Proposed Veterinary Education and Clinical Research Center

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

NAVC
The North American Veterinary Conference 2009 is planned for January 17-21 in Orlando, Florida.

The UF CVM will host an alumni reception Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 7 PM in the Orlando World Center Marriott ballroom. You do not have to be registered for NAVC to attend the alumni reception. CVM faculty, staff, students and alumni from all over attend this event. We hope you will too!

The Alumni Affairs Office will present a special tribute to Dr. Jim Himes.

Distinguished Awards Nominations
The annual Distinguished Awards nominations period ended November 15. We are still accepting nominations for the Outstanding Young Alumni award. This is for alumni who have graduated 10 years or less from college. If you are in the classes of 1999 and 2008, consider nominating a worthy classmate.

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

Western Veterinary Conference
The Western Veterinary Conference is planned for February 19-21 at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV. The college will not host an alumni reception at this conference. If you are going to WVC and would like to connect with UF alumni, let us know.

AVMA Accreditation Site Visit November 2-6
The AVMA Council on Education Accreditation Site Team visited UF CVM November 2-6, 2008. The team toured our campus and visited with administration, faculty, students and alumni council members.

According to an e-mail from Dean Glen Hoffsis dated November 14, a preliminary report was received prior to the site team's exit interview with the vice presidents. "They thought we had a very well prepared self-study report," Hoffsis wrote. "Overall, UF is a strong college with an impressive physical plant, numerous strong programs and high quality faculty, students, staff and alumni. I am cautiously optimistic we will receive full accreditation."

Thanks to those alumni council members who participated in this site visit. We appreciate your continuing commitment to UF.

Construction begins on new SAH

Drs. Joe DiPietro, Colin Burrows and Dale Kaplan-Stein chat at the groundbreaking ceremony.

The college broke ground November 21, 2008 for the new Veterinary Education and Clinical Research Center (new small animal hospital). This 90,000 square foot, $58 million hospital contains numerous innovative concepts and state of the art equipment. The VECRC will be the finest small animal hospital in the nation. The grand opening is expected in Spring 2010.

Team VetMed rocks again - over $27,000 raised

Photos from the Horse Farm 100 are posted on Dr. Bill Castleman's Web site

Congratulations to Team VetMed for raising over $27,000 for the Joseph A. DiPietro Horse Farm Hundred Scholarship by riding with the Horse Farm Hundred bicycle ride October 19, 2008. We had over 60 riders who took on the 100 mile ride and raised money for DVM scholarships.

Top fundraisers include:
Dr. Julio Ibanez, `80 - collected $2,025 in his clinic and matched it for a total of $4,050
Chris Spinosa - $650
Dr. Wade Matthews,`84 - $499 - most from this DVM Class of 1984 (thanks!)
Ruth West, `11 - $300
Dr. Kevin Anderson - $250
Dr. Kris Cooke - $200
Sasha Orlova, `12 - $200
Dr. Wendy Rib, `89 - $150

Good-bye, Dr. Himes

Dr. James A. Himes August 12, 1919 - November 16, 2008

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Dr. Jim Himes. Dr. Himes died peacefully on Sunday, November 16 at Shands Hospital with his daughter Leslie Clark at his side. He was 89 years young.

Dr. Himes was and always will remain a rare individual who made our college a special place for all who knew him. To the students, both current and past, Dr. Himes was the heart and soul of our college. His impact on the lives of our college's students, alumni, staff and faculty is immeasurable and will never be fully realized.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to make donations to the University of Florida Foundation in the James A. Himes Alumni Scholarship Fund. An on-line giving form is available here

The Gainesville Sun posted his obituary Tuesday, November 18. You may sign the family guest book at Gainesville Sun's Web site.

Alumni Council Fall Meeting
The UF CVM Alumni Council held its Fall Meeting Saturday, October 25, 2008 prior to the Alumni Homecoming Celebration. Dr. Dan Martin, `98, is the Alumni Council Chair and Dr. Destiny Prezzano, '05 is Chair-Elect.

The minutes, department reports, and list of class reps are posted on the Web. The Alumni Council Spring meeting date will be announced shortly.

Alumni Class Photos Relocated
The alumni class photos from 1980 to 2008 have been relocated at the college. The classes of 1980, 1984 and 2004-2008 photos are located in the SAH hallway. The remaining class photos are displayed in the Reading Room.

All class photos were photographed and are now stored digitally on a DVD. This DVD will be available to view during the alumni reception at NAVC.

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

The Class of 1984 will celebrate its 25 anniversary reunion at the Silver Society events on Saturday, April 18, 2009. More details will be posted on the Web. 

For assistance with planning a class reunion, contact Jo Ann Winn. Reunion details are available on the Web. 

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.

Looking for a classmate?
The UF Alumni Association has a brand-new online directory. It's completely searchable and vastly expanded over the previous version. This is just one of the many membership benefits. Not a member? Sign Up Online Now!

Alumni magazines online
UF's alumni magazines Florida and UF Today are now offered online. The Web sites add a little extra flavor that won't be found in the printed publications — such as additional pictures, audio interviews, slideshows and videos.

Features in the fall issue include Gator tailgating recipes, a look at the freshmen experience, and images from artist Maggie Taylor's exhibit, "Almost Alice." Visit the Alumni Magazine on-line.

Custom Wine
Personal Wine is offering UF Alumni Association members a 10 percent discount through Dec. 31. To access the discount, type in the coupon code GATOR8 when placing orders. The cut-off date for holiday orders is Dec. 15. Personal Wine's unique products include bottles that have specialized Gator labels on wines of all kinds, and can be personalized with messages. For information or to place an order, visit the Personal Wine site.