News | Campus - The Independent Florida Alligator

Bestselling author James Patterson speaks to an estimated 2,500 students at UF's university-wide commencement on Saturday. "If you only take one thing away from today, please take this: Passion is the key reason for choosing a career,” Patterson said.

NEWS | CAMPUS

James Patterson, Tom Petty and boycotts: UF hosts weekend of graduations

By Josephine Fuller | May 5, 2019

An estimated 2,500 graduates of the more than 7,000 who ordered regalia attended the hour and a half university-wide commencement at the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, said UF spokesperson Steve Orlando. The ceremony featured a speech from bestselling author James Patterson and a new tradition of singing Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.”

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean, David Richardson, gestures to pause the commencement ceremony. Richardson announced the ceremony would be delayed by 30 minutes, but the ceremony was later moved to an insidehallway of the stadium.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduation ceremony rained out

By Kelly Hayes | May 5, 2019

About 200 to 300 students were not called on the main stage.

Julian Obligado, a 21-year-old UF business management senior, was known for his love of cooking, video games and Supreme clothing.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Supreme garments and robot dances: Remembering Julian Obligado

By Lina Ruiz | May 2, 2019

Julian Obligado could always be seen wearing Supreme. When he wasn’t wearing it, he was buying more of the skateboarding brand or selling what he owned to his friends.

UF freshman quarterback Jalon Jones was accused of two instances of sexual battery on April 6 according to two University Police reports. Charges were not pressed for either incident.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Jalon Jones accused of sexual battery

By River Wells | May 2, 2019

He was accused of two separate incidents, but no charges were pressed.

Anthony Rojas, a 23-year-old UF political science master’s student, and Mackintosh Joachim, president of the UF chapter of the NAACP, announced a boycott of the university-wide commencement ceremony on Friday afternoon outside Tigert Hall.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Graduation boycott aims to address racial equity issues on campus

By Kelly Hayes | Apr. 30, 2019

The university-wide commencement ceremony will take place on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF students announce university-wide graduation ceremony boycott

By Hannah Beatty | Apr. 27, 2019

The university-wide ceremony will take place on May 4 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Student Affairs executives leave following investigation

By Kelly Hayes | Apr. 25, 2019

Executive Chief of Staff Win Phillips will be interim Vice President

NEWS | CAMPUS

Ralph D. Turlington: The plaza, the building, the man

By Paige Fry | Apr. 23, 2019

Turlington Hall received name in ’80s

NEWS | CAMPUS

Mental health concern increases as UF moves up in Top 10

By Kelly Hayes | Apr. 23, 2019

More students sought out counseling this year than last

Bulls Dabke performs a traditional Levantine dance at Students for Justice in Palestine’s second annual Middle Eastern Fashion Show on Sunday. The group traveled from the University of South Florida to take part in the event. More than 100 people attended the fashion show, watched the dance performance and ate traditional Palestinian food.

NEWS | CAMPUS

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib speaks at second Middle Eastern Fashion Show

By Nushrat Nur | Apr. 21, 2019

More than 100 people attended.

Shannon Moriarty, a 20-year-old UF art history junior, created a SpongeBob SquarePants meme after hearing loud noise from the Garth Brooks concert and soundcheck. She posted it on the Swampy memes for top 10 public teens Facebook group page.

NEWS | CAMPUS

‘All I could hear was Garth Brooks’: UF students react to concert in the Swamp

By Taylor Girtman | Apr. 21, 2019

UF reserved 16 parking areas for $25 to $50 for the concert

NEWS | CAMPUS

Limited number of ASL interepreters leads to UF PSU event cancellation

By Hannah Beatty | Apr. 21, 2019

SG provides at least $10,000 per year for interpreters

NEWS | CAMPUS

Garth rocks the Swamp despite early hiccups

By Tranelle Maner | Apr. 21, 2019

This was the first performance at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in 25 years.

Garth Brooks performs "Stronger Than Me" at the 52nd annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

NEWS | CAMPUS

Garth Brooks press conference canceled, concert still happening

By Tranelle Maner | Apr. 19, 2019

Garth Brooks is still coming to UF but a severe thunderstorm delayed his visit.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF startup combatting mosquito diseases featured at national showcase

By Jordyn Kalman | Apr. 18, 2019

The research costs $500,000

NEWS | CAMPUS

Bite Squad to offer UF students, faculty discount during finals week

By Lina Ruiz | Apr. 18, 2019

It can be used from April 24 to May 3

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF President Fuchs’ last message of the semester

Apr. 18, 2019

The world watched in horror and grief on Monday as Notre Dame Cathedral burned. Her lead-covered wood roof and majestic spire collapsing into red flames as Parisians sang hymns on roads and bridges. Some 13 million people annually enter the cathedral. I have been one of those awestruck visitors on several occasions. Notre Dame is an exquisite example of French Gothic architecture and an unforgettable symbol of Paris, with its beautiful rose windows, flying buttresses and rib vault. Lost in the news of the past few days is the fact that Notre Dame is foremost a place for worship, particularly for Catholic Christians.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

SG’s $20,000 end-of-the-year banquet welcomes new officers

By Hannah Beatty | Apr. 18, 2019

The night featured awards, farewell speeches and the swearing in of new officers

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Law has second highest bar passage rate in Florida

By Christina Mouttet | Apr. 17, 2019

Ten of the 13 students who took the February exam passed

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Four things to know about the Student Government banquet

By Hannah Beatty | Apr. 16, 2019

The annual banquet will be held today at Champion’s Club