Title: University of Florida

Summary: Commending the University of Florida for its continued achievements in the pursuit of academic and research excellence and designating February 18, 2020, as "Gator Day" at the Capitol, etc.

Full Text:
WHEREAS, the University of Florida continues its upward momentum with programs nationally ranked in the top in their respective disciplines, including programs ranked in the top 10, and in the top 20, according to the 2020 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, and WHEREAS, according to the National Science Foundation, the University of Florida s research spending rose nearly percent to a record $865 million in the 2018 fiscal year, and WHEREAS, University of Florida Health researchers have been instrumental in developing a vaccine used to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus, a breakthrough with the potential to save countless lives which has been listed by National Geographic as one of the top scientific discoveries of the decade, and WHEREAS, the University of Florida is a national leader in transferring its research to the marketplace through its two award-winning incubators   UF Innovate-The Hub and the Sid Martin Biotechnology Institute   both of which have been recognized as leading national and international business incubators by the International Business Innovation Association, and WHEREAS, the University of Florida continues to expand access to education through the UF Online pathway, with more than 2,000 students having graduated through this unique program and 4,000 active learners, earning the No. spot nationally among all online educational programs by U.S. News & World Report in 2019, and WHEREAS, the University of Florida athletic program has ranked among the nation s top for consecutive years   from 1983-1984 to 2018-2019   and has attained a top overall finish in of the past years, according to national all-sport rankings, and WHEREAS, the University of Florida Athletic Association has contributed more than $112 million since 2006 to help fund UF s various academic endeavors, and WHEREAS, the University of Florida and related entities contributed $16.91 billion to the state s economy in the 2017 2018 fiscal year and accounted for $10.4 billion   or 1.1 percent   of the Gross State Product of Florida, NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: That the University of Florida is commended for its continued achievements in the pursuit of academic and research excellence and that February 18, 2020, is designated as  Gator Day  at the Capitol. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to University of Florida President W. Kent Fuchs as a tangible token of the sentiments of the Florida Senate.