Chris Machen
A former nurse and an avid horse enthusiast, Chris Machen became the first lady of the University of Florida when her husband, Bernie, became the university's 11th president in January 2004.
The former Chris Ackerman was born in St. Louis and became interested in nursing at a young age, working as a nurse's aide. She attended St. Louis University and graduated with a degree in nursing, the first person in her family to earn a college degree. It was also at St. Louis University that she met Bernie, who was studying dentistry.
Her first job was in what then was known as the "sick nursery" at Cardinal Glennon Memorial Hospital for Children in St. Louis. She then taught nursing at the University of Iowa, followed by a 12-year stretch working in the neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's University Hospital. When Dr. Machen accepted a job as dean of the School of Dentistry at the University of Michigan in 1989, Mrs. Machen switched from the NICU to pediatric home health nursing.
When her husband became provost at Michigan in 1996, Mrs. Machen left nursing to spend more time with the couple's daughter and two sons. The family moved to Salt Lake City in 1998, when Dr. Machen was named president of the University of Utah.
Today, Mrs. Machen uses what little spare time she has for walking, reading and horseback riding. Known for her ability to bring people together for a common cause, she is active in health-related community activities, such as Healthy Gator 2010, part of the nationwide Healthy Campus 2010 initiative for students, faculty and staff. She also serves as a member of UF's Sustainability Committee and as honorary chair of the Zero Waste Task Force, both part of the university's efforts to reduce its impact on the environment.
Additionally, Mrs. Machen serves with the Harn National Arts Council, the Performing Arts Board, the Fine Arts Advisory Board, the Friends of Music Board (honorary member), the Child Advocacy Board, the Boys and Girls Club Board, the Florida 4-H Board, the Florida Folklife Council and the Western Folklife Center Board in Elko, Nev.