Twenty-five students will be inducted into the UF Hall of Fame, the highest recognition given to students since 1921.
President Bernie Machen and Vice President for Student Affairs Dave Kratzer will honor the recipients April 15. Recipients will also get a portrait on the third floor of the Reitz Union.
Hannah Swerdloff, a 22-year-old public relations senior, was at work Thursday when she got the email with a “Congratulations.” Swerdloff, who served as the homecoming general chairwoman, said being involved at UF was rewarding enough. The Hall of Fame was just the cherry on top, she said.
“It’s an amazing honor, and I’m so happy,” Swerdloff said.
Having admired the Hall of Fame portraits for the past three years, Swerdloff said she is excited to one day bring her children to UF to show them her portrait on the wall.
Another recipient, Henna Ibrahim, agreed with Swerdloff that being involved on campus was a reward in itself.
The 21-year-old food science and human nutrition senior said everything she has done at UF was already fulfilling, but being recognized for it was overwhelming.
“I’m kind of nervous because the people that are up there are people I’ve looked up to my entire college career,” Ibrahim said.
Coordinated by UF’s Division of Student Affairs, applications to be admitted in the Hall of Fame became available in February. A committee of faculty, staff and two former award recipients narrowed the 123 applicants to 25 students, according to a news release.
Jeanna Mastrodicasa, assistant vice president for the department of student affairs, said the Hall of Fame is a long-standing award that carries a lot of prestige.
“I think that you can really see how UF has evolved over time through the Hall of Fame photos, and this year will be no different,” she said.
Jesse Schmitt, a running back on the football team, said he was ecstatic to be chosen to be in the Hall of Fame.
“I’m incredibly honored. There’s a lot of really big names in that hallway that I get to join,” said the 21-year-old economics and political science senior. “I’m just looking forward to meeting the rest of my fellow inductees, and hopefully I can live up to the standards set by those before me.”
Contact Alexa Volland at avolland@alligator.org.
