When Dr. Scott Angle became the Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Florida, he came to Gainesville with a vision for increasing opportunity to incorporate real-life experience into the education and development of undergraduate students.
The root of his conviction can be traced to his academic development as a Fulbright Scholar in England and cultivated through his career as an educator, working with students at both the University of Maryland and the University of Georgia. It was obvious to him that travel, exposure to new ideas and cultures, and the novel experience of being abroad provide depth of character and a form of education that can’t always be replicated in a teaching space.
“Students learn as much outside the classroom as they do in class,” says Dr. Angle.
Experiential learning opportunities existed in the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) long before Dr. Angle began his tenure in UF/IFAS. CALS has always encouraged students to pursue off-campus learning opportunities, whether through internships, study abroad scholarships, or travel for research or leadership conferences. Now, students can apply through the CALS Dean’s Office for VP Promise financial assistance to defray anticipated costs with an upcoming experience.
Dr. Angle was the first to bring these funds and programs under one banner called the “VP Promise” and pledge to give all CALS undergraduate students access to an outside-the-classroom educational experience.
“All students need to participate in beyond-the-classroom learning, but sometimes finances prevent this from happening,” says Dr. Angle. “The VP Promise goal is to reduce financial obstacles as much as possible, thus helping students achieve their full academic potential.”
Dr. Angle and his wife Dr. Kay Kelsey are active with—and committed to—the success of the VP Promise. Every year on Gator Nation Giving Day, they provide a personal challenge gift to encourage other donors to support and enhance the college’s ability to provide these outstanding activities.
Last year, the UF/IFAS CALS Student Enrichment Fund for the VP Promise raised more than $11,000 for these incredible opportunities, and there are now more than 19 individual funds under the VP Promise umbrella. Year by year, as more people are involved, more CALS undergraduate students are taking part in life-changing experiences and getting a better sense of how the world works beyond campus.
If you want to join Dr. Angle and Dr. Kelsey in their support of this program, please visit give.ifas.ufl.edu/vppromise or email us at advancement@ifas.ufl.edu.
The “How it Happened” series showcases the transformational gifts made by donors to UF/IFAS during the University of Florida’s Go Greater Campaign. To learn more about creating your own impact through UF/IFAS programs with a charitable gift, please visit our website at give.ifas.ufl.edu or call the UF/IFAS Advancement Office at 352-392-1975.
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