University of West Florida
Encyclopedia
The University of West Florida, also known as West Florida and UWF, is a mid-sized public university located in Pensacola
, Florida
, United States
. UWF is a member institution of the State University System of Florida
. The University of West Florida is a Research University, which specializes in engineering and the humanities. UWF is a space-grant institution that was established in 1963. The University of West Florida sits on the third largest campus in the State University System, 1600 acres (6.5 km²), and its campus is a natural preserve that is bordered by two rivers and Escambia Bay. The University of West Florida is an exceptionally progressive university in terms of technology and environmental policy, as exemplified by their investment in the BEST house and their investments in solar powered student housing. The University of West Florida is known for its small class sizes and its intimate, private school like educational atmosphere, which distinguishes it from the larger universities in the State University System. The university's mascot is an Argonaut
, and the school's 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 eleven 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 dormitories, two university village student apartment complexes and 20 plant support facilities. In 1997, 600 acres (2.4 km²) additional were acquired which brought the Pensacola
campus to 1600 acres (6.5 km²), the second largest main 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 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, the university undergraduate programs were accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
(SACS) and the first master's degree programs were established.
In July 1979, the university organized in a more traditional structure by establishing three colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business and Education. Following authorization by the Florida Legislature
, a lower division was established, and freshmen attended the university for the first time in the fall semester of 1983, boosting enrollment from 5,200 students to 5,920 students.
In July 1988, Computer Science
, a department within the College of Business, was identified as the Division of Computer Science
as a stand alone and plans were begun to incorporate it into a fourth college, the College of Science and Technology. That decision was later reversed and computer science was moved to the School of Computer Science and Engineering within the College of Arts and Sciences. During the fall term of 1999, the colleges reorganized as the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and the College of Professional Studies.
. Its facilities have been designed to complement the natural forest and waterways. It 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.
UWF shares a branch campus in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., with Okaloosa-Walton College, and has several centers and sites where academic programs and/or courses are taught. In addition, the University of West Florida has waterfront property on Santa Rosa Island
that is available for recreational, academic, and research pursuits. The University also operates the NWFSC/UWF Fort Walton Beach Campus, the Eglin Air Force Base
Center and the Hurlburt Field
Center. As a result, a significant number of UWF students have been military personnel assigned to NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field
and Duke Field
. This is particularly true of commissioned officers at these installations pursuing postgraduate degrees outside of their normal duty hours.
, the previously state-controlled group that manages the Historic Pensacola Village
. A few years later, John C. Cavanaugh became the fourth president on July 15, 2002. Under his supervision the university has created several classes taught by and/or in conjunction with the staff at Historic Pensacola. The Clara Barkley Dorr House
was also appropriated as a downtown home for the institute president.
, receiving most of its funding through state funds and tuition
. A 13-member Board of Trustees governs the University. The undergraduate and graduate programs are divided into three Colleges, with the College of Arts and Sciences
being the largest and most complex, followed by the College of Professional Studies, and finally the College of Business.
Many of UWF's programs of study are also accredited by specific organizations, these are:
It is ranked No. 27 in the Top 100 Best Buy Colleges list, No. 136 in the Best Southern Colleges category and No. 168 in the Best Research Universities category.
The 2011 edition of the US News and World Report currently ranks UWF as a second tier post secondary institution in the National Universities category. In 2007 UWF was ranked 56th best in the category Masters Universities - South. In 2006 The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching changed UWF's classification from Master's University to Doctoral/Research University, in 2011 it was reclassified again as a Research University (high research activity). The University was voted a "Best Southeastern College" by The Princeton Review
.
The University of West Florida's Logistics team placed 1st in the Operation Stimulus National Logistics Case Competition in Denver on January 24 and 25. UWF's team, consisting of five marketing/management students, won the nationally recognized award for the first time by overcoming teams from nine other large universities. In 2008, the University of West Florida was selected as one of the Top 60 Military-Friendly Colleges & Universities by Military Advanced Education Magazine.
In 2009, UWF received the American Mock Trial Association Award when its mock trial team defeated The University of Florida
, Florida State University
, Georgia Tech, and Emory University
at the East Coast Regional Tournament.
In 2010, UWF placed first at The Journalism Championship at Southeast Journalism Conference.
In 2011, for the first time in its history, UWF's Baseball team claimed the title of Division Two National Champions.
In 2010 UWF opened a new multimillion dollar facility, home of the new School of Science and Engineering including the Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, and Software Engineering programs.
The building includes prototype robot fabrication and testing laboratories, 3-D virtual reality simulators, a state-of-the-art holo deck and a glass wall atrium that helps put science into public view. This construction is based on Project Kaleidoscope, a national initiative funded project by the National Science Foundation
and the Keck Foundation. This collegiate facility is one of the first of its kind.
The building's mascot is a robot named PHLEN (PHenomenally Lifelike Eidetic Nerd) who is deployed to meet guests and give tours of the building's more advanced features.
UWF hosts many opportunities for involvement through student clubs and organizations. Registered student organizations
, administered by the University Commons, include: academic clubs, Greek organizations, professional and honor societies, religious organizations and special interest groups. Additionally, UWF own property on Pensacola Beach. The said property is frequently used by students for research and recreation. Because UWF is situated in a wilderness preserve, students may rent canoes, kayaks, and water-ski on Escambia river at their leisure. UWF’s offers numerous mountain bike trails that are located on campus and may be used by students free of charge. The University of West Florida offers its students a wide variety of recreational activities that are located on campus.
The traditional residence halls are Argo Hall, Martin Hall, and Pace Hall which offer double and triple spaces; the "Southside Villages" offer double and single spaces; student apartments are in University Village Student Apartments-East and University Village Student Apartments-West.
On June 3, 2009 ground was broken in order to build Heritage Hall, a new residence hall at UWF. Heritage Hall will be able to comfortably house around 250 students, and will cost around $12.9 million to build. It will be designed along the lines of a duplex
. The new dormitory will be outfitted with solar panels and, during daylight hours, will be powered exclusively by the sun. Construction is scheduled to be complete in Fall of 2010.
One of the great traditions at UWF is the inter-hall competition known as "Battle of the HallStars" which is held every October. The event features student teams from each of the areas competing in various field sports and spirit competitions, each team wears their hall colors to represent spirit and pride.
. Men's intercollegiate sports include baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis, cross country, and golf. Women's intercollegiate sports include basketball, tennis, cross country, golf, softball, soccer, and volleyball.
The UWF men's baseball team won the 2011 NCAA Division II Baseball Championship.
; it is "a symbol of growth, change and accomplishment."
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. UWF is a member institution of the State University System of Florida
State University System of Florida
The State University System of Florida is a system of eleven public universities in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2011, over 320,000 students were enrolled in Florida's state universities...
. The University of West Florida is a Research University, which specializes in engineering and the humanities. UWF is a space-grant institution that was established in 1963. The University of West Florida sits on the third largest campus in the State University System, 1600 acres (6.5 km²), and its campus is a natural preserve that is bordered by two rivers and Escambia Bay. The University of West Florida is an exceptionally progressive university in terms of technology and environmental policy, as exemplified by their investment in the BEST house and their investments in solar powered student housing. The University of West Florida is known for its small class sizes and its intimate, private school like educational atmosphere, which distinguishes it from the larger universities in the State University System. The university's mascot is an Argonaut
Argonauts
The Argonauts ) were a band of heroes in Greek mythology who, in the years before the Trojan War, accompanied Jason to Colchis in his quest to find the Golden Fleece. Their name comes from their ship, the Argo, which was named after its builder, Argus. "Argonauts", therefore, literally means...
, and the school's logo is the Chambered Nautilus
Nautilus
Nautilus is the common name of marine creatures of cephalopod family Nautilidae, the sole extant family of the superfamily Nautilaceae and of its smaller but near equal suborder, Nautilina. It comprises six living species in two genera, the type of which is the genus Nautilus...
.
History
Escambia County, Florida
Escambia County is the westernmost county in the U.S. state of Florida. The 2010 population was 297,619. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 296,772. Its county seat is Pensacola.- History :...
. 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
Harold Crosby
Harold B. Crosby was the founding president of the University of West Florida and the second president of Florida International University. He received his Bachelors degree from Northwestern University, and his Law Degree from the University of Florida.-External links:***...
. UWF became the sixth state university of the State University System of Florida
State University System of Florida
The State University System of Florida is a system of eleven public universities in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2011, over 320,000 students were enrolled in Florida's state universities...
, which today consists of eleven institutions of higher learning.
Ground was broken on April 16, 1965, and in the same year the Chambered Nautilus
Chambered Nautilus
The Chambered Nautilus, Nautilus pompilius, is the best-known species of nautilus. The shell, when cut away reveals a lining of lustrous nacre and displays a nearly perfect equiangular spiral, although it is not a golden spiral. The shell exhibits countershading, being light on the bottom and dark...
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 dormitories, two university village student apartment complexes and 20 plant support facilities. In 1997, 600 acres (2.4 km²) additional were acquired which brought the Pensacola
Pensacola
Pensacola is a city in the western part of the U.S. state of Florida.Pensacola may also refer to:* Pensacola people, a group of Native Americans* A number of places in the Florida:** Pensacola Bay** Pensacola Regional Airport...
campus to 1600 acres (6.5 km²), the second largest main 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 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, the university undergraduate programs were accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
(SACS) and the first master's degree programs were established.
In July 1979, the university organized in a more traditional structure by establishing three colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business and Education. Following authorization by the Florida Legislature
Florida Legislature
The Florida State Legislature is the term often used to refer to the two houses that act as the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Florida Constitution states that "The legislative power of the state shall be vested in a legislature of the State of Florida," composed of a Senate...
, a lower division was established, and freshmen attended the university for the first time in the fall semester of 1983, boosting enrollment from 5,200 students to 5,920 students.
In July 1988, Computer Science
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
, a department within the College of Business, was identified as the Division of Computer Science
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
as a stand alone and plans were begun to incorporate it into a fourth college, the College of Science and Technology. That decision was later reversed and computer science was moved to the School of Computer Science and Engineering within the College of Arts and Sciences. During the fall term of 1999, the colleges reorganized as the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and the College of Professional Studies.
Campuses
Main campuses
The main campus of 1600 acres (6.5 km²) of rolling hills and natural woodland along the Escambia River is ten miles (16 km) north of downtown Pensacola, FloridaPensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
. Its facilities have been designed to complement the natural forest and waterways. It is the largest library in the Northwest Florida area. In addition to the main library on the main campus north of Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
, there is a branch library in Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Fort Walton Beach is a city in southern Okaloosa County, Florida, United States. As of 2005, the population estimate for Fort Walton Beach was 19,992, and as of 2010, the population estimate for Fort Walton Beach is 19,507 recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau...
. It has 628,000 printed volumes, 1 million microfilms and microfiches, 3,000 serial subscriptions and nearly 2,000 online journal subscriptions.
UWF shares a branch campus in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., with Okaloosa-Walton College, and has several centers and sites where academic programs and/or courses are taught. In addition, the University of West Florida has waterfront property on Santa Rosa Island
Santa Rosa Island, Florida
Santa Rosa Island[p] is a 40-mile barrier island located in the U.S. state of Florida, thirty miles east of the Alabama state border...
that is available for recreational, academic, and research pursuits. The University also operates the NWFSC/UWF Fort Walton Beach Campus, the Eglin Air Force Base
Eglin Air Force Base
Eglin Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately 3 miles southwest of Valparaiso, Florida in Okaloosa County....
Center and the Hurlburt Field
Hurlburt Field
Hurlburt Field is a U.S. Air Force installation located in Okaloosa County, Florida, immediately west of the Town of Mary Esther. It is part of the greater Eglin Air Force Base reservation, and is home to Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command , the 1st Special Operations Wing , the...
Center. As a result, a significant number of UWF students have been military personnel assigned to NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field
Hurlburt Field
Hurlburt Field is a U.S. Air Force installation located in Okaloosa County, Florida, immediately west of the Town of Mary Esther. It is part of the greater Eglin Air Force Base reservation, and is home to Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command , the 1st Special Operations Wing , the...
and Duke Field
Duke Field
Duke Field , also known as Eglin AFB Auxiliary Field #3, is a military airport located three miles south of the central business district of Crestview, in Okaloosa County, Florida, United States-Units:...
. This is particularly true of commissioned officers at these installations pursuing postgraduate degrees outside of their normal duty hours.
Online Campus
UWF also maintains an Online Campus with over 400 online course sections each semester and 28 fully online undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs that are available to students anywhere in the world. Acceptance to any of the fully online degree or certificate programs provides the opportunity to apply for an out-of-state tuition waiver that reduces out-of-state tuition to near that of in-state. The Online Campus provides students with an additional way to access education at UWF whether completing courses far away from the campus or selecting to take an online course to round out a semester.{Director, UWF Online Campus, 2011}Historic Pensacola Village
In 2001, the university acquired West Florida Historic Preservation, IncHistoric Pensacola Village
The Historic Pensacola Village is a collection of 22 historical buildings and museums owned and operated by the University of West Florida. The organization is largely based upon the donation of T.T. Wentworth's large historical collection to the state of Florida, and the establishment of an...
, the previously state-controlled group that manages the Historic Pensacola Village
Historic Pensacola Village
The Historic Pensacola Village is a collection of 22 historical buildings and museums owned and operated by the University of West Florida. The organization is largely based upon the donation of T.T. Wentworth's large historical collection to the state of Florida, and the establishment of an...
. A few years later, John C. Cavanaugh became the fourth president on July 15, 2002. Under his supervision the university has created several classes taught by and/or in conjunction with the staff at Historic Pensacola. The Clara Barkley Dorr House
Clara Barkley Dorr House
The Clara Barkley Dorr House is a historic home in Pensacola, Florida. Built in 1871, it is located at 311 South Adams Street. On July 24, 1974, it was added to the U.S...
was also appropriated as a downtown home for the institute president.
Administration and organization
The University of West Florida is a public institutionPublic university
A public university is a university that is predominantly funded by public means through a national or subnational government, as opposed to private universities. A national university may or may not be considered a public university, depending on regions...
, receiving most of its funding through state funds and tuition
Tuition
Tuition payments, known primarily as tuition in American English and as tuition fees in British English, Canadian English, Australian English, New Zealand English and Indian English, refers to a fee charged for educational instruction during higher education.Tuition payments are charged by...
. A 13-member Board of Trustees governs the University. The undergraduate and graduate programs are divided into three Colleges, with the College of Arts and Sciences
University of West Florida College of Arts and Sciences
The University of West Florida College of Arts and Sciences is the liberal arts college at the University of West Florida. It is the largest of UWF's three colleges.-Organization:*Division of Anthropology and Archaeology...
being the largest and most complex, followed by the College of Professional Studies, and finally the College of Business.
Academics
Accreditation
The University of West Florida is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and Doctor of Education degrees.Many of UWF's programs of study are also accredited by specific organizations, these are:
- Business- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)
- Education- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
- Chemistry- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Clinical Laboratory Sciences- National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
- Engineering Technology- Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET)
- Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science/Athletic Training- Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Education Training (CAATE)
- Music- National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
- Nursing- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Psychology- Masters in Psychology Accreditation Council (MPAC)
- Social Work- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Legal Studies- Florida Bar Association (FBA)
Ranking
UWF made the list in the 2011 edition of America's Top Colleges published by Forbes magazine. UWF stands heads and shoulders above six other Florida public universities on the list of the 650 best undergraduates colleges and universities.It is ranked No. 27 in the Top 100 Best Buy Colleges list, No. 136 in the Best Southern Colleges category and No. 168 in the Best Research Universities category.
The 2011 edition of the US News and World Report currently ranks UWF as a second tier post secondary institution in the National Universities category. In 2007 UWF was ranked 56th best in the category Masters Universities - South. In 2006 The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching changed UWF's classification from Master's University to Doctoral/Research University, in 2011 it was reclassified again as a Research University (high research activity). The University was voted a "Best Southeastern College" by The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review is an American-based standardized test preparation and admissions consulting company. The Princeton Review operates in 41 states and 22 countries across the globe. It offers test preparation for standardized aptitude tests such as the SAT and advice regarding college...
.
The University of West Florida's Logistics team placed 1st in the Operation Stimulus National Logistics Case Competition in Denver on January 24 and 25. UWF's team, consisting of five marketing/management students, won the nationally recognized award for the first time by overcoming teams from nine other large universities. In 2008, the University of West Florida was selected as one of the Top 60 Military-Friendly Colleges & Universities by Military Advanced Education Magazine.
In 2009, UWF received the American Mock Trial Association Award when its mock trial team defeated The University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
, Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
, Georgia Tech, and Emory University
Emory University
Emory University is a private research university in metropolitan Atlanta, located in the Druid Hills section of unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The university was founded as Emory College in 1836 in Oxford, Georgia by a small group of Methodists and was named in honor of...
at the East Coast Regional Tournament.
In 2010, UWF placed first at The Journalism Championship at Southeast Journalism Conference.
In 2011, for the first time in its history, UWF's Baseball team claimed the title of Division Two National Champions.
Student demographics
Currently, UWF enrolls over 12,176 students (Fall 2011 head count) in its three colleges, and has conferred more than 59,000 associate, bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees. 40% of students are male, and 60% are female. 20% of UWF students are a minority, and 1.6% are international students. 89% of students are Florida residents, and 11% of students are non-Florida residents. The University of West Florida and Jikei College Group in Japan established an educational partnership in 1989. An official agreement was signed in January 1990 in Tokyo by Dr. Morris Marx, President of UWF, and Dr. Kunihiko Ukifune, Chairman and CEO of Jikei College Group. The purpose of the partnership was to provide students, both American and Japanese, with opportunities to learn about each other's country. On September 20, 1994, the office was formally named the Jikei-American Center and continues to be located on the main campus of UWF. The collaboration between UWF and Jikei has set the model for international education.School of Science and Engineering
| College of Arts and Science | 5,429 | (51.63%) |
|---|---|---|
| College of Business | 1,563 | (14.86%) |
| College of Professional Studies | 3,524 | (33.51%) |
In 2010 UWF opened a new multimillion dollar facility, home of the new School of Science and Engineering including the Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, and Software Engineering programs.
The building includes prototype robot fabrication and testing laboratories, 3-D virtual reality simulators, a state-of-the-art holo deck and a glass wall atrium that helps put science into public view. This construction is based on Project Kaleidoscope, a national initiative funded project by the National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
and the Keck Foundation. This collegiate facility is one of the first of its kind.
The building's mascot is a robot named PHLEN (PHenomenally Lifelike Eidetic Nerd) who is deployed to meet guests and give tours of the building's more advanced features.
Underwater Archeology
The shipwreck, which was discovered last summer in Pensacola Bay by two university students, is the remains of one of the colonization ships of the Tristan de Luna fleet that sank during a hurricane in 1559. The prehistoric sites at which we have conducted the most extensive investigations are an Early Woodland Stage Deptford shell midden on Pensacola Bay known as Hawkshaw (50 B.C.-A.D. 250) and a Middle Woodland Santa Rosa-Swift Creek shell ring on Escambia Bay (A.D. 400-650). UWF has one of the best underwater archaeology programs in the country because Pensacola has such rich, historically significant archaeological sites right in its own backyard. UWF’s graduate and undergraduate students gain hands-on experience that they simply would not have access to in other programs.Student life
Student society
A student society or student organization is an organization, operated by students at a university, whose membership normally consists only of students. They are often affiliated with a university's students' union...
, administered by the University Commons, include: academic clubs, Greek organizations, professional and honor societies, religious organizations and special interest groups. Additionally, UWF own property on Pensacola Beach. The said property is frequently used by students for research and recreation. Because UWF is situated in a wilderness preserve, students may rent canoes, kayaks, and water-ski on Escambia river at their leisure. UWF’s offers numerous mountain bike trails that are located on campus and may be used by students free of charge. The University of West Florida offers its students a wide variety of recreational activities that are located on campus.
Housing
Over 2,000 students choose to live on campus. UWF offers traditional residence halls, small community residence halls, and University-owned apartment complexes. Single-student housing is also available.The traditional residence halls are Argo Hall, Martin Hall, and Pace Hall which offer double and triple spaces; the "Southside Villages" offer double and single spaces; student apartments are in University Village Student Apartments-East and University Village Student Apartments-West.
On June 3, 2009 ground was broken in order to build Heritage Hall, a new residence hall at UWF. Heritage Hall will be able to comfortably house around 250 students, and will cost around $12.9 million to build. It will be designed along the lines of a duplex
Duplex (building)
The term duplex can be used to describe several different dwelling unit configurations:A duplex house is defined as a dwelling having apartments with separate entrances for two families. This includes two-story houses having a complete apartment on each floor and also side-by-side apartments on a...
. The new dormitory will be outfitted with solar panels and, during daylight hours, will be powered exclusively by the sun. Construction is scheduled to be complete in Fall of 2010.
One of the great traditions at UWF is the inter-hall competition known as "Battle of the HallStars" which is held every October. The event features student teams from each of the areas competing in various field sports and spirit competitions, each team wears their hall colors to represent spirit and pride.
Greek life
The following Greek letter organizations are represented at UWF:| IFC Fraternities | Alpha Tau Omega Alpha Tau Omega Alpha Tau Omega is a secret American leadership and social fraternity.The Fraternity has more than 250 active and inactive chapters, more than 200,000 initiates, and over 7,000 active undergraduate members. The 200,000th member was initiated in early 2009... (AΤΩ) |
Kappa Alpha Order Kappa Alpha Order Kappa Alpha Order is a social fraternity and fraternal order. Kappa Alpha Order has 124 active chapters, 3 provisional chapters, and 2 commissions... (ΚA) |
Sigma Chi Sigma Chi Sigma Chi is the largest and one of the oldest college Greek-letter secret and social fraternities in North America with 244 active chapters and more than . Sigma Chi was founded on June 28, 1855 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio when members split from Delta Kappa Epsilon... (ΣΧ) |
Sigma Alpha Mu Sigma Alpha Mu Sigma Alpha Mu , also known as "Sammy", is a college fraternity founded at the City College of New York in 1909. Originally only for Jewish men, Sigma Alpha Mu remained so until 1953, when members from all backgrounds were accepted. Originally headquartered in New York, Sigma Alpha Mu has... (ΣAM) |
Tau Kappa Epsilon Tau Kappa Epsilon Tau Kappa Epsilon is a college fraternity founded on January 10, 1899 at Illinois Wesleyan University with chapters in the United States, and Canada, and affiliation with a German fraternity system known as the Corps of the Weinheimer Senioren Convent... (TKE) |
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Sigma Alpha Epsilon Sigma Alpha Epsilon is a North American Greek-letter social college fraternity founded at the University of Alabama on March 9, 1856. Of all existing national social fraternities today, Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the only one founded in the Antebellum South... (ΣAE) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPC Sororities | Alpha Gamma Delta Alpha Gamma Delta Alpha Gamma Delta is an international women's fraternity, who are mainly sluts, founded in 1904 at Syracuse University. The Fraternity promotes academic excellence, philanthropic giving, ongoing leadership and personal development, and a spirit of loving sisterhood. Also known as "Alpha Gam" and... (AΓΔ) |
Alpha Delta Pi Alpha Delta Pi Alpha Delta Pi is a fraternity founded on May 15, 1851 at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. The Executive office for this sorority is located on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia. Alpha Delta Pi is one of the two "Macon Magnolias," a term used to celebrate the bonds it shares with Phi Mu... (AΔΠ) |
Alpha Chi Omega Alpha Chi Omega Alpha Chi Omega is a women's fraternity founded on October 15, 1885. Currently, there are 135 chapters of Alpha Chi Omega at colleges and universities across the United States and more than 200,000 lifetime members... (AΧΩ) |
Phi Sigma Sigma Phi Sigma Sigma Phi Sigma Sigma , colloquially known as "Phi Sig," was the first collegiate nonsectarian fraternity, welcoming women of all faiths and backgrounds... (ΦΣΣ) |
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| NPHC Greek Life | Alpha Kappa Alpha Alpha Kappa Alpha Alpha Kappa Alpha is the first Greek-lettered sorority established and incorporated by African American college women. The sorority was founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by a group of nine students, led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle... (AKA) |
Zeta Phi Beta Zeta Phi Beta Zeta Phi Beta is an international, historically black Greek-lettered sorority and a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council.Zeta Phi Beta is organized into 800+ chapters, in eight intercontinental regions including the USA, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean... (ZΦB) |
Delta Sigma Theta Delta Sigma Theta Delta Sigma Theta is a non-profit Greek-lettered sorority of college-educated women who perform public service and place emphasis on the African American community. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University... (ΔΣθ) |
Phi Beta Sigma Phi Beta Sigma Phi Beta Sigma is a predominantly African-American fraternity which was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on January 9, 1914, by three young African-American male students. The founders A. Langston Taylor, Leonard F. Morse, and Charles I... (ФВΣ) |
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| Local Organizations | Zeta Psi Eta (ΖΨΗ) | |||||
| Multicultural Organizations | Delta Phi Lambda (ΔΦΛ) | |||||
| Professional Fraternity Association | Delta Sigma Pi (ΔΣΠ) | Delta Omicron Delta Omicron Delta Omicron is a co-ed international professional music honors fraternity whose mission is to promote and support excellence in music and musicianship.-History:... (ΔΟ) |
Student Media
UWF's independent student operated weekly newspaper, The Voyager, has been publishing since 1968.Public Media
WUWF 88.1 FM is a 100,000 watt, professionally operated listener supported station affiliated with NPR, PRI and FPBS. WUWF-2 (HD) broadcasts classical music 24 hours per day. WUWF-3 (HD) broadcasts the SightLine Service for the visually impaired and offers both local and national programming 24 hours per day. WUWF-TV broadcasts on Cox Cable Channel 4 in Escambia County, FL and online at wuwf.org and wuwf.tv. WUWF-FM, WUWF-2, WUWF-3, WUWF-TV, wuwf.org, wuwf.tv and radiolive.org are operated by WUWF Public Media with broadcast licenses held by the Board of Trustees of the University of West Florida.Transportation
UWF offers a trolley service and public bicycles around campus known as "Yellow Bikes". There is parking for all visitors, students, and employees. Freshmen are allowed to park on campus. Also, students may use the Escambia County Area transit Bus System at a discount rate.Athletics
UWF intercollegiate athletics compete in the NCAA Division II Gulf South ConferenceGulf South Conference
The Gulf South Conference is a College Athletic Conference which operates in the southeastern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division II.-History:...
. Men's intercollegiate sports include baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis, cross country, and golf. Women's intercollegiate sports include basketball, tennis, cross country, golf, softball, soccer, and volleyball.
The UWF men's baseball team won the 2011 NCAA Division II Baseball Championship.
Alma Mater
Chambered Nautilus
Dr. 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 HolmesOliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. was an American physician, professor, lecturer, and author. Regarded by his peers as one of the best writers of the 19th century, he is considered a member of the Fireside Poets. His most famous prose works are the "Breakfast-Table" series, which began with The Autocrat...
; it is "a symbol of growth, change and accomplishment."