TV pioneer Bob Vila is special guest for Gator Day in capital

April 10, 2007

WHAT: Gator Day 2007

WHEN: Wednesday, April 11

WHERE: Capitol Building, Tallahassee

BACKGROUND: Gator Day is the University of Florida’s annual showcase during the legislative session, and activities are scheduled throughout the day on the Capitol’s Plaza Level, second, third and 22nd floors. This year’s event will feature:

  • appearances by television pioneer and 1969 UF graduate Bob Vila, who created a new genre on television when he hosted “This Old House” on the Public Broadcasting System for 10 years. He later hosted “Bob Vila’s Home Again” for 15 years. Vila will sign autographs at 2:30 p.m. on the Plaza Level.
  • display of a steel bridge built by UF engineering students in just four minutes and 26 seconds during a recent regional competition. UF won first place and now goes onto the national competition. The bridge is about 4.5 feet wide, 4.5 feet tall and 20 feet long. It weighs only 200 pounds but can support 2,500 pounds. The display will be on the 22nd floor.
  • recognition of Doctors of the Day and Pastors for the Day. The physicians are Dr. Tanya Murphy and Dr. Patricia Lipford Abbitt, faculty members in the College of Medicine, and the pastors are the Rev. Marie Herring and the Rev. Dr. Thomas Borland, both UF graduates.
  • booths on the second and third floors of the rotunda highlighting recent achievements in UF research, including engineering, dentistry and aging.
  • a reception with legislators and the UF Alumni Association, beginning at 5 p.m. on the 22nd floor.
  • reading of Gator Day resolutions, which are scheduled for votes at 10 a.m. in the House and Senate.
  • CONTACT: Steve Orlando, UF News Bureau, 352-392-0186 or 352-327-1277.