J. Wayne Reitz Chair of Reproductive Biology

J. Wayne Reitz

J. Wayne Reitz, fifth president of the University of Florida, was a dedicated educator, astute administrator and tireless public servant whose many accomplishments and honors reflect his profound humanity and love of life. As UF president from 1955 until 1967, Reitz guided the university skillfully through an era of enormous and important change, engineering transformations that led to UF’s emergence as one of the nation’s preeminent public research universities. His love for and devotion to UF did not end when he stepped down from presidency. Reitz continued to be a chief advocate and supporter of the university and all aspects of its educational mission. He continued to work “without portfolio” on behalf of UF out of his office at the UF Foundation even as he remained active in the community of Gainesville and in corporate affairs.