University of West Florida

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University of West Florida
Established:	1963
Type:	Public Space grant
Endowment:	$61 Million[1]
President:	Dr. Judith A. Bense
Faculty:	374
Students:	10,516[2]
Undergraduates:	9,121[3]
Postgraduates:	1,395[4]
Location:	Pensacola, Florida, Florida, United States
Campus:	1,600 acres (6.5 km²)
Athletics:	NCAA Division II
Colors:	Blue and Green
Nickname:	UWF, West Florida
Mascot:	Argie the Argonaut[5]
Affiliations:	AACSB, SACS, SUSF, GSC
Website:	http://www.uwf.edu

The University of West Florida (also known as West Florida and UWF) is a mid-sized public university located in Pensacola, Florida, United States of America. The mascot is an Argonaut, and the school's logo is the chambered nautilus.

Contents 1 Timeline 2 Quick Facts 3 Academics 3.1 Accreditation 3.2 Organization 3.3 Ranking 3.4 Student demographics 3.5 School of Science and Engineering 4 Property 4.1 Campuses 4.2 Historic Pensacola Village 5 Student Life 5.1 Student Media 5.2 Transportation 5.3 Greek Life 6 Student Housing 7 Athletics 8 School Songs 9 Notable Alumni and Faculty 10 Image gallery 11 References 12 External links

[edit] Timeline

• In 1955, 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 1,600 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.

[edit] Quick Facts

As of 2008:

• Student population, 10,380
• Representing 50 states and 92 countries
• 60% women, 40% men
• 23% of students are minority
• 1,456 students live on campus
• 68% of UWF students receive some financial assistance
• Active student organizations include, academic, recreation, Greek and special interest
• 332 distinguished faculty members
• 83.7% of faculty have the highest degree granted
• Student to faculty ratio - 20 to 1
• Average class enrollment for freshman lecture courses: 34.1
• Average class enrollment for upper-level lecture courses: 23.1

[edit] Academics

[edit] 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)

[edit] 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.^[6] The undergraduate and graduate programs are divided into three Colleges, with the College of Arts and Sciences being the largest and most complex.

[edit] Ranking

• The 2009 edition of the US News and World Report currently (also in 2008) ranks UWF as a fourth 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. ^[7]

• The University was voted a "Best Southeastern College" by The Princeton Review.^[8]

• The University of West Florida's Logistics team placed 1st in the Operation Stimulus National Logistics Case Competition in Denver on January 24th and 25th. 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.^[9]

• In 2008, the University of West Florida was selected as one of the Top 60 Military-Friendly Colleges & Universities by Military Advanced Education Magazine..^[10]

• 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.^[11]

[edit] Student demographics

Currently, UWF enrolls nearly 10,400 students (2007/2008 AY head count) in its three colleges, and has conferred more than 59,000 associate, bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees.^[12] 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.

[edit] School of Science and Engineering

Enrollment Breakdown By College 2008^[13]

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 2009 UWF will have a new multimillion dollar facility. This facility will become home of the new School of Science and Engineering. Some of the programs within the SSE will be: Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, and Software Engineering.

The building will include prototype robot fabrication and testing laboratories, 3-D virtual reality simulator, and a glass wall atrium that will help 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 will be one of the first of its kind. ^[14]

[edit] Property

[edit] Campuses

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, Florida. Its facilities have been designed to complement the natural forest and waterways. On the main campus can be found the John C. Pace Library. 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.^[15] It is the only University Library in the United States, serving a population of over 10,000 students, that closes its doors at 10:00pm. 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 operates the OWC/UWF Fort Walton Beach Campus, the Eglin Air Force Base Center and Hurlburt Field.

UWF also maintains an Online Campus with 25 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 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.

[edit] Historic Pensacola Village

In 2001, the university acquired West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc, 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.^[16]

[edit] Student Life

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.

[edit] Student Media

UWF has a student paper called The Voyager, a TV station, and a radio station WUWF 88.1 FM.

[edit] Transportation

UWF offers a trolley service and public bicycles around campus known as "Yellow Bikes." There is parking for all visitors, students, and employees. Freshman are allowed to park on campus.

[edit] Greek Life

Greek Organizations on Campus

NIC Fraternities[17]	Alpha Tau Omega (AΤΩ)	Kappa Alpha Order (ΚA)	Sigma Chi (ΣΧ)	Sigma Alpha Mu (ΣAM)	Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE)	Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣAE)
NPC Sororities[18]	Alpha Gamma Delta (AΓΔ)	Alpha Delta Pi (AΔΠ)	Alpha Chi Omega (AΧΩ)	Phi Sigma Sigma (ΦΣΣ)
NPHC Greek Life[19]	Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA)	Zeta Phi Beta (ZΦB)	Delta Sigma Theta (ΔΣθ)	Phi Beta Sigma (ФВΣ)
Local Organizations	Zeta Psi Eta (ΖΨΗ)

[edit] Student Housing

Nearly 1,500 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.^[20]

Traditional residence halls:

• Argo Hall
• Martin Hall
• Pace Hall

Single-student housing:

• Southside Villages

Two-student housing:

• Southside Villages

Student apartments:

• University Village Student Apartments-East
• University Village Student Apartments-West

On June 3rd, 2009 ground was broken in order to build a new residence hall at UWF. The residence hall will have the capability to comfortably house 250 students, and will cost around 12.9 million dollars to build. It will be designed much similar to 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.^[21]

[edit] Athletics

UWF intercollegiate athletics compete in the NCAA Division II Gulf South Conference.

Men's intercollegiate sports: Baseball, Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, Cross country, and Golf.

Women's intercollegiate sports: Basketball, Tennis, Cross country, Golf, Softball, Soccer, and Volleyball.

[edit] School Songs

• Alma Mater:

Where learning's light sends forth its beam
Through darkness of our youth,
There you, West Florida, home of dreams
Prepare the way of truth.
You guide us toward tomorrow's shore
With knowledge of our past;
Your power in us rests secure,
And evermore will last.
Your stately mansions were our home
Where minds and hearts are free
And though we may far from you roam,
We will always honor thee.

• The Chambered Nautilus:

Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul,
As the swift seasons roll!
Leave thy low-vaulted past!
Let each new temple, nobler than the last,
Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast,
Till thou at length art free,
Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unresting sea!

The Chambered Nautilus is a poem selected by UWF founding president Crosby. It is the reason for the school emblem, which is the Nautilus shell.

Dr. Harold Crosby, the university’s first president, selected the chambered nautilus to represent UWF because he was inspired by the poem The Chambered Nautilusby Oliver Wendell Holmes; it is "a symbol of growth, change and accomplishment."^[22]

[edit] Notable Alumni and Faculty

Many notable politicians, business professionals, professional athletes, high ranking military officials, and other notable individuals are graduates of the University of West Florida.

[edit] Image gallery

Examples of UWF Historic Properties include:

Julee Cottage, 1805	Tivoli House, 1805	Clara Barkley Dorr House, 1871, residence of UWF president	Lear Rocheblave House, 1890
Old Christ Church, 1763	T. T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum	Museum of Commerce	Museum of Industry

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Student Wiki with advice for students, by students
• Official website
• UWF student newspaper, The Voyager
• UWF athletics website
• Gulf South Conference
• National Collegiate Athletic Association

v • d • e University of West Florida Academics College of Arts and Sciences • College of Business • College of Professional Studies • School of Science and Engineering Athletics West Florida Argonauts People Notable Alumni and Faculty Student Life WUWF FM • The Voyager Affiliations National Collegiate Athletic Association • Gulf South Conference • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools • Space-Grant Universities

v • d • e Gulf South Conference Western Division: Arkansas Monticello • Arkansas Tech • Christian Brothers • Delta State • Harding • Henderson State • Ouachita Baptist • Southern Arkansas Eastern Division: Alabama Huntsville • Montevallo • North Alabama • Valdosta State • West Alabama • West Florida • West Georgia

v • d • e The State University System of Florida Campuses Florida A&M University • Florida Atlantic University • Florida Gulf Coast University • Florida International University • Florida State University • New College of Florida • University of Central Florida • University of Florida • University of North Florida • University of South Florida • University of West Florida Chancellors Culpepper • Mautz • York • Newell • Reed • Herbert • Hample • Austin • Rosenberg • Delaney Governing body Florida Board of Control • Florida Board of Regents • Florida Board of Governors Other University Press of Florida • Florida Institute of Oceanography • List of State University System Libraries • Bright Futures Scholarship Program • Florida Student Association • Advisory Council of Faculty Senates State University System of Florida - Founded in 1905

Coordinates: 30°32′58″N 87°13′05″W / 30.549493°N 87.21812°W / 30.549493; -87.21812