Rae O. Weimer

Provided in honor of the College’s late Dean Emeritus Rae O. Weimer. Weimer came to UF in 1949 as director of the newly named School of Journalism. He oversaw the program’s reinvention and the growth of its reputation for high-quality preparation of future professionals.

Weimer is the founder of the television station WUFT. He spent 25 years in the newspaper business before joining UF in 1949. His experience included a post as managing editor of the New York Daily PM, the nation’s first newspaper without advertisements. Between 1949 and 1967, Weimer’s vision and leadership guided the transformation of the UF journalism school into the highly acclaimed College of Journalism and Communications.

In addition to his contributions to the university, Weimer was active in his community. He founded the Retired Faculty Club and in 1985 received the Gainesville Sun’s Community Service Award. The journalism and communications building is named in his honor.