News - The Independent Florida Alligator

Amid posters of concerts, composers and teachers, Raymond Chobaz poses for a photo in his office in the Music Building. A native of Switzerland, Chobaz left his country at the age of 24 to pursue music education in the U.S.

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UF orchestra conductor lowers baton (for now)

By Carla Vianna | Apr. 15, 2015

When Raymond Chobaz waved his baton in the air, the symphony followed suit.

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A tree is nice, but Mickle deserves a building

Apr. 15, 2015

At 4 p.m. today, a tree dedication ceremony will be held on the UF Law West Courtyard. The ceremony will be held in honor of Judge Stephan P. Mickle, the first African-American to graduate from UF and the second to graduate from UF’s Levin College of Law.

Stela Patidar, a 20-year-old UF psychology sophomore enrolled in the Innovation Academy, poses for a photo in Turlington Hall against a projection of her Canvas dashboard. A student on the pre-med track, Patidar is concerned about keeping up with her classes and studying for the MCAT while on the Spring-Summer calendar.

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Inside Innovation Academy: how IA affects pre-professional opportunities

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Apr. 14, 2015

To Yuri Blaise, experience is everything.

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UF composting paper towels in quest for zero waste

By Ariana Figueroa | Apr. 14, 2015

In an effort to produce zero waste, UF’s Office of Sustainability and Physical Plant Division are working together to recycle paper towels from bathrooms around campus into compost.

The UF Levin College of Law and community will honor Judge Stephan P. Mickle, a 1965 alumnus, with a tree dedication ceremony at 4 p.m. Thursday on the UF Law West Courtyard.

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UF Law dedicates tree in honor of first black UF graduate

By Veronica Garcia | Apr. 14, 2015

The first African-American to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UF put down symbolic roots at the university, and now UF is planting a tree in his honor.

Florida lacrosse players celebrate after a goal during UF's 18-4 win against Georgetown on April 4 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

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Florida lacrosse to play home finale against Cincinnati

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Apr. 14, 2015

The postseason is right around the corner, but Florida still has some work to do before that time comes.

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UF’s failure to meet zero-waste goal actually a success

Apr. 14, 2015

In 2006, UF made a bold sustainability plan to dramatically reduce its waste output. It was supposed to make UF almost waste-free by this year.

Brandon Fantozzi, a 20-year-old UF anthropology sophomore enrolled in Innovation Academy, poses for a photo on the first floor of Library West. A student on the pre-medicine track to be a physician’s assistant, Fantozzi said he was concerned about falling behind because none of his critical tracking courses are offered during the fall.

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Inside Innovation Academy: academics and IA’s calendar

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Apr. 13, 2015

The Innovation minor is an academic pillar within the Innovation Academy.

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UF fails to reach zero waste goals but makes strides toward sustainability

By Hannah Morse | Apr. 13, 2015

In 2006, UF made a promise to reach zero waste by this year.

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UF and UF Health rated among best places to work by Forbes

By Caitlin Ostroff | Apr. 13, 2015

UF isn’t just a great place to receive an education: It’s also a great place to work.

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Petition proposes statues for UF’s Nobel Prize winners

By Cresonia Hsieh | Apr. 13, 2015

UF Heisman trophy winners Tim Tebow, Steve Spurrier and Danny Wuerffel are no strangers to students. Their names are mentioned in conversation, used in articles and even carved on plaques outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Dixie Smith, a 20-year-old UF biology senior, performs a wakeboard stunt on Lake Wauberg.

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UF student represents women of extreme sports in April competition

By Samantha Gutman | Apr. 13, 2015

Self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie Dixie Smith is one of the only two girls on UF’s nationally competitive wakeboarding team.

Pictured are some of the art pieces designed by UF art senior Taylor Adams. Adams uses ink and water to design patterns that she arranges on wakeboards. She will have her first solo exhibition Friday at University Towne Center.

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UF student finds her inspiration in wakeboarding for first solo art show

By Samantha Pollack | Apr. 13, 2015

The magic happens where ink meets water for UF art senior Taylor Adams.

May Niu, a 21-year-old UF industrial and systems engineering junior, poses for a photo in between the Beaty Towers on Sunday. A member of the pilot class of the Innovation Academy, Niu was not able to run for president of the Chinese American Student Association last fall because she would not be enrolled as a full-time student until spring.

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Inside Innovation Academy: Looking into campus involvement

By Alyssa Fisher | Apr. 12, 2015

Innovation Academy admitted its first class of 300 in 2012. The pilot program stemmed from a combination of ideas, said Bernard Mair, associate provost for undergraduate affairs, including the accommodation of students and the pursuit of innovation development goals.

Tony Medina (left), president of the UF Association of Hispanic Alumni, announces Saturday morning the contents of a time capsule buried in 1996 by the UF Class of 1995. Bruce Floyd (far right), social media manager for the University of Florida Athletic Association and member of the Class of 1995, holds a copy of the 1996-1997 undergraduate catalogue, while Dan Clarke, 43, also a member of the Class of 1995, looks on.

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UF Class of 1995 time capsule opened, alumni reminisce

By Ansley Pentz | Apr. 12, 2015

Albert and Alberta silently cheered by the weathered metal box decorated with a sparkly orange-and-blue bow.

Michael Nichols (left), a UF alum and filmmaker, operates a camera while his friend and partner, Christopher Walker, does the same. Their latest film, titled “Welcome to Leith,” will make its East coast debut at the 2015 Florida Film Festival in April.

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UF alum’s documentary premieres at 2015 Florida Film Festival

By Molly Donovan | Apr. 12, 2015

UF alumnus Michael Beach Nichols traded medical school for filmmaking.

A student bikes past a blue light, which provides students with a direct line to UPD in case of an emergency, near Marston Science Library. Blue lights are typically added as new buildings are constructed on campus.

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Students likely use phones in emergencies, not blue lights

By Paige Levin | Apr. 12, 2015

Following reports of on-campus assaults this Fall, some UF students have moved from traditional campus safety methods, like blue lights, to more modern resources.

Ann Christiano, a public relations professor, is UF’s 2014-15 Teacher of the Year.

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UF names Ann Christiano teacher of year

By Caitlin Ostroff | Apr. 12, 2015

Ann Christiano is feeling the love from her students.

From left: Avni Solanki, 25, Kelly Landry, 27, and Stephanie Ishii, 27, all UF environmental engineering Ph.D. students, stand in a lab in the new engineering building next to urinals that they use to test part of the process they developed to purify human urine so it can be used to fertilize crops. They and the rest of their team will present their research in Alexandria, Virginia this weekend in hopes of winning more funding for the project.

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UF students compete for grant to make fertilizer from pee

By Nicole Gomez | Apr. 12, 2015

A team of UF environmental engineering students is using the power of pee to save the planet.

Jason Smith, a 38-year-old UF forest pathology associate professor, poses on the North Lawn next to Bert, the approximately 200-year-old Bluff Oak that was threatened by the College of Engineering’s Nexus building, a proposed expansion to existing teaching and research labs.

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Saving Bert: How a small group helped a big tree

By Zee Krstic | Apr. 9, 2015

Bert towers at 81 feet tall and 113 inches thick, and he has been rooted in the Gainesville community for nearly 200 years.