University of Florida Family Guide
History and Traditions of the University
UF is a major, public, comprehensive, land-grant, research university. The state’s oldest, largest and most comprehensive university, Florida is among the nation’s most academically diverse public universities. Florida has a long history of established programs in international education, research and service. Enrolling approximately 50,000 students annually, UF is home to 16 colleges and more than 150 research centers and institutes. It is one of only 17 public, land-grant universities that belong to the Association of American Universities, the prestigious higher-education organization comprised of the top 62 public and private institutions in North America.
History
In 1853, the state-funded East Florida Seminary took over the Kingsbury Academy in Ocala. The seminary moved to Gainesville in the 1860s and later was consolidated with the state’s land-grant Florida Agricultural College, then in Lake City. In 1905, by legislative action, the college became a university and was moved to Gainesville. Classes first met with 102 students on the present site on Sept. 26, 1906. UF officially opened its doors to women in 1947. With more than 50,000 students, Florida is now one of the five largest universities in the nation.
Facilities
Florida has a 2,000-acre campus and more than 900 buildings (including 170 with classrooms and laboratories). The northeast corner of campus is listed as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. The UF residence halls have a total capacity of some 7,000 students and the five family housing villages house more than 2,200 married and graduate students.
Sustainability
UF became the first university in the world to be designated a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” (2005) for environmental and wildlife management, resource conservation, waste management, and outreach and education.
UF is one of three universities to be the first in the country to offer an Organic Agriculture undergraduate degree program (2006).
Alma Mater
Florida, our alma mater, thy glorious name we praise, all they loyal sons and daughters a joyous song shall raise. Where palm and pine are blowing, where Southern seas are flowing, shine forth thy noble Gothic walls, thy lovely vine-clad halls. ‘Neath the Orange and Blue victorious, our love shall never fail. There’s no other name so glorious – All hail, Florida, hail!
-Milton Yeats
Popular Traditions
Gator Growl
Gator Growl has been a University of Florida tradition over 80 years. Gator Growl has its roots in the tradition of “Dad’s Day,” a turn-of-the-century tradition in which fathers of the then all-male student body were invited to visit the new campus. In 1916, a pep rally replaced Dad’s Day and “Gator Growl” was born. At the original pep rally, freshmen contributed their weight in wood to a giant bonfire, known as “firing up” enthusiasm for the next day’s football game. In 1925, the tradition grew as skits, musical performances and guest speakers expanded the rally into a variety show. Students and alumni continued to express their Gator spirit by participating in cheers and enjoying performances by UF’s Marching Band, Cheerleaders and Dazzlers. In 1932 the rally moved to the football stadium and became known as the Gator Growl. Every year more than 500 student volunteers earn Gator Growl its beloved nickname, “the world’s largest student-run pep rally!”
Cheers and Fight Songs
Orange and Blue (University of Florida Fight Song)
So Give a Cheer for the
Orange and Blue,
Waving Forever!
Forever Pride of Old Florida,
May She Droop Never.
Well Sing a Song for the Flag Today,
Cheer for the Team at Play!
On to the Goal,
We’ll Fight our Way for Florida!
We Are The Boys From Old Florida
We are the boys from old Florida, F-L-O-R-I-D-A! Where the girls are the fairest, the boys are the squarest of an old state down out way (HEY!). We are all strong for old Florida, down where the old Gators play (GO GATORS!). In all kinds of weather, we’ll all stick together, for F-L-O-R-I-D-A!
Two Bits
Two bits! Four bits! Six bits! A dollar!
All for the Gators, Stand up and holler!
