Students, faculty and staff enjoy the annual Glasser Barbecue sponsored by the Gene K. and Elaine Glasser Endowment. (Photo by Joey Springer)

On Tuesday, the Marcia Whitney Schott Courtyard saw its largest crowd of students and faculty since Supreme Court Justice Thomas visited last spring.

The occasion? Free barbecue.

UF Law students, faculty and staff enjoyed the spread, which included chicken, pulled pork, veggie burgers, baked beans, cole slaw, rolls and beverages for nearly 1,200 people. During the lunch-rush, the line stretched past the student organization fair booths of the courtyard and into the parking lot. Students perched on every available surface, chatting and dining with one another.

Vegetarian Carli Koshal, 3L, was happy that the barbecue included veggie burgers that were “pretty delicious.”

The Glasser Barbecue is an annual event sponsored by the Gene K. and Elaine Glasser Endowment. The Glassers, who are both UF alumni, hope the event fosters a greater sense of community amongst people at the law school. “The law school education I received at the University of Florida has greatly influenced my professional and personal life, creating lasting memories with my friends,” said Gene Glasser, a Fort Lauderdale attorney who received his Juris Doctor degree from UF Law in 1972.

“It was a great opportunity to see all of the ways to get involved, get some advice for the first year – and the free food never hurts,” said Hans Tanzler, 1L.