Wayne McDaniel, a force behind the UFAA, died this week, but left a cherished legacy for all Gators.

by David Finnerty

Wayne McDaniel — the man who for a quarter century worked to keep Gators connected to the university he loved — died following a brief illness on Tuesday, May 3. The retired executive director of the UF Alumni Association was 78.

McDaniel (BSPE ’67) is responsible for setting the association on its path to becoming one of the nation’s best in all of higher education. Under his leadership, programs like alumni tailgates, alumni travel, Gator Clubs and the International Gator Day of service took root. Two of his most visible legacies are Emerson Alumni Hall and the iconic Albert and Alberta statues in its courtyard. McDaniel led the effort to build EAH and to create the statues.

McDaniel came to UF in 1962 to play Gator football and only left Gainesville long enough to try his hand at teaching and coaching in Tennessee and Fort Myers. He soon returned, joined the UF Alumni Association’s staff in 1978, and remained until his retirement in 2004. Since then, McDaniel and his wife, Melissa, had been splitting time between their homes in Florida and North Carolina, where they would spend summers.

“Watching the tremendous growth of this university and all the changes that have come about as we continue to serve our alumni will be what I remember the most when I leave,” McDaniel said when he retired. “Gator fans, UF alumni and UF students are the best people you will ever meet in your life. I have been so fortunate to have had this job.”

“Wayne never met a stranger,” said Shirley Lynn, a longtime assistant he hired in 1987. “He made everyone feel like a best friend.”

News of McDaniel’s death was followed by an outpouring of comments from former presidents of the UF Alumni Association. Wrote some of them:

“I loved him, his passion for UF, and he was just a good guy.” — Delphine Jackson (BA ’71, EDS ’73, MED ’75).

“Such a great Gator. I loved how he would always greet me with a ‘Hey, partner, how’s it going up in Atlanta.’” — Rahul Patel (BA ’94, JD ’97).

“I’ll never forget him sending me a beer at the SEC championship game when I was a medical student. He was always making other people feel special, and he was a special part of the Gator Nation. I owe many great years of UFAA involvement to his encouragement and support.” — Jason Rosenberg (BS ’90, MS ’93, MD ’95)

“Wayne had high character and a great heart. He once noted to me the power of the Gator Nation, before this was a catchphrase. He won my respect by watching how he treated others.” — Scott Hawkins (BABA ’80, JD ’83)