President Saunders' Viewpoints, Op-Eds and Podcast Interviews

Twice this year, UWF has closed the campus for hurricanes. We were spared the wrath of Hurricane Irma and caught only a glancing blow from Hurricane Nate, but we seized the opportunity to use our resources to help our state and our community.

In my State of the University address this year, I reminded my fellow Argonauts that we have traveled a similar journey over the past 50 years. We have built solid programs with true academic quality. Our graduates thrive in the workplace and our current students benefit from high-impact experiences designed to boost professional readiness.

Volos proudly hails as the Home of the Argonauts – the site where the mythological hero, Jason, and friends set off for adventures in search of the Golden Fleece (which they found, by the way). Likewise, in 1967, the charter students of UWF elected to be called Argonauts in anticipation of similar adventures.

For many years, the University of West Florida has been a hidden gem, even from people who live in Pensacola. Our beautiful campus seemed to be a world away from Pensacola itself. Over time, we have become better known in our region and our town. Now it’s time to ensure that when people come to Pensacola, they know they are in a college town.

By working with our regional and national partners, UWF has the tools in place to help our area take the resources we already have and use them to create what is called an economic cluster around cybersecurity.

The UWF Innovation Campus Network will launch students into occupations and careers in areas that promote economic recovery, diversification and enhancement. That awesome goal will be accomplished by building multidisciplinary innovative knowledge clusters focused on high-demand programs of emphasis in STEM, medical disciplines, early learning and tourism/hospitality.

Since opening our doors in 1967, UWF has not only adapted, but thrived, amid changing governance structures, economies, societal demands and even the weather. We’ve moved from a little school in a pine forest to a forward-thinking, innovative brain trust. It’s time now for us to step up our game and realize our full potential.

Lawmakers in Florida are advancing legislation that would link four-year graduation rates with performance funding at Florida universities. This growing interest prompted the University of West Florida to thoroughly examine our progress. We learned some interesting information about our students and their progress towards a bachelor’s degree.

At the start of 2017, we launched the Division of Research and Strategic Innovation at the University of West Florida. The new division, under the leadership of Dr. Pam Northrup, serves as an incubator where big ideas come to life. From a strategic standpoint, this new division embodies our future.

At the start of 2017, we launched the Division of Research and Strategic Innovation at the University of West Florida. The new division, under the leadership of Dr. Pam Northrup, serves as an incubator where big ideas come to life. From a strategic standpoint, this new division embodies our future.

Every gift and every donor play an important role in allowing the University of West Florida to provide students with access to high-quality, relevant educational opportunities. But every once in a while, a gift like the one from Dr. Usha and Mahadeb Kundu comes along that has the ability to transform what we do.

Happy New Year from the University of West Florida! On behalf of the more than 15,000 students and employees of UWF, I offer you our very best wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous new year.