Gator Leaders Gather for Leadership, Networking and Celebration

Alumni from all over the country converged in Gainesville to learn from each other and celebrate their successes at the Annual Volunteer Leadership Conference

Gator Nation volunteer leaders support UF in both spirit and deed, and the more than 80 active Gator Clubs and affiliate groups they helm are the go-to places for alumni and friends looking to expand their networks, advocate for UF and have fun.

Last month, Gator leaders from SoCal to Gotham returned to Gainesville for the Alumni Volunteer Leadership Conference (AVLC). Between informational sessions, campus tours and collaboration opportunities, alumni volunteers were able to take information back to their clubs and groups to make the Gator Nation network stronger.

Published

April 27, 2022

Kamelya Hinson (BSTel ’90) from the Atlanta Gator Club and Warren Corpus (BS ’95) from the Palm Beach Gator Club take advantage of an ALVC perk: quality time with Albert!

The AVLC gives attendees access to top UF leaders and information on timely topics. D’Andra Mull, left, vice president for Student Life, and Mary Parker, vice president of enrollment management and associate provost, shared information about the UF admissions process and the challenges the university faces.

Keynote speaker Danny Wuerffel (BSPR ’96) opened the conference with a speech about leadership and how Gator leaders can transform their clubs and groups with the right formula of passion and drive.

The Gator Nation is everywhere, but for three days in late March and early April it was back in Gainesville. Computer and information science alumnus Gary Manton represented the Desert Gator Club in Arizona and Ali Gaffey (BSTel ’07), right, came from Nashville, home of the Music City Gator Club.

Almost 40 Gator Clubs and 11 affiliate groups were represented at the event, which kicked off at the Social at MidTown. Kimberly Masters (BA ’90, MEd ‘94) and Catherine Coleman (AA '89) came from the Daytona Beach Gator Club.

The Clubbies Awards, held at Condron Family Ballpark, honored Gator Clubs for outstanding events and leadership. Top, from left: Reshandia McIntyre (BSR ‘00), ABA National; Ruan Cox, (BSA ‘08) UFAA Board of Directors Regional Director. Bottom, from left: Tianna Greene, (BA ‘08) and Amanda Edwards (BSTel ’08, MS ‘10), both from ABA Gainesville.

AVLC participants, shown here at Emerson Alumni Hall, got updates from campus leaders; toured campus gems, such as the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Lab, UF Innovation/The Hub, and the Harn Museum; networked; and celebrated at the Clubbies Awards.