Beginnings
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Farris Bryant
C. Farris Bryant became Florida’s thirty-fourth governor on January 3, 1961. While running for office, Bryant made a campaign promise to establish a university in West Florida. That promise was fulfilled in 1963 when Governor Bryant secured $2.5 million to found UWF. This milestone is marked in UWF’s symbols and flags by the roman numerals MCMXLIII signifying this 1963 beginning of the University. |
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Bailey Center Plaque
UWF’s first administration/classroom complex (currently buildings 10, 11, and 12) was dedicated to Thomas D. Bailey on October 9, 1966. Bailey was Florida Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1949 to 1965. |
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Campus Aerial – 27 Buildings
Unlike any previous Florida public university, the University of West Florida was designed to be open for classes in the Fall of 1967 with 27 buildings completed or close to completion, a full-blown university campus sprung from the piney woods of West Florida. This aerial view, probably in spring or early summer of 1967, shows progress on the campus but notably the Commons building is missing with beginning construction underway. |
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1st Commencement – 1st Diploma
First student to receive a diploma at UWF’s inaugural commencement held in the Commons in June 1968. 58 degrees were granted. |
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Library Dedication
President Crosby (far right) applauds as the name “John C. Pace Library” is revealed on the front of the library with John C. Pace (center) observing, January 5, 1969. John C. Pace was a founder and vice-president of the Florida Pulp and Paper Company and its successor St. Regis Paper Company. He served on the State Board of Regions (governing board for the state universities) and played a leading role in the establishment of the University of West Florida and the University of West Florida Foundation, Inc. When the John C. Pace Library opened in September 1967, it carried one of the largest and most comprehensive collections ever assembled for a new institution of higher learning. Until 1974, the first floor (entrance level) was an open breezeway, used for campus activities. |
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2nd Registration
The registration lines were long for the second year of classes in 1968. We’ve come a long way since then! |
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2nd Commencement
The juniors who enrolled in 1967 made up UWF’s first complete graduating class in 1969. With so many more students graduating as compared to the year before, commencement ceremonies moved from the Commons to the library green. |
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John C. Pace at Library Dedication
John C. Pace speaking at dedication of UWF library in his honor, December 1968. |
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Campus Plan Map
Campus Plan, Map circa 1971. |
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