UNF Alumni Association Board member Shennette Sparkes, '10, was diagnosed with two types of lupus while on a basketball scholarship at UNF. Through her adversity, she found a passion for activism and community service. 

Sparkes is an advocate for the Lupus Foundaiton of America Florida Chapter and began First Coast Lupus Fight through her organization, Higher Learning Hoops.

Her work has raised awareness and money for lupus research, helped to feed the homeless population locally and allowed her to award students scholarships for college. Sparkes' memoir, "The Story Behind the Story: Butterfly Warrior," about her inspiring eight-year battle with lupus, was published earlier this year. 

She was recently awarded as a News4JAX Postively JAX Winner. 

Check out the News4JAX feature here.

Bryan Croft's daughter realized the lack of bike racks on the family's street in Neptune Beach. After a brainstorming session and design sketch, the pair decided to bring it to reality.

Croft, a UNF Alum, worked with Jenny Hager and Lance Vickery of the UNF Sculpture Department along with the City of Neptune Beach to help create and install the new bike rack. 

"The initiative really came from my daughter. I wanted her to experience the process of bringing something in her mind to a piece of paper, to eventually a usable piece of art that our neighbors and people in Neptune Beach can enjoy," Croft said. 

Keep an eye out for the new bike rack the next time you're in the Neptune Beach area! 

After serving on the UNF Alumni Association Board of Directors for more than five years, Malinda (Lindy) Prudencio was voted to become the 32nd President of the UNF Alumni Association for the 2018-19 term.

Prudencio is currently the Chief Risk Officer at the Energy Authority in downtown Jacksonville, which is actively engaged in the Coggin Osprey Financial Group and supports their portfolio management center. She is a 2002 graduate from the Coggin College of Business with an M.B.A. in general business.

UNF has been a constant in Prudencio's life. Her father is a Professor Emeritus of accounting and finance. "UNF means so much more to me than just a degree. I grew up on this campus," Prudencio said. "I have memories of being on campus as a child, memories of taking classes, and then post-graduate memories of staying engaged in the Alumni Association and activities.

Prudencio and one of her brothers, also a UNF Coggin grad, established the Gary and Sandy Fane Faculty Endowment Fund in their parents' name. She also participated in the Coggin College Mentor Program and Alumni Association Chapter, serving on the board of directors for more than 10 years before transitioning to the main UNF Alumni Association Board.

"This is an exciting time for UNF as we welcome a new University president and face the future with a fresh perspective and a continued sense of optimism for our University," she said. "I look forward to serving UNF alumni and working with the faculty and staff during this next year and beyond."   

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