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UWF is More Than You Think
The University of West Florida is a creative, student-centered state institution focused on excellence. At UWF, our highest priorities are our students and the academic programs that serve them. The faculty, staff and students at UWF are not here to merely do what's been done before. Individual attention from a world-class faculty in a warm and caring environment is the essence of UWF. Our mission is to empower each individual we serve with knowledge and opportunity to contribute responsibly and creatively to a complex world.
The University of West Florida, with campuses in Pensacola and along the Emerald Coast of Northwest Florida, is one of the region's prized resources. UWF is a member of the State University System of Florida. The Florida legislature established the university in 1963, ground was broken in 1965 and classes began in the fall of 1967. UWF has three colleges, Arts and Sciences, Business and Professional Studies, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. UWF serves a student population of approximately 11,200.
Campuses Across the Emerald Coast
One of UWF's most acclaimed features is its beautiful main campus, a 1,600-acre wildlife refuge of rolling hills and natural woodland along the Escambia River 10 miles north of downtown Pensacola. UWF’s facilities have been designed to complement the natural beauty of this wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary. Campus tours are offered at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. each weekday and begin at Hopkins Hall. Self-guided walks through our campus woodlands and nature trails provide glimpses of native wildlife.
In addition to its main campus, UWF serves students east of Santa Rosa County at UWF Emerald Coast locations in Fort Walton Beach, Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field and shared facilities at regional community colleges. And, UWF owns waterfront beach property on Santa Rosa Island that is available for recreational, academic and research pursuits. In downtown Pensacola, the university manages 24 historic properties, which are being transformed into a living laboratory for students interested in history, archaeology and tourism. Programs are being developed to maximize the use of these facilities and to integrate the university more deeply into the economic development of Northwest Florida.
Quest to be the Best
Men's basketball is one of 13 NCAADivision II sports the UWF
Argonauts compete in.
The university offers undergraduate degrees in 51 different areas, master's degrees in 25 different areas, two specialist degrees and a doctorate in education. Long celebrated for its caring, nurturing approach to helping students excel in and out of the classroom as they prepare to become contributing members of society, UWF has embraced Making Way for Excellence, a culture-changing campus renaissance and quest to be recognized as one of the best places to work and best regional comprehensive university in the nation.
The school colors are blue and green. The chambered nautilus is used as the university’s logo as a symbol of growth and natural beauty. The school mascot is an Argonaut from the Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts quest for the golden fleece. The UWF Argonauts compete in the NCAA Division II and are a Gulf South Conference standout in basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, golf and cross-country.
Vital Research and Partnerships
Marine archaeology students sort artifacts in the UWF Archaeology
Institute.
UWF's major research centers have earned national and international reputations. The Archaeology Institute offers a unique marine archaeology program where students can explore historic shipwrecks, and a terrestrial archaeology program where students can discover the remains of America's first settlements by Europeans. The Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation continues to conduct invaluable research into the health of Northwest Florida's natural resources. Many local businesses and organizations benefit from work done through the Small Business Development Center. The Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development is relied upon to provide economic impact studies for government and industry.
Through partnerships with the communities of Northwest Florida, UWF has developed much-needed, new programs, including a four-year nursing degree to meet the pressing demand for nurses, a partnership with Northwest Florida State College to expand the nursing program east, an Interdisciplinary Technology degree to supply technology workers with subject expertise and a Hospitality, Recreation and Resort Management program to enhance the quality of the tourism industry.
UWF Edward Ball Nature TrailUWF Facts:
- Student population, 12,021
- Representing 50 states and 87 countries
- 59% women, 41% men
- 27.2% ethnic
- 1,879 students live on campus
- 76% of UWF students receive some financial assistance
- Active student organizations include, academic, recreation, Greek and special interest
- 342 distinguished faculty members
- 77.5% of faculty have the highest degree granted
- Student to faculty ratio - 24 to 1
- Average class enrollment for freshman lecture courses: 34
- Average class enrollment for upper-level lecture courses: 25
Statistics as of Aug. 22, 2011