Longtime residents of Gainesville, Roger G. and Jo Bates created this endowment to support research and instruction at the graduate level in the Department of Chemistry.

Roger Bates was a faculty member of the University of Florida Department of Chemistry, and obtained the title of professor emeritus in 1979. He made major advances to the accuracy of modern pH measurements and his research contributions brought him the Award in Analytical Chemistry of the American Chemical Society as well as special recognition by England’s Royal Society of Chemistry.

Robert and Jo were very generous and supportive of UF. They contributed significantly to the men’s and women’s intercollegiate tennis programs, Florida Museum of Natural History, Harn Museum of Art, WUFT-TV and Vocal Eyes (UF’s taped textbook recording program).