University of West Florida
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| Type |
Public Space grant |
|---|---|
| Established | 1963 |
| Endowment | $55.9 million |
| President | Judith A. Bense |
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Academic staff
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374 |
| Students | 13,002 |
| Undergraduates | 10,082 |
| Postgraduates | 2,920 |
| Location | Pensacola, Florida, United States |
| Campus | 1,600 acres (6.5 km²) |
| Colors | Blue and Green |
| Athletics | NCAA Division II – Gulf South |
| Nickname | Argonauts |
| Mascot | Argie the Argonaut |
| Affiliations | AACSB, SACS, SUSF, GSC |
| Website | www |
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The University of West Florida, also known as West Florida and UWF, is a mid-sized public university located in Pensacola, Florida, United States. Established in 1963 as a member institution of the State University System of Florida, the University of West Florida is a comprehensive research university without faculties of law or medicine, a designated space-grant institution, and sits on the third largest campus in the State University System, at 1,600 acres (6.5 km2). The main campus is a natural preserve that is bordered by two rivers and Escambia Bay. The university's mascot is an Argonaut and its logo is the Chambered Nautilus.
In 1962, the Florida Legislature authorized the State Board of Education to locate a state university in Escambia County. Following a feasibility study, which demonstrated the need for an institution of higher education in Northwest Florida, funds were allocated for the development of the University of West Florida. The founding President was Harold Crosby. UWF became the sixth state university of the State University System of Florida, which today consists of twelve institutions of higher learning.
Ground was broken on April 16, 1965, and in the same year the Chambered Nautilus was adopted as the official UWF emblem. The initial building program consisted of an administration classroom complex, library, Commons building, science complex, humanities building, audiovisual facility, utilities building and 15 student housing buildings accommodating approximately 500 resident students. Current facilities at UWF include: 35 academic buildings, 21 student services facilities, 25 residence halls, two university village student apartment complexes and 20 plant support facilities. In 1997, 600 additional acres (2.4 km2) were acquired, which brought the Pensacola campus to a total of 1,600 acres (6.5 km2), the second largest flagship campus in the State University System.
Initially, the university was organized in three resident or cluster colleges: Alpha, Gamma and Omega. Not only were academic disciplines assigned to these colleges, but student government, cultural programs and other activities were also conducted within the colleges. UWF was originally an upper-level institution, enrolling juniors, seniors and graduate students. The first students began classes in the fall of 1967, and the first commencement exercises were held in June 1968, where 58 students received degrees. In 1969, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredited the university undergraduate programs, and the first master's degree programs were established.
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