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Thursday, October 01, 2026

Cindy Lasseter Smock, better known to her more than 500,000 TikTok followers as “Sister Cindy,” came to Plaza of the Americas on Monday, Feb. 7.

A former UF student from the ‘70s, Smock came with her husband George Edward “Jed” Smock Jr., who she said converted her when she was a student. 

A viral sensation, Smock was met with a crowd of over 500 students that dwindled throughout the day. She said on her TikTok that she will be at UF until Wednesday, Feb. 9.


Alan Halaly

Alan Halaly is a third-year journalism major and the Spring 2023 Editor-in-Chief of The Alligator. He's previously served as Engagement Managing Editor, Metro Editor and Photo Editor. Alan has also held internships with the Miami New Times and The Daily Beast, and spent his first two semesters in college on The Alligator’s Metro desk covering city and county affairs. 


Ashleigh Lucas

Ashleigh Lucas is a second-year journalism student at the University of Florida and the photo and video editor for The Alligator. She previously worked as a photographer and videographer at The Alligator, and was the photo and video editor in the fall of 2022. In her freetime she enjoys binge-watching cheesy TV shows, practicing her photography skills and reading any book she can get her hands on.

Related

Representative and gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds held a town hall style meeting Wednesday as a part of his Defending the Florida Dream Tour. The event featured representative Kat Cammack and 135 audience members. The entire event was live streamed on Donalds's campaign website as audience members asked questions of the republican candidate.

Byron Donalds holds town hall at UF

Representative and gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds held a town hall style meeting Wednesday as a part of his Defending the Florida Dream Tour. The event featured representative Kat Cammack and 135 audience members. The entire event was live streamed on Donalds's campaign website as audience members asked questions of the republican candidate.


ESPN's SEC Nation pre-game show came to Gainesville on Saturday as the Gators hosted No. 4 Ole Miss in The Swamp. It is the first time the show has come to Gainesville this season following one visit last year when Florida hosted and beat No. 9 Texas, 29-21.

ESPN's SEC Nation visits Gainesville

ESPN's SEC Nation pre-game show came to Gainesville on Saturday as the Gators hosted No. 4 Ole Miss in The Swamp. It is the first time the show has come to Gainesville this season following one visit last year when Florida hosted and beat No. 9 Texas, 29-21.


#21 Florida took down #4 Ole Miss, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla., bringing Florida to 4-0 for the first time since 2019. The Gators posted their highest point total against an SEC foe since November 2020.

Florida Gators vs. Ole Miss Rebels

#21 Florida took down #4 Ole Miss, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla., bringing Florida to 4-0 for the first time since 2019. The Gators posted their highest point total against an SEC foe since November 2020.


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