fall semester.

2020 Scholarship Convocation

Showcasing our outstanding student scholars, generous donors and loyal friends, the college celebrates the 2020 Scholarship Convocation online by awarding 138 student scholarships totaling more than $200,000 – a new record for us.

Thank you, donors! Congratulations, students!  
UF and HHP Hit Record Research Award Levels

University of Florida faculty earned a record $900.7 million in research funding in fiscal year 2020, despite many activities being paused for more than two months by the pandemic. HHP's research funding awards are up 33 percent from last year to $12M, a new record for the college.
Dr. Ruth Alexander Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

This semester, we celebrated Dr. Ruth Alexander, retired emeritus professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences and former chair of the Department of Physical Education for Women, on receiving the 2020 Nike Lifetime Achievement Award. Ahead of Title IX, Dr. Alexander obtained the approval and processes to establish the “Lady Gator Athletics” program.
UF and HHP Celebrate a Successful Year of Extraordinary Philanthropy

Many thanks to our alumni, parents and friends of UF and HHP for another successful year of extraordinary philanthropy. With your support, we’re able to address some of humankind’s biggest challenges.
ALUMNI PROFILES

Dr. Joan Carroll, MAPE '84, Ph.D. '92, and Benny Vaughn, BSHSE '85, are lifelong supporters of the College of Health & Human Performance. In support of students who have demonstrated active and sustained leadership and service, they created an endowed student scholarship. Learn about the impact the college has had on them, their advice to students and where they go for inspiration.

Fitz Koehler, MS SPM '98 is focused on helping others live better and longer. She was inspired to write her new book "My Noisy Cancer Comeback: Running at the Mouth, While Running for My Life" because she felt like her breast cancer journey was close to insane.
CONNECT WITH HHP
Events

In Case You Missed It – Recorded Events and Media

In the News

For the Gator Good

In Memory

We Want to Hear Your News. Send us your update. We're always looking for good stories to share with The Gator Nation.
CAREER CONNECTIONS
Gators Helping Gators
Are you in a position to recruit or refer Gator alumni to your organization? Are you willing to support current students with their professional development? HHP is looking for alumni interested in hiring students for full-time, part-time and internship positions, as well as alumni who would like to lead presentations, share resources and participate on panels. Email Tiffany Griffith to get started – tgriffith@ufsa.ufl.edu.

Help is Available
The Career Connections Center is proud to serve distinguished UF alumni and the support doesn’t end after graduation. Alumni career services include access to Gator CareerLink, educational workshops and events, and individual Career Planning sessions with certified career coaches. Learn more.

HHP is Hiring
WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Learn how you can make an impact. Contact Lesley Watt (lthurston@ufl.edu / 352.294.1650) to consider establishing a legacy that helps the college, its students and faculty, continue a commitment to solving health problems, advancing human performance and enriching the quality of life for all.