University of West Florida

The University of West Florida (West Florida or UWF) is public university in Pensacola, Florida. Established in 1963 as part of the State University System of Florida, the university sits on the third largest campus in the State University System, at 1,600 acres (6.5 km²). The university's mascot is Argie the Argonaut and its logo is the chambered nautilus.

University of West Florida
TypePublic university
Established1963 (1963)
Parent institution
State University System of Florida
Academic affiliations
Space-grant
Endowment$76.3 million[1]
PresidentMartha Dunagin Saunders
Academic staff
374
Students12,850[2]
Undergraduates9,721[2]
Postgraduates3,129[2]
Location
Pensacola
,
Florida
,
United States
Campus1,600 acres (6.5 km²)
ColorsBlue and Green[3]
   
AthleticsNCAA Division II – Gulf South
NicknameArgonauts, Argos
Sporting affiliations
GSC
MascotArgie the Argonaut[4]
Websitewww.uwf.edu

History
Foliage at UWF
The entrance of the John C. Pace library

In 1962, the Florida Legislature authorized the State Board of Education to locate a state university in Escambia County. Harold Crosby was appointed the first president in July 1964. UWF became the sixth institution of the State University System of Florida, which today consists of twelve public universities.[5]

Ground was broken on April 16, 1965, and in the same year the chambered nautilus was adopted as the official UWF emblem. UWF was originally an upper-level institution, enrolling juniors, seniors and graduate students. The first students began classes in the fall of 1967, and in June 1968, 58 students received degrees in the first commencement ceremony.[6] In 1969, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredited the University undergraduate programs, and the first master's degree programs were established.

In July 1979, the University organized into a more traditional structure by establishing three colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education. In 1999, the colleges reorganized into the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and the College of Professional Studies. In Aug. 2012, the former three-college structure transitioned into four academic colleges: College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities; College of Education and Professional Studies; College of Science, Engineering and Health; and the College of Business. The most recent reorganization took place in 2015, splitting the former College of Science, Engineering and Health in two.

Today, the University has five colleges: College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities; College of Business; College of Education and Professional Studies; Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering; and Usha Kundu, MD College of Health.[7]

Chambered Nautilus

Harold Crosby, the university's first president, selected the chambered nautilus to represent UWF because he was inspired by the poem "The Chambered Nautilus" by Oliver Wendell Holmes; it is "a symbol of growth, change and accomplishment."[6]

Administration, academics and organization

The University of West Florida is a public institution, receiving most of its funding through state funds and tuition. A 13-member Board of Trustees governs the University. The board is composed of six members appointed by the Governor of Florida, five appointed by the Board of Governors, the Faculty Senate president and the president of the Student Government Association.[8]

The undergraduate and graduate programs are divided into five Colleges: College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities; College of Business; College of Education and Professional Studies; Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering; and Usha Kundu, MD College of Health.

The University of West Florida is composed of four divisions which manage the operations of the institution as well as its direct support organizations: Academic Affairs; Academic Engagement and Student Affairs; Finance and Administration; and University Advancement.[9]

Campuses
A 1965 edition of the Pensacola Journal announcing the beginning of UWF. It is located on the bottom floor of the library.
The Tivoli House, one of UWF's historic properties.

Pensacola campus

The main campus of 1,600 acres (6.5 km2) of rolling hills and natural woodland along the Escambia River is ten miles (16 km) north of downtown Pensacola, in the Ferry Pass area.[10] Its facilities have been designed to complement the natural forest and waterways. UWF’s John C. Pace Library is the largest library in the Northwest Florida area. In addition to the main library on the main campus north of Pensacola, Florida, there is a branch library in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. It has 628,000 printed volumes, 1 million microfilms and microfiches, 3,000 serial subscriptions and nearly 2,000 online journal subscriptions.[11] UWF has a second location, UWF on the Emerald Coast, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Historic Pensacola Village
Main article: Historic Pensacola Village

In 2001, the University acquired West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc, the previously state-controlled group that manages the Historic Pensacola Village. The University has created several classes taught by and/or in conjunction with the staff at Historic Pensacola.

UWF Historic Trust

The UWF Historic Trust collects, preserves and interprets the history of northwest Florida.[12]

Arcadia Mill Complex

The Arcadia Mill complex is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was the first industrial complex powered by water in Florida. It included shops, mills, a railroad drawn by mules and a 16 mile log flume.[13] It operated from 1817-1855. It is curated by the University of West Florida.

Student life
The UWF trolley system is an important mode of transportation for many students.
A view of Martin Hall from Village East.

Currently, UWF enrolls more than 12,500 students between undergraduate and graduate programs across its colleges.[14] UWF has conferred more than 100,000 associate, bachelor's, master's, specialist and doctoral degrees.[15]

UWF hosts many opportunities for involvement through student clubs and organizations. Registered student organizations, administered by Student Involvement, include academic clubs, Greek organizations, professional and honor societies, religious organizations and special interest groups.[16] Additionally, UWF owns property on Pensacola Beach, frequently used by students for research and recreation. UWF also offers numerous on-campus mountain bike trails[17] to students free of charge, in addition to a wide variety of recreational activities.

Housing

UWF offers traditional residence halls, small community residence halls and university-owned apartment complexes. The university also offers living learning communities, which provide signature programming and academic support to residents.[18]

Greek life

The following Greek letter organizations are recognized at UWF:

Transportation

UWF offers a trolley service and public bicycles around campus known as "yellow bikes". There is parking for all visitors, students and employees. The Escambia County Area Transit bus system also offers students a discount rate.

Athletics
Main article: West Florida Argonauts

UWF intercollegiate athletics compete in the NCAA Division II Gulf South Conference. Men's intercollegiate sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer and tennis. Women's intercollegiate sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis and volleyball.[27]

UWF's athletic program has won ten national championships, with the most recent being football in the 2019 NCAA Division II Football Championship.[28]

In 2015, the university welcomed its first football team on campus and held intra-team scrimmages throughout the fall. In 2016, UWF hosted its inaugural season, kicking off with a 45-0 win against Ave Maria University.[29]

In 2017, the football program qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs in just its second season. The team reached the championship game, losing to Texas A&M-Commerce, 37-27, in just the 26th game in school history.[30]

In 2019, the UWF Department of Intercollegiate Athletics celebrated its 100th conference championship with women's tennis Gulf South Conference championship.[31] Also in 2019, UWF's football program won the NCAA Division II national championship in its fourth season, winning against Minnesota State University, 48–40.[32]

Notable people
Main article: List of University of West Florida people
  • Julee Cottage, 1805
  • Tivoli House, 1805
  • Clara Barkley Dorr House, 1871, residence of UWF president
  • Lear Rocheblave House, 1890
  • Old Christ Church, cir. 1835; corporate charter as an act of the Florida Territorial Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida, 1829
  • T. T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum
  • Museum of Commerce
  • Museum of Industry

See also

References
  1. As of June 30, 2018. "University of West Florida Foundation, Inc. Financial Statements" (PDF). Financial Statements. University of West Florida Foundation, Inc. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
  2. "Facts and Figures". Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  3. "Color | University of West Florida".
  4. "Argie the Argonaut".
  5. "History | University of West Florida". uwf.edu. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  6. "Traditions | University of West Florida". uwf.edu. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  7. "Academics | University of West Florida". uwf.edu. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  8. "Board of Trustees | University of West Florida". uwf.edu. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  9. "Divisions | University of West Florida". uwf.edu. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  10. "The University of West Florida". map.uwf.edu. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  11. "Office of the Dean of Libraries: Statistical Reports".
  12. University of West Florida Historic Trust
  13. Arcadia Mill Complex
  14. "UWF reaches record enrollment of more than 13,000 students for Fall 2016 semester". University of West Florida Newsroom. 2016-08-24. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  15. "Facts & Figures | University of West Florida". uwf.edu. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  16. "Student Involvement | University of West Florida". uwf.edu. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  17. "UWF Trail Maps | University of West Florida". uwf.edu. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  18. "Living Learning Communities | University of West Florida". uwf.edu. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  19. "Interfraternity Council (IFC)". Fraternity and Sorority Life. University of West Florida. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  20. "Panhellenic Sororities". Fraternity and Sorority Life. University of West Florida. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  21. "National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)". Fraternity and Sorority Life. University of West Florida. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  22. "Multicultural Greek Council (MGC)". Fraternity and Sorority Life. University of West Florida. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  23. "Why Delta Sigma Pi". Eta Upsilon University of West Florida. Delta Sigma Pi. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  24. "Gamma Theta Upsilon: Mu Pi Chapter". Earth and Environmental Sciences. University of West Florida. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  25. https://www.psichi.org/
  26. https://www.nsls.org/
  27. "University of West Florida Argonauts - University of West Florida". goargos.com. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  28. "West Fla. vs Minn. St. Mankato DII Football Game Summary - December 21st, 2019 | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  29. Vilona, Bill. "UWF football is 'phenomenal' in inaugural 45-0 win". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  30. "West Florida Loses to Texas A&M Commerce in National Championship". WKRG News 5. 2017-12-16. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  31. "UWF Their 19th GSC Championship and the 100th Conference Championship in UWF History".
  32. "UWF football wins national championship with historic offensive explosion".

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