UF alumnus Sam Militello's fondest memories of college are of current students' least favorite activity: doing homework.
Before graduating in 1961 as a civil engineering major, he pulled all-nighters with peers to meet design deadlines. After finishing the projects, they would go out for beers.
This past weekend, Militello, 74, had a chance to reconnect with his class at his Grand Guard 50th Reunion. UF's Alumni Association sponsored the annual three-day event, which drew 146 guests.
Class chairman and UF pharmacy and psychology graduate Robert Levitt, 72, presented a class check of about $35 million to Alumni Association President Kelly McKibben. The check represents the cumulative total of the class's donations to the UF Foundation over the past 50 years.
The weekend of nostalgia and memories celebrated the 1,350-member class of 1961, said Jasmin Robinson, associate director of alumni reunions and special events.
It's heartwarming to see these Gators "who are still very much bleeding orange and blue," Robinson said.
While sharing stories, the alumni recalled things that inspired them on campus and influential professors.
"It's just amazing to see the love and passion these Grand Guarders have for their university even 50 years later," Robinson said.
Activities included a UF history presentation, a class seminar on Alzheimer's disease research and a tailgate party for Saturday's football game against Auburn University.
Levitt reminisced with friends he had not seen since graduation.
"Everyone who was there had an interesting story to tell," Levitt said.
The weekend's focal point was the Grand Guard induction ceremony Friday night.
To be a Grand Guard member, a person must have received his or her first degree at UF 50 years prior, Robinson said.
This year, 65 alumni were inducted by representatives of their former colleges. Inductees received a medallion, a lapel pin, a certificate and a copy of a video montage.
Levitt was impressed with the size of the check because it shows that "everybody gave something," he said.
The amount shows how generous people can be, said physical education graduate Judy Ford.
She took a picture with the check and sent it to her grandson in high school.
"I told him he wouldn't be getting any money from me because I gave it all to the university," Ford said.
