Welcome to UWF
UWF: A QUICK HISTORY 1960-1969
FROM THE PRESIDENT
W
elcome to the University of West Florida, a fully engaged University recognized for the strength of our graduates, responsiveness to the needs of the state, and an unrelenting competitive spirit. UWF has awarded more than 100,000 degrees from over 110 undergraduate and graduate programs. Our small class sizes ensure personalized, focused attention from some of the nation’s most engaging professors. As the home of the Argonauts, UWF builds champions for life through its intercollegiate athletics program, leading the Gulf South Conference in all-time championships and all-sports trophies. Amid a nature lover’s paradise, our serene Pensacola campus boasts 25 miles of trails perfect for hiking or biking, marine research vessels and the first official university parkrun site in the nation. UWF is a short drive from white-sand beaches and renowned local attractions that make for an unforgettable University and community. During your visit, explore the historic properties owned and operated by UWF Historic Trust in historic downtown Pensacola and at Arcadia Mill in Santa Rosa County. Stay awhile and soak in our beautiful views and rich history with a spirited community of learners. We are glad you are here. Sincerely yours,
UWF was established by the Florida Legislature in 1963 and opened in 1967. Dr. Harold Crosby serves as UWF's first president and selects the chambered nautilus as UWF's official emblem. Nautical themes permeate UWF's rich history. The University Commons, under construction in 1967, faces east toward the John C. Pace library. The wooden beams of the Commons' Great Hall were designed to make the interior look like the hull of a ship.
1970-1979 Greek-letter organizations launch at UWF, and Athletics joins the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics.
1980-1989 WUWF Public Radio hits the airwaves, and UWF expands in Fort Walton Beach.
1990-1999 The Center for Fine and Performing Arts opens. The softball team wins UWF's first national championship, and Athletics transitions to full National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II and Gulf South Conference membership.
The Center for Fine and Performing Arts.
2000-2009 Men's golf and tennis win NCAA DII national titles. The Health, Leisure, and Sports Facility opens. West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc., (now UWF Historic Trust) is formed.
2010-2019 Several new buildings open. Baseball and tennis teams win NCAA DII national titles. UWF football launches in 2016 and wins the 2019 national title.
2020-Present Martha D. Saunders
uwf.edu/President
UWF ranks highly in the Florida Board of Governors performance metrics. The football team hosts its first on-campus home season at Pen Air Field.
MEET THE MASCOT, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND
Argie IN THE FALL OF 1967, THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA’S INAUGURAL CLASS voted to select the Argonaut, now known as Argie, as their official mascot. The name is derived from the Greek myth Jason and the Argonauts, told in the ancient adventure poem the “Argonautica.” ARGIE THE ARGONAUT Birthday: Sept. 25 Star sign: Libra (Obvi. I’m very sociable and a great listener!) Height: Almost 7’ Job: Representing UWF Favorite colors: Blue for the sky, green for the waters of the Emerald Coast
According to the tale, King Pelias challenges the hero Jason, the rightful heir to the throne of Iolcis, to an impossible task: Sail the treacherous seas to Colchis, retrieve the Golden Fleece of the winged ram Chrysomallos, and reclaim the throne. Jason leads the mighty Argonauts, named after their ship, the Argo, as they set out on their quest. After braving deadly creatures, monsters, and other formidable foes, Jason and the Argonauts persevere and return victorious. Today, Argie serves as an ambassador of UWF to the greater community. With a sword and shield to protect, Argie dons the green of the sea and the blue of the sky, the official school colors, and exemplifies steadfast pride in the institution.
Argie celebrates his birthday each year on Sept. 25 in recognition of UWF’s first day of classes in 1967. Always present at major campus events and athletic competitions, he maintains a close-knit camaraderie with faculty, staff, students, and friends of the University.
DISCOVER A
Connected Campus UWF's integral role in Northwest Florida includes preserving history and offering destination-worthy entertainment, community programs, and recreational attractions to the community.
ARCADIA MILL
LEISURE LEARNING
The Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site in Milton is home to the largest antebellum mill in Northwest Florida and an active archaeological field school. Historic Arcadia's grounds, including the boardwalk and pavilion, are open year-round, sunrise to sunset. Tickets to the Arcadia Mill Visitor Center and Arcadia Homestead are available most Fridays and Saturdays. HistoricPensacola.org 850.595.5985
UWF Leisure Learning provides programs for learners 55+ looking to explore new or different ideas, skills, hobbies or viewpoints. Membership also provides opportunities to: • Explore the area through day trips, tours and exclusive experiences. • Expand skills in various subjects. • Participate in discussions across topics from current global affairs to psychology to changes and new developments in our community. • Attend courses led by professors, community leaders, professionals and other intellectuals in their fields. uwf.edu/LeisureLearning 850.473.7468
ARCHAEOLOGY INSTITUTE Located at UWF's main entrance, the Archaeology Institute (89) showcases exhibits on the archaeology of Northwest Florida. Prehistoric Native American, colonial, early American and Victorian artifacts are on display, including a 300-year-old cannon from Santa Maria de Galve. Free and open to the public Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. uwf.edu/archaeology 850.474.3015
LOUIS MAYGARDEN CENTER FOR FINANCIAL LITERACY ATHLETICS UWF fields 15 intercollegiate athletics teams and hosts home events on campus, including football games at Pen Air Field. Tickets available online. GoArgos.com
Housed in UWF's College of Business, the center focuses on improving the financial health and well-being of the Pensacola area, offering free workshops, seminars, speaker series and credit counseling services. uwf.edu/centers 850.474.2353
FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UWF provides management assistance and training to prospective and existing small-business owners in Northwest Florida. Programs deliver current information to help owners make sound decisions and to assist potential owners in starting on the right foot. sbdc.uwf.edu 850.474.2528
students and is committed to bringing artists from across the world for the enjoyment, enrichment and artistic development of UWF’s student body and the greater community. uwf.edu/cfpa
YOUTH PROGRAMS GENCYBER EXPERIENCE SATURDAY CAMPS The GenCyber Experience is free for area students in grades 6-8 and 9-12 to learn about cybersecurity and its careers through experience with realworld tools and problems. Sessions are held at the Center for Cybersecurity, Second Floor, SCI Building, 220 W. Garden St., Pensacola. Advance registration required. uwf.edu/cybersecurity
MOVEMENT ACADEMY Movement Academy provides opportunities to cultivate interpersonal skills, increase physical activity and develop positive health habits. Created for homeschool students ages 5-17, Movement Academy also provides UWF students with first-hand teaching experience. Registration required. uwf.edu/ContinuingEd
EXPLORE CAMPS Designed for incoming 1st-12th graders, Explore Camps allow kids to discover their creativity, challenge their minds and build new friendships. A mixture of STEAM-based academics plus a creative atmosphere results in one-ofa-kind day camp experiences. Taught by certified teachers and professionals, programs are carefully designed to be engaging and fun. uwf.edu/ContinuingEd
CENTER FOR FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS
The Center for Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA, 82) is the heart of artistic expression for the University and a primary destination for arts and culture in Northwest Florida. Home to the Departments of Art, Music and Theatre at UWF, the CFPA specializes in showcasing the work of UWF
simmering sauces. Enjoy hot and hearty traditional and vegetarian soups, bisques and chowders and an abundant salad bar.
Box Office Monday-Friday, 1-5 p.m. 850.857.6285 uwf.edu/tickets
THE ART GALLERY The Art Gallery (TAG) at UWF features revolving exhibitions that highlight both student work as well as regional, national and international artists. Exhibitions promote contemporary critical thinking and cultural inspiration. TAG is across from Main Stage Theatre and Music Hall in the Center of Fine and Performing Arts (82). uwf.edu/tag
STARBUCKS® AT ARGONAUT VILLAGE
THEATRE
PACE LIBRARY COFFEEHOUSE
The Theatre Department delivers a full season of performances annually in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts' (82) Mainstage Theatre and Studio Theatre. uwf.edu/theatre
MUSIC The Department of Music performs ensemble and solo events at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts (82) and in the community. Featured ensembles include the UWF Singers, Symphonic Band, Runge Strings Orchestra, Jazz Band and Combo and the Pensacola West Percussion Ensemble, an ensemble in partnership with Pensacola State College. uwf.edu/music
DINING Dining Services has 11 dining locations on campus. Facility hours vary. uwf.edu/dining
THE NAUTILUS MARKET The Nautilus Market (University Commons, 22) is UWF's all-you-careto-eat and meal plan dining facility. Chefs serve a changing menu of specialties, including hand-tossed pizza, sandwiches and more. Daily features include traditional homestyle meals, fresh cooked pastas and
Starbucks® at Argonaut Village, 10015 N. Davis Highway (east entrance to campus), is open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
The Pace Library Coffeehouse (32) is a "We Proudly Serve Starbucks®" location with coffee beverages and teas, as well as a variety of pastries, snacks and breakfast sandwiches.
ARGO EXPRESS Argo Express, in the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering (4), is a "We Proudly Serve Starbucks®" location with coffee beverages, graband-go salads, sandwiches, wraps, parfaits, drinks and snacks.
SWITZ CAFÉ Switz Café, in the College of Business (76A), is a "We Proudly Serve Starbucks®" location with coffee, cappuccinos, grab-and-go salads, sandwiches, wraps, drinks and snacks.
ARGO REFUEL Argo Refuel, in the Health, Leisure and Sports Facility (72), is a smoothie and healthy juice drink cafe offering great beverages, power bars, snacks, wraps, salads, fruits and grab-and-go items.
WHICH-WICH® Which-Wich® Superior Sandwiches (Commons-22, Argo Galley) offers more than 50 varieties of customizable "wiches," including vegetarian options and several wiches of less than 400 calories each.
EVENTS.UWF.EDU UWF's Center for Fine and Performing Arts showcases theatre performances, art exhibits, and musical events.
Find upcoming UWF events and activities.
TWISTED TACO®
COMMUNITY GARDEN
Twisted Taco® (Commons-22, Argo Galley) is an American Mexican Cantina offering a variety of tacos, nachos, queso and more.
The UWF Community Garden was established in 2009 in collaboration with Manna, a local food pantry. With the help of the UWF Kugelman Honors Program, the garden found a permanent site on campus near the water tower and WUWF (88). The garden's accessibility to the public has fostered a strong sense of community at UWF among those who share a passion for the natural world. uwf.edu/garden
Located in the University Commons (22), the official UWF Bookstore stocks the largest selection of textbooks, course materials and Argonaut emblematic gear in Pensacola. uwfshop.com 850.474.2150
CHICK-FIL-A® Chick-fil-A® (Commons-22, Argo Galley) specializes in a variety of chicken sandwiches, breakfasts, salads, sides and frozen treats.
DOWNTOWN PENSACOLA HISTORIC PENSACOLA
BENTO SUSHI Located in President's Hall (922), Bento offers Asian favorites like sushi, poke, rice bowls, ramen and bento boxes.
P.O.D. Located in Presidents Hall (922), P.O.D. (Provisions On Demand) carries a large assortment of dairy items, graband-go meal solutions, frozen foods, beverages, salty snacks, health and beauty aids and more.
GARDENS CAMELLIA GARDEN The UWF Camellia Garden (near 41) first bloomed in Spring 2008 with the help of the Pensacola Camellia Club and the UWF Retired Employees Association. Featuring more than 130 species, this garden showcases a variety of camellias that bloom in cooler months. The garden is a stop of the American Camellia Trail.
UWF BOOKSTORE
LIBRARIES JOHN C. PACE LIBRARY Community members are welcome to utilize the University of West Florida libraries. Free community member cards are available to residents 18 or older of the 10 contiguous counties of the Northwest Florida Panhandle (Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun and Gulf). Library cards may be obtained by visiting the Circulation desk and providing a picture ID and proof of residence. Computers on the first and second floors of the John C. Pace Library (32) are available for public use. Guest logins may be obtained at the Information Desk on the first floor. The library is home to the University Archives and West Florida History Center, home to 800 collections totaling about 1.8 million items. The center has one of the largest research collections on West Florida, its history, development and people from earliest settlement to the present. Some items are online. uwf.edu/library 850.474.2424
LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES UWF has four Little Free Library locations on the Pensacola campus. Little Free Libraries are weatherprotected book-sharing boxes. Little Free Library boxes are by the Connection Deck, Pace Hall, the Educational Research Center for Child Development and the Community Garden. Arcadia Mill in Milton also has a Little Free Library.
The UWF Historic Trust creates opportunities to experience the authentic and diversely rich history of Northwest Florida, maintaining more than 30 properties. Tickets to Historic Pensacola provide admission to Historic Pensacola Village, the Museum of Commerce, the Museum of Industry, the Pensacola Children's Museum and the Pensacola Museum of Art. The Tivoli High House, 205 E. Zaragoza St., serves as a ticket outlet and museum store. Tickets are also available online. HistoricPensacola.org 850.595.5985
PENSACOLA HISTORIC VILLAGE Historic house guided tours include the Lavalle House, Old Christ Church, the Door House and the Lear/Rocheblave House. Self-guided tours through the museum complex include the Museum of Commerce, the Museum of Industry, the Julee Cottage and the John Appleyard Cottage. Tours are TuesdaySaturday at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF HISTORY Historic Pensacola's flagship museum, at 330 S. Jefferson St., is housed in the former Pensacola City Hall, built in 1907. The museum features both permanent and changing exhibits about the City of Five Flags. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.
PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART The Pensacola Museum of Art is the central art institution serving Pensacola and the greater Northwest Florida community. Built in 1906 as the Pensacola City Jail, the Pensacola landmark has served the community as an arts center since 1954. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.
PENSACOLA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM The Pensacola Children's Museum, 115 E. Zaragoza St., is designed for children 10 and younger to learn through play. Exhibits include the Kiddie Corral for visitors younger than 3, Colonial Classroom, Publix Super Markets Interactive Exhibit, Land and Sea: Wonders of the Gulf Coast and the Kids' Clinic. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.
VOICES OF PENSACOLA Voices of Pensacola, 117 E. Government St., highlights the diversity of the city through exhibits representative of the cultural groups that have shaped Pensacola history. On the second floor, the Hilton-Green Research Room houses a vast variety of documents, maps and photographs. Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 850.595.5840
• Dry sauna (16+). • Locker rooms with restrooms, showers and changing booths. Daily admission, memberships and locker rentals available. uwf.edu/aquatic aquatics@uwf.edu 850.474.2497
The Health, Leisure & Sports Facility (HLS, 72) is a 105,000-square-foot recreation center. In addition to serving students, the HLS offers alumni, leisure learning (55+) and community memberships (16+). The facility includes: • Strength and conditioning center. • Functional fitness area with platforms, dumbbells, benches and squat racks. • Four indoor basketball courts. • Three racquetball courts. • Multipurpose indoor soccer field. • 36-foot top-rope climbing wall and bouldering wall. • Cardio floor. • 1/8-mile indoor track. • Fitness assessment room. • Group fitness studios. • Locker rooms and day lockers. Anyone with an HLS membership can also rent outdoor recreation equipment, including tents, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. uwf.edu/recreation recreation@uwf.edu 850.474.2580
UNIVERSITY PARK
RECREATION
Open every day from dawn to midnight, outdoor facilities include tennis, sand volleyball and pickleball courts.
AQUATIC CENTER (73)
TRAILS
The Aquatic Center offers a variety of activities for the community, including swim lessons, American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Certification and party themes available for booking. Amenities include: • Pool: An indoor Olympic-sized pool, usually set for short-course-style swimming, 25-yard lap lanes. • Diving: The pool has both 1-meter and 3-meter springboards. A swim test may be required. • Whirlpool (16+).
LEAD TRAIL The 1.6-mile LEAD Trail is a mapped trail with two start/end points, at the WUWF Radio Station and the Center for Fine and Performing Arts (82).
HEALTH, LEISURE & SPORTS FACILITY (72)
POST OFFICE
UWF's full-service U.S. Post Office (University Commons, 22) is a passport acceptance facility and offers package wrapping assistance; parcel mailing; Priority Express (overnight) mail; certified, registered and insured mail; USPS tracking; signature confirmation service; and change of address cards.
Parking is available at the Sports Complex or between the Building 90 Complex and Martin Hall.
The Pensacola campus has more than 20 miles of trails. uwf.edu/trails
CROSS COUNTRY TRAILS Four cross country trails for runners and walkers wind through wildlife, including a sandhill, hammock and wetlands habitat. Offering varied terrain, the trails are bordered by Campus Drive and Campus Lane on two sides and are adjacent to Martin Hall and the Multipurpose Fields.
EDWARD BALL NATURE TRAIL The Edward Ball Nature Trail is a halfmile boardwalk through Thompson Bayou over a hardwood swamp that's home to mammals, birds, fish and reptiles, including an occasional American alligator. This trail is for foot traffic only. Leaving the Visitors Center (81), turn right on Campus Drive. After about a half mile, turn left into Parking Lots F and G. Follow signs for the Edward Ball Nature Preserve. The trail can be accessed behind Crosby Hall (10) and Building 11.
WEST CAMPUS TRAILS Located on the westernmost 600 acres of the Pensacola campus, the West Campus Trails are diverse and challenging biking and hiking trails used by hikers, cyclists, geocache and equestrian enthusiasts. Trail etiquette necessitates those on foot yield to horses, while cyclists yield to foot traffic and equestrians. Motorcycles and off-road vehicles not permitted. The heart of the main campus has three scenic walking routes of varied distance and degrees of difficulty: • Route A: 1.24 miles • Route B: 1.55 miles • Route C: 2.10 miles
DISC GOLF A 21-hole disc golf course spans the UWF campus. The 2-mile course starts and ends across the street from Martin Hall (920), with several stops outside of the Center for Fine and Performing Arts (82), the School of Education (85) and other locations. uwf.edu/DiscGolf
REC PLEX NORTH PARKRUN UWF is the first university in North America to host parkrun. A volunteerbased nonprofit, parkrun offers free, weekly, timed 5Ks—walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate—to the community at 7:30 a.m. every Saturday, year-round, at UWF's Rec Plex North Field. Participants must register to be timed. parkrun.us/RecPlexNorth
“UWF has given me amazing memories, lasting friendships, and countless opportunities to achieve my academic goals.” Adell Roebuck Communication, ’24
Grow in ways you never thought possible. FIND EVERYTHING YOU WANT AND ALL OF WHAT YOU NEED AT UWF.
At the University of West Florida, our spirited learners are exploring limitless possibilities and finding real value in everything we have to offer. Find a campus community, new friends, and an unparalleled education—all at UWF.
uwf.edu/freshman uwf.edu/Admissions