UF molds minds -- and bodies too

The University of Florida's College of Pharmacy hopes to raise $19 million so they can find new treatments for asthma, gain a better understanding of addiction and obesity, and enhance the college's community service programs. Note the health connection here.

The same university's College Of Health and Human Performance wants to raise $7 million to expand research in substance abuse, obesity, chronic diseases, and leisure and recreation issues. The College of Public Health and Health Professions -- they want $13 million. If they get it, they pledge to develop prevention programs to change the course of spiraling disease rates and to improve the health of individuals and their communities.

What about English, math, science, and foreign languages? Academics are still at the core of higher education, but now more than ever, health and wellness are sharing the spotlight. As they should.

"We're all ultimately after the same thing: Live longer and live stronger," says Ted Spiker, associate professor of journalism at UF and columnist for Men's Health magazine, of the Florida Tomorrow campaign.

Spiker, who teaches a class on health and fitness writing, says UF serves as a place where so many minds revolve around matters of the body. We're not just talking athlete bodies here -- although UF does have some pretty impressive sports teams. We're talking everyday people, like you and me.

Says Spiker, "It may not be the national championship that most of us are after, but the goal -- that of helping others live with healthy bodies and minds -- is pretty darn precious itself."