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 ALACHUA ‒ Three local elementary schools in Alachua and High Springs received a major boost to their literacy efforts during National Library Week, thanks to a surprise visit from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), who marked 20 years of partnership with a generous donation of grants and books.

W.W. Irby Elementary School and Alachua Elementary School, both located in Alachua, along with High Springs Community School in High Springs, each received a $20,000 literacy grant from DGLF. In total, the schools received $60,000 in funding and nearly 4,500 new books from RIF to support reading engagement in and out of the classroom.

More than 30 Dollar General employees from area stores and the company’s Alachua distribution center joined RIF representatives on-site to help students select books to take home and encourage their love of reading outside the classroom.

“The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is thrilled to celebrate more than two decades of partnership with Reading Is Fundamental and our collective commitment to enhancing literacy and education in our hometown communities,” said Denine Torr, executive director of the foundation. “We are proud to celebrate today, and during National Library Week, by helping enhance local literacy programs that open doorways to new opportunities and brighter futures for Alachua-area students.”

The donation event highlighted the long-standing involvement of the three schools in RIF’s flagship Books for Ownership program. All three have participated since the national literacy partnership began in 2004. The program annually supports more than 60 elementary schools, offering students the opportunity to select high-quality books based on their interests.

The visit also reflected Dollar General’s continued investment in the area, with its Alachua distribution center serving as a key employer and community partner in North Central Florida. Since its founding in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $254 million in grants and supported more than 21.8 million individuals through adult, youth, family, and summer reading programs. The partnership with RIF has helped distribute more than 2.2 million books to approximately 680,000 students nationwide in communities served by Dollar General.

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GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA (April 24, 2025) – Santa Fe College is one of only two Florida public colleges to earn a new designation for “Opportunity Colleges and Universities,” by the prestigious Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The other is Chipola College in Marianna. The designation recognizes the college’s accessibility and the higher earnings of graduates and former students.
 
The classifications were released today.
 
The Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education recently revised their designations, in what they refer to as “the year of significant updates.” This year they applied new core classifications based on an institution’s size and the degrees they most commonly award. The classifications also considered undergraduate student race/ethnicity data, Pell Grant recipient data, and how much students who attended make in the workforce compared to peers.
 
The new designations create multi-dimensional groupings of institutions that go beyond a single label. Those colleges whose data made them “higher access” and “higher earnings” received Carnegie’s designation for “Opportunity Colleges and Universities.”
 
“Santa Fe College is proud to receive our 2025 Carnegie Classification,” said President Paul Broadie II. “This reflects the result of our unwavering commitment to student success, access and economic mobility. Our very foundation is grounded on academic excellence, providing a culture of care for all students, and our focus on fulfilling our mission as a higher education institution. This prepares our students for success in the classroom, at their transfer institutions, and in the workplace.”
 
Broadie said student success in the workforce also is attributable to the close work the college does with advisory committees comprised of educators and industry professionals “who assist our academic programs in providing the state-of-the-art training that leads to higher wage careers that produce economic mobility for individuals and their families.
 
I applaud the work of all our employees that has resulted in this recognition and continues to transform lives.”
 
The Carnegie Classifications are the nation’s leading framework for categories describing colleges and universities in the United States and are frequently used for benchmarking by policymakers, funders and researchers. The Classifications are run by the American Council on Education (ACE), along with Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
 
Timothy Knowles, president of Carnegie Foundation, called the previous designations “incomplete measures.” The new designations “create a more robust picture of higher education across the U.S. and make visible those institutions that demonstrably accelerate educational and career opportunities for students.”
 
Ted Mitchell, president of ACE, told the Chronicle of Higher Education that in the old Carnegie Classifications, “you didn’t see the students. … We want to put students at the center of how institutions describe themselves and how others look at them.”
 
Designations had been largely unchanged since their creation in 1973 and focused on research and policy analysis, which Carnegie Classifications said may no longer reflect how colleges and universities operate today nor how they are used by policymakers. For details about the changes, read “Why 2025 is the Year of Significant Updates to the Carnegie Classifications.”
 
This fact sheet outlines the changes, data sources and methodology for the new designations.

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ALACHUA — A touch of New Orleans magic filled the Alachua Woman’s Club on Saturday, April 12, 2025, as the community came together for “A Night of Mystery & Elegance” — a Mardi Gras-inspired gala that blended celebration with purpose.

Guests enjoyed an evening of dinner, dancing, refreshments, and a silent auction, all in support of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The venue was transformed into a vibrant scene of color and intrigue, where masks were mandatory and creativity in attire was encouraged — from elegant gowns to casual outfits with a festive flair.

The event not only delivered on its promise of mystery and merriment, but also raised critical funds for cancer research, patient services, and educational programs through the American Cancer Society. Organizers called the evening a resounding success, celebrating both the spirit of Mardi Gras and the strength of a community united in the fight against cancer.

Relay for Life, the event’s beneficiary, has a rich history rooted in compassion and perseverance. Founded in 1985 by Dr. Gordy Klatt in Tacoma, Washington, the first Relay for Life began as a solo 24-hour walk around a track, during which Klatt raised $27,000 for the American Cancer Society. Since then, the grassroots movement has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, raising over $6.5 billion to date.

Relay for Life events honor cancer survivors, remember those lost, and empower participants to take action. Funds raised support groundbreaking cancer research, advocacy, prevention efforts, and services like free rides to treatment and lodging for patients and their families.

With strong community participation and heartfelt support, A Night of Mystery & Elegance echoed the mission of Relay for Life — to celebrate lives, save lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer

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ALACHUA – The University of Florida College of Health & Human Performance has once again recognized a former local leader for his dedication to community service and innovation. On Friday, the college honored Robert “Goose” Basford, a former employee of the City of Alachua and City of High Springs recreation departments, as an Outstanding Young Alumnus.

Basford began his career in parks and recreation while earning a master’s degree in sport management at UF. During that time, he interned with the City of Gainesville and worked for the City of Alachua. He later served five years as recreation director for the City of High Springs while earning a second master’s degree in recreation, parks and tourism at UF.

While in Alachua and High Springs, Basford made significant contributions to youth programs and community recreation. He volunteered as a mentor with the Alachua County School Board’s Take Stock in Children program and served as the Task Force Executive for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 National Babe Ruth World Series events. He also enhanced programming within the High Springs Parks and Recreation Division and played a key role in transitioning it into a formal city department.

Basford led several community improvement initiatives, including a playground development project aimed at expanding and upgrading recreational spaces in High Springs.

Today, Basford serves as the assistant city manager for Jersey Village, Texas, where he oversees parks and recreation, public works, infrastructure and utilities. His leadership has supported major infrastructure upgrades, including an $8 million flood mitigation project on a city golf course. He has also directed improvements in water and wastewater systems, street rehabilitation, and municipal facilities.

His efforts earned him national recognition as a Top 30 Under 30 honoree by the National Recreation and Park Association. Known for his passion for community-driven development, Basford continues to lead projects that enhance public infrastructure and quality of life in his Texas community.

Locally, spring sports were in full swing over the weekend. Santa Fe Soccer Alliance hosted matches at the Legacy Multipurpose Fields, while Santa Fe Babe Ruth Baseball held games at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex’s World Series and Pavilion fields. The 13-15 Boys division played a doubleheader at Progress Copeland Park. In addition, Santa Fe Babe Ruth Softball hosted its second annual Jeremy Payne Invitational at the Gene Curls Softball Complex, with teams from Dixie, Keystone, Bronson, Newberry and Gilchrist County participating.

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GAINESVILLE – The 53rd Annual Santa Fe College Spring Arts Festival is set to return to the college’s Northwest Campus this weekend, April 12–13, 2025, bringing a weekend of art, music and family-friendly experiences to the community.

Held at 3000 N.W. 83rd Street, the festival is free and open to the public, featuring a wide array of visual art displays, live performances and interactive activities for all ages.

New to this year’s festival is the introduction of its first-ever Artist in Residence. Street artist Birdcap will create a live mural over the course of the weekend, giving visitors the chance to watch an original work take shape in real time. Folk artist Alyne Harris, known for her vibrant depictions of Southern life and heritage, was selected as this year’s official poster artist.

Festivalgoers will also be able to attend artist talks in the Fine Arts Hall, where participating artists will offer behind-the-scenes insights into their creative process. Other on-campus attractions will include the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium, the Teaching Zoo, and the Museum of Earth Sciences. Train rides will be available to transport visitors to the zoo.

In partnership with MusicGNV, the festival will spotlight local talent from Gainesville’s thriving music scene. Scheduled performers include Noah Moses & The Flood, Haylin Watkins, Purple Kloud, Sooza, Trustfall and The Nancys.

“It’s such an honor to host so many incredible artists and members of the community on our campus,” said Kyle Novak, Santa Fe College’s director of cultural affairs. “In addition to our remarkable visiting artists, we’re excited to continue to showcase the unbelievable talents of our Santa Fe College student artists and performers.”

Free parking will be available throughout the weekend, and Gainesville’s Regional Transit System will offer extended free routes to improve accessibility for attendees.

First launched in 1970, the Spring Arts Festival has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated cultural events, known for celebrating both established and emerging artists while fostering community engagement through the arts.

The event is presented by the Santa Fe College Fine Arts and Entertainment Technology Department.

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