University of South Florida

The University of South Florida, or USF, is a public university located in Tampa, Florida, USA, with branch campuses in St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Lakeland. The main campus is located in the extreme northern part of Tampa, near the city of Temple Terrace, and is in close proximity to the Museum of Science and Industry as well as Busch Gardens and the University Mall shopping center.

History

USF was founded in 1956, though it was not even named until the next year and classes didn't commence until 1960. Former US Representative Sam Gibbons was instrumental in the school's creation when he was a state representative and is considered by many to essentially be the school's founder. It was built on the site of Henderson Air Field, a World War II airstrip.

Related Topics:
1956 - 1960 - Sam Gibbons

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The university first grew under the leadership of John Allen, who was the president from 1960 until 1970. During this time, the university expanded rapidly, due in part to the first graduate degree programs commencing in 1964. However, growing student unrest pressured Allen to resign from his post; he had traditionally been very firm in punishing protesters in a time of general unrest throughout the nation. Today, the main administration complex is called The John and Grace Allen Center, named after him and his wife.

Related Topics:
John Allen - 1960 - 1970 - 1964

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

USF emerged as a major research institution during the 1990s, under the presidency of Betty Castor. It is currently considered one of the top universities in Florida, being named a first-tier research university in 2005. In addition to a heightened emphasis on research and academia, the university played its first football game in 1997, with its marching band forming in 1999. There has been unprecedented growth in the school's football program. USF began football play as a 1-AA independent in 1997, moved to 1-A in 2001, then to Conference USA in 2003, and now the Big East conference in 2005 with its Bowl Championship Series tie-ins. Coach Jim Leavitt has enjoyed success in the first nine seasons, and the program is seen as a program on the rise, and a model for establishing a football program at other colleges. On September 24, 2005, USF defeated ninth-ranked University of Louisville, for its first victory over a Big East rival as well as a Top Ten opponent. As a result, USF received its first-ever votes in the AP college football poll.

Related Topics:
1990s - Betty Castor - 2005 - 1997 - 1999 - 2001 - Conference USA - 2003 - Big East - September 24 - University of Louisville

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

USF received national attention during the tenure of Castor's successor, Judy Genshaft, amid the controversy surrounding Professor Sami Al-Arian. Al-Arian's alleged connections to Palestinian terrorist groups brought national media attention to USF following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Related Topics:
Sami Al-Arian - September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The school's newspaper is named The Oracle, which was first published on September 6, 1966 as a weekly. Today The Oracle is published five times a week and has a circulation of 12,000. The student radio station, WBUL, is located in the Phyllis P. Marshall student center, and the school also operates WUSF, an FM station which offers classical and jazz music and NPR programming.

Related Topics:
September 6 - 1966 - WUSF - NPR

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~