University of West Florida

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The main campus, with 1,600 acres of rolling hills and natural woodland along the Escambia River, is ten miles north of downtown Pensacola. Our facilities were designed to complement the natural forest and waterways. In addition, the University of West Florida has waterfront property on Santa Rosa Island that is available for recreational, academic, and research pursuits. The University operates the Emerald Coast which includes the Joint NWFSC/UWF Campus, Eglin AFB Center, Research and Engineering Education Facility (REEF), Hurlburt Field office, and other locations. UWF also manages 22 historic properties in downtown Pensacola.

In 1963, the Florida Legislature authorized funds to establish the University of West Florida. The first president, Dr. Harold B. Crosby, assumed office in July 1964. Ground was broken on April 16, 1965, and the first students began classes in the fall of 1967. Dr. James A. Robinson, the second president, took office in 1974. Dr. Morris L. Marx was inaugurated as UWF's third president in 1988; Dr. John C. Cavanaugh was appointed as the fourth president on July 15, 2002. Dr. Judith A. Bense currently serves as president and was appointed on July 1, 2008. A 13-member Board of Trustees governs the University.

Currently, UWF enrolls more than 11,200 students in its College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, and College of Professional Studies, and has conferred more than 74,925 associate, bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees.

The UWF Welcome Center provides maps, parking permits, and information about facilities and campus events. Located at the east entrance to the campus, it has a drive-through window for automotive traffic and a lobby for walk-in visitors. Information concerning campus tours may be obtained from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at (850) 474-2230 or 1-800-263-1074. Information about off-campus locations can be obtained by calling UWF Emerald Coast at (850) 863-6569.

More information about the University of West Florida and its programs is available on the Internet through the UWF Home Page at uwf.edu.