In the 1963 legislative session, state Senator John E. "Jack" Mathews Jr. introduced a bill to authorize a four-year institution of higher education for Duval County. The bill did not pass through the committee process.
The Florida Junior College at Jacksonville opens.
In August 1967, the voters of Jacksonville and Duval County elected to consolidate the existing city and county governments, and in October of the following year, the two governments were united into one. Jacksonville became--overnight--one of the largest cities in area in the world.
Responding to the legislative action of 1965, the Florida Board of Regents conducted a feasibility study which was published in February of 1967.
To begin construction of the new institution, the 1967 Legislature authorized the expenditure of $1.4 million, subject to the sale of bonds. Planning money was not provided by the 1967 Legislature.
Jacksonville Mayor Hans Tanzler appointed Gert H.W. Schmidt chairman of a committee to select a site for the public university recently authorized by the Florida Legislature for Duval County.
A special session of the 1968 Florida Legislature appropriated $225,850 to plan for the new institution and employ the early administrators.
A 1,000 acre site for the new state university in Jacksonville is selected by the Board of Regents and has been approved by the State Board of Education.
Florida Board of Regents appointed Dr. Thomas G. Carpenter as UNF's first president.
Board of Regents accepted title to the campus site. Murphy states, ". . the City of Jacksonville and area landowners donated the 1,000 acre campus site midway between the beaches and the city."
650 guests attend UNF’s groundbreaking, including Florida Governor Reubin Askew, Board of Regents Chancellor Robert Mautz, Commissioner of Education Floyd Christian and local Regent J.J. Daniel, for whom Building 1 is named. "Florida governor Rubin Askew was the keynote speaker." (Murphy, p. 2).
UNF opens for its first quarter with 2,027 upper division and master’s-level students attending classes. Campus consists of only four major buildings and three colleges: Arts and Sciences, Education and Business Administration. The average age of the faculty is two years younger than the average age of students. The Library (now Founders Hall) opens with 100,000 volumes on its shelves. "In just 10 months from the ground-breaking ceremonies, four buildings were completed - an administration building, classrooms, a library and a laboratory" Florida TU.
UNF's first graduating class consisted of 35 students, including 28 baccalaureate degree candidates and seven master of education degree students. Since the University opened in 1972 as an upper-level institution, these first graduates started at UNF as seniors or were already working on master's or second degrees.
685 students in UNF’s charter class graduate. "June, 1974, marked the commencement of UNF's charter class. At the commencement, 591 bachelor's degrees and 96 master's degrees were conferred. The charter class was comprised of students who first enrolled when UNF opened in October, 1972." (Murphy, p. 5).
Three additional buildings open.
"Full accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools was announced December 11, 1974. A first in Florida educational history, both the undergraduate and graduate level programs were accredited simultaneously." (Murphy, p. 5).
The University establishes the UNF Alumni Association.
U.S. Dept. of the Interior recognizes UNF Nature Trails as a National Recreational Trail.
The Osprey becomes UNF’s official mascot by write-in vote, beating out the armadillo, seagull, manatee and shark in a campus-wide election.
The new library opens, named for then UNF president Thomas G. Carpenter.
McCray inaugurated as the second president of University of North Florida.
Marilyn Krichko signed the university's first varsity athletic scholarship.
Freshman and sophomore programs are authorized in 1983.
UNF Women's Center opens with Shirley Webb as founder and first executive director as a volunteer.
The Aquatic Center with an Olympic-size pool opens.
Monique French becomes the first four-year student to graduate with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
In 1989, Adam W. Herbert became UNF’s third president. After nine years at UNF, he went on to become the chancellor of the State University System.
Founder's Hall is dedicated.
UNF establishes its fifth college, known as the College of Computer and Information Sciences.
UNF accepted degree candidates for its first doctoral program, the Doctor of Education, in fall 1990. This program is a part of the College of Education and Human Services.
Rich Matteson, professor of music, is inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame.
Team Members: Elizabeth Donovan, Katherine Kaminer, Kendra Pascoe, Marcey Smith, Adriana Isaza, Leigh Ann Tabor, Tonya Pedata, Jeriann Johnston and Heather Hyme. Head Coach: Charley Jenks. Assistant Coach: Adam Kework.
Harriet mascot is born in 1995. Ozzie had been portrayed in costume since 1988, which is almost eight years after the Osprey was chosen as UNF's mascot. Student Government officials chose the name Harriet, which was reminiscent of the popular 1950s TV show "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet", which aired for 14 years. The UNF mascot jersey numbers "19" and "72" were chosen to combine and form the year 1972, when UNF opened its doors for classes.
UNF celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Anne H. Hopkins became UNF’s fourth president.
UNF's new Fine Arts Center, with seating for 1,300 in the Lazzara Performance Hall, opens.
The College of Business Administration becomes Coggin College of Business in honor of Luther and Blanche Coggin, who donate $5 million to the college.
President Anne Hopkins greeting Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jacksonville International Airport.
John A. Delaney becomes UNF’s fifth president.
The School of Nursing becomes UNF’s first flagship program, which focuses resources to help transform existing excellence into academic programs with national prominence.
The Princeton Review ranks UNF as one of nation’s five best buys in public higher education.
The College of Health officially becomes Brooks College of Health after Brooks Health System following a $5 million gift to the college.
George and Kernan Hodges donate $2 milllion to upgrade what is now called Hodges Soccer and Track Stadium.
UNF founds the LGBT Resource Center.
Highlights of 2007: UNF named Best Southeastern College and a Best Value College by the Princeton Review. The University is awarded LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
The University is awarded LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
The University established the MVRC in 2009 to serve as an entry point for veterans and their families as they navigate the civilian and academic worlds. Since then, UNF has been named one of the most military friendly schools in the country for eight consecutive years by Victory Media, which honors education institutions doing the most to “serve America’s service members and veteran students.”
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