Title: University of Florida

Summary: Recognizing the University of Florida for its exemplary accomplishments as a leading academic and research institution, as well as for its contributions to the betterment of the state and nation, etc.

Full Text:
WHEREAS, the University of Florida ranks third among all research universities in the country for getting its ideas out of the laboratory and into the real world, placing UF ahead of such schools as Stanford, MIT, Cal Tech, and the University of Texas system, according to the Milken Institute s 2017 ranking of Best Universities for Technology Transfer, and WHEREAS, the University of Florida s entomology department is the best in the world, and a host of other UF programs rank in the top globally from among more than 26,000 degree granting institutions of higher education, according to the 2017 Center for World University Rankings, and WHEREAS, applications to the University of Florida reached a new record in 2017, with more than 34,000 prospective students vying for admission during the summer and fall semesters, nearly an percent increase over the previous year s total of 32,026, and WHEREAS, the University of Florida is once again ranked as one of the nation s  Best Colleges for Your Money  by Money magazine, coming in 10th among public institutions in 2017, and WHEREAS, the UF MBA Full-Time Program at the Hough Graduate School of Business achieved its highest ranking ever in The Economist s MBA Full-Time Rankings, rising from last year s No. position to No. among U.S. public institutions, and WHEREAS, with generous funding made possible by the Legislature and Governor Rick Scott, the University of Florida will hire new faculty members to further enhance teaching and research and to keep UF among the best research universities in the nation, and WHEREAS, University of Florida faculty earned nearly $686 million in research awards in fiscal year 2017, including major grants to study the Zika virus and citrus greening, and for special education training, and WHEREAS, the United States Department of Defense is seeking ways to speed up cognitive skills training and is awarding University of Florida engineers and neuroscientists up to $8.4 million over the next years to investigate how to apply electrical stimulation to peripheral nerves as a means of strengthening neuronal connections in the brain, and WHEREAS, the University of Florida s athletics program placed third in the 2016-2017 Learfield Sports Directors  Cup standings, making UF the only program to finish among the nation s top in each of the last national all-sports standings, and WHEREAS, in just over a month during 2017, three Gator teams celebrated NCAA Championship wins in women s tennis, men s track and field, and baseball, equaling the single season high set in 2011-2012 at Florida, which is one of only six schools to win national titles in baseball, basketball, and football, and WHEREAS, in November, UF Health opened the UF Health Heart and Vascular Hospital and the UF Health Neuromedicine Hospital, representing important steps in the ongoing efforts to serve patients in the Gainesville area, and throughout the state, the Southeast, and beyond, and creating a healing environment in which UF Health s personalized approach to care will draw upon the latest technologies in medical science, NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: That the University of Florida is recognized for its exemplary accomplishments as a leading academic and research institution, as well as for its contributions to the betterment of the state and nation. 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, Ph.D., as a tangible token of the sentiments of the Florida Senate.