Tickets available for gala marking 50 years of integration at UF

January 30, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Tickets are still available for the Celebrating the Firsts Gala, an evening event on Feb. 7 commemorating the 50th anniversary of integration at the University of Florida.

For the first time in recent history, the university is trying to bring together the first African-American graduates from each of the 16 colleges. Fifteen of the graduates and their families have confirmed they will help UF celebrate this significant mark in time.

The gala is the keystone event culminating a year of events and programs that examined the history of integration at the University of Florida while focusing on the future of UF’s commitment to diversity. “Commemorating 50 years of Integration: Celebrating the Firsts” began in February 2008 with an observance during Black History Month, and in September, UF hosted a ceremony honoring George Starke, who was the first African-American student to enroll at UF.

The gala dinner includes a program honoring the “First” graduates hosted by UF Trustee Courtney Cunningham. Guests will be entertained with operatic selections by UF music professor and acclaimed vocalist Elizabeth Graham and Anthonio Canty, a master’s student studying with Graham. They will be accompanied by pianist Kevin Sharpe, an associate professor of piano and chamber music at UF.

A reception with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres begins at 5:30 p.m. with the program and dinner starting at 6:15 p.m. The event is being held at Emerson Alumni Hall on W. University Avenue across from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Tickets cost $50. Reservations will be accepted until Feb. 2. Call 352-392-4567 for tickets or for more information.