University of West Florida

Infobox University
name = University of West Florida


established=1963
type = Public, Space grant| president=Dr. Judith A. Bense
city=Pensacola
state=Florida
country=United States
undergrad= 8,325
postgrad= 1,399
other= 670
students= 10,394
faculty=374
endowment=$64 Million
campus=1,600 acres (6.47 km²)
free_label = Athletics
free = 14 Sports, (NCAA Division II)
nickname= UWF, West Florida
mascot=Argonauts
colors=Blue and Green color box|Bluecolor box|Green
website=http://www.uwf.edu

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

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 additional acres were acquired which brought the Pensacola campus to convert|1600|acre|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 was later incorporated into a fourth college, the College of Science and Technology. 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.

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

Academics

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. [cite web|url=http://www.uwf.edu/trustees/|title=UWF Board of Trustees|accessdate=2007-07-15] The undergraduate and graduate programs are divided into three Colleges, with the College of Arts and Sciences being the largest and most complex.

Ranking

The 2009 edition of the US News and World Report currently (also in 2008) ranks UWF as a fourth tier postsecondary 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. [cite web|url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/t4natudoc_brief.php|title=U.S. News and World Report: National Universities: Tier 4 (2008)|accessdate=2007-11-07]

The university was voted a "Best Southeastern College" by The Princeton Review. [cite web|url=http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/regional/regional_results.asp?state=FL&region=SE|title=Best Southeastern Colleges by the Princeton Review|accessdate=2007-07-15]

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 universities. [http://media.www.thevoyager.net/media/storage/paper977/news/2008/02/14/News/Logistics.Takes.First.Place-3210775.shtml]

tudent demographics

Currently, UWF enrolls roughly 10,500 students (2007 head count) in its three colleges, and has conferred more than 59,000 associate, bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees. [cite web|url=http://uwf.edu/admissions/quick.htm|title=Quick facts|accessdate=2007-07-15] 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.

Campuses

The main campus of convert|1600|acre|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. [cite web|url=http://www.lib.uwf.edu/about.shtml|title=About the library|accessdate=2007-07-15] 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 [http://onlinecampus.uwf.edu Online Campus] with 25 fully online undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs that are available to students anywhere they may be in the world. 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.

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. [cite web|url=http://www.uwf.edu/trustees/committees/finance/fm_040617.doc|title=Finance, Administration and Audit Committee Minutes - June 17, 2004|accessdate=2007-07-15|format=DOC]

tudent 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.

tudent Media

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

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.

Greek Life

NIC Fraternities:

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:

Alpha Gamma Delta (AΓΔ)
Alpha Delta Pi (AΔΠ)
Alpha Chi Omega (AΧΩ)
Phi Sigma Sigma (ΦΣΣ)

NPHC Greek Life:

Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA)
Zeta Phi Beta (ZΦB)
Delta Sigma Theta (ΔΣθ)
Phi Beta Sigma (ФВΣ)

Local Sororities:
Zeta Psi Eta (ΖΨΗ)

tudent 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. [cite web|url=http://uwf.edu/housing/|title=UWF Housing|accessdate=2007-07-15]

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

Athletics

chool 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 [http://www.uwf.edu/standards/graphic/pop/poem.html The Chambered Nautilus] by Oliver Wendell Holmes; it is "a symbol of growth, change and accomplishment."cite web|url=http://www.uwf.edu/standards/graphic/logo.cfm|title=University of West Florida Logo|work=UWF Graphic Identity Standards|publisher=University of West Florida|accessdate=2007-11-10]

Notable Alumni and Faculty

*Mike Jacobs — Illinois state senator from the 36th district.
*Jim Buchili — Former NASA astronaut
*Kenneth Cockrell— Former NASA astronaut
*Lacey Collier— Senior United States District Judge
*Katherine David Céspedes— Won the 2007 Miss Bolivia pageant. She will represent her country in the Miss Universe 2008 pageant.
*Patricia Denkler— The first woman to land a jet on an aircraft carrier, and in 1982, she became the first woman to land a combat jet on an aircraft carrier
*James Ellis— Former U.S. Navy Admiral, and President & CEO of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations at Lockheed Martin
*BG (Ret.) Michael L. Ferguson - Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army
*Mark Fitzgerald— Vice Admiral and current Director of Navy Staff for the United States Navy
*Kenneth Ford— computer scientist, chairman of National Science Board Committee on Programs and Plans and founder of Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition
*Namrata Singh Gujral— Hollywood Actress from WB's 2008 release "Americanizing Shelley; also "Passions, "The Agency"
*Carmen Martinez— Current U.S. ambassador to Zambia
*Bruce Edward Melnick— Former NASA astronaut and current Vice President of Boeing Company's Integrated Defense Systems group
*Dave Murzin— Current member of the Florida House of Representatives
*Moochie Norris— Former NBA Basketball player
*Bryan Daniel O'Connor— Former NASA astronaut
*John Phillips— Active NASA astronaut
*Richard Richards— Former NASA astronaut
*Keith Savage— Professional soccer player with Chivas USA of Major League Soccer
*Hansel Tookes— CEO of Raytheon Aircraft
*Richard Wetzel— Professor of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and chairman of the Department of Biological Sciences at the College of William and Mary

References

External links

* [http://www.uwf.edu Official website]
* [http://www.thevoyager.net UWF student newspaper, The Voyager]
*Geolinks-US-streetscale|30.544965|-87.217519