We are still basking in the glow of connecting with so many graduates of the Zoo Animal Technology program this past weekend at the 53rd Year Zooie Reunion! Over 200 graduates traveled from all over the world to the SF Teaching Zoo to celebrate where they started their careers. Hearing the impact graduates of the Zoo Animal Technology program have made for wildlife, wild spaces, and other humans around the globe was awe-inspiring and invigorating.
The weekend started in downtown Gainesville, with over 250 Zooies and their families taking over Depot Park to reconnect with classmates and colleagues of years past. We highlighted Alachua County’s beauty the next morning with a birding trip at Sweetwater Wetlands Park, where alumni spotted birds, snakes, alligators – and each other!
Graduates culminated at the zoo to learn about the impact of the Zoo Animal Technology program since 1970, explore the improvements made to the zoo over the past 53 years, and enjoy historical presentations from former Zoo Director, Jack Brown, and General Curator, Kathy Russell. Despite the weather, Zooies stuck around for a stormy dinner, and were introduced to our plans to tranSForm the future of the SF Teaching Zoo and Zoo Animal Technology program by Zoo Director, Jonathan Miot. Stay tuned – more information and ways to get involved will be introduced to the public later this year!
A massive thank you to our sponsors for this event – the Santa Fe College Foundation, Visit Gainesville, Alachua County, and Magnolia Mead Bar Company. Thank you to our caterers – Celebrations Catering, Mi Apa, McAlister’s Deli and The Top, Aviant Party Rentals for the tent that kept (most of us) dry, and the Top Secret Event Space for hosting our group on Friday night. Last but not least, we cannot thank the entire team at Santa Fe College enough for their assistance in putting this event together. From the facilities and moving staff to the marketing department to the media studio – we couldn’t have had such a successful celebration of our alumni without you. Cheers to another 53 years!