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UNF History

 

Student success has been the top priority since the very beginning, and every day, we see the impact UNF students and alumni are having here in Florida and around the world. There are so many highlights from the past five decades at UNF, and below are just a few of those special moments. You may also click here to learn more about UNF's past presidents.

 

1965

The Florida Legislature authorized the establishment of a state university in Jacksonville.

1969

Carpenter headshot
  • Thomas G. Carpenter is named UNF’s first president.
  • The Board of Regents selects a 1,000-acre campus site midway between downtown Jacksonville and the beaches.

1971

  • The UNF Foundation is established.
  • Ground is officially broken for the University of North Florida, with Florida Governor Reubin Askew in attendance.

1972

  • On Monday, Oct. 2, UNF opens its doors for classes to 2,027 upper division and master’s level students.
  • The campus consists of four major buildings and three colleges: Arts and Sciences, Education and Business Administration.

1973

  • Thirty-five students receive degrees at UNF’s first graduation.
  • The UNF Nature Trails open, quickly becoming a treasured local amenity.

1974

UNF graduates its charter class of 685 students.

1976

The University establishes the UNF Alumni Association.

1978

  • Classes begin in the UNF Downtown Center, open from 1978 to 1987 in the Galleria building, now the location of MOCA Jacksonville. Enrollment peaks at the Center in 1981 with 2,247 students.
  • Fire destroys UNF’s original Boathouse.

1979

The Osprey becomes UNF’s official mascot by write-in vote, beating out the armadillo, seagull, manatee and shark in a campuswide election.

1981

UNF renames its new library opened in 1980, the Thomas G. Carpenter Library.

1982

McCray headshot

Curtis L. McCray becomes UNF’s second president.

1983

UNF begins intercollegiate athletics with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes or NAIA.

1984

UNF admits freshmen and sophomores for the first time.

1985

Osprey Village, UNF’s first on-campus housing, opens with space for 435 students.

1988

  • University establishes the College of Health.
  • With a campus vote, UNF names its mascot Ozzie the Osprey.

1989

herbert headshot

Adam W. Herbert becomes UNF’s third president.

1990

UNF accepts degree candidates for its first doctoral program, the Doctor of Education.

1993

  • UNF joins NCAA Division II, competing in the Sunshine State Conference.
  • The UNF Arena opens with seating for 5,800.

1994

  • UNF unveils the landmark Osprey Fountain outside the Arena at spring graduation.
  • Enrollment tops 10,000 during fall registration.

1997

Ospreys move to the Peach Belt Athletic Conference.

1998

UNF President Adam W. Herbert leaves UNF to become chancellor of Florida’s State University System.

1999

Hopkins headshot

  • Anne H. Hopkins takes office as UNF’s first female president and fourth overall.
  • The University Center opens as a state-of-the-art conference and meeting facility.

2001

Gov. Jeb Bush appoints members of the first UNF Board of Trustees.

2002

The College of Business Administration becomes the Coggin College of Business in honor of Luther and Blanche Coggin, following a generous gift to the college.

2003

delaney headshot

  • Former Jacksonville Mayor John A. Delaney becomes UNF’s fifth president.
  • Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu teaches a spring course at UNF.

2005

UNF joins ASUN conference and transitions to Division I play.

2006

The College of Health officially becomes Brooks College of Health named for Brooks Health System, following a generous gift to the college.

2009

  • MOCA Jacksonville becomes a cultural institute of UNF, connecting the University to one of the largest contemporary art collections in the Southeast.
  • UNF becomes eligible for Division I postseason play after the reclassification is complete.

2012

  • The 75,000 square foot state-of-the-art Student Wellness Complex opens.
  • OneJax, an interfaith organization working since 1970 to create an inclusive community where difference is celebrated, becomes an institute of the University.

2015

  • For the first time in UNF’s history, the men’s basketball team advances to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
  • UNF creates the Hicks Honors College, through the generosity of Ann and David Hicks.

2016

UNF adds the William C. Webb Coastal Research Station, a 1,050-acre plot of pristine wetlands donated by the Widan Investment Corporation used by students and faculty for exploration and research.

2018

President Szymanski

David M. Szymanski becomes UNF’s sixth president.

2019

The UNF Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation opens to serve as a hub for creativity, business development and learning.

2021

  • With the Spring 2021 graduation, the number of UNF alumni surpasses 100,000.
  • Through the generosity of Crowley Maritime, the Crowley Center for Transportation and Logistics is created at UNF.
  • UNF received 190 acres of land valued at $21.5 million from the Duval County Research and Development Authority.

2022

limayem headshot

Dr. Moez Limayem is named the seventh president of the University of North Florida.

2023

  • The JEA | UNF Sustainable Solutions Lab opens on UNF's campus to support clean and renewable energy education and research through collaboration.

2024

  • More than 10,000 badges are awarded, with more than 50 badge programs available to help students gain valuable skills and specialized knowledge.

2025

  • UNF announces newly named Silverfield College of Education and Human Services, following a transformational gift from the Silverfield family.
  • UNF women's softball makes first appearance in an NCAA tournament.