George H. Starke Jr. facts for kids
George H. Starke Jr. was a very important person in the history of the University of Florida. He was the first Black student ever allowed to study there.
George Starke's Time at University
In 1958, George Starke started studying law at the University of Florida. He had already graduated from Morehouse College. During his first semester, he needed police protection because of serious threats against him.
Starke became good friends with Fred Levin, who the law school is now named after. Levin was one of the few Jewish students at the law school. Starke and Levin often studied together, even when other classmates formed their own study groups.
Starke left the university after three semesters without finishing his degree. After leaving school, he worked for 40 years in finance. He was an energy consultant, a mortgage broker, and an investment banker.
Connecting with the University
Starke did not have much contact with the university for many years. But in 1981, the former University of Florida President, J. Wayne Reitz, invited him to get involved again. Reitz was the president when Starke first joined the school. This invitation helped Starke reconnect with the university.
As an active former student, Starke took part in many programs. He also visited the law school often. In 2009, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. This award honors former students who have done great things.
In spring 2019, the University of Florida gave Starke an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. This is a special degree that honors someone's achievements. Starke attended the ceremony with his wife Barbara, his son Andrew (Drew), his daughter-in-law Angela, and his grandchildren Sydney and Spencer. Other family members were also there.
Honoring His Legacy
On April 15, 2021, Florida State Representative Geraldine Thompson sponsored a special resolution. This resolution honored Starke for his important contributions to education and history in Florida. The Gator Caucus, a group led by State Representative Charles "Chuck" Clemons, also supported this resolution.
