history

The University of South Florida was founded in 1956 as the first public university established specifically to address the needs of Florida's rapidly emerging urban regions. State Rep. Sam Gibbons championed USF's creation, and John S. Allen, USF's first president, helped Gov. Leroy Collins break ground in September 1957.

On September 26, 1960, nearly 2,000 students began classes in five buildings. USF was on its way. The university chose two words to guide its path: "Truth" and "Wisdom."

USF developed rapidly. In 1965, the St. Petersburg campus opened, and USF was accredited, gaining additional academic respect. In 1967, enrollment passed 10,000. In 1968, USF was admitted to the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

In the 1970s, the College of Medicine was established, a strong academic program in Sarasota/Manatee was developed, and enrollment passed the 20,000 mark.

During the 1980s, the graduate school was established, the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute opened, the USF Polytechnic campus opened, and enrollment passed 30,000.

The 1990s brought widespread recognition of USF as a major research university when research funding passed $100 million. USF was recruiting superb scientists, creative artists, and cutting-edge scholars in everything from social sciences to literature.

For more information about the history of the University of South Florida, order your copy of The University of South Florida: The First 50 Years.

For more information on USF history and traditions, click here.