It’s great to be a Florida Gator.
#ItsGreatUF
The Gatornation is everywhere.
We often throw around these statements, prideful in our university, but what do they really mean? What crushing advantage does attending the University of Florida give someone over the thousands of other universities in the world?
Sure, we have a great athletic program, invented Gatorade, plus all the shit you’ve heard a thousand times, but where are the true, tangible results?
If you’ve ever attended the yearly Florida-Georgia showdown, you’re fully aware that the UGA has a “It’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog” cheer, which supports the notion that these empty assertions are probably as shallow as the future “Broward Lazy River” we’ve all heard about.
via gifsoup.com
One thing I have learned in my time here is that you get out what you put in. For lack of a better example, think about it like a Shake-Weight. We all spend, in some form or another, thousands of dollars on tuition to become forever ingrained in this exclusive club we call UF, but that tuition doesn’t just cover your credits. It grants you access to millions of dollars of research, equipment and resources necessary for you to become successful. However, it is entirely on you to get up off your ass and put those advantages to use.
There is no better example of the heights your degree can take you than the Gator100, an upcoming event put on by UF’s Center for Entrepreneurship.
via warrington.ufl.edu
Designed to recognize and celebrate the achievements of leading UF alumni entrepreneurs around the world, the Gator100 will rank the 100 fastest-growing Gator-owned or Gator-led businesses. The purpose of the event is to invigorate the opportunity granted to all UF students and recognize the entrepreneurial spirit in all Gator alumni.
The event will provide opportunities for UF alumni entrepreneurs to visit their respective colleges to speak with students, meet faculty in their areas of interest and network with one another. Honorees will be presented a specially designed Gator100 trophy at the Annual Gator100 Awards Luncheon, followed by recognition in the Florida Gator alumni magazine.
Prior to the Awards Luncheon, where the top 100 companies will be announced along with key note speaker and former Gartner CEO Manny Fernandez, the CEI will host four different panel discussions open to all students:
“Student Ventures at UF: Ten Exciting Student Entrepreneurs”
-Moderators: Dr. Michael Morris, James W. Walter Clinical Eminent Scholar Chair of Entrepreneurship
-Participants: Lindsay Troph Immersed Games, Dennis Hansen Knack, Armand Sepulveda Nawboi Technologies, Stelios Kapantais Lokire, Alex Cohen Swipe LLC, Trevor Abbott Spin Chill, Ian Arroyo Third Wheel, Yoel Lapscher Macro Excellence, Ari Farias Treblemakers, Joseph Cusmano Kona Kombucha
“The Challenge of Sustaining Growth: A Gator100 Panel”
-Moderators: Mr. Randy Glein, Managing Director, DFJ Growth, Menlo Park, CA
-Panelists: James Lane Jr. Chaparral Boats, David Gray Casebriefs LLC, Kenneth LaRoe First Green Bank, Trey Lauderdale Voalte, Inc., Edouard Rollet Alter Eco, Debbie Blacher Wholesome Tummies, Stephen Hadenbuckle Terracap Management LLC, Ghazi Taki Amazing Taste Foods Inc, Bob Diener, Getaroom.com
“The Entrepreneurial University: Entrepreneurship Across Campus”
-Moderator: Mr. David Whitney; UF Engineering Innovation Institute
-Panelist: Dr. Edward Schaefer College of Fine Arts, Dr. Griff Jones College of Education, Dr. Kristin Weitzel College of Pharmacy, Dr. Nancy Hardt College of Medicine, Dr. Norman Lewis College of Journalism and Communications, Dr. Jeff Citty Innovation Academy, Ted Astleford ITV, Dr. Catherine Striley College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine.
“The Innovative Future: Technology Commercialization and Entrepreneurship at UF”
-Session Leader: Mr. David Day, Assistant VP and Director, UF Office of Technology Licensing
-Participants: John McGuire Rapid Genomics, Bryan Da Frota Prioria Robotics, David Massias Shadow Health.
The panels will take place Friday morning from 10 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. in Heavener Hall (Warrington College of Business Administration) aka the building they have been doing construction on at the corner of University and 13th.
Basically what this event means, and what it proves, is that your degree is a golden ticket to success. This is UF putting their money where their mouth is. The proof is in the proverbial pudding.
via shuttershock.com
This piece may not inspire you to start a company or help you land a job that will change your life.
What it will do is remind you that there are 100 successful men and women returning to campus whom you could actually meet and relate to.
And, most importantly, all of them were once in your shoes.
