Samuel Proctor Lecture Series continues with educational policy leader

October 21, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A former state higher education official will deliver the second talk in the Samuel Proctor Florida History Lecture Series.

Robin Gibson, former chairman of the Florida Board of Regents, will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Pugh Hall Ocora with a talk titled “The History of the State University System.” The series is sponsored by the Bob Graham Center for Public Service and the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program.

Gibson, who received his bachelor’s degree from UF in 1959 and his law degree in 1962, is a partner in the Lakeland law firm of Gibson and Valenti and was named Distinguished Alumnus by UF in 1994.

“Robin Gibson has been a friend to this university for a number of years and was critical in the founding of the Graham Center,” said Michael Bowen, assistant director of the Graham Center. “He has also been a state leader in higher education administration. With education funding threatened in the face of budget callbacks and declining revenues, Robin will be able to give us a bit more insight on how the state system was created and why it took the shape that it did.”

Former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham called Gibson the role model of the engaged citizen whom the University of Florida strives to graduate.

“Robin has been dedicated to improving the lives of Floridians, from his leadership in the creation of a charter school system for Lakes Wales to service as the chair of the Florida Board of Regents,” he said. “He is a national leader on higher education policy, and the primary architect of the 2002 Amendment 11, which established the constitutional Florida University System Board of Governors. Robin Gibson’s unique grasp of the history and the opportunities for the University of Florida and the other institutions in the state system has brought honor to his alma mater.”

The Samuel Proctor Florida History Lecture Series is made possible by generous donations from the Proctor family and alumni members of the Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity.

The Graham Center for Public Service provides students with opportunities to train for future leadership positions, meet policymakers and take courses in critical thinking, language learning and studies of world cultures. Its mission is to foster public leadership and solve issues related to the Americas and homeland security. It also serves as a magnet to attract distinguished scholars and speakers to Florida.