Life in Gainesville the ‘new American city’.
From the natural beauty of wide-open trails to the hospitality of our tight-knit community, UF’s home city of Gainesville has big plans for the future. UF’s Strategic Development Plan provides a robust framework for building a more dynamic city by leveraging the brainpower of faculty experts and turning research ideas into local startups. This innovative model for town and gown relationships earned the 2017 Excellence in Planning for an Existing Campus award by the Society for College and University Planning.
Spotlight on Homecoming
For UF students, alumni and Gainesville residents alike, Homecoming Week is a time to come together in celebration of the Gator Nation. Homecoming encompasses a week of events leading up to the traditional football game.
Attend the Homecoming Pageant to see some of the many dedicated students at UF, or Soulfest, a multicultural extravaganza full of artful expression from the Gainesville community. There is also a festival and a parade that features more than 150 floats making their way down University Avenue to Main Street in downtown Gainesville. The parade is observed by over 100,000 people and is broadcast throughout North and Central Florida.
Another highlight is Gator Growl, the largest student-run pep rally in the nation. This family-friendly event has been a tradition for over 90 years. The show features live music, comedy performances, appearances by Gator athletics and cheerleaders and a variety of food trucks.
On the day of the big game, the UF Alumni Association hosts a tailgate for all Gators past and present, right across from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
“We have now lived in Gainesville for 16 out of the last 21 years of our lives and we love it as much today as we did the day we arrived. Gainesville really has something to offer for everyone across their life span. As graduate and professional students, we loved the social atmosphere, Gator sports, the exceptional educational environment, the cost of living, the miles of cycling and running friendly roads, and the closeness to some of the best natural environments in the world. Now as professionals and parents, we love that both the private and public schools are highly ranked from elementary through high school, the cultural scene with great music and arts, UF’s dedication to positively impacting the community, state, and the world, the significant and growing number of local restaurants and farmers markets, Gator and community sports, and the warm hospitality you receive in each of our distinct neighborhoods. Gainesville truly has everything you need to be successful professionally and to live a high quality of life. What else could you ask for?”
Prof. Chris Hass, professor in the department of applied physiology and kinesiology & Amy Hass, interim vice president and general counsel
Community Contributions
The University of Florida’s culture of caring extends beyond campus walls to our community of Greater Gainesville. Through its annual employee giving campaign called the UF Campaign for Charities (UFCC), UF employees have given almost $1 million annually to local charities for over a decade. Participating charities include the United Way, St.Francis House and Boys & Girls Clubs. Additionally, programs such as UF Community Veterinary Outreach Program help shelter animals get the treatments they need to become adoptable, rescue groups get care they could not otherwise afford and veterinary students get hands-on experience.
