Flavet Village's historical marker to be dedicated on Nov. 12

November 10, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The dedication of the Flavet Villages historical marker will occur at 3 p.m. on Nov. 12 near the Keys Residential Complex Service Drive along Stadium Road.

The Flavet Villages historical marker is part of a series designed to call attention to the University of Florida's rich tradition of research, education and service to society. Florida Veterans Villages, or Flavets, were surplus military buildings purchased by UF to house veterans returning to UF after WWII on the GI Bill. The marker is near the former site of Flavet III.

"It is fitting that this dedication occurs during Veteran's Day week," commented Sharon Blansett, assistant director of Housing for Marketing, PR and Research. "Our theme for this dedication is 'A Celebration of UF Veterans.'"

Scheduled to speak are Maj. Gen. David Kratzer, associate vice president for Student Affairs; Carl Van Ness, university historian; Norbert Dunkel, assistant vice president for Student Affairs and director of Housing and Residence Education; John Gebhardt, coordinator, UF Veteran's Affairs; and William A. "Bill" Emerson, veteran of WWII, a former resident of Flavet Village I, a 1946 graduate of UF's Warrington College of Business and retired senior vice president and national sales director of Merrill Lynch. Emerson Hall, the home of the UF Alumni Association, is named in honor of Mr. Emerson and his wife Jane. Representatives from the UF Air Force, Army and Navy ROTC programs will assist with hosting the event.

The University of Florida Historical Marker Program is sponsored by the University of Florida Alumni Association, the History Advisory Council, and the Office of University Relations. For more information about the event, please visit http://www.ufalumni.ufl.edu/historicalmarkers.