Joe Rosentel, '01, Michelle Rosentel, '99 and Jennifer Foster, '99 gather at the UF Alumni gathering at AVMA

Welcome to the August 2008 CVM alumni e-news, an electronic newsletter designed to keep you up-to-date on college and university alumni activities and news. 

Welcome Class of 2012
The Class of 2012 begins a week-long orientation process August 11-15.  The college had 897 applicants and admitted 88 students. The final class is composed of 25 males and 63 females, with 80 Florida residents. All 88 students have BA/BS degrees while 15 students also hold Master's degrees.  Classes begin August 18, 2008.

Here Come the Gators!
Gator football kicks off August 30 with the Gators taking on Hawaii.  Heisman Trophy Winner Tim Tebow leads the Gators in his return season. To stay up-to-date on Gator Sports (and our Gator Olympians), visit GatorZone.

Residents and Interns for 2008-2009
The College of Veterinary Medicine welcomes our new residents and interns for 2008-2009.  Several are CVM Alumni: Dr. Kenneth Conley, '05; Dr. Johanna Elfenbein, '07; Dr. Sarita Miles, `07, and Dr. Stacie Thrushman, `08 – Welcome back home!

Veterinary Forensic Science: Bite Marks Workshop is Scheduled for September 22-23, 2008, in Gainesville 
This workshop focuses on the proper techniques in forensic odontology, including proper selection and use of casting materials, etc. For more information or to register, contact the UF Dept of Conferences.

FAEP Conference
The Promoting Excellence Symposium, will be held September 25th-27th of 2008, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. For those of you who are less familiar with the Caribbean, Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the Unites States, so no passport is required for US citizens to travel there!

The biggest change in the program this year is the expansion to over 30 credit hours to allow more in-depth coverage of medicine topics.  For more information or to register, contact FAEP.

The Florida Veterinary Medical Association
The FVMA 79th annual meeting is scheduled for October 3-4, 2008, at the Lake Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa, Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The college will host an alumni gathering on Saturday, October 4, 2008. More details to follow.  For more information or to register, contact FVMA.

Hospital Sponsors Two Training Programs for Vet Techs and Receptionists
The UF Veterinary Medical Center is sponsoring a "Veterinary Receptionist Training Day" and a "Veterinary Technician Program" on Saturday, October 4, 2008, at the UF Hilton Hotel, Gainesville.  The tech program is a continuing education seminar presented by Mr. Mark Opperman.  For more information or to register, contact the UF Dept of Conferences.

More information on these events are posted on our Web site.

Get Well Greetings for Dr. Himes
Dr. James Himes, professor emeritus, has had surgery and is recovering at an assisted nursing facility in Gainesville.

If you would like to send a speedy recovery note, get well wishes, etc., we will most certainly forward those to him.

Reply to cvmalumniaffairs@vetmed.ufl.edu  OR send cards to

Dr. James Himes
UF CVM Alumni Affairs
PO Box 100125
Gainesville, FL  32610-0125

The Alumni Affairs office sent a pretty dish garden to him.  Please keep Dr. Himes in your thoughts and prayers.

Tonie Henry Retires
After 35 years of employment with UF, Tonie Henry, program assistant and registrar in the Office of Students and Instructions, retired May 23, 2008.

Tonie spent 20 years at CVM overseeing the numerous aspects of the admissions' and graduation processes. According to Dr. Tom Vickroy, interim associate dean for Students and Instructions, "Tonie handled the academic lives of more than 1500 veterinarians who now practice throughout this country and around the world." Tonie was recognized at the Class of 2008 commencement ceremony where she was presented with a gold Gator watch for her service to UF and CVM.

UF CVM Career Center
The UF CVM maintains a career center Web site for alumni and new grads seeking jobs. Hospitals and clinics are also urged to post job opportunities. It's a win-win situation.

We receive info quite frequently about clinics for sale. Most recently listed are two thriving, long-established small animal practices for sale in the US Virgin Islands.  For information on this opportunity, contact veterinarypractice@rocketmail.com.

More info is posted on the Web site

Ride with Team VetMed
Team VetMed is gearing up for the October Horse Farm Hundred ride on Sunday, October 19, 2008. Training schedules are posted on the Web site as well as weekly rides and other training activities.

Each Team VetMed rider is asked to raise $100 in sponsorships. In return, those riders receive a custom-designed Team VetMed jersey.  Alumni riders can set up donation cans in the clinics to encourage client donations.  Last year, Dr. Julio Ibanez, '80, raised over $3,000 and matched those donations dollar-for-dollar and rode his first century.

All monies raised go to the Horse Farm Hundred Scholarship fund.  This fund has awarded 16 scholarships since its inception in 2000.

Rider sponsorship forms are available on the Team VetMed Web site.

BEAT THE CATS – BEAT Kentucky
The UF Homecoming Weekend Celebration is October 24 & 25, 2008. UF vs. Kentucky! Hotel information is posted on the Vet Med homecoming Web site. Get your room reservations in today! Save the Date postcards will be mailed this summer with registration beginning August 20, 2008.

Masters' and PhD students are also invited to come back for homecoming celebrations.

The Class of 1993 is planning a reunion during Homecoming weekend.  Contact Dr. Neil Shaw for more info.
 
Distinguished Awards Nominations due November 15
The annual Distinguished Awards nominations period is open through November 15.  The three categories include, Alumni of Achievement, Distinguished Award, and Distinguished Service.

The nomination process and previous winners information is posted on the Alumni Affairs Web site.  Nominate someone today!

Class Reunions
The Class of 2003 is planning a reunion.  Contact Dr. Francesca Griffin if you are interested in helping.

Class reps for 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, and 2004, should start talking about class reunions for 2009.

For assistance with planning a class reunion, contact Jo Ann Winn.  Reunion details are available at www.vetmed.ufl.edu/college/alumni/. 

UF News

To stay abreast of what's happening at UF, visit the main Web site and click on Inside UF.  This is a listing of all UF top news stories and news makers, calendar of events and other notables.

E-mail Forwarding Service
Attention new grads:  All UFL e-mail accounts are generally closed one semester after your graduation.  If you are interested in keeping your UFL account, go to gatorlink.ufl.edu and click on the GatorLink e-mail forwarding. This stays open indefinitely. 

When you are settled in your new career/home/life, send an e-mail to cvmalumniaffairs@vetmed.ufl.edu with your new contact info.   Stay in touch with vet med alumni affairs.
 
For more information on a Gator Club in your area, please visit
http://www.ufalumni.ufl.edu/gatorclubs/

Your Membership Makes UF Stronger
Your Membership Makes UF Stronger, Join Today Membership in the UF Alumni Association is your direct link to Gator Nation. Not only does it allow you to outwardly demonstrate your Gator pride, but there are exclusive benefits just for members. Additionally, your membership dues directly support student scholarships, alumni programming and the University of Florida. Whether you are an alumnus, parent or a friend, you can join the UF Alumni Association. Be part of one of the top 15 alumni associations in the country. Visit us online today for more information.

Gator Nation Network
The Gator Nation Network (GNN) is the primary networking tool just for Gators, a free service brought to you by the UF Alumni Association. This private, online community allows alumni, students and friends to securely communicate based on shared interests, common acquaintances, professions, locations and more.

The UFAA is continuously making improvements to the GNN to enhance social and professional networking functionality. Many Gators have made connections that have led to job opportunities, internships or just getting back in touch with old friends. If you haven't already, join the Gator Nation Network today at gnn.ufalumni.ufl.edu. If you've already registered, sign back on to see what's new.