
Message from the President
Welcome to the home of the Retired Faculty of the University of Florida, known as RFUF
Welcome to the home of the Retired Faculty of the University of Florida, Inc., known as RFUF. It is an exciting time as we celebrate our 50th anniversary during the 2024-2025 academic year, a time for reflection and a look ahead. RFUF is a not-for-profit, 501(C) 4 corporation which functions as an active, collegial, diverse group of more than 250 retired and emeriti faculty, administrators, non-faculty staff, spouses/partners, and supportive community members, primarily from the University of Florida but also retirees from other institutions of higher education as well, in pursuit of lifelong learning, continuing academic productivity and activism, social engagement, and a meaningful retirement. The roots of RFUF date back to mid-May 1973 when UF president Stephen C. O’Connell and his special advisor Professor Rae O. Weimer hosted a luncheon attended by 25 newly retired UF faculty and administrators, at which time, according to Professor Weimer’s records, there arose “a popular demand for a permanent organization of retired faculty members of the University of Florida.” A committee of five of the luncheon attendees were tasked with building a retired faculty organization from the ground up. On November 18, 1974, an assembly of UF faculty members adopted articles of incorporation and bylaws, and Rae O. Weimer, having recently retired as emeritus dean of the UF College of Journalism and Communications, was elected president of the nascent RFUF. On January 14, 1975, articles of incorporation were filed with the Florida Department of State, and on April 15, 1975, Florida Secretary of State and UF alumnus Bruce Smathers signed the official RFUF certificate of incorporation. To this day, RFUF has remained true to its founders’ vision and principles outlined below in About RFUF. During our second half-century we look forward to welcoming new members to RFUF, again not only UF retirees, but also their spouses and other academic retirees in the Gainesville community for enriching experiences and life-long learning.
MEETINGS
January 8
The Challenge of Developing Next Vaccines
James B. Flanegan, Professor Emeritus and former Chair, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
January 15
Can Charcoal Save the World from Climate Change?
Andrew Zimmerman, UF Professor of Geological Sciences
January 22
"An update on Florida’s Healthcare Landscape."
Scott Darius, Executive Director, Florida Voices for Health
January 29
Impact of Exposures to Environmental Contaminants
Nancy Denslow, Professor, UF Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine.
February 5
"Why did Sudafed Stop Relieving Stuffy Noses?"
Leslie Hendeles, Professor Emeritus, UF College of Pharmacy
February 12
a Hormone Eclipses the “Eat Less Exercise More”
William Troy Donahoo, Professor and Chief, UF Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, And Metabolism.
February 26
Field trip Kika Silva Pla Planetarium at Santa Fe
James Albury, Director. Meet at Santa Fe College parking for the planetarium, 9:30 am
March 5
"The Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce"
Eric Godet, CEO, Gainesville Chamber of Commerce.
March 12
"Flying to Space as a Scientist"
Rob Ferl, UF Distinguished Professor of Horticultural Sciences and Inaugural Director, Space Institute at the University of Florida.
March 19
"An Update on Florida’s Healthcare Landscape"
Scott Darius, Executive Director, Florida Voices for Health.
March 26
"A Brief History of Photography"
Carol McCusker, Curator of Photography, The Harn Museum of Art.
April 2
"Bourbon: What is it? How do they make it?"
Steve Gird, Senior Director Research and Development, (Retired) Jim Beam Company.
April 9
Membrane Transport Proteins-Drug Delivery Targets
Peter Swaan, Dean, UF College of Pharmacy. 11:30-12:30 Judged Graduate Student Presentations (ILR at Oak Hammock)
April 16
Spring Luncheon and Business Meeting
The Village, Gainesville, 11:30 am
Newsletters
Stay Connected with the RFUF Newsletter.