The Bob Graham Center for Public Service provides a wide variety of programs for students and the larger public on topics related to public service, public leadership and civic engagement.
Mac Stone: Images from the Everglades
From Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay, from inside the jaws of an alligator to the storms that race across the blackwater backcountry, award-winning conservation photographer Mac Stone takes us on a visual journey through the Everglades. His photography showcases the natural beauty of this unique wetland, capturing the amazing depths of its landscapes, the diversity of its wildlife, …
Consequences of Aquifer Pumping
Among the most important issues facing Florida today is the threatened condition of state waters and waterways. Polluted rivers, diminished lakes, and disappearing springs place our quality of life and economic vitality at risk. On Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m., in the Pugh Hall Ocora, the University of Florida’s PIE Center and the Bob …
Maryn McKenna: The Impotence of Antibiotics
Maryn McKenna is an award-winning journalist and the author of two critically acclaimed books, Superbug (2010) and Beating Back the Devil (2004). She writes for Wired, Scientific American, Slate, Nature, the Atlantic, the Guardian and others, and is a Senior Fellow of the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism at Brandeis University. McKenna gave a riveting and fascinating talk at …
Unintended Consequences: Impacts of the Criminal Justice System
The purpose of this discussion was to promote better understanding of the diverse impacts of Alachua County’s criminal justice system through an open dialogue among community groups. Better awareness can reduce the unintended consequences of interactions between people and the legal system. We will begin the conversation with a forum that will be followed by round …
U.S. Interests in Cuba
On Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. in the Pugh Hall Ocora, Former U.S diplomat John Caulfield examined U.S/Cuban relations, providing essential background to the normalization policy announcement, progress since the announcement, and challenges that lie ahead. In a career spanning nearly 40 years, Mr. Caulfield held a variety of positions dealing with Latin America and …
UF’s Strategic Goals: A Path to Implementation
Provost Joe Glover invited UF faculty and staff to a two-day symposium on Jan. 28 and 29 at Emerson Alumni Hall which focused on UF’s strategic goals and charting the course to national preeminence. The President’s Goal-Setting Task Force established the aspiration and seven goals for the University of Florida to be a premier university that …
Unfinished Journey: Health Care Reform & the Obama Administration
In recent years, bitter partisan disputes erupted over health care reform. Democrats and Republicans continue to fiercely contest issues such as prescription drug coverage and how to finance Medicare to absorb the baby boomers. On Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. in the Pugh Hall Ocora, Jonathan Oberlander, professor and chair of Social Medicine and professor of …
Life Driven Purpose
Dan Barker is co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation and co-host of Freethought Radio. After 19 years as an evangelical minister, Dan "saw the light" and announced his atheism in 1984. His first public appearance as an atheist was on Oprah Winfrey's "AM Chicago." Since that time he has traveled extensively, defending atheism. On …
Gainesville Sun Mayoral Forum
The forum was held Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Martin Levin Advocacy Center in the University of Florida Levin College of Law (2500 SW 2nd Avenue, across from the President's House). WUFT News Anchor Marie Edinger and editorial page editor Nathan Crabbe will moderated the debate. All candidates who officially qualified were extended an invitation to participate …
Trouble in the Tribe: The American Jewish Conflict over Israel
Dov Waxman, a professor of political science, international affairs and Israel studies at Northeastern University, discussed his book “Trouble in The Tribe: The American Jewish Conflict over Israel” on Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. in the Pugh Hall Ocora as part of the annual Shorstein Lecture Series. During his public address, Waxman presented the central thesis of his book: …