Since our establishment in 1965, the USF St. Petersburg campus has undergone significant growth to mirror the Tampa Bay region, while still maintaining a close-knit community feel and small class sizes. Today, USF St. Petersburg boasts 32 buildings on 52 sunny acres of waterfront in a dynamic downtown.
This timeline provides a chronological account of the key milestones, defining moments and academic developments that have shaped our campus and who we are.
-
1960s
USF St. Petersburg Established
July 1, 1965
The University of South Florida assumes ownership of the former site of the U.S. Maritime Service Training Station in St. Petersburg, which trained up to 25,000 merchant marines to serve during World War II. The original name was the USF Bay Campus.
The First Class
September 5, 1965
The University of South Florida St. Petersburg welcomed its first class of 260 students, becoming the first regional higher education institution in the state.
Campus Leadership Established
1968
Dr. Lester Tuttle, a College of Education faculty member, became the first USF St. Petersburg campus dean and served from 1968-1976.
The Crow’s Nest Begins
October 30, 1969
The first issue of the campus student newspaper, The Crow’s Nest, is published. Originally known as the “Bay Campus Bulletin,” it was started by a group of students including Joan “Sudsy” Tschiderer, who would go on to work at USF St. Petersburg for more than 55 years.
-
1970s
Campus Expansion Groundbreaking
June 15, 1978
More than 200 members of the community gathered at Bayboro Harbor for the groundbreaking of a major expansion of the campus, which included a new library. Nelson Poynter, the owner and chairman of the St. Petersburg Times, and an early supporter of the campus, took part in the groundbreaking. He would unexpectedly die later that day and the new library would be named in his honor.
-
1980s
Campus Expansion Dedicated
May 1981
Three years later, USF marked the completion of the first major expansion of the St. Petersburg campus. Florida Governor Bob Graham spoke at the dedication of the new buildings. The expansion included the original Nelson Poynter Memorial Library building (now Bayboro Hall), a Central Utility Plant and Davis Hall (which was originally known as Bayboro Hall.)
Going Online
May 1985
The 1980s were a period of growth for the campus, with new facilities and increased course offerings. It also was when the first computers appeared in classrooms.
-
1990s
Campus gets an Activities Center
January 1990
Dedicated in January 1990, the Campus Activities Center served as a hub for student life. In 1994, an expansion of the facility included a fitness center and a racquetball court. Today, known as the Judy Genshaft Student Life Center, it still is home to the campus fitness center as well as many student-focused departments and organizations.
Honoring A Pioneering Leader
September 25, 1990
The site of the original Bayboro Hall building is renamed Davis Hall in dedication of Dean Lowell E. Davis, the first African American to serve as Campus Dean at USF St. Petersburg. Dr. Davis served as Dean from 1986 until his untimely death in 1989.
Historic Homes
August 17, 1993
On the night of August 17, 1993, over 150 people - including many USF St. Petersburg employees - stayed up to watch movers lift up and haul the historic C. Perry Snell House from its location at 106 2nd Avenue North to its current location on campus. Two years later, the 1891 Williams House was relocated to campus. Over the years, the buildings have served as event spaces and offices for university departments, such as History, Politics, Philosophy and the Judy Genshaft Honors College.
Marine Science Expands
1994
The Joint Use Marine Research Facility opens on the peninsula of campus. It houses part of the USF College Marine Science and the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. The facility is named the C.W. Bill Young Complex.
New Home of the Library
November 1, 1996
A new library is built next door to Bayboro Hall and rededicated as the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library.
The Boathouse is Built
September 12, 1997
The Haney Landing Sailing Center building is built and dedicated to Donald A. Haney, a former director of Student Affairs. Commonly called The Boathouse, the building provides dock access and boat storage used for practice and sailing competitions. A fitting monument to a USF employee who devoted 10 years to improving student life.
-
2000s
Student Research Symposium
April 2004
The first Student Research Symposium takes place in Davis Hall. Its original name was Tomorrow’s Leaders Symposium. Now a traditional, annual event, the symposium highlights student research that takes place throughout the year, providing hands-on research experience and public speaking opportunities.
Residence Hall One
August 2006
The first student residence hall opens. Residence Hall One (RHO), today known as Pelican Apartments, transforms USF St. Petersburg from a commuter to a residential institution.
Center of Campus Transforms
2008
Beginning in 2008 and lasting the next several years, the center of campus transforms with the renovated Harborwalk and the addition of the Sembler Family Fountain, and the Science and Technology Building.
-
2010s
Science & Tech Labs Open
January 2010
The Gold LEED-certified Science and Technology Building helped enhance classroom learning and lab facilities for a number of science programs on campus, including biology, chemistry, environmental science and marine biology. It also was the first building across all USF campuses to earn certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
USC/Ibis Hall opens
September 7, 2012
After breaking ground in 2011, the University Student Center is open for business. With a large ballroom, dining options, and study space, numerous campus events and student gatherings take place here. It is also home to Ibis Hall – a five-story residence living space for students.
Biggest Donation
September 4, 2014
A $10 million gift from businesswomen Kate Tiedemann and Ellen Cotton becomes the largest in campus history. The two have continued to support the transformative power of education at USF St. Petersburg through the years, becoming the campus’s largest donors.
A New Day for Business
January 2017
The campus comes together to celebrate the opening of Lynn Pippenger Hall. The award-winning, state-of-the-art building - named for Lynn Pippenger, chief financial officer at Raymond James and USF donor - is home to the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance. It is one of the few schools in the country where both the school and building that houses it are named after women.
Building Renamed for Community Leader
May 15, 2019
The building that houses the College of Education gets a rebrand from Coquina Hall to H. William Heller Hall. Heller served 10 years as dean and campus CEO at USF St. Petersburg, from 1992 to 2002. He also served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2006-2010.
-
2020s
#OneUSF
July 1, 2020
The University of South Florida officially begins operating under a single accreditation for the Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee campuses.
Hello Osprey Suites
August 17, 2020
USF St. Petersburg opened its doors to the newest residence hall on campus, which includes five residential floors, 375 beds, study areas, a community kitchen and the campus’s first full-service dining hall, The Nest.
Decorated historian Ray Arsenault retires
September 17, 2020
Over four decades, Ray Arsenault compiled a remarkable record as a teacher and historian of civil rights and the South, while playing a vital role in the transformation of the USF campus by the bay.
A New Tradition Sets Sail
December 2021
Fall 2021 graduates participated in the campus’s latest tradition – taking a 3-hour cruise from downtown St. Petersburg to the Skyway bridge and back. Quickly dubbed SAILebration, students dined and danced the night away while celebrating their achievements with friends, faculty, and USF leadership.
Renaming the SLC
June 15, 2022
St. Petersburg campus’s Student Life Center (SLC) is named in honor of former USF president Judy Genshaft. She served almost 20 years as President of USF from 2000-2019. Genshaft is a major figure in transforming USF from a regional university to a nationally recognized preeminent research university.
Snowbird on the Scene
May 21, 2024
USF’s first campus comfort dog arrives at USF St. Petersburg. As a facility therapy dog, Snowbird provides comfort, support, and therapeutic benefits to everyone he meets. Anywhere USF students, staff, or faculty are feeling stressed or overwhelmed – Snowbird’s there.