The University of Florida will establish a permanent presence in Washington, D.C., with the creation of the Ballard House, a $4.25 million real estate gift from UF alumnus Brian Ballard and his wife, Kathryn.
Located steps from the U.S. Capitol, the Ballard House will serve as UF’s home in the nation’s capital, providing a place for students, faculty, university leaders and alumni to learn, connect and serve, according to a UF release sent on Monday.
The property will support academic programs and professional development for students, while giving faculty a venue to share research with members of Congress and federal agencies. It will also provide a location for the university to convene leaders from government, public service and the private sector.
“The nation’s great public universities have a real home in Washington, and now the University of Florida will too,” UF President Stuart R. Bell said in the release. “This new presence opens important opportunities for our university and for generations of Gators. It will bring our students and faculty closer to the institutions and people shaping our country and create new opportunities to learn, connect and contribute. We are grateful to the Ballards for making this possible and for Brian’s enduring connection to the University of Florida.”
The Ballard House will connect UF’s academic programs with opportunities to experience policymaking firsthand and deepen students’ understanding of American government, institutions and civic life.
The facility will also provide opportunities for UF faculty and university representatives to build relationships with national figures and organizations. Researchers will be able to brief policymakers and federal partners on discoveries in areas including artificial intelligence, agriculture and health care.
Planned programming will include speaker series, policy roundtables and civic education programs that bring students together with policymakers. The property will also serve as a gathering place for UF alumni who live and work in the Washington region.
“Students can read about Congress, the Supreme Court and the institutions of American government in a classroom, but there is no substitute for really being there,” said Chuck Clemons, UF’s vice president for government and community relations and a former member of the Florida House of Representatives, in the release. “The Ballard House will help bring Washington to life for our community and provide our students with experiences that can bolster their education, their careers and their commitment to public service.”
Brian Ballard earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a law degree from UF and is a member of the UF Hall of Fame. He later served as chief of staff for Florida Gov. Bob Martinez before founding Ballard Partners, a lobbying firm with offices in Florida, Washington, D.C., and other U.S. and international locations.
Kathryn Ballard is a Florida State University alumna and serves as a member of the FSU Board of Trustees. The Ballards were selected by three Florida governors to co-chair their gubernatorial inaugurations.
“The University of Florida has shaped so much of who I am today, and it is a privilege to give back to a place that has given me so much,” Brian Ballard said in the release. “I’m especially proud to help strengthen UF’s presence in Washington, D.C., and to create opportunities for students, faculty, university leaders and the broader Gator Nation to engage, connect and make an impact in our nation’s capital.”