Grand Guard Reunion: Celebrating the Class of 1968

Event Image
Starts:  Nov 15, 2018 07:00 (ET)
Ends:  Nov 17, 2018 12:00 (ET)

Location

Emerson Alumni Hall
1938 W. University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32603

Contact

Angie Toelle
352-392-1905
ufalum@ufalumni.ufl.edu
UFAA_Grand_Guard_2017-332.jpg


MEMBERS OF THE REUNION COMMITTEE INCLUDE:

Bill Carr & Janice Jackson Carr (Co-Chairs), Amalia Alvarez, Dennis Bishop, Samuel Block, Roger Brill, Chuck Fessler, Merritt Fore, Lorraine Livingston, Jim Overton, Michael Stamitoles, Sue Biggart Stoops, John Vreeland, and Marie Stroud Vreeland.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018

WELCOME RECEPTION (7:00pm - 9:00pm)- The Florida Museum of Natural History

3215 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL 32611
Kick off the reunion with an informal welcome reception and pick up materials for the weekend while catching up with friends. Each year, the event location rotates to a different area of campus to provide participants with an opportunity to view the work that is taking place at UF. 


FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018

*The day begins at Emerson Alumni Hall. Parking and transportation on campus is provided for the day.
1938 West University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32603

BREAKFAST OF MEMORIES (9:00am-10:30am)

Start your day with the Breakfast of Memories, a Grand Guard Reunion tradition. At this event, participants will be able to share their favorite UF memories and reminisce about their years as a student.

Lecture sessions (10:45am – 11:45am)

Participants will be able to select an educational session from 2 options.

Featured Faculty Lecture - Dr. Steven DeKosky, Deputy Executive Director of the McKnight Brain Institute
Dr. DeKosky is a professor of neurology in the College of Medicine and serves as Deputy Executive Director of the McKnight Brain Institute. His research focuses on Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and traumatic brain injury. He is renowned for his work on the link between football and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain caused by repeated head blows. His work was recently featured in the film, "Concussion," starring Will Smith.

Estate Planning for the Decade Ahead in an Uncertain World
Join us for a panel discussion with financial and legal UF Faculty and experts. The Moderator will cover topics with the Panelists that include: elder law, fixed income investing, charitable planning, and trusts and estates. The symposium will also address the 2017 Federal tax reform and any related topics the audience has an interest in discussing.

grand guard lunches (12:00pm-1:30Pm)

Alumni are invited to spend an afternoon with the host of their choice. Colleges will host a variety of events designed to reconnect alumni with current research that is taking place in the academic unit, as well as introduce them to some of their current faculty and students (transportation is provided).

*New to this year's reunion, Presenting Sponsor Oak Hammock is also hosting a lunch.  Join Oak Hammock for lunch and a private tour of the resort-style community (transportation is provided).

BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS (2:00pm-3:00pm)

Participants will select a special behind the scenes tour from 3 options. 

Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History 
Join the Florida Museum for a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Butterfly Rainforest! Visitors will tour the Florida Wildflower & Butterfly Garden, Greenhouse Area and Rearing Lab with a knowledgeable staff member. Portions of the tour are outside and on non-paved areas.

Hernandez Hall - Home of the Chemistry Department 
Visit Hernandez Hall, a state-of-the-art facility for chemistry/chemical biology research and teaching. Each year, 8,000 students including half of all incoming freshman will take a class in this new building. Participants will be able to see researchers at work developing formulas, creating molecules, and testing organic structure. Don't miss a "wild" surprise outside of the Sheridan Auditorium. This one-of-a-kind space is a true example of private and research dollars at work.

Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 
UF Performing Arts, Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts - Brian Jose, Director of UF Performing Arts takes you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Phillips Center. You will get exclusive backstage access as College of the Arts students prepare for UF's annual Opera, Hansel and Gretel.

GRAND GUARD INDUCTION CEREMONY DINNER AND DANCE (6:30pm-10:00pm) - UF HILTON

1714 SW 34th Street, Gainesville, FL 32607
Alumni are invited to a formal dinner and dance honoring the Class of 1968. The formal induction ceremony takes place at this event as members are celebrated by, once again, having the opportunity to graduate into their next level of their affiliation with UF, the Grand Guard Society.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2018

GATOR NATION TAILGATE (9:00am - 11:15am)

Grand Guard Society members are invited to the UF Alumni Association's traditional Gator Nation Tailgate held at Emerson Alumni Hall. A Grand Guard Society members-only area will be available. Get ready to cheer on the Gators as they take on the University Idaho.

GATORS VS. UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO (Kickoff 12:00 PM)

The UF Alumni Association has reserved a limited number of tickets for the football game against Idaho. Final ticket price is $25.

REUNION PRICING:

$219.68 per person (includes all meals during the weekend and a tax deductible gift to your college's Dean's Excellence fund). Football tickets are an additional fee TBD.
Gift Disclosure Statement

QUESTIONS? ISSUES REGISTERING?

Please call our office at 352-392-1905 and ask for Angie Toelle. We will be happy to help answer any questions and help register you over the phone.

CLASS OF 1968 REUNION BOOK

Class of 1968 alumni, don't forget to participate in this year's Reunion Yearbook! Whether you will be attending or not, we invite you to participate by sharing your most memorable moment as a student at UF and providing us with a brief update of what has taken place in your life since we last saw each other. Visit: https://florida1968.bespokereunionpublishing.com (enter code 1968) to upload photos and follow the easy step by step instructions. You will be able to include your personal message, photos and memories to share with your classmates. The deadline for entries is September 30, 2018. Reunion Books will be available to all reunion participants at the event. If you cannot join us, you may obtain a book following the reunion weekend by contacting the Alumni Association.

REUNION WEEKEND ACCOMMODATIONS:

AC Hotels by Marriott Gainesville
151 NW 14th Street
Gainesville, FL 32603
Phone: 352-792-1151
Rate: $139 Th, $280 Fri/Sat per night, 2 night minimum
Group Code: Grand Guard
Block Expires: 10/19/18


Double Tree by Hilton Gainesville (The Lodge)

3726 SW 40th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32608
Phone: 352-375-2400
Rate: $129-$219 per night, 2 night minimum
Group Code: GGR
Block Expires: 10/15/18


Hilton UF
1714 SW 34th St.
Gainesville, FL 32607
Phone: 352-371-3600
Rate: $199 per night, 2 night minimum
Group Code: GG1118
Block Expires: 10/16/18


Hilton Garden Inn
4075 SW 33rd Pl.
Gainesville, FL 32608
Phone: 352-338-1466
Rate: $209-$219 per night, 2 night minimum
Group Code: GGB
Block Expires: 10/16/18

Holiday Inn Express
3905 SW 43rd Street  Gainesville, FL 32608
Phone: 352-376-0004
Rate: $122-$175 per night, 2 night minimum
Group Code:  2018 Grand    
Guard Reunion
Block Expires: 10/17/18
Springhill Suites
4155 SW 40th Blvd.
Gainesville, FL 32608
Phone: 352-376-8873
Rate: $119 Thur, $189 Fri/Sat per night, 2 night   minimum
Group Code: GGRS
Block Expires: 10/15/18


Thank You to our Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor:

With Support from: