1950s

1955: FL legislature authorizes state university for Escambia County

1956: Board of Control establishes criteria for site selection

1960s

1963: Governor Farris Bryant secures $2.5 million to found UWF 1964: Escambia County purchases 100-acres of land for UWF 1964: Harold Crosby named 1st president 1965: Ground breaking for first UWF Buildings 1965: Chambered nautilus adopted as school emblem

1966: Lyman Byron Harris is first applicant accepted for admission to UWF

1967: Classes begin at UWF (Alpha, Gamma, and Omega colleges)

1967: Argonaut adopted as school mascot (Argie)

1968: First commencement – 58 students receive degrees (June)

1968: First issue of the Voyager is published

1969: UWF receives SACS accreditation

1969: First Master’s degree students enroll

1969: Edward Ball sanctuary dedicated