The UF Faculty Senate plays a important role in shared governance at the University of Florida. Paul Davenport has a long and distinguished history with the Senate, dating back to 1981, when he first served on the UF CVM Faculty Council. His involvement continued through the establishment of the current Faculty Senate structure in 1999, the creation of the new UF Constitution in the early 2000s, and continued service in various leadership roles, including Chair-Elect (2014-2015), Chair (2015-2016), and Past-Chair (2016-2017). Dr. Davenport also served as the faculty representative on the UF Board of Trustees during their term as Chair.
Throughout his tenure, he worked on numerous committees and councils that helped shape both academic and operational aspects of the university. These included committees focused on curriculum, research policy, faculty standards, campus planning, and even student conduct. Notably, he served on the Faculty Senate Steering Committee and the UF Strategic Development Plan Steering Committee, as well as numerous advisory committees.
Paul Davenport’s proudest accomplishment was his role in representing and advocating for UF faculty at the university, local, and national levels, emphasizing the importance of the faculty in shaping the university’s academic environment.
For incoming Senators, Dr. Davenport relayed the importance of understanding and engaging with UF’s shared governance processes. Senators should respect diverse viewpoints. Faculty senators must realize there is a full spectrum of opinion “conservative-to-liberal” throughout the UF community. They must also protect shared governance and continually advocate for the central role that faculty play in the university’s success. Senators are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the UF constitution and the principles guiding the Senate’s operations. The key message is that active and thoughtful participation in governance is vital for maintaining UF’s excellence.
Paul Davenport will be retiring from the senate position, Dr. Leah Reznikov is slated to take his place. Please join me in offering a warm welcome to Dr. Reznikov as she starts her journey with the UF Faculty Senate! We’re excited to have her join this important team, and we look forward to the contributions she will make in shaping the future of our university. Her voice and perspective will be invaluable in continuing to uphold the principles of shared governance and excellence at UF. Best of luck in your new role – we’re thrilled to have you with us!
