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August 11, 2020
Dean Michael Reid, Ph.D., will preside over the ceremony recognizing the graduates in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology; Health Education and Behavior; Sport Management; and Tourism, Event and Recreation Management. Degrees will be conferred by Dean Reid and Christopher Janelle, Ph.D., associate dean for academic and student affairs, during this ceremony.
Benny Vaughn, BSHSE ’85
Alumnus Benny Vaughn, BSHSE ’85, a licensed massage therapist and certified athletic trainer known as the “father of sports massage” with more than 40 years in the field, will address graduates. Mr. Vaughn entered UF in 1969 on a full scholarship in track and field. At the time, he was one of five Black student-athletes at the university. He returned to UF HHP in 1982 after building a career and reputation in sports massage to earn a bachelor’s degree in health education.
Mr. Vaughn has managed and staffed sport medicine teams for multiple Olympic Games and World Championships. In 2010, Mr. Vaughn was inducted into the UF HHP Alumni Hall of Fame. Today, Mr. Vaughn owns and operates an athletic therapy center in Fort Worth, Texas.
See page 12 in the 2016 Performance Magazine to read more about Mr. Vaughn >
Blake T. Hutchins, BSAPK ’20
Blake Hutchins, BSAPK ’20, will deliver remarks on behalf of the graduating class of 2020. Mr. Hutchins is from Leesburg, Florida. His honors thesis, under the guidance of David Vaillancourt, Ph.D., chair and professor in the Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, is focused on neuromelanin MRI and Parkinson’s disease. Mr. Hutchins plans to pursue a career in neurosurgery.
The ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. online at hhp.ufl.edu/celebrate2020 and will remain posted for future viewing. Programs have been mailed to graduates and are available online.
The departments of applied physiology and kinesiology, health education and behavior, and tourism, hospitality and event management will host receptions on Zoom beginning at 2 p.m. See details and register.
Graduates and guests are encouraged to post and share photos, messages and offer congratulations using the #UFHHPgrad and #UFgrad hashtags, as well as to tag UF HHP on Instagram (@UFHHP) and Twitter (@UF_HHP).
The University of Florida is committed to providing every graduate an opportunity to participate in a future in-person ceremony once we are able to safely resume our regularly scheduled ceremonies. Complete details about all commencement-related activities can be found at commencement.ufl.edu.