As I enter my second year as President of the Alumni Council, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible team that has supported me. I’m especially thankful for those who played key roles in making our reunion weekend events such a huge success. Yancy Lawrence, who worked tirelessly to coordinate the events, deserves special recognition, as do Anna Hoffman, Rachel Rivera, Kyle Chambers and Kacie Perryman for their outstanding contributions. I’m also deeply indebted to President-Elect Kim Curry, Silent Auction Chair Rita Kobb and Past-President Elaine Whidden for their unwavering support. To the entire Alumni Council, your dedication shines brightly.

Interacting with the Gator Nursing community has always brought me immense joy, and reconnecting with many of you recently was especially exciting. We held Alumni Council meetings in person and on Zoom, which led to meaningful discussions and connections. After our meeting, many of us had the pleasure of meeting our enthusiastic nursing students, engaging in mentorship activities with them as they embark on their promising careers.

Some of us were fortunate to attend the Donor Recognition Event, where students shared how the private scholarships, supported by our Alumni Council, have positively impacted their nursing journey. Saturday brought us together at our Alumni Reunion Tailgate, with a fantastic turnout and an impressive display of auction items, all contributing to the Book Award Scholarship fund. This year, we were able to award Book Award Scholarships to 17 students, and the excitement was further amplified by a resounding victory against the Tennessee Volunteers.

While I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many of you over the years, there are still some unfamiliar faces. I’m eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to connect with each and every one of you, as our gatherings provide the perfect setting to strengthen our bonds.

I encourage you to explore the various ways you can engage with your fellow Gator Nurse Alumni. Whether through our Alumni Council meetings, Gator Nursing Gatherings, Reunion weekend events, or student mentorship initiatives, there are countless opportunities to give back and expand your network. The Alumni Council remains inspired and motivated to support our students during these challenging times in the history of nursing.