Reconnect with fellow Gators through social media

Author: Unknown Publication Date: Wednesday June 15, 2011

When a post about Gator alumni in the NBA playoffs appeared on the UF Alumni Association’s Facebook page this weekend, fellow alumni had something to say about it.

“Love Corey Brewer, but I have to go with Mike Miller (Good thoughts for your daughter!) and Udonis Haslem. Go Heat!” Robin Forman (BA ’72) of Miami wrote in support of the Miami Heat, where Miller (’98-’00) and Haslem (’98-’02) are forwards.

“MAVS ALL THE WAY! But I still like to see all our Gator alums make it to the tops of their professions!” wrote Laurie Livingston Stixrood (BSR ’80) of Plano, Texas, in support of Brewer (’04-’07) and his team, the Dallas Mavericks, which ultimately won the championship Sunday.

Such interactions on Facebook are among the many ways UF Alumni Association members are sharing and making connections online through social media.

And lots of people are connecting. The UF Alumni Association’s Facebook page has more than 28,000 followers, while its Twitter feed has more than 2,600. Other alumni are networking through the UFAA’s Linked In page, checking in together on FourSquare, adding to UFAA photo albums on Flickr and watching each other’s video’s on the UFAA’s YouTube channel.

“Gators want to hear what other Gators are doing,” says Outreach Director RJ Stamper (BSR ’02), who has taken the lead in the UFAA’s social media efforts. “This includes alumni, faculty and students, so the content we share doesn’t focus on just one population — it’s relevant to the entire Gator Nation.”

The best part, Stamper says, is that social media connections erase the miles that separate Gators. Whether you’re in Gainesville, New York or Japan, the Gator online community as is as close as your computer or even your smart phone.

“From stories people tell about meeting their significant other on campus to articles about research discoveries, social media keeps The Gator Nation connected,” Stamper says.

Have you reconnected? If not, follow the links below to explore new social media opportunities.

“Like” the UF Alumni Association on Facebook
Follow the UFAA on Twitter
Join the UFAA’s LinkedIn group \ Upload photos to the UFAA’s Flickr photostream
Subscribe to the UFAA’s YouTube Channel