Featured Speaker Series
Featured Speaker Series
In order to provide additional assistance in making your transition to UF, New Student Programs and the Division of Student Affairs presents the Featured Speaker Series. These speakers will cover areas of college life and touch on subjects that students will encounter during their college careers.
Summer 2008 Events
Tuesday, July 8th, 2008
Panel Discussion of Social Services in Gainesville
7:00-8:00pm, Reitz Union Rion Ballroom
Wednesday, July 16th, 2008
David Sutton & Casey Schmidt
7:00-8:00pm, Reitz Union Rion Ballroom
Monday, July 21st, 2008
Jill Lingard
7:00-8:00pm, Reitz Union Grand Ballroom
Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
Eric Flagg & Isaac Brown
7:00-8:00pm, Reitz Union Rion Ballroom
Speaker Descriptions
Panel Discussion
Come learn about the Gainesville community and the work of non-profit organizations in town. Many first-year students get involved in community service early in their college career. Panelists will be: Kent Vann, St. Francis House, Nkwanda Jah, Cultural Arts Coalition, Gwen Gadaire, Arbor House, and Tony Jones, Reichert House. The panel will be moderated by Jeanna Mastrodicasa, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs. Themes: Involement in the community, active citizenship, and local issues.
David Sutton & Casey Schmidt
In the Spring of 2008 a semi truck ran over UF PhD student Casey Schmidt while he was riding his bike to campus. Firefighter/Paramedic David Sutton arrived on scene to find that Casey was still alive thanks to his bicycle helmet. Hear from both Casey and David as they retell the details of the accident as well as help provide basic safety tips that may one day save your life too.
Themes: Personal responsibility, safety, and decision-making.
Jill Lingard
In 2006, 19-year UF advising veteran Jill Lingard dropped out of normal life for five months and attempted a 2,175-mile thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. What do endless climbs of mountains, bear sightings, stinky fellow hikers, floods, and freeze dried food have to do with university life? Quite a bit, actually! Come hear Jill’s entertaining story of AT adventures and the meaning they may hold for your own college journey. Themes: Time management, making the most of your experience, and self-reflection.
Eric Flagg & Isaac Brown
Both UF Alums, they will share the film they wrote, directed and produced called Gimme Green. The documentary is a humorous look at the American obsession with the residential lawn and the effects it has on our environment, our wallets and our outlook on life. From the limitless subdivisions of Florida to sod farms in the arid southwest, Gimme Green peers behind the curtain of the $40-billion industry that fuels our nation's largest irrigated crop—the lawn. Themes: Common Reading Program Book - When the Rivers Run Dry, global water crisis, and personal responsibility.