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The University of Florida and University Athletic Association officially opened the Otis Hawkins Center for Academic and Personal Excellence at Farrior Hall on Monday. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA).
Gators Open Doors to New Era with Launch of Otis Hawkins Center at Farrior Hall
UF student-athletes have a state-of-art academic center as valuable resourceScott Carter, Senior Writer
Jun. 27, 2016 Otis Hawkins Center
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kevin Carter has lived much of his life in the spotlight.
A 14-year NFL veteran and former Gators All-American defensive lineman, the 42-year-old Carter is now a college football analyst for ESPN. Carter made the most of his opportunities at UF as a player and student.
As he arrived Monday for the official opening of the Otis Hawkins Center at Farrior Hall, UF's new state-of-the-art academic center, Carter recognized several familiar faces who played crucial roles in his success at UF and continue to help student-athletes more than 20 years since Carter starred for the Gators from 1991-94.
People such as longtime academic support specialists Ann Hughes, Tom Williams and Tim Aydt, and Senior Associate Athletics Director Keith Carodine, who started at the Hawkins Center in 1992.
"I see the people that impacted my life and helped me become who I am today,'' said Carter, the emcee for Monday's grand opening. "It's a wonderful feeling to see that that tradition is still being carried on."
While what takes place on the field or arena headlines the efforts of UF's nearly 500 student-athletes, their most important victories usually happen when no one is cheering other than the Hawkins Center's 19-person staff.
Preston Farrior, left, and Rex Farrior III participate in ribbon-cutting ceremonies at the new Hawkins Center at Farrior Hall on Monday. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA)
They have a track record as impressive as any coach on campus.
UF is the only SEC school with 100 or more SEC Academic Honor Roll honorees the past 18 years and was the first school in the conference to be selected as a program of excellence by the Division I-A Athletic Directors' Association.
The construction of the $25 million, 82,613-square foot Hawkins Center at Farrior Hall is the latest commitment by UF and the University Athletic Association to the success of the athletic program in the classroom.
The facility includes 74 study rooms/tutoring labs equipped with the latest digital media resources, a 125-seat auditorium, an 800-square foot fueling station, and in essence is the campus hub for student-athlete tutoring, academic advising, studying, job placement and other services.
Gators Open Doors to New Era with Launch of Otis Hawkins Center at Farrior Hall
UF student-athletes have a state-of-art academic center as valuable resourceScott Carter, Senior Writer
Jun. 27, 2016 Otis Hawkins Center
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kevin Carter has lived much of his life in the spotlight.
A 14-year NFL veteran and former Gators All-American defensive lineman, the 42-year-old Carter is now a college football analyst for ESPN. Carter made the most of his opportunities at UF as a player and student.
As he arrived Monday for the official opening of the Otis Hawkins Center at Farrior Hall, UF's new state-of-the-art academic center, Carter recognized several familiar faces who played crucial roles in his success at UF and continue to help student-athletes more than 20 years since Carter starred for the Gators from 1991-94.
People such as longtime academic support specialists Ann Hughes, Tom Williams and Tim Aydt, and Senior Associate Athletics Director Keith Carodine, who started at the Hawkins Center in 1992.
"I see the people that impacted my life and helped me become who I am today,'' said Carter, the emcee for Monday's grand opening. "It's a wonderful feeling to see that that tradition is still being carried on."
While what takes place on the field or arena headlines the efforts of UF's nearly 500 student-athletes, their most important victories usually happen when no one is cheering other than the Hawkins Center's 19-person staff.
Preston Farrior, left, and Rex Farrior III participate in ribbon-cutting ceremonies at the new Hawkins Center at Farrior Hall on Monday. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA)
They have a track record as impressive as any coach on campus.
UF is the only SEC school with 100 or more SEC Academic Honor Roll honorees the past 18 years and was the first school in the conference to be selected as a program of excellence by the Division I-A Athletic Directors' Association.
The construction of the $25 million, 82,613-square foot Hawkins Center at Farrior Hall is the latest commitment by UF and the University Athletic Association to the success of the athletic program in the classroom.
The facility includes 74 study rooms/tutoring labs equipped with the latest digital media resources, a 125-seat auditorium, an 800-square foot fueling station, and in essence is the campus hub for student-athlete tutoring, academic advising, studying, job placement and other services.
