[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#1C2F3D” background_image=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/alumni\/files\/2024\/07\/231111-Event-UFAA-GrandGuard-InductionCeremony-0953-MattPendleton.jpg” background_position=”top_center” background_repeat=”repeat” height=”50vh” custom_margin=”||130px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||130px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||20%||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” bottom_divider_height=”159px” bottom_divider_flip=”horizontal” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” transform_translate_linked=”off” positioning=”absolute” position_origin_a=”bottom_center” position_origin_r=”bottom_left” vertical_offset=”0px” position_origin_a_tablet=”bottom_center” position_origin_a_phone=”bottom_center” position_origin_a_last_edited=”on|phone” position_origin_r_tablet=”bottom_left” position_origin_r_phone=”bottom_left” position_origin_r_last_edited=”on|desktop” width=”60%” custom_margin=”||-60px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” positioning_tablet=”absolute” positioning_phone=”absolute” positioning_last_edited=”on|desktop” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_vertical=”4px” box_shadow_blur=”41px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(89,89,89,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” background_enable_image=”off” transform_translate_linked=”off” custom_padding=”40px|40px|40px|40px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#0c0505″ header_text_color=”#194588″ header_font_size=”40px” custom_margin=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#0c0505″ header_text_color=”#194588″ text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
As one of the nation\u2019s premier college\u2019s of education, our network of over 30,000 alumni carry their influence far beyond the Norman Hall archways. The impact of their contributions are felt by millions, and helps both the college and university to achieve national and international recognition for the work in serving students and the world. The support of our alumni are helping the college show the world that the Gator Good \u2014 and the EduGator Good \u2014 is the Greater Good.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=”off|on|on” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” positioning=”none” position_origin_a=”bottom_center” position_origin_r=”bottom_left” vertical_offset=”-85px” position_origin_a_tablet=”bottom_center” position_origin_a_phone=”bottom_center” position_origin_a_last_edited=”on|desktop” position_origin_f_tablet=”” position_origin_f_phone=”” position_origin_f_last_edited=”on|desktop” position_origin_r_tablet=”bottom_left” position_origin_r_phone=”bottom_left” position_origin_r_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”16px|16px|16px|16px|true|true” positioning_tablet=”” positioning_phone=”” positioning_last_edited=”on|phone” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_vertical=”4px” box_shadow_blur=”41px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(89,89,89,0.3)” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#0c0505″ header_text_color=”#194588″ header_font_size=”40px” custom_margin=”||0px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#0c0505″ header_text_color=”#194588″ text_orientation=”center” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
As one of the nation\u2019s premier college\u2019s of education, our network of over 30,000 alumni carry their influence far beyond the Norman Hall archways. The impact of their contributions are felt by millions, and helps both the college and university to achieve national and international recognition for the work in serving students and the world. The support of our alumni are helping the college show the world that the Gator Good \u2014 and the EduGator Good \u2014 is the Greater Good.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/alumni\/files\/2024\/07\/halftone.png” background_size=”initial” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_text_color=”#1F7E98″ custom_margin=”||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_text_color=”#1F7E98″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
James Patterson, bestselling author and passionate literacy advocate, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Education at the University of Florida\u2019s Spring 2019 Commencement. This honor reflects his extraordinary dedication to spreading the power of reading across the globe. As a devoted partner of UF and the College of Education, Patterson\u2019s influence is helping shape a brighter future, one reader at a time. Since 2003, the James Patterson Scholars Program<\/a> has supported 28 aspiring educators, empowering them to spark a lifelong love of learning in the students they\u2019ll serve. His bold vision came to life through the James Patterson Literacy Challenge<\/a>, which began with a $3 million gift in 2017<\/a> and grew with an additional $4.5 million in 2019<\/a>. With the audacious goal of doubling the number of Florida children reading at grade level, Patterson\u2019s unwavering belief in the power of literacy is not just telling stories, it is rewriting futures.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/alumni\/files\/2024\/07\/Patterson.jpg” alt=”James Patterson at the College of Education graduation ceremony” title_text=”Patterson” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_blurb alt=”- James Patterson” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”200px” content_max_width=”100%” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#194588″ body_text_color=”#0a0101″ background_color=”#ffffff” positioning=”absolute” position_origin_a=”bottom_right” vertical_offset=”-26px” horizontal_offset=”-78px” width=”100%” custom_padding=”16px|20px|16px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” border_width_left=”7px” border_color_left=”#194588″ border_radii_image=”on|218px|218px|218px|218px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(147,147,147,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cBetter readers make better people and citizens\u2026 I believe reading saves lives.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb alt=”- James Patterson” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”200px” content_max_width=”100%” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#194588″ body_text_color=”#0a0101″ background_color=”#ffffff” position_origin_a=”bottom_right” horizontal_offset=”-78px” width=”100%” custom_padding=”16px|20px|16px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” border_width_left=”7px” border_color_left=”#194588″ border_radii_image=”on|218px|218px|218px|218px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(147,147,147,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cBetter readers make better people and citizens\u2026 I believe reading saves lives.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_id=”areaofsupport” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”30px||30px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||12px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”27px” header_3_font=”Lato|||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#1F7E98″ header_3_font_size=”18px” header_3_letter_spacing=”2px” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]The UF Distinguished Alumnus Award stands among the University of Florida\u2019s highest honors, celebrating graduates whose lives reflect excellence, leadership, and service. Presented through the Office of the President, this prestigious award recognizes those who have not only achieved distinction in their chosen fields, but who have also given back in meaningful ways to their alma mater. These remarkable individuals embody the very best of the Gator spirit, inspiring others through their accomplishments and lifelong commitment to making a difference.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”alumnus-container” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||20px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row module_class=”alumni-2024 swiper alumni-swiper swiper-container-loading ” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ module_class=”swiper-wrapper” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_team_member name=”Larry Feldman” position=”BA \u201872, MAE \u201873″ image_url=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/alumni\/files\/2026\/04\/Larry-Feldman.jpg” module_class=”alumnus swiper-slide” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#CC4927″ header_font_size=”18px” position_font=”||on||||||” position_text_color=”#535353″ position_letter_spacing=”1px” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” hover_enabled=”0″ border_color_all=”#CC4927″ global_colors_info=”{}” locked=”off” alt=”Larry Feldman” title_text=”Screenshot” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Alumni Honoree (2024)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Dr. Willis Holcombe” position=”MED 1972, PhD 1974″ image_url=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/alumni\/files\/2024\/08\/alumni-holcombe-edited.jpg” module_class=”alumnus swiper-slide” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#CC4927″ header_font_size=”18px” position_font=”||on||||||” position_text_color=”#535353″ position_letter_spacing=”1px” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” border_color_all=”#CC4927″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Alumni Honoree (2014)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Mrs. Delores Lastinger” position=”BSE ED 1965″ image_url=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/alumni\/files\/2024\/08\/alumni-lastinger-edited-705×705-1.jpg” module_class=”alumnus swiper-slide” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#CC4927″ header_font_size=”18px” position_font=”||on||||||” position_text_color=”#535353″ position_letter_spacing=”1px” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” border_color_all=”#CC4927″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Alumni Honoree (2012)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Governor Beverly Perdue” position=”MED 1974, PHD 1976″ image_url=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/alumni\/files\/2024\/08\/alumni-perdue-edited-705×705-1.jpg” module_class=”alumnus swiper-slide” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#CC4927″ header_font_size=”18px” position_font=”||on||||||” position_text_color=”#535353″ position_letter_spacing=”1px” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” border_color_all=”#CC4927″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Alumni Honoree (2011)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Mrs. Anita G. Zucker” position=”BAE ED 1972″ image_url=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/alumni\/files\/2024\/08\/alumni-zucker-edited-705×705-1.jpg” module_class=”alumnus swiper-slide” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#CC4927″ header_font_size=”18px” position_font=”||on||||||” position_text_color=”#535353″ position_letter_spacing=”1px” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” border_color_all=”#CC4927″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Alumni Honoree (2009)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Adrienne Garcia” position=”MEd \u201870, EdS \u201871, EdD \u201878″ image_url=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/alumni\/files\/2024\/08\/Adrienne_Garcia-300.jpg” module_class=”alumnus swiper-slide” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#CC4927″ header_font_size=”18px” position_font=”||on||||||” position_text_color=”#535353″ position_letter_spacing=”1px” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” border_color_all=”#CC4927″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Alumni Honoree (2023)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Larry Kubiak” position=”EdS \u201976, PhD \u201987″ image_url=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/alumni\/files\/2024\/08\/larry_kubiak.jpg” module_class=”alumnus swiper-slide” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#CC4927″ header_font_size=”18px” position_font=”||on||||||” position_text_color=”#535353″ position_letter_spacing=”1px” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” border_color_all=”#CC4927″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Alumni Honoree (2022)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Mark Rosser” position=”BAE 1979″ image_url=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/alumni\/files\/2024\/08\/Rosser-Mark.jpg” module_class=”alumnus swiper-slide” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#CC4927″ header_font_size=”18px” position_font=”||on||||||” position_text_color=”#535353″ position_letter_spacing=”1px” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” border_color_all=”#CC4927″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Alumni Honoree (2020)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Dr. Gerardo Gonzalez” position=”BA 1973, MED 1976, PhD 1978″ image_url=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/alumni\/files\/2024\/08\/Gerardo-Gonzalez-Profile-705×705-1.jpg” module_class=”alumnus swiper-slide” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#CC4927″ header_font_size=”18px” position_font=”||on||||||” position_text_color=”#535353″ position_letter_spacing=”1px” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” border_color_all=”#CC4927″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Alumni Honoree\u00a0(2018)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Dr. Henry Boekhoff” position=”MED 1970, PhD 1978″ image_url=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/alumni\/files\/2024\/08\/hb-705×705-1.jpg” module_class=”alumnus swiper-slide” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#CC4927″ header_font_size=”18px” position_font=”||on||||||” position_text_color=”#535353″ position_letter_spacing=”1px” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” border_color_all=”#CC4927″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Alumni Honoree\u00a0(2016)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Dr. Renee Clift” position=”BAE 1972″ image_url=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/alumni\/files\/2024\/08\/alumni-clift-edited-1030×1030-705×705-1.jpg” module_class=”alumnus swiper-slide” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#CC4927″ header_font_size=”18px” position_font=”||on||||||” position_text_color=”#535353″ position_letter_spacing=”1px” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” border_color_all=”#CC4927″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Alumni Honoree\u00a0(2015)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Dr. Andy Horne” position=”MED 1967″ image_url=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/alumni\/files\/2024\/08\/alumni-horne-edited-1030×1030-705×705-1.jpg” module_class=”alumnus swiper-slide” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#CC4927″ header_font_size=”18px” position_font=”||on||||||” position_text_color=”#535353″ position_letter_spacing=”1px” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” border_color_all=”#CC4927″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Alumni Honoree (2013)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_free_form=”.swiper-button-next,||.swiper-button-prev {|| width: 44px !important;|| height: 44px !important;|| padding: 10px;||}||.et_pb_team_member_description h4.et_pb_module_header {|| font-size: 28px; \/* H2 size *\/||}||||.swiper-pagination-bullet {|| width: 12px !important;|| height: 12px !important;|| padding: 16px !important;|| margin: 0 4px !important;||}||||.swiper-pagination-bullet-active {|| width: 12px !important;|| height: 12px !important;||}” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n– James Patterson<\/h3>\n
– James Patterson<\/h3>\n
UF Distinguished Alumnus<\/h3>\n