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 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. UWF became the sixth state university of the State
University System of Florida, which today consists of eleven institutions of
higher learning.
In addition to the 1,600 acre main campus, UWF serves students east of Santa
Rosa County at UWF Emerald Coast locations in Fort Walton Beach, Eglin Air Force
Base, Hurlburt Field and shared facilities at regional community colleges. And,
UWF owns waterfront beach property on Santa Rosa Island that is available for
recreational, academic and research pursuits. In downtown Pensacola, the
university manages 24 historic properties, which are being transformed into a
living laboratory for students interested in history, archaeology and tourism.
The University
of West Florida is a
State University
located in Pensacola,
FL. Its modest student population
size of about 10,500 (roughly 1800 students live on campus) gives it a private
school atmosphere. That atmosphere is especially enhanced
by UWF’s impressive 1600 acre campus scenery of hills and woodlands that settle
along the
Escambia River
north of
Pensacola. Twice-daily
tours are even given at the campus. The school mascot is
an Argonaut, taken from the Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts’ quest for the
Golden Fleece. The university opened its doors in 1967
and now offers 49 different undergraduate degrees, 25 master’s degrees, a pair
of specialist degrees and a doctorate in education.
Three colleges are maintained at the
University of West Florida:
a
College
of Arts and Sciences, a
Professional
Studies
College, and a
Business school.
West Florida’s
Business
College
offers undergraduate degrees in areas of economics, marketing, accounting,
general business, management, and management information systems.
Graduate degrees at the business school include one
in business administration and another in accountancy.
The
College
of Liberal Arts
and Sciences at the university gives students a chance to earn an Associate of
Arts degree, Bachelor of Arts degree, Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Bachelor of
Science degree, Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and Electrical
Engineering, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Areas of study that students may major or minor in
can be found here:
http://uwf.edu/cas/undergraduate/
Master’s degrees offered at the College of Liberal
Arts and Sciences at West Florida can be found here:
http://uwf.edu/cas/graduate/.
The Professional
Studies College at the University of West Florida has degrees in areas
of technology, health, education, social work, criminal justice and law,
leadership, and administration.
The Archaeology Institute of the
University
of West Florida
gives students the opportunity to explore local areas with a wealth of potential
artifacts, including historic shipwrecks and previous settlements of European
settlers.
In another strong research area for the university, the
Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation is noted for its work on
the state of natural resources in northwestern
Florida.
For more vocational and technical areas of study,
West Florida contains a small business center and an economic
development program that study and assist with the impact and development of
economic interests for government and businesses.
The university also partners with local hospitals
through its recently implemented Bachelor’s of Nursing degree program, which
helps in the effort to remedy the shortage of nurses in the health industry.
There is also a degree program at
West Florida that focuses on tourism and recreation, as well
as a program that offers degrees in technology for workers trying to improve
their skills.
UWF is forming the first ever Athletic Band to play at select UWF athletic
events. Members of the UWF Athletic Band will receive a small stipend per
performance, free admission to events at which they play, a free uniform T-shirt
and the chance to pump up the school spirit in support of the Argonauts.
The next step in the University of West Florida’s timeline to make a decision
regarding the potential addition of an intercollegiate football team began in
February 2011, as a football feasibility committee began meeting on Tuesday,
Feb. 22. The committee is comprised of 12 individuals, including
representatives from the university and the community.
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