Dr. Judith Bense
Dr. Judith Bense, fifth President of the University of West Florida.
Dr. Judith Bense became the fifth president of the University of West Florida on July 1, 2008, after serving at the University for 28 years. President Bense focused on growth, visibility, enhancing the student “collegiate” experience, and partnerships with the goal of making UWF a first-choice university. She built a solid network of community partners, identified regional workforce needs, increased enrollment, and strengthened academic programs so that students are prepared for future leadership. Bense founded the UWF Division of Anthropology and Archaeology in 1980, becoming the first academic chair in 2001. She also established the Archaeology Institute in 1980 and served as its director for 20 years. She authored five books and 17 chapters in books and professional journals. She was awarded more than 75 grants and contracts totaling in excess of $6 million.
During her presidency, the University opened two new student residences in Heritage Hall and Presidents Hall, as well as two new academic facilities in the Science and Engineering Building and the College of Business Education Center. The athletic department reached new heights, adding two new sports in football and women’s swimming and diving while claiming four NCAA Division II national championships and 44 conference titles.
Bense had a strong commitment to the community and served on the Greater Pensacola Chamber Board of Directors, Florida’s Council of 100, the President’s Coalition of Northwest Florida and the Downtown Rotary of Pensacola. She was an active member of higher education organizations, including the American Council on Education; the Association of Governing Boards; the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities; Gulf South Conference; and served in leadership roles with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Bense was recognized as Partner of the Year from the Florida Small Business Development Center, Emerging Leader of the Year from the Pensacola Business Journal, 2011 Woman of the Year from the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce, Sportsman of the Year from the Pensacola Sports Association, and No. 1 in the 2012 Pensacola Power List from the Independent News.
Bense was given the title of President Emeritus on December 8, 2016, by the UWF Board of Trustees with an effective date of January 1, 2017. See Resolution 2016.6 for more details.
