America 250 Florida initiative
This year, as our nation celebrates an incredible 250 years, the University of North Florida is joining in on the celebration.
UNF is partnering with organizations across the state for the America 250 Florida initiative, a vibrant, statewide effort highlighting Florida’s influential role in the American story. Throughout the spring, the campus will come alive with events that explore the people, ideas, and pivotal moments that have shaped the past two and a half centuries. Through a collaborative effort between the President’s Office, the College of Arts and Sciences, Hicks Honors College, the Office of the Provost, the Thomas G. Carpenter Library, the Military and Veterans Resource Center, and the Office of Public Policy Events, Ospreys and community members can look forward to a rich lineup of celebrations, thought‑provoking programs, and inspiring experiences. It’s a milestone year — and UNF is ready to make it memorable.
Schedule of Events
Freedom's Promises: What Did the Declaration of Independence and Pearl Harbor Have in Common?
January 29, 2026
5:30-7 p.m.
Dr. David Courtwright, Professor Emeritus, Department of History
Location: Building 9, Room 1421
American Masters Faculty Concert
February 2, 20267 p.m.
Dr. Simon Shiao, Dr. Randy Tinnin, and Michael Mastronicola
Location: Building 45, Room 1200, Recital Hall
Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence
February 4, 20262 p.m.
Location: Osprey Plaza
Results Pending: America at 250 (Part One)
February 4, 20262:30-3:30 p.m.
Moderator: Dr. Nicholas Seabrook, Chair and Professor, Department of Political Science and Public Administration
Location: Student Union
Their Florida, Our Florida, La Florida
March 12, 20264:30-6 p.m.
Christopher Still
Location: Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History, Thomas G. Carpenter Library
A Deep Indigenous History of Northeastern Florida Through Archaeology
March 25, 2026
5-6 p.m.
Dr. Keith Ashley
Results Pending: America at 250 (Part Two)
April 1, 2026
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Moderator: Dr. Nicholas Seabrook, Chair and Professor, Department of Political Science and Public Administration
Location: TBD
Greetings from Florida! Art Histories of the Sunshine State
April 1, 2026
5-6 p.m.
Dr. P. Scott Brown
In Flux: Florida Artists and the Landscape
April 22, 2026
5-6 p.m.
Ian Carey
Military and Veterans Resource Center Celebration
April 2026Film Screenings and Roundtable Discussions
May 2026Capstone Series and Symposium
Late June - July 4, 2026America 250 Celebration: Service, Sacrifice, and Civic Legacy
July 2nd
10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
This annual MVRC signature event celebrates 250 years of military service through interactive trivia, themed treats, and a Fourth of July–style fair atmosphere. The program connects historical military service to the lived experiences of today’s military-connected students, highlighting education as a continuation of service, leadership, and civic responsibility. The event fosters community, pride, and belonging while honoring the legacy of those who have served.
