With accomplishments that range from developing a non-profit benefiting the Haitian people to leading climate action strategies for the McDonald’s Corporation, four alumni of the University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) were named to the university’s prestigious “40 Gators Under 40” cohort. The college is part of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
Honorees from this select group of UF alumni were recognized as 2019 outstanding young alumni during a campus ceremony on April 13.
“It’s a pleasure to recognize our alumni and their inspiring work in our communities,” said CALS Dean Elaine Turner. “These four individuals highlight the multitude of career opportunities and achievements possible with an agricultural and life sciences degree.
The four honorees include:
- Bertrhude Albert, 2016 Ph.D. graduate with a major in agricultural education and communication
Albert currently serves as CEO of the non-profit P4H Global (formerly Projects for Haiti, Inc.). She founded this organization with fellow CALS alumna Priscilla Zelaya. Her life’s goal is to eradicate poverty in her home country of Haiti. Today, P4H trains teachers in seven of Haiti’s 10 departments (administrative regions), and reaches more than 30,000 Haitian students each year through this training. The organization continues to travel with more than 200 UF students annually to Haiti to teach participants about sustainable mission work.
- Terry Baker, 2004 Bachelor of Science graduate with a major in forest resources and conservation
In September 2018, Baker was named CEO of the Society of American Foresters (SAF). He is the first African-American to serve in this role. Prior to his work with SAF, Baker held leadership roles on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests as well as the Pawnee National Grasslands. In his current position, Baker hopes to engage and educate the public about the value of forestry and the forestry profession.
- Jeffrey Brower, 2004 Bachelor of Science graduate with a major in microbiology and cell science
Prior to becoming a medical doctor, Dr. Brower earned a Ph.D. from UF in molecular biology where his research led to the discovery of a novel gene responsible for cellular respiration and energy metabolism. After his medical training at UF, Dr. Brower became chief resident in radiation oncology at the University of Wisconsin. In 2017, he joined the New Hampshire offices of Radiation Oncology Associates, where he treats most solid cancers and provides specialty care for patients with gynecological malignancies.
- Kendra Levine, 2008 Bachelor of Science graduate with a major in food and resource economics
Levine’s career has been dedicated to creating environmental change around the world. As sustainability manager for the McDonald’s Corporation, Levine leads climate action strategy development for the company’s U.S. supply chain to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Prior to her work with McDonald’s, Levine educated Guatemalan farmers on best business practices, designed food production trials with more than 1,000 small-scale farmers in Kenya, and led the establishment of sustainable purchasing guidelines for Michigan State University.
“UF is a large university with so many incredible alumni, and I feel very honored and humbled to receive this award,” Levine said. “This was a wonderful recognition of the work that I’ve done and those who’ve helped me along the way.”
The annual UF Alumni Association awards program recognizing outstanding young alumni was established in 2006 to recognize alumni under the age of 40 whose achievements positively reflect The Gator Nation. Criteria for the competitive award include making a significant impact on the candidate’s industry and having civic or professional accomplishments at the state, national or international level. The award recognizes graduates from all of UF’s 16 colleges.
“The word outstanding barely describes the alumni in this year’s “40 Gators Under 40” class. These young men and women are absolutely remarkable and have already made a significant impact in their professions and communities,” said Matt Hodge, executive director of the UF Alumni Association. “Collectively, they’re a wonderful reflection on The Gator Nation® and its potential to change the world.”
###
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) administers the degree programs of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The mission of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is to deliver unsurpassed educational programs that prepare students to address the world’s critical challenges related to agriculture, food systems, human wellbeing, natural resources and sustainable communities. The college has received more total (national and regional combined) USDA teaching awards than any other institution. Visit the CALS website at cals.ufl.edu, and follow CALS on social media platforms at @ufcals.
0
