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1963 - Bill Introduced
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.
1966 - Florida Junior College at Jacksonville
The Florida Junior College at Jacksonville opens.
1967 - Jacksonville's Consolidation
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.
1967 - Feasibility Study
Responding to the legislative action of 1965, the Florida Board of Regents conducted a feasibility study which was published in February of 1967.
1967 - 1967 Legislature
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.
1968 - UNF Site
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.
1968 - Florida Legislature
A special session of the 1968 Florida Legislature appropriated $225,850 to plan for the new institution and employ the early administrators.
1969 - Site Acquired
A special session of the 1968 Florida Legislature appropriated $225,850 to plan for the new institution and employ the early administrators.
1969 - First UNF President
Florida Board of Regents appointed Dr. Thomas G. Carpenter as UNF's first president.
1969 - Campus Site Title
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."
1971 - UNF's Groundbreaking
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 Reubin Askew was the keynote speaker." (Murphy, p. 2)."
1972 - UNF's First Day of Class
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.
1973 - UNF's First Graduating Class
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.
1974 - Charter Class Commencement
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).
1974 - Three Additional Buildings
Three additional buildings open on campus.
1974 - Full Accreditation
"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).
1976 - Alumni Association Founded
The University establishes the UNF Alumni Association.
1978 - National Recreational Trail
U.S. Dept. of the Interior recognizes UNF Nature Trails as a National Recreational Trail.
1979 - UNF Selects Osprey Mascot
The Osprey becomes UNF's official mascot by write-in vote, beating out the armadillo, seagull, manatee and shark in a campus-wide election.
1980 - New UNF Library
The new library opens, named for then UNF president Thomas G. Carpenter.
1982 - President Curtis L. McCray Inaugurated
McCray inaugurated as the second president of University of North Florida.
1983 - First Varsity Scholarship Awarded to Marilyn Krichko
Marilyn Krichko signed the University's first varsity athletic scholarship.
1984 - Freshmen & Sophomores
Freshman and sophomore programs are authorized in 1983.
1987 - UNF Women's Center Opens
UNF Women's Center opens with Shirley Webb as founder and first executive director as a volunteer.
1987 - New Aquatics Center
The new Aquatics Center with an Olympic-size pool opens.
1988 - UNF establishes College of Health
The University establishes the College of Health.
1988 - First Student Graduates with Perfect 4.0 GPA
Monique French becomes the first four-year student to graduate with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
1989 - Adam W. Herbert Becomes UNF President
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.
1989 - Founder's Hall
Founder's Hall is dedicated.
1989 - University Establishes Fifth College
UNF establishes its fifth college, known as the College of Computer and Information Sciences.
1990 - UNF's First Doctoral Program
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.
1990 - Faculty Inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame
Rich Matteson, professor of music, is inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame.
1994 - Women's Tennis Wins NCAA Division II National Championship
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.
1995 - Harriet the Mascot
Harriet the 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.
1997 - 25th Anniversary
UNF celebrates its 25th anniversary.
1999 - Anne H. Hopkins Inaugurated as UNF President
Anne H. Hopkins became UNF’s fourth president.
2001 - Fine Arts Center Opens
UNF's new Fine Arts Center, with seating for 1,300 in the Lazzara Performance Hall, opens.
2002 - College of Business Renamed
The College of Business Administration becomes Coggin College of Business in honor of Luther and Blanche Coggin, who donate $5 million to the college.
2003 - Desmond Tutu
Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu arrives on campus to teach for one semester.
2003 - John A. Delaney, 5th UNF President
John A. Delaney becomes UNF’s fifth president.
2005 - School of Nursing Flagship Program
The School of Nursing becomes UNF's first flagship program, which focuses resources to help transform existing excellence into academic programs with national prominence.
2006 - The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review ranks UNF as one of nation’s five best buys in public higher education.
2006 - College of Health Renamed
The College of Health officially becomes Brooks College of Health after Brooks Health System following a $5 million gift to the college.
2006 - Soccer and Track Stadium
George and Kernan Hodges donate $2 milllion to upgrade what is now called Hodges Soccer and Track Stadium.
2006 - LGBTQ Resource Center Opens
UNF founds the LGBTQ Resource Center.
2007 - UNF Celebrates its 35th Anniversary
UNF marks its 35th Anniversary. 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.
2007 - UNF Awarded LEED Certification
The University is awarded LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The University of North Florida dedicated its new Social Sciences building during a ceremony held on campus in 2006 October. The facility is Jacksonville's first LEED-registered facility (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), making it an environmentally responsible and healthy building for students, faculty and staff.
2009 - UNF Establishes Military Veterans Resource Center
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".
2009 - UNF opens new Student Union.
UNF's new Student Union opens, named for former UNF president John A. Delaney.
2010 - The College of Education Building achieves LEED Gold Status.
The College of Education Building achieves LEED Gold Status. The building was named the Tom and Betty Petway Hall in 2012.
2011: UNF on 50 "Best Value" Public Colleges and Universities List
UNF is named one of the nation's 50 "Best Value" public colleges and universities according to the Princeton Review.
2012: Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations
UNF Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations Founded
2012: Biological Sciences Building
The Biological Sciences building opens with 27 faculty research labs and a 6,000 gallon-capacity seawater system.
2013: Ogier Gardens Dedicated
The Frederick C. and Ophelia Tate Ogier Gardens are officially dedicated.
2015: Hicks Honors College Dedication Ceremony
The University of North Florida added its sixth academic college - the Hicks Honors College - further expanding learning opportunities for some of UNF’s highest achieving students, thanks to a multimillion dollar donation. Formerly known as the Honors Program, the new College, which received the support of the Faculty Association and was approved by the University’s Board of Trustees, was made possible by a $7 million gift from long-time friends of UNF - Ann and David Hicks.
2016: Princeton Review: UNF Among Best Regional Colleges
The Princeton Review names UNF among the "Best Colleges in the Southeast" region for eight years running.
2018: President Dr. David M. Szymanski
Dr. David M. Szymanski becomes the sixth president of the University of North Florida.
2020: UNF Transitions to Remote Instruction due to Pandemic
UNF transitions to remote instruction in order to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote instruction starts for two weeks and continues until the end of the semester. Summer classes would also be offered remotely.
2020: UNF Announces MedNexus
The University of North Florida announces the creation of UNF MedNexus. UNF MedNexus will be the nation's first comprehensive, university-based medical and healthcare nexus, further placing UNF at the center of the Northeast Florida healthcare enterprise by connecting healthcare providers with University students, faculty and researchers.
2020: Campus Reopens after Pandemic Closures
Campus reopens to UNF Faculty, Students, and Staff for in person attendance.
2021: Lend-a-Wing Food Pantry
The Lend-a-Wing food pantry holds its Grand Reopening in the Student Union.
