Established: 1957


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In 1956, times were good and optimism was in the air. With the Baby Boom, for the first time in history, parents of an entire generation demanded access to sound education for all children. Economic prosperity fueled a suburban transformation that included new commercial, social, and educational systems. Dr. Jonas Salk pioneered a vaccine to eradicate polio. With this and other advances in medical science, research aimed at the cure and prevention of disease became a federal priority.

As the Cold War settled in, the nation’s scientific and technological resources were challenged by the nuclear arms race, then the Space Race. At home, the young civil rights movement was challenging racial injustice. And in Florida, such developments as air conditioning and excellent highways converted Florida from a sparsely populated state to a boom state. Florida’s population swelled, and fields, groves, pastures, and wetlands gave way to urban development.

In these circumstances, out of a sandy airfield north of Tampa rose the University of South Florida, the first public university established specifically to address the needs of Florida’s rapidly emerging urban regions. State Rep. Sam Gibbons championed USF’s creation. John S. Allen, the first president, helped Gov. Leroy Collins break ground in September 1957. On September 26, 1960, nearly 2,000 students began classes in five buildings. USF was on its way. The university chose two words to guide its path: “Truth” and “Wisdom.”


***By 1960, classes were meeting in the first five buildings, with 1,993 students enrolled.