CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Dorothy Zimmerman as a UF faculty member. Zimmerman was a UF communications leader.
Dorothy Zimmerman — or Dotty, to loved ones — died Aug. 16 after battling ovarian cancer for the second time. She was 66.
Even with the disease’s recurrence, Zimmerman’s former student assistant, UF alumna Isabella Garcia, said the woman was resilient through it all.
“Rarely did she mention it,” Garcia said. “Rarely did she ever let it stop her.”
Born Feb. 9, 1960, in Louisville, Kentucky, Zimmerman grew up with seven siblings. She attended Murray State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science in 1979 at age 19. She then headed to graduate school for communications management at Syracuse University.
At age 21, she became a managing editor at the Marshall County Messenger in Marshall, Texas. She went on to work as a freelance journalist in Brazil and Venezuela.
Zimmerman arrived at UF in 1998 as the communications coordinator for the Office of Executive Education. In 2000, she started work for the Florida Sea Grant and in 2019 joined the Bob Graham Center for Public Service as communications director.
Zimmerman played a vital role in student’s academic and personal lives during her nearly 30 years at the university, Garcia said. Every student who worked with Zimmerman will never forget her, and many desire to be the “Dorothys” in others’ lives.
“Every time we spoke, I left learning something new,” she said.
Along with her role as a communications leader, Zimmerman served at the Sunrise Rotary Club of Gainesville and eventually became Rotary District 6970’s assistant governor and club president.
She also contributed to the Florida Outdoor Writers Association and Florida Public Relations Association, an organization centered on networking and leadership growth.
When she wasn’t working, Zimmerman enjoyed baking and UF athletics.
“We used to talk about Gator baseball a lot,” said Garcia.
Elena Ashburn, the Graham Center communications coordinator, was hired by Zimmerman as a photographer for the Graham Center, and she said they instantly connected.
Ashburn recalled a time she accidentally left her belongings locked in the Graham Center. Zimmerman insisted on picking up and delivering the items to Ashburn’s apartment, she said, even though Zimmerman had been home from work for hours.
Zimmerman was an admirable mentor, she added, teaching her skills and practical experience as part of what Ashburn called “the Zimmerman course.” She credits the late UF staff member as the reason for her proficiency in relevant career tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
“That’s just the kind of person she was,” Ashburn said. “She’s very selfless.”
In her honor, the Graham Center is raising $50,000 to create the Dorothy L. Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship, which aims to help student-centered fellowships. Donations are being collected through the Graham Center’s website.
To Marianne Vernetson, the director of the Graham Center, Zimmerman’s legacy will remind others to persevere and support each other.
“She was someone who, every day, had the time, energy and talent to mentor and nurture students and colleagues,” Vernetson said.
Contact Alana Nguyen at anguyen@alligator.org. Follow her on X at @Alana_Nguyen12.
Alana Nguyen is a first-year journalism major at the University of Florida. She is a General Assignment writer for The Alligator. When she's not writing, she enjoys running and reading travel magazines.
