Dentistry college earns national diversity award

The UF College of DeDentistryas received the 2018 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diver sity, or HEED, Award from INSIGHT Into Diversit y magazine, the oldest and mlargest diversit y-focused publication in higher education.

The magazine chose the college for its commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives and efforts at the college, spearheaded by Patt y Probert, Ph.D., the assistant dean for advocacy and inclusion, and the Student Advocac y & Inclusion staff.

This mark s the fourth consecutive year the college has been recognized as a HEED Award recipient.

Crisafi Challenge at pharmacy college sets donation record

The Crisafi Challenge raised a record $113,900 in total commitments in 2018, including a $50,000 gift from Robert Crisafi, Ph.D., who challenged alumni and friends of the UF College of Pharmacy to match and exceed his donation during a 10 -day period.

More alumni and friends of the college supported the Crisafi Challenge this year than ever before, with 189 individuals committing gifts. All money raised will go to deserving pharmacy students.

In four years, the Crisafi Challenge has raised more than $300,000. Inspired by his own experience receiving a scholarship to attend the college, Crisafi established the challenge as a way to repay the scholarship he was given and motivate alumni and
friends to give back. He has also pledged to donate
$1 million through an estate gift to ensure the Crisafi
Challenge continues in perpetuity.

UF launches new degree program in wildlife forensics

The University of Florida has started an online master’s of science degree program in wildlife forensic sciences and conservation designed to provide practical training to law enforcement officers and others who investigate wildlife crimes.

Students will acquire a foundation of knowledge to help those who are tasked with defending nature by using skills such as  evidentiary analysis of DNA, handling trace evidence, and the classification of illegal animal products.

The program is a part of the forensic studies curriculum provided by the William R. Maples Center for Forensic Medicine, which is an interdisciplinary collaboration among UF’s colleges of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Liberal Arts and Sciences.