Here Today. Here to Stay.
Here for Good.
We’re making our mark right here in Northwest Florida so that we can make an impact across the south, the Gulf, the nation and the globe.
Be bold. Be daring. Be visionary. Be Here for Good.
Because of generous donors, our students are better prepared to serve the world and change the future.
Gifts to the University ensure our ability to sustain quality academics, improvements to our campus infrastructure and the capacity to meet emerging needs and opportunities.
What we do today is bigger than what we can see. An impactful gift to the University creates ripples in our campus, in the communities we serve and in future generations. We have the opportunity to be the difference for others and create a legacy that outlives each of us. Future Argos will benefit from our work and know that we were Here for Good.
Our Focus Areas
People
Leading beyond the classroom
Programs
Inspiring purpose through high-impact programs
Place
First-class facilities. First-class graduates.
Community
Elevating our communities to new heights.
Latest News
UWF increases capital campaign goal to $100M, announces new advancement leadership
The University of West Florida is building on its record-breaking fundraising success, increasing the goal for its “Here for Good” capital campaign from $90 million to $100 million. The campaign, which launched publicly in April 2024, has already surpassed its original goal thanks to the overwhelming generosity of donors, alumni and community partners.
UWF recognizes decades of giving from Warren Averett
UWF celebrated the lifetime giving of Warren Averett at a special ceremony in the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business. The regional accounting and advisory firm’s philanthropic relationship with UWF began when Mort O’Sullivan’s accounting firm made its first gift to the accounting and finance department in 1986, and since then, it has provided gifts totaling more than $250,000.
UWF celebrates grand opening of state-of-the-art laboratory building
UWF celebrated the grand opening of Building 80, a newly remodeled space that will house the institution’s new civil engineering program and Tyler Chase Norwood Construction Management Program on UWF’s Pensacola campus. The upgraded building features three new wet and dry labs where construction management and civil engineering students can gain hands-on experiences with construction materials.
Florida Power & Light gift funds UWF robotics summer camp
A $50,000 gift from NextEra Energy Foundation, a corporate foundation of NextEra Energy Inc. and Florida Power & Light Company, gave local middle and high school students the opportunity to ignite a passion for engineering, math, science and technology at the inaugural Florida Power & Light Robotics Summer Camp. The inaugural camp was hosted by the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering.
A $225,000 gift establishes the Charles Anderson Penton STEM Scholarship Endowment
A $225,000 gift from the Penton Family has established the Charles Anderson Penton STEM Scholarship Endowment for Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering students. Through his estate, the late Carl Penton left the gift in memory of his father, Charles Penton, a devoted advocate for higher education who found great joy in the sciences.
UWF’s Usha Kundu, MD College of Health celebrates 10th anniversary with Community and Alumni Awards
The Usha Kundu, MD College of Health awarded community members for their achievements at its inaugural Community and Alumni Awards during the college's 10-year anniversary celebration. UKCOH announced a $25,000 gift from family and friends of UKCOH’s founding dean, Dr. Ermalynn Kiehl. The Founding Dean, Dr. Ermalynn Kiehl Excellence Endowment will provide UKCOH scholarship and operational support.
UWF breaks University record for donors participating in Day of Giving
UWF exceeded its fundraising goals during the 7th annual Day of Giving, raising more than $194,000 from 1,256 UWF alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and friends. The annual 24-hour, online, social media-driven fundraising initiative was held on April 17 during UWF’s Founders Week. This year’s Day of Giving marked more than $1 million raised from Day of Giving events over the last 7 years.
A $500,000 gift establishes the John W. Merting Family Office of Research and Intellectual Growth at UWF
A $500,000 gift from the Merting Family established the Merting Family Fellowship Support Endowment, which will fund the John W. Merting Family Office of Research and Intellectual Growth. The program will be based in the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities and recruit and prepare students and faculty universitywide to compete for prestigious fellowship and scholarship opportunities.
UWF receives $125,000 gift to create scholarship endowment benefitting electrical and computer engineering students
The University of West Florida has created the Electrical Engineering Juergen and Helen Ihns Scholars Endowment through a $125,000 gift from Helen Ihns. The endowment, established in honor of Helen and her late husband Juergen Ihns, will provide four annual need-based scholarships to UWF electrical and computer engineering students.
UWF celebrates the grand opening of the Sandy Sansing Sports Medicine Center
UWF celebrated the grand opening of the $6 million Sandy Sansing Sports Medicine Center at the Darrell Gooden Center. This state-of-the-art facility enhances care for student-athletes and includes warm-up and recovery areas, innovative physical therapy and treatments, added offices for athletic training and football staff, and new team meeting spaces.
UWF announces $320k gift from Andrews Institute and Baptist Health Care to name MSAT program and support Department of Athletics
UWF announced a $320,000 gift from Andrews Institute and Baptist Health Care to name the Andrews Institute and Baptist Health Care Master of Science in Athletic Training program, housed in the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health. The gift will also support Intercollegiate Athletics.
UWF Historic Trust Unveils Train Pavilion
The University of West Florida Historic Trust received a $110,000 gift from the McMillan family and $400,000 from the late Barbara Goggins estate in efforts to enhance the train exhibition and improve the outdoor space around the Museum of Industry. The new train canopy area includes a locomotive and flat car formerly owned by the T.R. Miller Mill Company as well as an L&N caboose. The new space w
UWF alumni, community advocates Stephen and Mona Wright gift $500,000 to establish new institute
Alumni Stephen ‘81 and Mona ‘79 Wright, community advocates and co-founders of the nonprofit Coastal Connection, are investing $500,000 in the University of West Florida to create the Wright Family Institute for Global and Population Health housed in the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health.
Lifelong scholar, learner and educator, the late James E. Miller honored with named programs May 06, 2024
The University of West Florida Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering recently received a gift from Diane Miller to name the Bachelor and Master of Science in Computer Science programs in honor of her late husband, James E. Miller. The funds will be used in part for equipment and faculty support to enable some advanced research programs.
UWF is Here for Good
Earlier this month, UWF announced the public phase of the “Here for Good” capital campaign. I really like the campaign title because it reflects the University’s growth as a steadfast member of the Northwest Florida community for more than half a century. We have been here a while. We are here to stay, and we are here for the good of our community.
UWF announces $150,000 gift to name the Elizabeth S. Calhoun Analytical Lab and establish the Elizabeth S. Calhoun Endowment for Industrial Careers.
A $150,000 gift to the University of West Florida established the Elizabeth S. Calhoun Endowment for Industrial Careers and named the Elizabeth S. Calhoun Analytical Lab, which will benefit undergraduate chemistry majors in UWF’s Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering. The endowment will focus on supporting women and Pell-eligible students.
University of West Florida memorial scholarship created to honor UWF alumnus
A $150,000 gift to the University of West Florida from the late Ann Fell established the David Gus Fell Memorial Scholarship Endowment, which will benefit undergraduate engineering majors in UWF’s Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering.
UWF announces gift in excess of $9 million to name football stadium
This evening, the University of West Florida launched the public phase of the “Here for Good capital campaign,” the largest campaign in University history. President Saunders announced a transformative gift of more than $9 million from Darrell and Debbie Gooden to break ground on the Darrell Gooden Stadium. This represents the largest gift from a living donor in the history of the University.
$5 million legacy gift from the Bear Family Foundation to name the College of Business
University of West Florida President Martha D. Saunders announced today a gift of $5 million from The Bear Family Foundation to name the UWF College of Business. The college is slated to be named the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business, contingent on UWF Board of Trustees approval at its quarterly meeting in June. This is the third college to be named in the University’s history.
Lifelong scientist and accomplished businessman the late Dr. Frank Silver established Dr. Frank and Dale Silver Distinguished Chemistry Endowment
The University of West Florida Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering recently received a $100,000 gift from the late Dr. Frank Silver to establish the Dr. Frank and Dale Silver Distinguished Chemistry Endowment. Named after himself and his wife, the endowment will provide operational and scholarship support to students in the Department of Chemistry. Dr. Frank Silver was a longtime support
UWF receives $170,000 donation to fund Larry Butler Memorial Music Scholarship
The University of West Florida celebrated a $170,000 donation to UWF Dr. Grier Williams School of Music in support of the Larry Butler Memorial Music Scholarship Fund on Monday, June 12, at Flora-Bama in Perdido Key. The new funds are a result of a Music City Hit-Makers fundraising concert at the Saenger Theater Pensacola in November.
UWF announces gift to name undergraduate construction management program
The University of West Florida announced a $250,000 gift to the Tyler Chase Norwood Construction Management Scholarship Endowment and to name the Tyler Chase Norwood Construction Management Program. The UWF Board of Trustees approved naming the undergraduate program during its March 2023 meeting.
UWF announces $250k gift to name undergraduate communication program
The University of West Florida announced a $250,000 gift from Rhonda and Jerry Maygarden to the Maygarden Family Scholarship Endowment at the UWF Foundation and to name the Jerry Louis Maygarden Undergraduate Communication Program. The UWF Board of Trustees approved naming the undergraduate program during its December 2022 meeting.
UWF announces a $1 million gift to name Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
Drs. Muhammad and Fatema Rashid continue a legacy of giving to the University of West Florida through a $1 million gift to name the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering.
UWF announces major gift to enhance, name Center for Leadership
The University of West Florida announced today a $2.5 million gift from the Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz law firm to name the UWF Center for Leadership and enhance its initiatives.
UWF receives $600k gift commitment from Sandy Sansing to name new Sports Medicine Center
The University of West Florida announces a gift commitment of more than $600,000 from Sandy Sansing to support the Sandy Sansing Need-Based Student-Athlete Scholarship and for the expansion of the Darrell Gooden Center to include a new Sports Medicine Center. With this gift, the new Sports Medicine Center will be named in his honor.