Message from Vice President, Curtis A. Reynolds |
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The spring semester is underway. As the COVID-19 pandemic begins to decline, campus is adjusting its approach to this next phase of the virus.
"Large-scale testing that was ramped up on UF's main campus in response to Omicron will be moved back to the UF Student Health Care Center. Testing will be available on an appointment-only basis, scheduled via ONE.UF".
If you would like to read the latest Campus Brief regarding the decline of the pandemic, click here.
I am proud of the diversity at the University of Florida and especially within Business Affairs. This month we celebrate Black History Month. Within this letter you will see some of your colleagues highlighted. Highlighting the great employees across our units and departments is truly an honor. A new employee highlight section of the newsletter is called "Chop Chat". Keep an eye out for your colleagues across campus.
One way of acknowledging your fellow colleagues is the Elite Gator Award. Make sure to nominate those that go above and beyond.
Thank you for reading and staying up to date across Business Affairs.
Go Gators,
Curtis A. Reynolds
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February we celebrate Black History Month. On Twitter, @UFBizAffairs has short videos of four staff members. They each share what Black History Month means to them. Officer Kaylen McGill and Adam Wells have their stories published on Twitter. In the next two weeks, keep an eye out for Officer Terrell Williams and Fidela James' stories. |
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The University of Florida’s Office of Small Business & Supplier Diversity announced the launch of its Emerging Small Business Program in a collaborative effort with the University’s Division of Planning, Design and Construction as well as Facilities Services (Operations).
The Emerging Small Business Program is a two-year endeavor designed to develop small and diverse businesses within the construction industry. The program’s goal is to increase the pool of qualified businesses seeking opportunities with the University of Florida.
Small businesses interested in participating in the Emerging Small Business Program are encouraged to apply online here. |
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Love is in the Air or on the Golf Course for Brent Ransom
Brent Ransom, the Assistant Director of Education and Training at Facilities Services, has been golfing since before Tiger Woods made it cool. Well, actually, the famous golfer’s real name is Eldrick Tont Woods. “But who wouldn’t rather go by ‘Tiger?’” Brent asked.
Brent grew up in Seattle, Washington as the youngest of three brothers. He and his brothers loved to play all kinds of sports, especially football. However, the large age gap between him and his older siblings meant that it was hard for him to compete in such a physical sport. So, at age nine, he took up playing golf.
Golf has been a constant in Brent’s life since then, even as he has shifted careers and environments. He studied industrial psychology at Hampton University, a Historically Black University (HBCU). Then, after graduate school which led him to DC, Brent ended up in Gainesville.
“I never expected to stay here,” Brent stated. However, a blind date changed everything.
Brent went on his first, and only, blind date right here in Gainesville. His friend worked at the Ironwood Golf Course at UF. While he was there one day, his friend mentioned setting up Brent on a blind date with a friend. Brent was skeptical, but said sure, why not. The date ended up going so well that it was the last blind date that Brent would ever go on.
Brent married the woman he met on his date. Now, he is the proud father of four, with two boys and two girls. He has a strong sense of family, which is something he brings to UF every day. Brent calls UF Facilities Services his extended family.
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The UF Office of Sustainability and the Healthy Gators Coalition are excited to announce that the nomination period for the 2022 Champions for Change Awards is now open! This partnership program recognizes individuals and groups in the UF community who have made significant contributions in the areas of sustainability or health & wellness during their time at UF. The Gator community continues to thrive even in challenging times thanks to the work of these yet-to-be-identified 2022 Champions for Change. Together, let’s make sure these individuals/groups get the recognition they deserve! Please help us in identifying some of the amazing individuals and initiatives at UF by nominating them for an award. (Self-nominations are also encouraged.) Nominations will close February 28, 2022. If you'd like to learn more about the awards and past winners or are ready to submit a nomination, you can visit the Champions for Change site by clicking the button below.
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Guess which Masked Gator owns these two adorable dogs, Teddy and Cali, that are headed to compete at the Westminster Dog Show. The first 5 people who guess correctly will win a prize!
The correct answer will be shared in the April newsletter with a new Masked Gator.
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“We wanted to do something big and something different to lift up the spirit of not only ourselves, but others - especially with the pandemic and the craziness of this past year and the last,” says Ramonita Vega.
Near the end of last year, a team at the Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) Department decided to help the community in the spirit of the holidays. They decided to launch a toy drive through the Ronald McDonald House of Gainesville.
They decided on the Ronald McDonald House because of “personal history with life-threatening childhood diseases,” says Vega. “We also liked the fact that it is LOCAL!”
“The holidays are a difficult time for some people, money is tight, COVID is everywhere and has people anxious and not wanting to be a part of anything," says Vega. However, this toy drive gave an opportunity for TAPS and the local community to celebrate.
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Facilities Services, Christopher Brown won a Dan Mullen signed Football. Photographed are Associate Vice President for Business Affairs, Brandi Renton, Christopher Brown, and Christopher Whitehurst. |
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Planning Design and Construction's David Wood won an Amazon Kindle. Photographed are Assistant Vice President of PDC, Carlos Dougnac, Associate Vice President for Business Affairs, Brandi Renton, David Wood, and Frank Javeheri. |
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I wanted to take the time to reach out to tell you how thankful we are here in Construction Accounting for having the amazing assistance and support from Chris and Marilena. At any time, they are willing to listen and help us with anything that happens to come our way, no matter how challenging it may be. They are our shining stars in this area. We don’t know where we would be without them.
Thank you!!
Brenda Harrell
Associate Controller
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I would like to thank you (Paul Skiver) and your team (Gregg Clarke and Allen Masters) for the continuous quality work at Lake Wauburg.
Teal Tile did great work, as did your team. Everyone stopped by the office or gave me a call with regular status updates. I appreciated it every step of the way.
You are a joy to work with! You are communicative, timely, friendly, and professional. Your skilled coordination paid off!
The North and South Shore residences look wonderful and are leak-free!
Thanks again for your great service,
AMBER Z. LARKIN | ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, OUTDOOR RECREATION
Department of Recreational Sports | UF Division of Student Life
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Coretha Harris
Sharon Holmes Warren
Marsha Mcnish
Gerald Sellers
Dorothy Thomas
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Business Affairs | 352-392-1336
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