Florida GATOR Magazine Summer2017

UF ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

SUMMER 2017

100 FASTEST GROWING ALUMNI COMPANIES 12

CUBA UF : A JOURNEY TO OPPORTUNITY 18 | WELCOME TO CORAL GABLES 25 SPECIAL: ACADEMY OF GOLDEN GATORS 34

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Florida GATOR The Magazine of the University of Florida Alumni Association Volume 5 Issue 3 EDITOR Renee Houston Zemanski DESIGN JS Design Studio — Shannon Paulin (BSF 96) and Julie Esbjorn (BSJ 95) CONTRIBUTORS Mike Boslet, Alisson Clark (BSJ 98), Karen Dooley (MAMC 11), Dana Edwards* (BSJ 14, BA 14), Briana Erickson (4JM), Abigail Friedman (4FA), Richard Goldstein, Chris Harry, Lauren Irizarry, Jillian Kremer (BSJ 12, BALAS 12), Julie Lauderbaugh, Francesca Levy (4FA), Mandy McDade (4LAS), Emily Mavrakis (2JM), Natalie Van Hoose, Christine Velasquez, Matthew Walker (MAMC 11), Jon-Paul Wimer VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT Thomas J. Mitchell* ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Timothy L. Walsh UFAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Michael G. Browne* (BSBA 91, MBA 97), Kalamazoo, MI PRESIDENT-ELECT Karen H. Unger* (BALAS 92), Tallahassee VICE PRESIDENT Brian D. Burgoon* (BA 94, JD 97), Atlanta IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Tim Cerio* (BALAS 90, JD 95), Tallahassee PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS Renee Dabbs* (BA 85), Tampa Kevin Mayeux* (BA 92, JD 96), Vienna, VA REGIONAL DIRECTORS Region 1: Amanda L. Robinson* (BSPR 01), Sebastian Region 2: Christopher L. Carmody* (BA 02, JD 05), Orlando Region 3: Rodney S. Fischer*, Clearwater Region 4: Lori Spivey Baker* (BA 96), Orlando Region 5: BarBee Geiger* (BSN 74), Gainesville Region 6: Kevin Mayeux* (BA 92, JD 96), Vienna, VA Region 7: James E. Gadsby* (BSBA 91), Marietta, GA Region 8: David W. Uslan* (BSAC 90, MACC 91), Tualatin, OR Region 9: Jacqueline M. Davison* (BS 06), Alexandria, VA AT-LARGE DIRECTORS

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Ashton Adler* (BA 09, MS 11), Ft. Lauderdale; J. Carter Andersen* (BSBA 91, JD 98), Tampa; Pam Bondi* (BALAS 87), Tallahassee; Jason T. Brodeur* (BSA 97, MBA 03), Sanford; Derek Bruce* (BSTEL 94, JD 98, MBA 98), Orlando; Steve Bunch* (BSAC 98, MACC 99), Tampa; Betty Cortina-Weiss* (BSJ 92), Pompano Beach; Mark Criser* (BALAS 92, MA 94, JD 97), Tampa; Bobby DuBose* (BALAS 95), Fort Lauderdale; Juan C. Enjamio* (BSBA 82 ), Miami; Brent Gordon* (BALAS 97, MEd 00, JD 04), Oldsmar; Gretta Granado* (BSCHE 12), Houston, TX; Jess Joaquin Johnson* (BSBA 04, BSJ 04, MS 06 ), Tampa; Jessica Furst Johnson* (JD 07), Alexandria, VA; Dr. Sunil Joshi* (BS 94, MD 98), Jacksonville; Kristine Lambert* (BA 91, JD 94), Portland, OR; Brad Levine* (BSA 90), Boca Raton; Larry Medvinsky* (BSAC 90), Scarsdale, NY; Jocelyn Moore* (BA 98, Med 00), Washington D.C.; Barbara Pressly-Tilman* (BSR 00), Tampa; Katrina Rolle* (JD 91), Tallahassee; Ed Scales* (BSTEL 88, JD 91), Miami; Linnea Schramm* (BSLAS 80, BSN 84, MSNSG 87, JD 95), Chicago; Bettina Weiss* (BSAC 97, MACC 97), Hobe Sound; Scooter Willis* (BSEE 98, MBA 03, MSCE 05, PHD 10), Boca Raton; Carlina Womeldorph* (BSAC 94, MBC 96), Parker, TX; Danny Wuerffel* (BSPR 96), Decatur, GA; Tad Yates* (BALAS 91, JD 94), Orlando

UF BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPRESENTATIVE Marsha D. Powers* (MBA 79), Ponte Vedra Beach DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI PROFESSOR Hartmut Derendorf, Ph.D., Gainesville STUDENT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT Jonathan Newman (4PHHP) STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT Smith Meyers (4LAS) FLORIDA GATOR Email: floridagator@ufalumni.ufl.edu Phone: 352-392-1905, P.O. Box 14425, Gainesville, FL 32604-2425 UF ALUMNI ASSOCIATION: www.ufalumni.ufl.edu, ufalumni@uff.ufl.edu, 352-392-1905, P.O. Box 14425, Gainesville, FL 32604-2425 SUPPORTING UF: To make a gift to the University of Florida or any of its programs, contact the University of Florida Foundation at www.uff.ufl.edu/OnlineGiving or contact Joe Mandernach* at jmandernach@uff.ufl.edu, 352-392-5406. *Indicates UF Alumni Association Life Member FLORIDA GATOR is published quarterly by the University of Florida Alumni Association, Inc. for its members. Address changes can be sent electronically to ufalumni@ufalumni.ufl.edu, faxed to 352-846-3636 or mailed to Alumni Records, UF Alumni Association, P.O. Box 14425, Gainesville, FL 32604-2425.

Standard postage paid in West Allis, Wis., and at additional mailing offices.

Membership and advertising queries should be sent to the above address.

12 TO P 10 G ATO R 10 0 W I N N E R S

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SUMMER 2017

features

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The Gator100

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Cuba UF: A Journey to Opportunity

In February, 100 innovators and leaders were celebrated at the annual Gator100. Read about five Gator100 award recipients and their journey to entrepreneurship.

With the rise of Fidel Castro’s government in 1959, many Cubans fled the country in the following years, seeking a new life in Florida. Many found solace and a new home at the University of Florida. Read some of their inspiring stories.

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Welcome to Coral Gables Take a visual tour of UF’s newest office in south Florida. The new space creates efficiencies and consolidates staff already located in Miami while strengthening UF’s presence in the area.

departments

2 Conversations with Kent Fuchs 3 Alumni Board News 4 Faculty Focus 5 University Avenue 30 Two Bits: New UF Athletic Facilities 34 Academy of Golden Gators 39 Give It Like A Gator 45 I’m A Gator 47 Class Connections 57 Lasting Legacies 58 Life Members 60 Then & Now

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ON THE COVER: The UF Alumni Association, in partnership with UF’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center, hosted the third annual Gator100.

Conversations with Kent Fuchs Fellow Gators,

ERIC ZAMORA

One of my most memorable experiences this winter was attending a University of Florida gala celebrating the 100 fastest-growing businesses worldwide that are led or owned by UF alumni.

The Gator100 included companies in biotechnology, construction and design, marketing and advertising, security, environmental services and a range of other areas.

Having the chance to meet and interact with these alumni drove home to me that, rather than an ivory tower, UF is fundamentally an entrepreneurial university, focused on innovation both on our campus and well beyond.

We are proud to be home to a technology commercialization program that consistently ranks among the most productive at any public or private university in the nation.

We continue to grow this program, including through an ongoing project to expand our Gainesville technology incubator, the Florida Innovation Hub. This is due in part to the leadership of David Day, assistant vice president and director of the UF Office of Technology Licensing, who retired this year. We’re thankful to him and welcome his successor, Jim O’Connell, who joined us from the University of Miami.

When Phase II of the Innovation

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UF IS AN ENTREPRENEURIAL UNIVERSITY, FOCUSED ON INNOVATION BOTH ON OUR CAMPUS AND WELL BEYOND.

Hub is complete by early next year, it will double our space for new and growing UF technology startups. We’ll also add a Collaboratory for Women Innovators to reduce the gender gap in the male-dominated technology industry.

However, our embrace of innovation and entrepreneurship goes beyond patenting discoveries, licensing technologies and launching more than a dozen startup companies annually.

We have entrepreneurial efforts across the university.

Our College of Journalism and Communications has The Agency, a marketing firm led by professionals and staffed by students with clients throughout the world. Meanwhile, young entrepreneurs from many different colleges grow startups in our student incubator, the Gator Hatchery, operated by the Warrington College of Business. The Hatchery even offers legal advice through its Entrepreneurship Law Clinic.

The Innovation Academy, a small college experience, is dedicated to nurturing student-entrepreneurs. The Academy also has a residence hall, Infinity Hall, that supports students in creating startups.

We’re further engaged assisting and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship statewide. Last spring,

we launched Innovation Station Sarasota County, the university’s first engineering extension office.

Finally, some of the most successful of UF’s youngest alumni are entrepreneurs — including Joseph Hernandez (BS 96, MS 98, MBA 98) the namesake for our new chemistry building that opened in April, Joseph Hernandez Hall.

Hernandez came to the U.S. as a young boy and went on to earn three degrees from UF in the late 1990s.

After graduation, he launched several successful health- and pharmaceuticalrelated companies.

Last year, at age 43, he committed $10 million to UF for the chemistry building, becoming the youngest donor in our history to make such a generous gift.

More than half of UF’s undergraduates take at least one chemistry class during their time at UF, so Hernandez’s gift will benefit countless Gators. I can think of no greater example of the power of innovation at UF. As we look to the future, we will deepen our commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship — benefiting our university community, our state and the world.

Fondly, Kent Fuchs* President University of Florida

ICHARDSON

University of Florida Alumni Association members and staff who have helped me make our visions a reality. Without their support, we wouldn’t have achieved so many of our goals.

Much has been accomplished this year — membership is up; we opened UF Coral Gables; we established the Professional Engagement Committee; we implemented the Mentor Match program; and we were pleased to take the lead on the Gator100 Program.

The Gator100 Program, highlighted in this issue, recognizes and celebrates the 100 fastestgrowing Gator-owned or Gator-led businesses in the world. These are 100 Gators who have taken their dreams and passions to a new level. They are the future of UF, this country and the world.

They are living, breathing proof that once you set your mind to it, you can achieve anything.

To help all alumni achieve their career goals was one of UFAA’s objectives this year. There are many alumni who are making their way in their chosen career path and others who are just starting out. This is why we established the Professional Engagement Committee in

partnership with UF’s Career Resource Center.

This committee has been charged with identifying avenues for Gators to hire and mentor other Gators.

The committee has three goals: 1) to create a comprehensive catalog of professional resources available to alumni; 2) to benchmark institutions with mentoring programs; and 3) to develop a strategy for UFAA to enhance career resources for alumni. As of this writing, the committee has finished its assessment of professional resources currently available and its benchmarking of peer institutions’ alumni career services Browne and mentoring programs. We are in the process of outlining a formal strategy to accomplish the final goal.

I know the UFAA is in good hands with Karen as our president. Please support her and the team in their goals this year. And thank you once again for all you do and for allowing me to lead these efforts on behalf of the UFAA. TR

AS I HAND OVER THE REINS TO THE CAPABLE KAREN UNGER* (BA 92), I want to thank all of the

EN

Dear Alumni and Friends,

UF Coral Gables

BR

AARON DAYE

UFAA Board News

Go Gators!

Michael Browne* (BSBA 91, MBA 97) UFAA president

FLORIDA GATOR | 03

AVENUE

Staying Ahead their families; their success radiates through our communities, and so do the consequences when they struggle.

The first 1,825 days of a child’s life will influence all the days that follow.

So how can we support all children and their disparate needs in this definitive period?

That was the problem posed to 104 scholars, policymakers, advocates, philanthropists and practitioners who recently gathered in Orlando for the University of Florida’s Early Childhood National Summit. Early childhood is a focus of UF’s preeminence plan, and UF President Kent Fuchs* made it clear that the summit was focused on actionable recommendations.

“It is crucial that our work on behalf of children is tangible, that it is scalable and that it reaches the children who need it,” Fuchs says.

The event, convened by the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies, in partnership with the Education, Law, Medicine and Public Health and Health Professions colleges, was designed to ally disciplines. Working groups focused on three themes: discovering the keys to opening young minds, influencing the influencers to unlock children’s potential and inspiring new initiatives for the next generation.

Presentations in psychiatry, pediatrics, law, education, developmental psychology and advocacy illustrated just how high the stakes are for children who are vulnerable. Early childhood champions David Lawrence Jr.* (BSJ 63) and Anita Zucker* (BAE 72) joined experts who detailed chronic medical conditions with roots in early childhood and factors that influence children’s potential before they’re even born.

“Providing early supports and services should not be a luxury for

some but rather a right for all,” says Anita Zucker chats Zucker. “The with Patricia Snyder at the summit. ripple effect is undeniable; supported children and families turn into strong communities, which become healthy states and robust countries.”

Zucker Center Director Patricia Snyder, Ph.D. and Lawrence, who is the endowed chair in early childhood studies, have collated the working groups’ recommendations for feedback, development and implementation.

“This event has challenged us to think from a transdisciplinary perspective,” Snyder says. “These action steps compel us to elevate this work in service to children and families so that they can start ahead and stay ahead.”

—JULIE LAUDERBAUGH

FLORIDA GATOR | 05

DAYE

G I V I N G C H I L D R E N A ST R O N G STA R T I N T H E I R F I R ST F I V E Y E A R S doesn’t just help kids and

A A R ON

Experts address early childhood challenges

BY J O N - PAU L W I M E R

UF Alumni Businesses Soar with Innovation and Leadership L E A D E R , R I S K - TA K E R A N D I N N OVATO R — when

you think of an entrepreneur, these three words often come to mind. However, it takes the combination of all three to be successful.

One hundred risk-taking, innovative leaders were recently honored at the 2017 Gator100 held at University of Florida’s J. Wayne Reitz Union Grand Ballroom in February.

The UF Alumni Association, in partnership with UF’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center, hosted more than 450 guests at the third annual Gator100, an event recognizing and celebrating the achievements of leading UF alumni entrepreneurs around the world.

The winner of this year's Gator100 was Sue Washer* (MBA 92), who is president and CEO of

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AGTC, a a biotechnology company conducting human clinical trials of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies for the treatment of rare diseases.

AGTC posted a compound annual growth rate of 547.68% to win the coveted spot of first place.

"On behalf of AGTC, I would like to thank everyone at the University of Florida who has been instrumental in the growth of our company," says Washer.

Interestingly, all five of AGTC's Scientific Founders, including William W. Hauswirth, a member of the company's scientific advisory board, have been or are currently professors at the University of Florida College of Medicine.

Here are five other Gator100 recipients and their stories.

Welcome to

CORAL GABLES

BY C H R I ST I N E D. V E L AS Q U EZ

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON DAYE

UF Office Creates a Stronger Presence for Devoted and Aspiring Gators

(L-R) Alumnus Kelley Bergstrom,*UF President Kent Fuchs,* UF Provost Joseph Glover and UFAA Immediate Past President Tim Cerio* cut the ribbon at the UF Coral Gables opening.

FLORIDA GATOR | 25

G

eographically, Miami-Dade County and Gainesville appear to be distant neighbors, sharing only a peninsula. But for more than 100 years, the University of Florida has transcended that distance through the many alumni, students, research, programs, partnerships and shared aspirations that link the two regions.

It is because of this bond and UF’s aspiration to be a preeminent institution that UF dedicated the UF Coral Gables office in February.

“UF Coral Gables is part of the vision for the University of Florida to impact the lives of people across our state and beyond,” UF President Kent Fuchs* said at the opening celebration. “This office

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embodies the many connections our flagship university has in south Florida and helps support our goal toward becoming a premier university that the state, nation and world look to for leadership.”

The office, located at 1 Alhambra Plaza, serves as a regional base of operations for enrollment management and advancement staff, UF Online and the UF College of Education’s Lastinger Center for Learning, creating efficiencies and consolidating staff already located in Miami. While it is not an instructional site, this operation, along with existing programs and research activities in south Florida and the Keys, was constructed to broaden UF’s ability to impact lives.

Gators have been working in south Florida for decades to improve school readiness, enhance student learning, discover cancer-killing compounds, develop the state’s safety net health care system, fight Zika virus and more.

It was one such Miami Gator who came up with the idea just three years ago for a consolidated office in Miami. Kelley A. Bergstrom* (MBA 68), a UF Foundation board member and past chair, committed his time and real estate expertise to this project. Bergstrom rallied a group of

passionate UF volunteer leadership, including UF Alumni Association past President Tim Cerio* (BALAS 90, JD 95) and UFAA board members Brad Levine* (BSA 90) and Betty Cortina-Weiss* (BSAC 97, MACC 97).

Because of their efforts, UF’s presence in the international city has strengthened, introducing the Gator experience to residents and tourists alike, says Tom Mitchell*, UF’s vice president for advancement.

“South Florida is home to more than 20,000 alumni and more than 4,000 students. UF Coral Gables serves as a rallying point for these Gators and for our corporate leaders and present and future students,” says Mitchell. “UF can now offer a unique way to share the Gator experience with our diverse and devoted community.”

•

To further our commitment to South Florida, we’ve consolidated some existing South Florida operations into

UF Coral Gables.

Visit us at 1 Alhambra Plaza in Coral Gables, Florida!

Admissions | UF Online | Lastinger Center for Learning | Advancement

TIM WALSH, AVP for Alumni Affairs twalsh@ufalumni.ufl.edu

UF COR A L G A BL ES I S N OT AN I N STR U C TI ON AL SI TE .

ACADEMY of GOLDEN GATORS

Recognizing outstanding individuals for their service to UF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FOUNDATION celebrated a select group of individuals who made a difference at UF at the Academy of Golden Gators awards ceremony and gala in early March. More than 250 people attended the prestigious event.

“It is our privilege to honor these individuals, these Golden Gators, who have made an impact at our university,” says Vice President for Advancement Tom Mitchell.* “Their passion and vigilance to see UF succeed and flourish are what sets them apart.”

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON DAYE

LIFETIME PHILANTHROPISTS AWARD BEVERLY* (MED 62) AND JON THOMPSON* (BS 61, MS 62) Beverly and Jon Thompsons’ dedication and generosity is seen throughout UF’s campus — from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences' department of geological sciences, the Florida Museum of Natural History and UF Health’s McKnight Brain Institute to their support of the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program.

“Jon and Beverly are wonderful people,” said Florida Museum of Natural History Director Douglas Jones, Ph.D., in a video shown at the ceremony. “They’re kind; they’re generous; they’re smart. They are really concerned about the world today, and they are really concerned about the state of Florida.”

Thomas Bianchi, the Jon L. and Beverly A. Thompson endowed chair of geological sciences, also expressed gratitude: “Jon is very passionate about helping the department.

We’ve been able to set up a world-class lab in organic geochemistry, and we’re being recognized around the world for the work we are doing.

And we wouldn’t have been able to do that without this state-ofthe-art equipment.”

The Thompsons Beverly and Jon continue to be active at Thompsons’ UF. Jon, who was named a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences outstanding alumnus in 2003 and received a UF Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2005, is a member of the geological sciences department’s Advisory Board. Their financial support also is evident around the campus.

“Their gifts to the Museum of Natural History have done a great deal for the museum, for the students of the University of Florida, for the children of our state and for the future of science in America,” Jones added in the video.

LIFETIME VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR AWARD CHRISTY (BS 71) AND EARL POWELL (60-61) “Earl and Christy Powell are among those remarkable and inspiring people who support so many different units of the university,” said Rebecca Nagy,* Ph.D., director of the Harn Museum of Art, in a Earl and Christy Powell video shown at the ceremony.

“They’ve impacted the lives of our students, our faculty and our visitors.”

The Powells have provided support to many areas of the University of Florida, including the College of Medicine, athletics, the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Harn Museum.

The Powells’ record of service at UF is equally impressive and includes the UF Board of Trustees, the UF Foundation Board, UF Investment Corp., Miami Regional Council and Gator Boosters, just to name a few. Christy’s activities have included serving on the Harn Museum’s campaign council and co-hosting UF Women events.

Earl, who was co-chair on the Florida Tomorrow campaign, played a key role in implementing plans that led to the successful completion of the campaign.

“I watched from the front row when Earl was on the Board of Trustees, how he volunteered his time — and that’s a nonpaying job. The reason you do that is because it’s in your heart to help this university become better,” said UF Athletic Director Emeritus Jeremy Foley* in the video.

At the ceremony, UF President Kent Fuchs* announced that the Powells committed an additional $6 million gift to UF. “Their gift will support the revitalization of the historic University House — and benefit people in need around the world by providing additional support to the Earl and Christy Powell university chair in gene therapy and genetics research,” said Fuchs at the ceremony.

FLORIDA GATOR | 35

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD ANITA ZUCKER* (BAE 72) As an elementary school teacher, Anita Zucker’s passion for early childhood education took hold. Even after she became CEO of Hudson’s Bay and The InterTech Group, her commitment to learning and development never wavered.

Zucker’s service at the University of Florida includes time on the UF Board of Trustees and the UF Foundation Executive Board. Her dedication and generosity to early childhood education has allowed UF to continue its mission of global service with the establishment of the Anita Zucker endowed professorship and the naming of the Anita Anita Zucker Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies. With her support and leadership, UF held its inaugural early childhood national summit, Starting Ahead. Staying Ahead., in February.

“The fact that Anita found time to be an active volunteer this past year is phenomenal when you consider her resume,” said Gale King (BSJ 83, MSJ 86), executive vice president and chief administration officer of Nationwide Insurance, at the award ceremony.

“She leads a global conglomerate and one of the largest private companies in the United States. Yet, she makes the time to actively serve on UF’s Board of Trustees as well as the Foundation Executive Board Committee.”

UF President Kent Fuchs* agreed and announced that Zucker recently increased her campaign gift to $15 million, which supports early childhood studies, medicine and the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program.

“We couldn’t have a more extraordinary or deserving recipient for the annual volunteer award,” he said at the ceremony. “She is a visionary benefactor who is helping to shape the discovery and teaching that takes place at the University of Florida.”

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YOUNG PHILANTHROPIST AWARD

INTERNATIONAL PHILANTHROPIST AWARD

JOSEPH HERNANDEZ (BS 96, MS 98, MBA 98) Influenced by his parents, New York serial biotech entrepreneur and alumnus Joseph Hernandez has become a highly successful Joseph Hernandez businessman in the medical industry.

Hernandez, who was born in Cuba and immigrated to the U.S. at an early age, has focused his entrepreneurial efforts on improving medical care. In 2016, Hernandez invested $10 million in his alma mater to enhance UF’s chemistry department. At 43, he is the youngest donor in UF’s history to make a gift this large. In recognition of his generosity, the new 110,000-square-foot campus chemistry building was named Joseph Hernandez Hall.

“I think it’s really fitting that, given Joe’s proven ability to succeed and lead in the biotech industry, the hub of research at the chemistry and biology interface at UF will be in the new Joseph Hernandez Hall,“ said chemistry professor Brent Sumerlin,* Ph.D., in a video shown at the ceremony.

Richard Yost, Ph.D., professor and head of UF’s analytical chemistry division, agreed: “This [gift] is really going to make a big difference for us to be able to produce the best scientists we can.”

Throughout his career, Hernandez has been involved with numerous healthrelated companies, including Merck, Affymetrix and Digene; and has founded several firms, including companies to treat cancer, a company in regenerative medicine and a company performing molecular diagnostics tests. He has a technology portfolio of more than 500 patents.

“Joe’s gift has enabled the chemistry department to dream big,” said College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean David Richardson,* Ph.D., in the video.

“Joe’s gift will be a game-changer for the department of chemistry.”

JANE SUN (BSAC 92) Alumna Jane Sun was only 20 years old when she was invited by Joseph Little, a UF Law professor, to the U.S. to attend the University of Florida.

Nancy (EDD 69, JD 93) and Fletcher Baldwin Jr., another UF Law professor, opened their home to Sun while she was studying abroad. Sun never forgot their kindness. In 2015, she established the Baldwin, Little, Sun and Wu Sunshine Endowment fund. Her gift not only supports scholarships and exchange programs in law and business, but it also honors the Baldwins and Little, her early mentor.

After graduating in 1992, Sun’s first job was with KPMG, a global audit and tax advisory corporation.

She worked in the firm’s Miami and Silicon Valley Jane Sun offices. After working at Applied Materials, in 2005 she joined Ctrip.com International, China’s largest and now the world’s No. 2 online travel agency, located in Shanghai. Her career at CTrip.com has flourished. As chief financial officer, Sun won the Best CFO award by Institutional Investor and CFO World magazines. She is now CEO of CTrip.com.

UF President Kent Fuchs* along with many others acknowledged Sun’s contributions during the awards ceremony. “Not only is this alumna a wonderful ambassador for China, she also is an outstanding representative of the University of Florida,” he said. “It was her experiences at the University of Florida that compelled her to establish a program here that provides financial aid and international training to business and law students. Her $3 million gift will boost the university’s reputation as well as expand UF’s global influence.”

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2018 Gator100 February 1-2, 2018

For more information on nominations, applications, sponsorships and this year’s event, visit gator100.ufl.edu

#Gator100

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FLORIDA GATOR | 55

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