English professor Debra Walker King was honored as a 2018-19 Teacher of the Year in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for outstanding dedication to her students.
From the Dean: Fall 2019
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has seen major changes over the past two years, none more impactful than the hiring of 240 new faculty members. As the University of Florida continues to rise in the U.S. News and World Report Top Public Schools rankings — climbing to No. 7 this year — this infusion of expertise and talent will allow us to meet the evolving needs of our students and continue to enhance the national standing of the university.
While we look forward to the wonderful contributions these new faculty members will bring to our college, we’d be remiss if we didn’t honor the faculty who have propelled us to where we are today through their outstanding research, teaching and service. As you flip through the pages of this issue of Ytori, you’ll read about a number of programs our faculty have shaped into the difference makers they’ve become.
From the Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere’s UF Intersections: Animating Conversations with the Humanities program, to the Health Disparities in Society minor offered within the Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Studies Research, these stories shine a light on the impressive work going on in the college right now.
In the Intersections program, we see how the college’s humanities departments can combine their knowledge to answer “grand-challenge questions” facing the world today. Encouraging this spirit of collaboration across the college’s wide range of disciplines can only strengthen our curriculum and the exceptional opportunities we offer our students.
This issue also spotlights those who were honored at the college’s Evening of Excellence award ceremony earlier this year and how our experiential learning program, Beyond120, provides students with the tools they need to succeed after graduation.
Sadly, we mark the passing of David Colburn, former Bob Graham Center Director and former chair of the Department of History, known to many at UF as an invaluable friend, mentor and colleague. Click here to learn more about his dedication to the college and his fascinating life story.
Moving forward, I encourage you to check out the news section of our website (news.clas.ufl.edu) to stay up to date with the latest groundbreaking research conducted by our faculty, national awards won by our students and recent bestsellers published by our alumni.
Go Gators and Go Greater,
David E. Richardson
Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
