The 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 is an institution like no other. Founded in 1956, we have redefined what it means to be a young university, breaking records and forging ahead to challenge even our oldest peer institutions. With incredible velocity, we advance communities and pioneer new higher education standards. We embrace the unknown. Conquer it. And then do it again. We define ourselves not by a name, a date, or a city, but by the impact we have on the world. We share one goal. We transform lives.
Take a look back at over 60 years of our institution鈥檚 history to learn more about our extraordinary progress 鈥� and what remains to be achieved.
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1950s
LeRoy Collins Signs House Bill 1007 Into Law
June 18, 1955
Florida Governor LeRoy Collins signs into law House Bill 1007, written by Representative Sam Gibbons, creating a new state university in Hillsborough County.
Florida Cabinet Approves Site Build
December 18, 1956
The Florida Cabinet approves a resolution to build the new university on the Fowler Avenue property. At the time, a private civilian airport occupied the space, which had functioned as the Hillsborough Army Airfield during World War II. 新澳门六合彩内幕信息would later be built on the practice bombing range just north of the airfield.
John S. Allen Named First President
July 16, 1957
The Board of Control names John S. Allen the first president of USF.
Florida Cabinet Approves "USF" Name
October 22, 1957
The Florida Cabinet approves the name "新澳门六合彩内幕信息," in part because it is the southernmost state university in Florida at the time.
Groundbreaking Ceremonies
September 5, 1958
Groundbreaking ceremonies take place on the new Tampa campus. Contracts for the first three buildings were awarded shortly thereafter.
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1960s
First Day of 新澳门六合彩内幕信息Classes
September 26, 1960
A convocation ceremony marks the first day of classes for USF鈥檚 first-ever students. With classes under way, 新澳门六合彩内幕信息becomes the first major state university planned, built and opened in the 20th century, as well as Florida's first university located in a major metropolitan area.
"Golden Brahman" Chosen as Mascot
November 1962
The "Golden Brahman" is chosen as the university's mascot and is unveiled at an All-University Fun Fest.
WUSF-FM Begins Broadcasting
1963
WUSF-FM begins broadcasting as the second noncommercial public radio station licensed in Florida.
Inaugural Commencement Ceremony
December 1963
The university holds its inaugural commencement ceremony on December 22. Throughout the month, 326 total degrees are conferred during commencement ceremonies.
Board of Regents Approves Master's Degrees
November 1, 1964
The Board of Regents approves planning for master's degree programs in all four colleges: Education, Liberal Arts, Basic Studies and Business Administration.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Receives Full Accreditation
1965
新澳门六合彩内幕信息receives full accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Occupies Site of St. Petersburg Campus
July 1, 1965
新澳门六合彩内幕信息occupies the site of the St. Petersburg campus on Bayboro Harbor.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Plays First Intercollegiate Sports Event
September 1965
新澳门六合彩内幕信息plays its first intercollegiate sports event, defeating Florida Southern College's men's soccer team.
First Edition of 鈥淭he Oracle鈥�
1966
Students publish the first edition of 鈥淭he Oracle,鈥� the student newspaper that replaced the campus edition of the Tampa Daily Times, started in September 1960.
First Greek Organization
September 1967
Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity becomes the first Greek organization on campus. It went national with four more fraternities and three sororities early in the month.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Admitted to NCAA
March 1968
新澳门六合彩内幕信息is admitted to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Alumni Association Incorporated
1969
The 新澳门六合彩内幕信息Alumni Association is incorporated.
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1970s
First 新澳门六合彩内幕信息Basketball Game
December 4, 1970
The first 新澳门六合彩内幕信息basketball game is played against the University of Florida at Curtis Hixon Hall. 新澳门六合彩内幕信息wins, 85-78.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Medical School Opens
1971
The 新澳门六合彩内幕信息medical school opens. In July, the school's charter students begin their studies.
Cecil Mackey Becomes Second President
February 1971
Cecil Mackey becomes USF's second president and begins an era that brings 新澳门六合彩内幕信息to a new level, with a focus on research and increasing funding.
First Doctoral Degree Conferred
May 25, 1971
First doctoral degree conferred to Joseph Houbrick, a student of biology and marine science.
College of Liberal Arts Formed
1972
The College of Basic Studies is dissolved and the College of Liberal Arts is split into four new colleges: the College of Arts & Letters, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Natural Sciences and Fine Arts. The CBS acts as a community college within USF, instructing students in mandatory courses for the equivalent of two years.
School of Nursing Opens
1973
The School of Nursing opens.
New College Joins 新澳门六合彩内幕信息Sarasota
September 6, 1974
New College in Sarasota joins the state university system and 新澳门六合彩内幕信息Sarasota.
John Lott Brown Named Third President
April 15, 1978
John Lott Brown is inaugurated as USF's third president.
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1980s
Graduate School Created
1980
USF's Graduate School is created.
Sun Dome Opens
November 29, 1980
The 新澳门六合彩内幕信息Sun Dome is inflated and booked for concerts, sporting events and commencement ceremonies.
Baseball Wins First Sun Belt Championship
May 19, 1982
USF's baseball team wins its first Sun Belt championship.
First Ph.D. in Applied Anthropology
1984
新澳门六合彩内幕信息becomes the nation's first university to offer a Ph.D. in applied anthropology.
Moffitt Cancer Center Opens on 新澳门六合彩内幕信息Campus
1986
Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute opens on the 新澳门六合彩内幕信息campus.
Francis T. Borkowski Becomes Fourth President
February 15, 1988
Francis T. Borkowski begins his term as the fourth 新澳门六合彩内幕信息president.
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1990s
College of Arts and Sciences Formed
1991
The Colleges of Arts & Letters, Natural Sciences and Social and Behavioral Sciences are merged into a new college: the College of Arts and Sciences. CAS becomes the largest college on the 新澳门六合彩内幕信息campus.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Ranked Nation's 18th Largest University
1994
新澳门六合彩内幕信息is ranked as the nation's 18th largest university in terms of enrollment; it is the 8th largest urban university.
Betty Castor Becomes Fifth President
January 17, 1994
Betty Castor becomes the fifth president of USF.
Alumni Center Opens
1996
The Sam & Martha Gibbons Alumni Center opens.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Begins First Season of NCAA Football
September 6, 1997
新澳门六合彩内幕信息begins its first-ever season of NCAA football. The Bulls, playing in Division I-AA, open with an 80-3 win at Raymond James Stadium over Kentucky Wesleyan before 49,000 fans.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Named "Research I" University
1998
新澳门六合彩内幕信息is named by the Florida Board of Regents as a "Research I" university, along with the University of Florida and Florida State University.
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2000s
新澳门六合彩内幕信息St. Petersburg Admits First Students
2000
新澳门六合彩内幕信息St. Petersburg begins admitting freshmen and sophomores under a plan approved by the Board of Regents and the Legislature to offer more classes for underclassmen. Students can take all the classes they need at St. Pete and earn a 4-year degree there.
Judy Genshaft Becomes Sixth President
July 5, 2000
Judy Genshaft takes office as the sixth president of USF.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Admitted to Big East Conference
November 5, 2003
新澳门六合彩内幕信息is admitted into the Big East Conference.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Approved To Become a System
October 26, 2004
The Board of Trustees approves for 新澳门六合彩内幕信息to become a system.
Largest Gift in 新澳门六合彩内幕信息History
May 20, 2005
Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel pledge $18 million to USF. With the state match, the gift is valued at $34.5 million, the largest gift in 新澳门六合彩内幕信息history. The gift will be used to construct the Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息St. Petersburg Opens First Residence Hall
August 2006
新澳门六合彩内幕信息St. Petersburg opens its first student residence hall and officially becomes a residential campus.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Sarasota-Manatee's First Day of Classes
August 28, 2006
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Sarasota-Manatee holds its first day of classes on its new, bay-front campus in Manatee County.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Classified for Community Engagement
December 2006
新澳门六合彩内幕信息is the only university in Florida to be selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching's new Community Engagement classification.
C.W. Bill Young Hall Opens
November 2, 2007
新澳门六合彩内幕信息celebrates the grand opening of C.W. Bill Young Hall, which houses USF's Joint Military Leadership Center and ROTC programs.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Ranks 63rd as Top Research University
2008
The National Science Foundation announces that 新澳门六合彩内幕信息ranks 63rd among the nation's top research universities, according to a survey of federally financed research and development expenditures at universities and colleges in 2006.
Phyllis P. Marshall Student Center Opens
August 20, 2008
The new Phyllis P. Marshall Student Center opens to the public. As the hub of student life on the 新澳门六合彩内幕信息Tampa campus, the center features an expanded dining center, food court, a 1,200 seat ballroom, meeting spaces and lounges.
Carol and Frank Morsani Center Opens
October 2008
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Health opens the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for Advanced Healthcare, the first ambulatory health center in the country built from the ground up around quality, service and technology, where the patient is the center of the health care system.
Men's Soccer Wins First Big East Championship
November 2008
The 新澳门六合彩内幕信息men's soccer team wins the first Big East championship in program history.
Women's Basketball Wins WNIT Championship
April 4, 2009
The 新澳门六合彩内幕信息women's basketball team makes program history by winning the WNIT Championship for the first time.
Office of Veteran Services Opens
June 2009
新澳门六合彩内幕信息becomes the first university in the country to strike an accord with the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer special services for veterans taking advantage of the new GI Bill, called The Office of Veteran Services on Campus.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Named Nation's Fastest Growing University
August 28, 2009
The Chronicle of Higher Education names 新澳门六合彩内幕信息the nation's fastest growing university for federal research funds.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Kicks Off USF: Unstoppable Campaign
October 2009
新澳门六合彩内幕信息kicks off the USF: Unstoppable Campaign, a comprehensive fundraising effort by the 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 to celebrate the energy, vision and future of one of the country's most exciting and engaged universities.
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2010s
Genshaft/Greenbaum Passport Scholars Created
February 5, 2011
新澳门六合彩内幕信息President Judy Genshaft and her husband, Steve Greenbaum, donate $1 million to create the new Genshaft/Greenbaum Passport Scholars Fund, which provides financial support to 新澳门六合彩内幕信息students who want to study abroad.
Athletics Center Renamed to Honor Selmon
September 4, 2011
The university's athletics center is renamed in honor of Lee Roy Selmon, the first athletic director at USF, after he passes away.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Health Opens CAMLS
March 30, 2012
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Health opens the revolutionary Center for Advanced Medical Learning Simulation (CAMLS) in downtown Tampa.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Ranks 14th as 鈥楿p and Coming鈥� University
September 10, 2013
In the 2014 edition of the U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 Best Colleges, 新澳门六合彩内幕信息is ranked 14th as an 鈥榰p and coming鈥� university among the country鈥檚 national universities.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Moves to No. 43 in Research Spending
December 2, 2013
The 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 moved up to No. 43 in the federal government鈥檚 ranking of research spending among both public and private institutions.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Receives Largest Gift
October 10, 2014
Longtime 新澳门六合彩内幕信息supporters Pam and Les Muma give $25 million, the single largest individual gift in the university's history, to the 新澳门六合彩内幕信息College of Business.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Sets Record in Research Grants
September 9, 2015
Researchers across the 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 System set a new record of $440,577,680 in research grants and contracts in the 2014-15 academic year.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Ranks Top 50 in Best Values in Higher Ed
December 18, 2015
The 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 ranks among the nation鈥檚 top 50 best values in public higher education for 2016, according to a new list by Kiplinger鈥檚 Personal Finance.
State鈥檚 First Emerging Preeminent University
June 21, 2016
The Florida Board of Governors designates 新澳门六合彩内幕信息as the state鈥檚 first 鈥渆merging preeminent university,鈥� recognizing its strong trajectory toward national prominence.
Top University for Eliminating Completion Gap
March 1, 2017
新澳门六合彩内幕信息is recognized as the top university in Florida 鈥� and #6 in the nation 鈥� for eliminating the completion gap between black and white students.
Leader for Improvements in Graduation Rates
September 2017
The Chronicle of Higher Education recognizes 新澳门六合彩内幕信息Tampa as the nation鈥檚 leader among public universities in showing the greatest improvements in six-year graduation rates, from 2011 to 2015.
Top University for Latino Student Success
December 4, 2017
The Education Trust names 新澳门六合彩内幕信息the top public university in the nation for Latino student success.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息System Required to Consolidate
March 2, 2018
Governor Rick Scott signed the Florida Excellence in Higher Education of 2018, requiring the 新澳门六合彩内幕信息System and its three campuses to consolidate accreditations under one umbrella by July 1, 2020.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Achieves Preeminence
June 2018
The university achieves Preeminent State Research University Status, as designated by the Florida Board of Governors.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Awarded Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa
August 2018
新澳门六合彩内幕信息is awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious national honor organization in the country.
President Judy Genshaft Announces Retirement
September 9, 2018
新澳门六合彩内幕信息President Judy Genshaft announces her retirement after 19 years at the helm of the university.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Ranks #42 Nationally
November 2018
The 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 ranks 25th among public universities for research spending and 42nd among all universities nationally.
President Judy Genshaft's Final Commencement
April 2019
President Judy Genshaft leads her final 新澳门六合彩内幕信息commencement ceremonies. She conferred more than 210,000 degrees during her 19-year tenure.
$20 Million for Judy Genshaft Honors College
May 22, 2019
President Judy Genshaft and husband Steven Greenbaum donate $20 million to establish the Judy Genshaft Honors College. It will also help fund a new five-story building for the college.
Steven C. Currall Becomes Seventh President
July 1, 2019
Dr. Steven C. Currall becomes USF鈥檚 seventh president.
Maple Drive Renamed to 新澳门六合彩内幕信息Genshaft Drive
August 2019
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Maple Drive renamed to honor former President Judy Genshaft. 新澳门六合彩内幕信息Genshaft Drive will be home to the Judy Genshaft Honors College.
Gift Establishes Taneja College of Pharmacy
August 16, 2019
A $10 million gift from the Taneja Family Foundation establishes the 新澳门六合彩内幕信息Health Taneja College of Pharmacy. The donation marks the largest philanthropic gift to a pharmacy school in the state of Florida.
Top 50 for Best Public Universities
September 2019
新澳门六合彩内幕信息breaks the top 50 on U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 list of best public universities in America, climbing 14 spots from last year to reach no. 44. Since 2015, 新澳门六合彩内幕信息has climbed 44 spots from No. 88 to No. 44, an unparalleled trajectory among public or private universities in the United States.
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2020s
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Consolidates
July 1, 2020
The 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 consolidates its three separate institutions into one, singularly-accredited university with campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee.
Rhea Law Voted as Eighth President
March 30, 2022
The Florida Board of Governors (BOG) voted unanimously to confirm Rhea Law as the 新澳门六合彩内幕信息鈥檚 eighth president.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Reaches Highest Ranking Ever
September 2022
新澳门六合彩内幕信息reaches its highest ranking ever by U.S News & World Report at No. 42 among all public universities. 新澳门六合彩内幕信息also sits at No. 97 among all universities public or private. This marks the fourth consecutive year that 新澳门六合彩内幕信息has ranked in the top 50 public universities and the first time 新澳门六合彩内幕信息has broken into the top 100 among all universities.
Sarasota-Manatee Housing Construction Begins
March 1, 2023
Construction began for the on the 新澳门六合彩内幕信息鈥檚 Sarasota-Manatee campus. The six-story, 100,000-square-foot building is scheduled to open in the fall of 2024.
New Judy Genshaft Honors College Building
May 2023
新澳门六合彩内幕信息unveils historic new Judy Genshaft Honors College building.
The five-story, 85,000-square-foot facility will serve USF鈥檚 most accomplished and talented students from every undergraduate college and strengthen the university鈥檚 position to attract the top talent within the state of Florida and beyond.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Joins the AAU
June 1, 2023
新澳门六合彩内幕信息is the first public university in Florida in nearly 40 years to be invited to join the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). Reaching the AAU, a group of the leading research universities in the United States and Canada, achieves a long-standing goal first set by the 新澳门六合彩内幕信息Board of Trustees in the university鈥檚 strategic plan in 2007.