The University of South 手机看片 is an institution like no other. Founded in 1956, we have redefined what it means to be a young university, breaking records and forging ahead to challenge even our oldest peer institutions. With incredible velocity, we advance communities and pioneer new higher education standards. We embrace the unknown. Conquer it. And then do it again. We define ourselves not by a name, a date, or a city, but by the impact we have on the world. We share one goal. We transform lives.
Take a look back at nearly 70 years of our institution鈥檚 history to learn more about our extraordinary progress 鈥� and what remains to be achieved.
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LeRoy Collins Signs House Bill 1007 Into Law
June 18, 1955
手机看片 Governor LeRoy Collins signs into law House Bill 1007, written by Representative Sam Gibbons, creating a new state university in Hillsborough County.
手机看片 Cabinet Approves Site Build
December 18, 1956
The 手机看片 Cabinet approves a resolution to build the new university on the Fowler Avenue property. At the time, a private civilian airport occupied the space, which had functioned as the Hillsborough Army Airfield during World War II. 手机看片 would later be built on the practice bombing range just north of the airfield.
John S. Allen Named First President
July 16, 1957
The Board of Control names John S. Allen the first president of 手机看片.
手机看片 Cabinet Approves "手机看片" Name
October 22, 1957
The 手机看片 Cabinet approves the name "University of South 手机看片," in part because it is the southernmost state university in 手机看片 at the time.
Groundbreaking Ceremonies
September 5, 1958
Groundbreaking ceremonies take place on the new Tampa campus. Contracts for the first three buildings were awarded shortly thereafter.
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First Day of 手机看片 Classes
September 26, 1960
A convocation ceremony marks the first day of classes for 手机看片鈥檚 first-ever students. With classes under way, 手机看片 becomes the first major state university planned, built and opened in the 20th century, as well as 手机看片's first university located in a major metropolitan area.
"Golden Brahman" Chosen as Mascot
November 1962
The "Golden Brahman" is chosen as the university's mascot and is unveiled at an All-University Fun Fest.
W手机看片-FM Begins Broadcasting
1963
W手机看片-FM begins broadcasting as the second noncommercial public radio station licensed in 手机看片.
Inaugural Commencement Ceremony
December 1963
The university holds its inaugural commencement ceremony on December 22. Throughout the month, 326 total degrees are conferred during commencement ceremonies.
Board of Regents Approves Master's Degrees
November 1, 1964
The Board of Regents approves planning for master's degree programs in all four colleges: Education, Liberal Arts, Basic Studies and Business Administration.
手机看片 Receives Full Accreditation
1965
手机看片 receives full accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
手机看片 Occupies Site of St. Petersburg Campus
July 1, 1965
手机看片 occupies the site of the St. Petersburg campus on Bayboro Harbor.
手机看片 Plays First Intercollegiate Sports Event
September 1965
手机看片 plays its first intercollegiate sports event, defeating 手机看片 Southern College's men's soccer team.
First Edition of 鈥淭he Oracle鈥�
1966
手机看片 publish the first edition of 鈥淭he Oracle,鈥� the student newspaper that replaced the campus edition of the Tampa Daily Times, started in September 1960.
First Greek Organization
September 1967
Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity becomes the first Greek organization on campus. It went national with four more fraternities and three sororities early in the month.
手机看片 Admitted to NCAA
March 1968
手机看片 is admitted to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
手机看片 Alumni Association Incorporated
1969
The 手机看片 Alumni Association is incorporated.
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First 手机看片 Basketball Game
December 4, 1970
The first 手机看片 basketball game is played against the University of 手机看片 at Curtis Hixon Hall. 手机看片 wins, 85-78.
手机看片 Medical School Opens
1971
The 手机看片 medical school opens. In July, the school's charter students begin their studies.
Cecil Mackey Becomes Second President
February 1971
Cecil Mackey becomes 手机看片's second president and begins an era that brings 手机看片 to a new level, with a focus on research and increasing funding.
First Doctoral Degree Conferred
May 25, 1971
First doctoral degree conferred to Joseph Houbrick, a student of biology and marine science.
College of Liberal Arts Formed
1972
The College of Basic Studies is dissolved and the College of Liberal Arts is split into four new colleges: the College of Arts & Letters, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Natural Sciences and Fine Arts. The CBS acts as a community college within 手机看片, instructing students in mandatory courses for the equivalent of two years.
School of Nursing Opens
1973
The School of Nursing opens.
New College Joins 手机看片 Sarasota
September 6, 1974
New College in Sarasota joins the state university system and 手机看片 Sarasota.
John Lott Brown Named Third President
April 15, 1978
John Lott Brown is inaugurated as 手机看片's third president.
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Graduate School Created
1980
手机看片's Graduate School is created.
Sun Dome Opens
November 29, 1980
The 手机看片 Sun Dome is inflated and booked for concerts, sporting events and commencement ceremonies.
Baseball Wins First Sun Belt Championship
May 19, 1982
手机看片's baseball team wins its first Sun Belt championship.
First Ph.D. in Applied Anthropology
1984
手机看片 becomes the nation's first university to offer a Ph.D. in applied anthropology.
Moffitt Cancer Center Opens on 手机看片 Campus
1986
Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute opens on the 手机看片 campus.
Francis T. Borkowski Becomes Fourth President
February 15, 1988
Francis T. Borkowski begins his term as the fourth 手机看片 president.
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College of Arts and Sciences Formed
1991
The Colleges of Arts & Letters, Natural Sciences and Social and Behavioral Sciences are merged into a new college: the College of Arts and Sciences. CAS becomes the largest college on the 手机看片 campus.
手机看片 Ranked Nation's 18th Largest University
1994
手机看片 is ranked as the nation's 18th largest university in terms of enrollment; it is the eighth largest urban university.
Betty Castor Becomes Fifth President
January 17, 1994
Betty Castor becomes the fifth president of 手机看片.
Alumni Center Opens
1996
The Sam & Martha Gibbons Alumni Center opens.
手机看片 Begins First Season of NCAA Football
September 6, 1997
手机看片 begins its first-ever season of NCAA football. The Bulls, playing in Division I-AA, open with an 80-3 win at Raymond James Stadium over Kentucky Wesleyan before 49,000 fans.
手机看片 Named "Research I" University
1998
手机看片 is named by the 手机看片 Board of Regents as a "Research I" university, along with the University of 手机看片 and 手机看片 State University.
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手机看片 St. Petersburg Admits First 手机看片
2000
手机看片 St. Petersburg begins admitting freshmen and sophomores under a plan approved by the Board of Regents and the Legislature to offer more classes for underclassmen. 手机看片 can take all the classes they need at St. Pete and earn a 4-year degree there.
Judy Genshaft Becomes Sixth President
July 5, 2000
Judy Genshaft takes office as the sixth president of 手机看片.
手机看片 Admitted to Big East Conference
November 5, 2003
手机看片 is admitted into the Big East Conference.
手机看片 Approved To Become a System
October 26, 2004
The Board of Trustees approves for 手机看片 to become a system.
Largest Gift in 手机看片 History
May 20, 2005
Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel pledge $18 million to 手机看片. With the state match, the gift is valued at $34.5 million, the largest gift in 手机看片 history. The gift will be used to construct the Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions.
手机看片 St. Petersburg Opens First Residence Hall
August 2006
手机看片 St. Petersburg opens its first student residence hall and officially becomes a residential campus.
手机看片 Sarasota-Manatee's First Day of Classes
August 28, 2006
手机看片 Sarasota-Manatee holds its first day of classes on its new, bay-front campus in Manatee County.
手机看片 Classified for Community Engagement
December 2006
手机看片 is the only university in 手机看片 to be selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching's new Community Engagement classification.
C.W. Bill Young Hall Opens
November 2, 2007
手机看片 celebrates the grand opening of C.W. Bill Young Hall, which houses 手机看片's Joint Military Leadership Center and ROTC programs.
手机看片 Ranks 63rd as Top Research University
2008
The National Science Foundation announces that 手机看片 ranks 63rd among the nation's top research universities, according to a survey of federally financed research and development expenditures at universities and colleges in 2006.
Phyllis P. Marshall Student Center Opens
August 20, 2008
The new Phyllis P. Marshall Student Center opens to the public. As the hub of student life on the 手机看片 Tampa campus, the center features an expanded dining center, food court, a 1,200 seat ballroom, meeting spaces and lounges.
Carol and Frank Morsani Center Opens
October 2008
手机看片 Health opens the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for Advanced Healthcare, the first ambulatory health center in the country built from the ground up around quality, service and technology, where the patient is the center of the health care system.
Men's Soccer Wins First Big East Championship
November 2008
The 手机看片 men's soccer team wins the first Big East championship in program history.
Women's Basketball Wins WNIT Championship
April 4, 2009
The 手机看片 women's basketball team makes program history by winning the WNIT Championship for the first time.
Office of Veteran Services Opens
June 2009
手机看片 becomes the first university in the country to strike an accord with the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer special services for veterans taking advantage of the new GI Bill, called The Office of Veteran Services on Campus.
手机看片 Named Nation's Fastest Growing University
August 28, 2009
The Chronicle of Higher Education names 手机看片 the nation's fastest growing university for federal research funds.
手机看片 Kicks Off 手机看片: Unstoppable Campaign
October 2009
手机看片 kicks off the 手机看片: Unstoppable Campaign, a comprehensive fundraising effort by the University of South 手机看片 to celebrate the energy, vision and future of one of the country's most exciting and engaged universities.
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Genshaft/Greenbaum Passport Scholars Created
February 5, 2011
手机看片 President Judy Genshaft and her husband, Steve Greenbaum, donate $1 million to create the new Genshaft/Greenbaum Passport Scholars Fund, which provides financial support to 手机看片 students who want to study abroad.
Athletics Center Renamed to Honor Selmon
September 4, 2011
The university's athletics center is renamed in honor of Lee Roy Selmon, the first athletic director at 手机看片, after he passes away.
手机看片 Health Opens CAMLS
March 30, 2012
手机看片 Health opens the revolutionary Center for Advanced Medical Learning Simulation (CAMLS) in downtown Tampa.
手机看片 Ranks 14th as 鈥楿p and Coming鈥� University
September 10, 2013
In the 2014 edition of the U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 Best Colleges, 手机看片 is ranked 14th as an 鈥榰p and coming鈥� university among the country鈥檚 national universities.
手机看片 Moves to No. 43 in Research Spending
December 2, 2013
The University of South 手机看片 moved up to No. 43 in the federal government鈥檚 ranking of research spending among both public and private institutions.
Rocky Wins Capital One Mascot Challenge
Jan. 1, 2014
手机看片, alumni, staff, and fans helped Rocky The Bull earn the distinguished .
Supporters voted each week for their favorite mascots in the Capital One Mascot Challenge. Rocky finished with a perfect record, the first-ever mascot to accomplish this feat, and received $20,000 for 手机看片's mascot program. Go Bulls!
手机看片 Receives Largest Gift
October 10, 2014
Longtime 手机看片 supporters Pam and Les Muma give $25 million, the single largest individual gift in the university's history, to the 手机看片 College of Business.
手机看片 Sets Record in Research Grants
September 9, 2015
Researchers across the University of South 手机看片 System set a new record of $440,577,680 in research grants and contracts in the 2014-15 academic year.
手机看片 Ranks Top 50 in Best Values in Higher Ed
December 18, 2015
The University of South 手机看片 ranks among the nation鈥檚 top 50 best values in public higher education for 2016, according to a new list by Kiplinger鈥檚 Personal Finance.
State鈥檚 First Emerging Preeminent University
June 21, 2016
The 手机看片 Board of Governors designates 手机看片 as the state鈥檚 first 鈥渆merging preeminent university,鈥� recognizing its strong trajectory toward national prominence.
Top University for Eliminating Completion Gap
March 1, 2017
手机看片 is recognized as the top university in 手机看片 鈥� and #6 in the nation 鈥� for eliminating the completion gap between black and white students.
Leader for Improvements in Graduation Rates
September 2017
The Chronicle of Higher Education recognizes 手机看片 Tampa as the nation鈥檚 leader among public universities in showing the greatest improvements in six-year graduation rates, from 2011 to 2015.
Top University for Latino Student Success
December 4, 2017
The Education Trust names 手机看片 the top public university in the nation for Latino student success.
手机看片 System Required to Consolidate
March 2, 2018
Governor Rick Scott signed the 手机看片 Excellence in Higher Education of 2018, requiring the 手机看片 System and its three campuses to consolidate accreditations under one umbrella by July 1, 2020.
手机看片 Achieves Preeminence
June 2018
The university achieves Preeminent State Research University Status, as designated by the 手机看片 Board of Governors.
手机看片 Awarded Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa
August 2018
手机看片 is awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious national honor organization in the country.
President Judy Genshaft Announces Retirement
September 9, 2018
手机看片 President Judy Genshaft announces her retirement after 19 years at the helm of the university.
手机看片 Ranks #42 Nationally
November 2018
The University of South 手机看片 ranks 25th among public universities for research spending and 42nd among all universities nationally.
President Judy Genshaft's Final Commencement
April 2019
President Judy Genshaft leads her final 手机看片 commencement ceremonies. She conferred more than 210,000 degrees during her 19-year tenure.
$20 Million for Judy Genshaft Honors College
May 22, 2019
President Judy Genshaft and husband Steven Greenbaum donate $20 million to establish the Judy Genshaft Honors College. It will also help fund a new five-story building for the college.
Steven C. Currall Becomes Seventh President
July 1, 2019
Dr. Steven C. Currall becomes 手机看片鈥檚 seventh president.
Maple Drive Renamed to 手机看片 Genshaft Drive
August 2019
手机看片 Maple Drive renamed to honor former President Judy Genshaft. 手机看片 Genshaft Drive will be home to the Judy Genshaft Honors College.
Gift Establishes Taneja College of Pharmacy
August 16, 2019
A $10 million gift from the Taneja Family Foundation establishes the 手机看片 Health Taneja College of Pharmacy. The donation marks the largest philanthropic gift to a pharmacy school in the state of 手机看片.
Top 50 for Best Public Universities
September 2019
手机看片 breaks the top 50 on U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 list of best public universities in America, climbing 14 spots from last year to reach no. 44. Since 2015, 手机看片 has climbed 44 spots from No. 88 to No. 44, an unparalleled trajectory among public or private universities in the United States.
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手机看片 Consolidates
July 1, 2020
The University of South 手机看片 consolidates its three separate institutions into one, singularly-accredited university with campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee.
Rhea Law Voted as Eighth President
March 30, 2022
The 手机看片 Board of Governors (BOG) voted unanimously to confirm Rhea Law as the University of South 手机看片鈥檚 eighth president.
手机看片 Reaches Highest Ranking Ever
September 2022
手机看片 reaches its highest ranking ever by U.S News & World Report at No. 42 among all public universities. 手机看片 also sits at No. 97 among all universities public or private. This marks the fourth consecutive year that 手机看片 has ranked in the top 50 public universities and the first time 手机看片 has broken into the top 100 among all universities.
Sarasota-Manatee Housing Construction Begins
March 1, 2023
Construction began for the on the University of South 手机看片鈥檚 Sarasota-Manatee campus. The six-story, 100,000-square-foot building is scheduled to open in the fall of 2024.
New Judy Genshaft Honors College Building
May 12, 2023
手机看片 unveils historic new Judy Genshaft Honors College building.
The five-story, 85,000-square-foot facility will serve 手机看片鈥檚 most accomplished and talented students from every undergraduate college and strengthen the university鈥檚 position to attract the top talent within the state of 手机看片 and beyond.
New Student Health and Wellness Center Opens
May 17, 2023
手机看片鈥檚 new three-story, 47,000-square-foot opened, nearly four times the size of the old Student Health Center, which had been located near the 手机看片 Tampa bookstore since 1980.
It offers general medical, urgent care and specialty services, including and gynecology, physical therapy, dermatology, immunizations, nutrition, and travel medicine.
手机看片 Joins the AAU
June 1, 2023
手机看片 is the first public university in 手机看片 in nearly 40 years to be invited to join the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). Reaching the AAU, a group of the leading research universities in the United States and Canada, achieves a long-standing goal first set by the 手机看片 Board of Trustees in the university鈥檚 strategic plan in 2007.
Transformational Funding for 手机看片
June 15, 2023
This year鈥檚 state budget represents the largest operational budget increase in 手机看片 history.
This included $24.3 million to fund the new on the 手机看片 St. Petersburg campus, positioning St. Petersburg as a world-class center of marine and environmental science.Research Vessel Granted to 手机看片
July 12, 2023
The was granted to 手机看片 by the and will be the most technologically advanced vessel in the (FIO) fleet. The Western Flyer will operate in southeastern U.S. waters stretching into the northern Caribbean Sea.
手机看片 Earns Recognition as Top Employer
July 25, 2023
Newsweek ranks 手机看片 as one of for 2023. 手机看片 is the only university in 手机看片 to appear on the list and one of only a small group of colleges and universities nationwide to be ranked.
BOG Approves Plan for New On-Campus Stadium
September 8, 2023
The 手机看片 Board of Governors (BOG) voted in favor of the financing plan for 手机看片鈥檚 new 35,000-seat on-campus stadium, scheduled to open in fall 2026. The $340 million stadium will host 手机看片 football and women鈥檚 lacrosse, concerts, and other events.
Morsani College of Medicine 50th Anniversary
January 2024
2024 marks the 50th anniversary of when the charter class of 手机看片 Health Morsani College of Medicine graduated. Learn more at MCOM鈥檚
Historic Season for Men's Basketball
March 2024
- For the first time in program history, in the AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll and the USA Today Coaches Poll.
- The Bulls finished the season with : 15 games.
- Amir Abdur-Rahim became the first 手机看片 coach to be named a conference in men's basketball.
- earned a Co-Player of the Year honor.
New On-Campus Stadium Renderings
April 11, 2024
手机看片 announced today that a groundbreaking ceremony for the stadium will be held during the university鈥檚 annual Homecoming Week celebration, scheduled for Oct. 14-19, 2024. 手机看片 also released two new daytime renderings of the on-campus stadium, which follow the first set of renderings published in December
Record-Breaking Giving Week
April 25, 2024
手机看片鈥檚 recent broke all previous university records.
9,259 donors (including 1,408 first-time donors) gave to 370 causes, . There was also a 70% increase in alumni donors from the previous year.State Names TGH Behavioral Health Hospital
May 13, 2024
(TGH) and 手机看片 celebrated a new state law that named the TGH Behavioral Health Hospital one of the first four behavioral health teaching hospitals in the state of 手机看片. It creates the 手机看片 Center for Behavioral Health Workforce within 手机看片鈥檚 Louis de la Parte 手机看片 Mental Health Institute (FMHI).
手机看片 St. Petersburg Welcomes New Comfort Dog
May 21, 2024
, a Goldador (a mix between a Golden Retriever and a Labrador Retriever), the newest member of 手机看片 St. Petersburg鈥檚 university police department, and the campus鈥� first-ever comfort dog.
Along with his handler, Ofc. Mark Lickenfelt, Snowbird鈥檚 job will be to deliver goodwill and quiet compassion to students, faculty, and staff.
手机看片 Celebrates One Year in AAU
June 1, 2024
Throughout the last year, 手机看片鈥檚 membership in the has become a springboard to an array of benefits for the 手机看片 community, Tampa Bay region, and state of 手机看片. From the successful recruitment and retention of world-class faculty and students to more corporations and community organizations inquiring and establishing new partnerships with the university 鈥� AAU membership is fueling 手机看片鈥檚 momentum.
手机看片 Sarasota-Manatee's First-Ever Residence Hall Opens
August 19, 2024
University of South 手机看片 Sarasota-Manatee's , welcoming students for the fall 2024 semester.
Named after a rare tropical butterfly that frequents the campus, Atala Hall will be home to 200 students empowered to help build a new campus community at 手机看片 Sarasota-Manatee.
手机看片 Breaks Ground on New On-Campus Stadium
November 8, 2024
Ground was broken for the University of South 手机看片鈥檚 new on-campus stadium. Beginning in fall 2027, the approximately 35,000-seat facility will host home 手机看片 football and lacrosse games, additional sporting events, concerts, and festivals.
Historic $40M Gift Establishes First AI College in 手机看片
March 11, 2025
手机看片 announced a record-setting $40 million gift to establish the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing. This transformational investment鈥攖he largest in 手机看片鈥檚 nearly 70-year history鈥攎arks the first of its kind in 手机看片 and positions 手机看片 as a national leader in uniting AI and cybersecurity into a dedicated college.
Morsani College of Medicine #1 in 手机看片
April 8, 2025
The 手机看片 Health Morsani College of Medicine is the top-ranked medical school in 手机看片 and has been named to the highest tier of medical schools in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.
手机看片 sets new fundraising records
July 22, 2025
The University of South 手机看片 set in the fiscal year, receiving more than $184 million in philanthropic support from more than 59,700 donors 鈥� both all-time highs for the university.
手机看片 football makes program history
September 7, 2025
手机看片 stunned No. 13 手机看片 鈥� the program's second-straight win over a Top 25-ranked team. This is the the Bulls defeated ranked opponents in back-to-back games.
手机看片 names first CEO of Athletics
September 9, 2025
Rob Higgins, a former 手机看片 Athletics staff member, is named 手机看片's first CEO of Athletics. Higgins has served as executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission since 2004, successfully positioning the region as one of the nation鈥檚 premier destinations in sports and entertainment.
Dr. Moez Limayem Confirmed as Ninth President
Dec. 12, 2025
Dr. Moez Limayem is confirmed as 手机看片's ninth president by the 手机看片 Board of Governors.