On Oct. 5, friends and family of W. W. Glenn, along with UF/IFAS administrators, faculty and staff, gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the W. W. Glenn Teaching Building. This unique, experiential learning space for students will be located on Museum Drive across from the UF baseball stadium.
The building was made possible thanks to people with deep roots in Florida agriculture, the University of Florida, and former students and faculty members of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) Department: Dana Eller, Wendell Porter, Ray Bucklin, and W. W. “Coon Bottom” Glenn.
An Innovative Vision
When Dr. Kati Migliaccio became ABE chair in 2018, she noticed an opportunity for improvement in the small, outdated, and unairconditioned Agricultural Operations Management (AOM) workshop.
She envisioned replacing it with a modern makerspace: a hands-on mechanical workshop paired with an engineering design space, bringing together students majoring in biological engineering and agricultural operations management.
Not only would the space be larger and more comfortable for students, but it would provide opportunities for collaboration and hands-on learning.
“This is a critical part of what we do as engineers,” says Dr. Migliaccio. “Our students are the most important part of who we are as a department at the University of Florida.”
Growing Support
Fundraising for the building began. One early leader in the effort was Dana Eller, class of ’95. Mr. Eller challenged others to give on Gator Nation Giving Day by matching gifts to the project and by bringing attention and excitement to the cause.
Mr. Eller is the president of MWI Pumps, a family-owned and operated company based in Deerfield Beach, Florida. His father, J. David Eller, used his education in agricultural engineering to develop water pumping technology. Mr. Eller followed in his father’s footsteps to earn his agricultural engineering degree from the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. His brother and sister also earned engineering degrees from UF.
“One of the things I’m proud of being able to do is help to support the new building,” Mr. Eller says. “The department has a lot of memories, for myself going there and my dad as well.”
Honoring ABE Faculty
Gifts to the building were made in honor of Dr. Wendell Porter and Dr. Ray Bucklin, with the goal of naming rooms inside to recognize the impact of these ABE mentors.
Since 1994, Dr. Wendell Porter was instrumental in leading the AOM undergraduate program through teaching and advising. He moved the AOM program forward for generations of students. He taught courses in the old AOM shop for decades, retiring in 2021.
Dr. Ray Bucklin started his career at the University of Florida in 1982 as a faculty member in the ABE Department. He continued to contribute to the students, the department, and the discipline for 36 years until retiring in 2018. During this time, Dr. Bucklin gave generously to others while serving as a faculty research advisor, the ABE graduate coordinator, and as a fellow faculty member. In addition to his strong expertise, Dr. Bucklin brought his kind, patient, and generous spirit to every conversation. Dr. Bucklin passed away in 2021.
W. W. “Coon Bottom” Glenn
In 2023, the family of Mr. Woodrow Wilson “Coon Bottom” Glenn decided to honor his impact and legacy on Florida agriculture with a leadership gift to fund the teaching building.
A Florida panhandle native, Mr. Glenn graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture in 1942. In 1944, Mr. Glenn began his 30-year career as an Extension agent first in Madison County, and then moved to Jackson County, where he built strong relationships with local farmers to further crop research and production with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of farmers. With his signature Stetson hat and cigar, Mr. Glenn worked hand-in-hand in the fields with farmers to advance agriculture. In 1952, Mr. Glenn earned his master’s degree in agriculture from the University of Florida.
When he retired as the County Extension Director in 1974, Mr. Glenn began a second career when he co-founded the Florida Watermelon Association. He served on the board for many years.
Mr. Glenn’s love for Gator football was equal to his commitment to Florida agriculture. A proud Gator and life member of the University of Florida Alumni Association, he was a fixture at football games, and he often brought along his children and grandchildren. The Glenn family has continued his commitment to Florida football as many family members are season ticket holders and still regularly attend games.
Though Mr. Glenn passed away in 2007, his impact on Florida agriculture will continue through the generosity of his family with the gift of the W. W. Glenn Teaching Building and the W. W. Coon Bottom Glenn Endowed Scholarship.
With Gratitude
UF/IFAS is grateful to the community of generous people who are making this new teaching building a reality. It is fitting that this collaborative learning space is itself the result of a collaboration between alumni, friends, faculty and staff.
“The new W. W. Glenn Teaching Building will provide our students with state-of-the-art, hands-on learning experiences to further explore technology, innovation, and creative design, preparing them to be our future problem solvers for agricultural and natural resource challenges,” says Dr. Migliaccio.
To join in supporting this building project, click here to donate online or contact Sara Olson at sara.olson@ufl.edu for more ways to give.
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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