The University of Florida College of Nursing brought together alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students and friends for a spirited Reunion Weekend filled with gratitude, connection and Gator pride.
Festivities began Oct. 3, with the Donor Recognition Event, honoring the generosity of alumni and friends whose contributions advance the college’s mission.
“I continue to be amazed and inspired by our Gator Nurses and the Gator Nursing Community. As I meet our alumni and friends of the college, I grow excited for the future, knowing that our students and faculty are supported by a robust community,” said Dean Shakira Henderson, PhD, DNP, MS, MPH, MBA, IBCLC, RNC-NIC, who thanked donors for their support of scholarships, research and innovation in nursing education.
Guests enjoyed a program that highlighted stories of impact and the transformational role philanthropy plays in preparing the next generation of Gator Nurses.
Kesha Tondo, an Accelerated BSN student and recipient of the Alumni Board Book Award Scholarship and the PIPELINE scholarship, expressed her gratitude during the event.
“Your generosity fuels students with big dreams. Thank you for confirming my belief that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to — and for inspiring me to pay it forward when I graduate,” Tondo said. “Next time you see a student in navy UF scrubs, I hope you remember that your contributions are helping us create meaningful change wherever we go.”
The weekend culminated in true Gator fashion with a pregame tailgate, where alumni reconnected with classmates, faculty and current students. Guests enjoyed food, camaraderie and plenty of orange and blue spirit.
This year, a mechanical bull gator was the centerpiece of the entertainment, where those brave enough tried to hang on for as long as possible before tumbling to the mat. The gator always won. Attendees also had the option of face painting and a 360-degree video selfie platform, where participants could take home a video souvenir of the event.
After several hours of pre-game festivities, many headed to the Swamp to cheer on the Florida Gators as they beat the Texas Longhorns to close the day in style.
Reunion Weekend showcased the enduring bond among Gator Nurses and reaffirmed the college’s commitment to its alumni and friends. From recognizing donor generosity to strengthening alumni leadership and celebrating at the tailgate, the events reflected the pride and tradition that define the UF College of Nursing community.
Honoring Excellence
The weekend also provided an opportunity for the College of Nursing to honor outstanding individuals and students whose dedication continues to advance the nursing profession.
Donor Recognition Event Awards
The college recognized alumni and preceptors who have made a lasting impact through mentorship, leadership and service.
- Care, Lead, Inspire Award: Blair Hebner, DNP, RN, a proud Gator Nurse from the BSN Class of 2009 and an informatics nurse with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office. Hebner was recognized for her significant philanthropic contributions totaling more than $400,000 to the College of Nursing. As a longtime alumni volunteer, she is currently serving as the president-elect of the Alumni Board and is a founding member of the Dean’s Circle of Excellence.
- BSN Preceptor of the Year: Alexandria Santeiro, of the UF Health Emergency Department, was honored for the lasting impression she’s made on her students, including her exceptional ability to guide, empower and inspire future nurses in one of the most fast-paced and high-pressure clinical environments.
- DNP Preceptor of the Year: Ryleigh Cahill, of the UF Health Department of Surgery Critical Care Team, was recognized for her commitment to mentoring and her exceptional approach to enhancing the educational journey of her students.
Alumni Board Book Awards
The college announced the 2025 Alumni Board Book Award recipients, recognizing academic achievement and commitment to nursing excellence:
- Kesha Tondo
- Helen Bennett
- Manfred Chee
- Destiny Quinones
- Izabela Rahaman
- Destiny Jennings
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Reunion Tailgate
Donor Recognition Event
Mentor Meet & Greet
