A Gator Nation Answers the Call

It’s no accident UF is a Top 5-ranked university. The yearslong ‘Drive to Five’ took diligence, strategy and an outpouring of support from the Gator Nation. Meet nine alumni leaders who helped lead the charge.

by David Finnerty

It was an audacious declaration that February night in 2015. There he was, UF’s new president, telling the 200 or so Gators gathered in Jacksonville that evening that their university would soon be ranked among the nation’s Top 5.

The notion seemed little more than a wish then, a remark to fire up the university’s spirited faithful. At the time, the University of Florida was still well outside U.S. News & World Report’s Top 10. For UF to move up, other elite universities would need to move down. That happening in academia, where tradition and perception rule, was a longshot at best, akin to an SEC school not making the NCAA’s four-team football playoffs.

Kent Fuchs, nevertheless, drummed on.

“My vision is that our academic preeminence will be as broadly recognized and celebrated as our Gator athletics,” the president said months later during his formal inauguration. “We will be among the nation’s Top 5 public research universities.”

His words proved prophetic. This fall, UF climbed past the likes of Georgia Tech, William and Mary, Texas and Wisconsin to claim the No. 5 spot on U.S. News’ annual list of best public universities, widely considered the standard-bearer of such measures.

To appreciate the feat — to really, truly understand how implausible it was — consider this: there are roughly 4,000 public universities and colleges in America. When Fuchs made his 2015 promise UF was a respectable but nonetheless distant No. 14 in the rankings. UF’s breakneck rise to No. 5 is unheard of in higher education, where change can be glacial.

There are good reasons for UF’s ascension: a push to lower the student-to-professor ratio, a wave of discoveries, high freshmen retention and senior graduation rates, and UF’s affordable tuition among them. Credit also goes to alumni. Alumni passion — determined by the percentage of graduates who give back to their alma mater — is one metric used to calculate a school’s spot on the magazine’s annual list. In UF’s case, participation was an impressive 25,000 Gators last year. That 19 percent giving rate is the highest of all public schools in the prestigious Association of American Universities.

“All I can say to our alumni is ‘thank you’ and let’s keep going,” Brian Danforth, the alumni association’s executive director, says. “Gators strive to be at the top, and participation is something all of us can do to be there.”

Leading the university to that elite spot were UF Alumni Association presidents. We caught up with nine of them.

Published

January 3, 2022

Dr. Jason Rosenberg (BS ’90, MS ’93, MD ’95, HS ’02)

DAY JOB: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Gainesville
UFAA PRESIDENT: 2012-13

A few years ago Dr. Jason Rosenberg created a scholarship in the College of Medicine. The gesture was little surprise. Twice a gubernatorial appointee to the UF Board of Trustees, he has long been one of the university’s strongest advocates — both as a philanthropist and through service. That he wanted to do even more for his alma mater is his nature. So it made sense that his ideal candidate for the scholarship would be someone with the same mindset. The student, he says, should be “someone who’s going to go out there and change the world.”

PRESIDENTIAL TERM POINT OF PRIDE:

It was actually the year before I became alumni president. We had the opportunity to nominate a large number of new members. That group bought into a vision that Tom Mitchell (vice president of UF Advancement) helped us develop. He asked us to envision raising a glass to our future accomplishments and asked, “What are we toasting?” We were able to harness the amazing energy of our alumni to help our university work toward an audacious goal. Ten years later, we collectively raised our glasses to toast UF’s recognition of becoming Top 5 public university.

UF IN THREE WORDS:

Life-defining friendships. (Is that two or three words?)

FAVORITE PROFESSOR:

Robert Bryan, UF’s interim president. “Uncle Bob” never taught me a class but I learned more from him than from anyone during my time at UF. He taught me about what it means to be an educator, mentor and friend. He taught me how to be patient by taking me fishing, and how to appreciate single malt scotch (Oban). He made me think about what it means to be an educated person and to recognize that as a primary goal of a university. My firstborn son, Bryan, is named for him and his wife, Kay.

WHY IT’S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR:

Florida’s land grant university was established to provide opportunities to the citizens of Florida. For many who, like me, are the first in their families to pursue higher education, UF remains true to its founding purpose. As Gators continue to succeed and lead, they never lose sight of their obligation to open the doors for those who follow them in hopes of joining the Gator Nation.

GO-TO FOOD WHILE A STUDENT:

Burrito Brothers — primo beef burrito, double wrapped, with onions and jalapenos.

ADVICE FOR NEW ALUMNI:

Collectively, we owe UF a debt that we will never be able to repay. Take every opportunity you can to continue to engage with your alma mater. You will continue to get more than you give. People often ask me to tell them my favorite memory as a Gator. I tell them, without hesitation, it’s the one that I have yet to make.

WHAT GATORS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BEING TOP 5:

Leadership matters. Our administration, trustees and alumni leadership (along with the help of our elected leaders in Tallahassee) made a conscious decision that our state’s flagship university (and its world-class faculty) should be recognized among the finest universities in America. Together, they worked tirelessly over many years to earn this well-deserved recognition. Future leaders must continue to set audacious goals, and together we will achieve them … it’s what Gators do.

Rahul Patel (BA ’94, JD ’97)

DAY JOB: Partner, King & Spalding, LLP, Atlanta
UFAA PRESIDENT: 2013-14

He didn’t know it then, but 1992 was the year Rahul Patel’s life course would be set. It started with being picked for the Preview Orientation team. There he met his wife, Swati, made lifelong friends and began decades of service to UF — including now a governor-appointee to the university’s Board of Trustees. “That was a real ‘sliding door’ day for me,” he says of his selection to Preview’s staff. “UF really does shape the direction of your life.”

PRESIDENTIAL TERM POINT OF PRIDE:

Jason Rosenberg started an initiative to improve our alumni engagement score while he was president. Other presidents who followed Jason, including me, were inspired by his leadership, success and impact of this initiative and continued to drive it. Today we are the second-ranked public university in alumni engagement.

UF IN THREE WORDS:

Life-changing, culture-of-excellence, opportunity.

FAVORITE PROFESSOR:

D.T. Smith, who taught trusts and estates in law school. He made the class entertaining. I remember on the first day of class, the first thing he said was, “You will do a lot of reading in my class. I like reading. My favorite three authors, in order of importance, are: No. 1, me; No. 2, Mike Bianchi (who at the time was the Gator sports beat writer for the Gainesville Sun); No. 3, me.” We all looked forward to going to class because it was a bit of a stand-up comedy hour. Taught me the power of keeping your audience engaged.

WHY IT’S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR:

I can spare myself the embarrassment of having to say I graduated from a bottom 95% public university.

POST-GRADUATION SURPRISE:

I thought I would grow taller. I really thought I would have a late-in-life growth spurt. Didn’t happen.

ADVICE FOR NEW ALUMNI:

“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and play. He hardly knows which is which; he simply pursues his vision of excellence in whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him, he is always doing both.” (James Michener)

WHAT GATORS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BEING TOP 5:

We are part of a university with great momentum. Five years ago we were the 14th ranked public university in the country. Today we are a Top 5 public university with only UCLA, Berkeley, Michigan and Virginia ahead of us. The rise in our ranking improves our brand and the value of all UF degrees, provides an opportunity for students to get a world-class education in Florida, and helps us solve the world’s most pressing problems through the research we do. The best is yet to come.

Suzanne Norris (BSBA ’86)

DAY JOB: Executive vice president, Millennium Bank, Lake City
UFAA PRESIDENT: 2014-15

Life is good for Suzanne Norris. For that, she points directly to her UF education, skills learned through student involvement and the rich experiences of being part of the university’s diverse community. “My post-graduation life is even better than I could have imagined,” she says. “I’m not sure as an undergraduate that I fully appreciated the advantage that being a UF alumnus affords you.”

PRESIDENTIAL TERM POINT OF PRIDE:

I am proud to have participated in the selection process for the new president of the university. Upon meeting Dr. Fuchs, it was immediately apparent that he was the right person to help guide UF to the next level.

UF IN THREE WORDS:

Excellence, achievement, responsibility.

WHY IT’S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR:

The best thing about being a Gator is you become part of a worldwide family. No matter when you attended UF or what path you have taken since graduation, we are all part of the Gator Nation. A Gator knows no strangers.

WHAT SHE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE KNOWN WHILE A STUDENT:

Don’t be in such a rush to leave UF.

POST-GRADUATION SURPRISE:

All the best things in my life came from my decision to attend UF. I met my husband at UF, made lifelong friends and have had a rewarding career thanks to the education I received. I am not sure I could have understood the impact that UF would have on my life when I decided to attend.

ADVICE FOR NEW ALUMNI:

Wherever you settle, find your local alumni association chapter and get involved. It’s a big transition, and finding yourself among fellow Gators makes it a lot easier.

WHAT GATORS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BEING TOP 5:

Being in the Top 5 of public universities will provide even more exciting and rewarding opportunities to our students and alumni. While we have achieved this important milestone, we can’t be complacent. We have to continue to challenge ourselves as alumni to do more to support our university. Alumni engagement is critical to maintaining our spot in the Top 5.

Timothy Cerio (BA ’90, JD ’95)

DAY JOB: General Counsel, Citizens Property Insurance Corp., Tallahassee
UFAA PRESIDENT: 2015-16

It was big news in September 2020 when U.S. News & World Report placed UF No. 6 on its annual best colleges list. But Tim Cerio, a member of the Florida Board of Governors, wasn’t satisfied. Days later, the board that oversees the state’s 12 public universities approved $20 million for UF’s artificial intelligence initiative so the university could take another step forward. “The Legislature will ask the universities, and will ask us as the Board of Governors, ‘How are you spending the money we gave you? How does it align with metrics that are observable and measurable,’” he said then. A year later that focus helped result in UF’s Top 5 ranking.

UF IN 3 WORDS:

Leadership, stewardship and tradition.

DEFINING UF MOMENT:

While I was a student, I was appointed by Gov. Lawton Chiles to the Florida Board of Regents (the predecessor to today’s Board of Governors). That opportunity shaped me professionally and personally, and continues to have an impact in my life today.

FAVORITE PROFESSOR:

Professor and former dean of the law school Jon Mills. Professor Mills, also a former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, has a passion for Florida constitutional law and he teaches with a deep understanding of how our state government works with practical, policy and political insight.

WHY IT’S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR:

UF has an unparalleled tradition of providing leadership for our state and nation, and as we emerge as a world-class institution of higher learning our influence will continue to grow around the globe.

WHAT HE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE KNOWN WHILE A STUDENT:

I wish I had known the importance of the relationships I was forming — not just among other students, but also some faculty and administrators. Now, 30 years after I graduated from UF, I still count many of these individuals among my closest friends, even family.

ADVICE FOR NEW ALUMNI:

Many new alums are busy starting careers and families, but when the time is right engage with your alma mater in a way that’s meaningful and rewarding for you personally. Whether you are giving your time, talents or resources you can make a difference.

WHAT GATORS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BEING TOP 5:

Making the Top 5 is a game-changer for UF and it creates momentum that can continue to propel the university forward. We will capture the attention of new, world-class employers for our students; we will draw in more public and private research and grant dollars; and we should expect even more successful philanthropy. We must make the most of these opportunities as good stewards, and never rest on our laurels.

Michael Browne (BSBA ’91, MBA ’97)

DAY JOB: Vice President, Kellogg Co., Frisco, Texas
UFAA PRESIDENT: 2016-17

It’s funny, Mike Browne contends, how all these years since graduation he still leans on lessons learned in college. “My experiences at UF prepared me for the world,” he says. “Even today, I will struggle with something, then think, ‘Hey, this reminds me of the time we were arguing about cabinet appointees,’ and then laugh and get on with it.”

PRESIDENTIAL TERM POINT OF PRIDE:

We transformed the operating model, bringing in sponsorship dollars so that UFAA could spend more of its time and money reaching alumni, like game day at Emerson, Gator 100 and other events.

UF IN THREE WORDS:

Achievement, competitiveness, passion.

DEFINING UF MOMENT:

In February 1990, I was elected student body president and our Vision Party swept the senate. Campaigns were always long and full of energy and emotion. I remember a huge, exhausted group of us at the old Orange and Brew hearing the results at 1 a.m. and going crazy, 50 or 60 of us screaming in a massive hug, just taking in what it all meant.

FAVORITE PROFESSOR:

(Marketing professor) Doc (Jack) Faricy had a great love of the subject and connection with students. Not only did he teach, but he was a faculty sponsor for student organizations and had such a great wit and demeanor. I can still see him shaking his head watching some of the things going on around him.

WHAT HE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE KNOWN WHILE A STUDENT:

At times just to slow down in the moment, take it all in. As great a time I had, I could have learned even more from others while I was at UF.

ADVICE FOR NEW ALUMNI:

No one expects you to have it all figured out at 21, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

WHAT GATORS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BEING TOP 5:

The designation is something that we all helped build with successes and engagement with UF. It has been a long time coming and we have a chance to use this recognition for better things.

Karen Unger (BA ’92)

DAY JOB: Civic activist and adviser, Tallahassee
UFAA PRESIDENT: 2017-18

Ask Karen Unger to pinpoint her best UF moment and she’ll hesitate. “It is difficult to select just one because it’s the totality of the moments that have been defining in my life,” she explains. There’s her selection to Florida Blue Key, the time she was in a Miss UF pageant and her commencement address to new graduates, to name a few of them. Those many UF moments, she says, led to a wonderful life.

PRESIDENTIAL TERM POINT OF PRIDE:

I am very proud that the UF Alumni Association was asked to partner with the university on increasing our alumni participation rate (APR). Our APR is one of the criteria in determining university rankings, and we enthusiastically accepted the opportunity to take the lead on this important endeavor.

UF IN THREE WORDS:

Foundation for life.

FAVORITE PROFESSOR:

(English professor) James Haskins was the author of the iconic novel, The Cotton Club, which had been adapted to the big screen by Francis Ford Coppola just prior to my time at UF. Dr. Haskins was brilliant, engaging and inspirational. He lived in New York City, but flew to Gainesville every week to teach. I strove to become a better writer to impress him, and we learned so much about the creative process from him.

GO-TO FOOD WHILE A STUDENT:

Pizza (some things never change).

POST-GRADUATION SURPRISE:

How quickly time flies after graduation.

WHY IT’S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR:

We afford our students the opportunity to excel in and out of the classroom; our alumni network is the best in the nation; and because we are the “everything school.”

WHAT GATORS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BEING TOP 5:

Becoming a Top 5 university is the culmination of hard work, great vision by our university leadership and the participation of our students, alumni, faculty and administration. In order to remain in the Top 5 and continue to ascend, we need to continue to strive for excellence in all that we do.

Brian Burgoon (BA ’94, JD ’97)

DAY JOB: Owner, Burgoon Law Firm, LLC, Atlanta
UFAA PRESIDENT: 2018-19

As an undergraduate, Brian Burgoon thought he knew how the rest of his life would unfold. He’d earn a law degree and return to his hometown, Ocala, to practice. “Instead, I ultimately ended up in Atlanta and have enjoyed living and practicing law here ever since,” he says. For Burgoon, that unexpected open door is more evidence that UF can be life-changing.

PRESIDENTIAL TERM POINT OF PRIDE:

During my term, the UFAA launched the inaugural Gator Nation Giving Day: Stand Up and Holler, with the dedication and support of a board of extremely talented and impressive Gator leaders. Seeing the enthusiasm and excitement of Gators across the country that day as UF shattered participation and fundraising goals and engaged many new alumni made me so proud to be a Florida Gator.

UF IN THREE WORDS:

Foundation, connection, excellence.

DEFINING UF MOMENT:

Serving as UF’s student body president, particularly during the year that we won the first football national championship. To this day, being elected to represent and advocate on behalf of 40,000 fellow students is still my most incredible and cherished experience.

WHY IT’S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR:

The University of Florida provided me so much more than an education. It’s been an integral part of my growth and development as a leader, attorney and person. Being a Gator has given me relationships with students, alumni, faculty and staff who not only shaped my experience as a student, but who continue to enrich my personal and professional life.

POST-GRADUATION SURPRISE:

As a kid, I never would have dreamed I would have been fortunate enough to serve UF as both a student leader and an alumni leader. I am thankful for all the incredible friendships I have made over the years that arose solely through my decision as a high school senior to attend the University of Florida.

ADVICE FOR NEW ALUMNI:

Very few things worth having are just handed to you. If you want something, you have to work hard for it. I encourage new alumni to stay connected with UF. Even seemingly small measures — such as mentoring students, assisting with hiring UF graduates, staying in touch with organizations you were involved with, participating in events for your college or joining the UF Alumni Association — can be meaningful. It not only will be rewarding to you and the others involved, but will assist UF as it continues its rise in prestige.

WHAT GATORS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BEING TOP 5:

UF alumni need to know both the crucial role they play in making UF a Top 5 public university and the value they derive from that standing. Annual donations, even just $1, from alumni are a key factor that determines the ranking. At the same time, UF’s status as an elite public university makes a UF degree even more prestigious and its alumni more desirable in the job market.

Katrina Rolle (JD ’91)

DAY JOB: President, Community Foundation of North Florida, Tallahassee
UFAA PRESIDENT: 2019-20

Katrina Rolle had her choice of law schools after earning a bachelors at Alabama’s Tuskegee University. She picked UF. “[I knew] I was going to receive a great legal education,” she says. “I was excited and nervous but totally looking forward to the law school experience at UF.” That “school experience” became a 30-year relationship with UF that’s still going strong.

PRESIDENTIAL TERM POINT OF PRIDE:

Working alongside a group of highly committed board members who were focused on helping UF continue to rise in the college rankings.

UF IN THREE WORDS:

Excellence, leadership and family.

FAVORITE PROFESSOR:

(Law professor) Richard Pearson taught his torts class in a way that kept you on your toes, but you also knew he really wanted you to know and understand what was being taught.

GO-TO EATERY WHILE A STUDENT:

Chaucer’s Restaurant (which later became location for the Swamp).

WHAT SHE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE KNOWN WHILE A STUDENT:

Remember to fully embrace as many opportunities and experiences as possible during your time at UF.

ADVICE FOR NEW ALUMNI:

Don’t be afraid to try new things and be OK with making mistakes. Mistakes happen. What’s most important is how we respond to and learn from our mistakes.

WHAT GATORS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BEING TOP 5:

The Gator Nation should be very proud of our collective effort to help UF rise to the Top 5. Moving forward, we will need every member to stay engaged and do their part to help UF continue to be a part of this elite group of universities.

Mark Criser (BA ’92, MA ’94, JD ’97)

DAY JOB: Attorney, Hill, Ward & Henderson, P.A., Tampa
UFAA PRESIDENT: 2020-21

There’s more than a little Gator in Mark Criser’s DNA. Marshall Criser, his dad, was UF’s president in the 1980s. Brothers, nieces and his wife are all graduates. So it’s fitting that it’s under his watch as UFAA president that UF cracked the Top 5. UF’s rise, Criser says, shouldn’t be a surprise, however. “The loyalty and passion of the Gator Nation is unparalleled,” he insists.

PRESIDENTIAL TERM POINT OF PRIDE:

I am proud of the diversity that we have brought to our board, and the enthusiasm and commitment that board members and the UF Advancement team have for our mission.

UF IN THREE WORDS:

Passion, excellence and loyalty.

DEFINING UF MOMENT:

Meeting my wife, Heather Blanco Criser, at a Florida Blue Key meeting in 1994. Heather was getting ready to finish her undergraduate degree and I was getting ready to start law school. We have been together ever since, have three wonderful boys together (Jake, Dean and Hyatt) and celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary in December of this year.

FAVORITE CLASS:

Psychoanalytic criticism (taught by eminent scholar professor Norman Holland). In addition to professor Holland being a brilliant man and fantastic teacher, this class changed the way I look at writing and the importance of understanding your audience.

GO-TO EATERIES WHILE A STUDENT:

Burrito Brothers and Joe’s Deli.

WHAT HE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE KNOWN WHILE A STUDENT:

Less time in Purple Porpoise; more time in the library.

ADVICE FOR NEW ALUMNI:

Decide where you want to live and what you want to do, then go do it.

WHAT GATORS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BEING TOP 5:

We are just getting started.