On a breezy Saturday afternoon, members of the UF community came together to cut the ribbon of the newly-renovated Reitz Union.
In the shade of the union’s North Lawn entrance, about 200 people — including past UF Student Body presidents, UF administration and friends — came together to celebrate the building’s completion.
During his speech, UF President Kent Fuchs said the Reitz Union was once called the “queen of the campus” for its central location and center for students. When the wear and tear of use began to take its toll on the building, UF decided to rebuild it. With the grand reopening, he said, the building is taking back its nickname.
“The Reitz is reclaiming its title as ‘queen of the campus,’” he said. “And with the completion of the new Reitz, expanding on the old, we preserve that tradition while extending it into those vastly more connected times, the queen of UF’s ever-expanding realm.”
UF Student Body President Joselin Padron-Rasines spoke about how the new space for student organizations and Student Government will allow for all students to come together. She added that the building’s big windows for natural lighting illuminate the future of UF. She said students are glad to see the Reitz completed.
“For the students who have gone through their entire time at UF with this building under construction, I can tell you we’re glad this moment is here,” she said.
Former UF president Bernie Machen and
Dave Kratzer, the vice president for Student Affairs, also spoke about the work that went into completing the Reitz.
Myra Morgan, UF’s director of external relations, was surprised with a bouquet of orange flowers when it was announced the Student Activities and Involvement office will be called the Myra Morgan Center for SAI. Funds to rename it were raised by the community.
Leftover money will be used for a scholarship for UF students who attend graduate school at UF.
Rachel Fishman, who graduated in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences, came back to check out the finished product.
“I’m actually surprised they finished it when they did,” the 23-year-old said. “I’m happy I got to see the final results.”
When it came time to cut the ribbon, seven of the speakers stood together, posed for pictures with gold scissors as long as their arms and cut the blue ribbon. Eddie Daniels, the director of the Reitz Union, pumped his fist into the air with a grin after the ribbon was cut.
Students, faculty and friends streamed into the Reitz’s officially-opened entrance with cheers and claps.
From left, UF President Fuchs, Reitz Union Executive Director Eddie Daniels, Student Body President Joselin Padron-Rasines, student advisory committee for the Reitz expansion project member Sarah Frick, Former UF President Bernie Machen, Former Student Body President Jordan Johnson and Vice President for Student Affairs Dave Kratzer cut the ceremonial ribbon at the grand reopening of the Reitz Union on Saturday.
