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Eight-year-old Natalie McGriff, author of "The Adventures of Moxie McGriff," reads the comic book to an audience of about 20 people with her mother, Angie Nixon, on Sept. 28, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church. Nixon encouraged her daughter to write a superhero story about herself to raise her self-esteem and teach her a love of reading.

NEWS | CAMPUS

8-year-old author donates her comic books to church

By Martin Vassolo | Sep. 28, 2015

Last year, Natalie McGriff hated her hair.

Kayla McAleer, a former UF sophomore, does the Gator Chomp on Nov. 4, 2014. The 19-year-old passed away on Sept. 11, 2015, due to complications related to a rare congenital heart defect.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF says goodbye to an angel

By Caitlin Ostroff | Sep. 27, 2015

Heaven gained an angel. That was the consensus at a memorial service Friday morning.

Kennita Whitehead (left), a 19-year-old UF nursing sophomore, hugs Manny Rutinel, a 20-year-old microbiology and economics senior, who dressed in a pig costume for Hug a Vegan Day on Turlington Plaza on Sept. 25, 2015. Student Animal Alliance hosted the event to raise awareness for animal rights.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Keeping it kosher with vegan hugs

By Katelyn Newberg | Sep. 27, 2015

In between student-organization tables on Turlington Plaza, UF senior Manny Rutinel shed his polo shirt for a pink pig onesie.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF project encourages mindfulness

By Danielle Veenstra | Sep. 27, 2015

UF soil and water science professor Sabine Grunwald practices mindfulness everywhere, even in her office. She keeps her yoga mat stashed underneath her desk.

Josh Rittenour, a 20-year-old UF economics junior, lays out a portion of sports hats that he has collected through thrifting at his house on Sept. 24, 2015. Rittenour restores the old hats. “It’s something that I have and can bring back to life and let someone else enjoy as much as the original person,” he said.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF student takes thrifting business to Gator games

By Briana Erickson | Sep. 27, 2015

Friday’s temperature reached 88 degrees, but to one student, it was sweater weather.

Marta Wayne (left), 49, and her daughter Norma Wayne, 9, draw on foam letters at the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art’s 25th anniversary public celebration on Sept. 27, 2015. Visitors drew on the letters throughout the day. The concept was based on the sculpture “Zandvoort” by Frank Stella.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Harn Museum throws 25th birthday bash, music and cocktail party

By Alexandra Fernandez | Sep. 27, 2015

When Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art partygoers walked through its doors, they were greeted by giant colorful candles and silver balloons with tinsel strings.

UF President Kent Fuchs delivers his State of the University address in the Reitz Union Auditorium on Sept. 24, 2015. He plans to increase diversity and research opportunities at UF.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

State of the University: Fuchs looks to increase diversity, research

By Alexandra Fernandez | Sep. 24, 2015

UF President Kent Fuchs delivered his first Fall State of the University address Thursday.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Tennessee not the only volunteers: UF alumnus to challenge Gator fans at home game

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 24, 2015

Former UF football player Thaddeus Bullard will be sending a message to The Swamp via video during Florida’s home game against Tennessee on Saturday.

Farm animal behaviorist and autism advocate Temple Grandin shares her insight on success at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Sept. 24, 2015. She also discussed children’s need to become more active mentally. “Give the kid the chance to respond - wait and let them respond,” Grandin said.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Autism advocate and farm-animal specialist speaks at UF

By Martin Vassolo | Sep. 24, 2015

Temple Grandin thinks in shapes. But she doesn’t like being put in a box.

Lauren Schinnow, an 18-year-old Santa Fe engineering freshman, meditates in Smathers Library before MedMob. “I think the energy level will be higher with so many people doing it together at the same time,” said Schinnow, who said she’d meditated before by herself.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Peace, love and Om: UF group holds meditation mob

By Raina Barnett | Sep. 24, 2015

About 60 people sat in a semi-circle in silence.

NEWS | CAMPUS

IFAS extension turns 100 and earns historic marker

By Briana Erickson | Sep. 24, 2015

UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences' extension is celebrating its 100th birthday this month.

John Kraft, far right, Dean of the Warrington College of Business, watches during the ribbon-cutting of the newly renovated Kelley A. Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies at Bryan Hall in September 2015.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Center for Real Estate Studies now renovated

By Caitlin Ostroff | Sep. 24, 2015

Real estate students are gaining a space where they can meet with mentors and have a place to study.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Autism advocate and farm-animal specialist to visit UF

By Caitlin Ostroff | Sep. 23, 2015

A famous farm-animal specialist and autism advocate will visit UF today.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Law expects to see more applicants

By Alexandra Fernandez | Sep. 23, 2015

For the first time in about five years, the future of the law profession is looking bright.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Libraries receive two grants to digitalize newspapers

By Kylie Widseth | Sep. 23, 2015

The George A. Smathers Libraries received two large grants to digitalize newspapers and conduct research on credibility.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Research Roundup 09/24/2015

Sep. 23, 2015

UF professors map Earth’s species

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe Senate is resolution-ready

By Hunter Williamson | Sep. 23, 2015

Santa Fe College Student Senate has done a lot this semester — other than reviewing or passing any resolutions.

NEWS | SFC

More Santa Fe students register to vote

By Kendaline Watt | Sep. 22, 2015

Macky Pesch’s eyes wandered up and down the Santa Fe College breezeway as he stepped up to the patriotic table. Although unsure of what he was signing at the time, he turned in his slip, put the pen down and grabbed a Tootsie Roll.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Harn museum to celebrate 25th birthday

By Alexandra Fernandez | Sep. 22, 2015

The Harn Museum of Art is not much older than most of UF’s students.

Mac Stone, a local conservation photographer, speaks about preserving the Everglades on the Philips Center for the Performing Arts stage during a TEDxUF conference. His talk, “Everglades: America’s Wetland,” will be featured on TED.com.

NEWS | CAMPUS

TEDxUF speaker goes global

By Alexandra Fernandez | Sep. 22, 2015

People around the world can watch Gainesville local Mac Stone talk about preserving the Everglades on the Philips Center for the Performing Arts stage.