Trophies bearing the image of a Gator on top of a globe were awarded Friday to 100 companies led by Gator alumni.
Applied Genetic Technologies Corp., a Gator-founded clinical-stage biotechnology company, topped the list by showing a 548-percent rate of growth in profit over the past three years, said Tim Walsh, the executive director of the alumni association.
Gator100 is an event presented by the UF Alumni Association and UF Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center that recognizes the achievements of businesses led or
owned by Gators, he said. All the companies were invited to a luncheon last Friday at the Reitz Union, where each was recognized.
“I think it helps raise the profile of the university when we highlight our successful alumni,” he said. “It’s one of our favorite programs of the year.”
Walsh said Gator100 allows people to see what a Gator degree can do. The alumni who were represented in the list came from 12 UF colleges.
Shemi Freytes, a junior executive from Applied Genetic Technologies, said the company placed in the top 20s last year, so she was happy to jump to the No. 1 spot.
The CEO of the company, Sue Washer, is a graduate of the UF Warrington College of Business’ entrepreneurship program. Freytes said the company plans to apply again next year.
“It really says a lot to how much we’ve evolved,” she said.
Contact Paige Fry at pfry@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @paigexfry
