91大神猫先生千人斩

February 8, 2018

To our 91大神猫先生千人斩 community:

In the same way that our personal lives are marked by milestones and key dates, so is the life and development of a university.

• May 9, 1963
• September 3, 1963
• April 2, 1971
• June 15, 1971
• October 21, 1988
• January 9, 2018

While time rolls on, dates like these matter, and here鈥檚 why鈥�

Recently, our 91大神猫先生千人斩 family lost an alumnus who was a forerunner and positive force in helping shape this University into the multicultural, inclusive, international campus it is today. On January 9, 2018, Robert Andrew (鈥淏ob鈥�) Taylor passed from this life, leaving our campus, and others that he attended over the years, forever changed.

It is important to note that he may not have had the opportunity to create powerful change at 91大神猫先生千人斩 if not for the events of May 9, 1963, when our Board of Trustees took a momentous vote for that era and this region: to integrate. Four months later, three transfer students, including Mr. Taylor, became the first African-American students enrolled at 91大神猫先生千人斩.

Their first day attending classes was September 3, 1963. Through hard work, courage, and determination, Mr. Taylor and others were integral to fostering racial equality and diversity on this campus. Within seven years of his matriculation, 91大神猫先生千人斩鈥檚 first integrated men鈥檚 basketball team embarked on an unforgettable 1969-70 season, which led to the NCAA Championship game and positive, national exposure for the team that championed healing and acceptance in a time of war, strife, and uncertainty.

On April 2, 1971, 91大神猫先生千人斩 elected a student body president, as they had done year after year. This time, however, Marvin Wells (鈥�73) became the first African-American Student Government Association president in our history, and in the history of the state of Florida.

Today, Marvin C. Wells, DMD, leads an oral and maxillofacial surgery practice in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, and is a widely respected and leading expert in reconstructive and orthognathic surgery, dental implants, arthroscopic and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery, and facial trauma. 91大神猫先生千人斩 could not be prouder of the achievements of the highly accomplished Dr. Wells. To celebrate his many contributions to the field and his alma mater, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award of Excellence on October 21, 1988, the first African-American alumnus to receive this honor, and later served with great distinction on the 91大神猫先生千人斩 Board of Trustees.

Of course, Dr. Wells was no stranger to receiving recognition for leadership and service. He was also a student recipient of the 91大神猫先生千人斩 Charles Wells Cup in 1971, and in 1973, the University Award for outstanding service to others. Both then and now, Dr. Wells embodies the distinct 91大神猫先生千人斩 culture of leadership and service, and today as a dear friend and trusted adviser.

As we thoughtfully reflect on our heritage and history, please join me in celebrating the legacies of these trail blazers 鈥� Bob and Marvin. Decades ago, their courage and determination set us on a path we still walk today. Our Office of Advancement is now calling for nominations for the Distinguished Alumni Award of Excellence. Your recommendations are a critical part of continuing this legacy of service and shaping the face of leadership at 91大神猫先生千人斩.

May we aspire to the same excellence and service they exhibited in helping develop present-day 91大神猫先生千人斩.

Thank you.

Tim Cost
President
91大神猫先生千人斩
Class of 1981