Celebrating 80 Years

Message from Dean Mike Reid

This year we celebrate the UF College of Health & Human Performance’s 80th anniversary. In 1946, we began by training educators who taught health, physical education, and athletics to secondary school children. Since then, the college has evolved into a modern academic community that now is recognized for groundbreaking research and educational excellence. Our shared mission is to enrich lives, promote healthy living, and enhance human performance.

Decades of progress have transformed our college. From two students in our first graduating class, we’ve built an alumni base of over 23,000 graduates worldwide. Today, our college encompasses four departments, more than five collaborative centers, and over 140 faculty and staff.  We offer 23 degree programs that enroll more than 3,000 students each year. These new members of the Gator Nation are bright, motivated, and destined to shape the next generation of health and human performance.

Our influence extends far beyond the classroom. With $12.9 million in research awards from organizations like NASA and the National Institutes of Health, our faculty and students are making discoveries that redefine what is possible for human health and well-being. Contributions to more than 900 leading journals underscore the global reach of our scholarship.

We mark this milestone by celebrating our history while looking to the future. The next chapter will be defined by innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to improving lives. Thank you for being part of this journey and making our first 80 years possible.

Our next 80 years begins now.

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