Photo: Person smiles with greenery behind

UWF announces Cass Boatwright as new chief operating officer

The University of West Florida has named Cass Boatwright assistant vice president and chief operating officer, effective Sept. 22. This role will further support the University’s continued growth and ensure a safe, efficient and resilient campus. “Cass has been a dedicated and valued member of the UWF community,” said Betsy Bowers, vice president for the […]

Photo (left): Student in graduation cap and gown holding a diploma. Graphic (right): blue nautilus shell. Badge (center) with text: Best Colleges U.S. News & World Report Regional Universities Public 2026

UWF ranks No. 6 in U.S. News & World Report’s Top Public Schools – Regional South Rankings

The University of West Florida earned its highest position to date in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2026 Best College rankings, placing No. 6 among Top Public Schools – Regional South. This marks the University’s fourth consecutive year in the top 10 public institutions in the region. “We are proud to see UWF recognized […]

Photo: Nine people stand in front of a blue backdrop that reads, "University of West Florida Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business" with a green nautilus shell backdrop on both sides. The three people in the center hold a large check with text: "Warren Averett. Date: September 19, 2025. Pay to the order of University of West Florida $250,000 Two Hundred & Fifty Thousand 00/100 dollars. Memo: Lifetime Giving Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business." Signed, "Warren Averett."

UWF recognizes decades of giving from Warren Averett

The University of West Florida celebrated the lifetime giving of Warren Averett at a special ceremony in the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business. The regional accounting and advisory firm’s philanthropic relationship with UWF began when Mort O’Sullivan’s accounting firm made its first gift to the accounting and finance department in 1986, and since then, […]

Graphic: two-tone light pink vertical stripes with six ladies. Text: Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling October 10-12 & 17-19, 2025 7:30 Friday & Saturday 2:30 Sunday

UWF Theatre presents “Steel Magnolias”

The University of West Florida Department of Theatre presents “Steel Magnolias.” Performances will be held Oct. 10-12 and Oct. 17-19 with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. All performances will take place in the Mainstage Theatre of the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, on the […]

Photo: Old Christ Church on the corner of Zarragossa Street and Adams Street in historic downtown Pensacola.

Dr. Grier Williams School of Music presents the Old Christ Church Chamber Music Concert Series

The UWF Chamber Music Series at Old Christ Church continues its 20th season this fall. The University of West Florida Dr. Grier Williams School of Music will present the UWF Chamber Music Series on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at noon. The concert will be held at Old Christ Church in historic downtown Pensacola. Under the direction […]

Photo: UWF student Lousindy Mitton soft smiles with green trees and grass in the background.

UWF student selected for prestigious DoD Cyber Service Academy Scholarship

UWF student Lousindy Mitton has been selected as a U.S. Department of War DoD Cyber Service Academy Scholar. This scholarship award carries a total value of up to $379,610 that will pay for Mitton’s annual tuition, cost of books and stipend of $34,000 until the completion of her Ph.D. degree in intelligent systems and robotics […]

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UWF enrollment exceeds 15,000 students

The University of West Florida has achieved a historic milestone, surpassing 15,000 students enrolled for the first time in the University’s 58-year history. To date, enrollment has reached 15,601 for the Fall 2025 semester, marking a 5% increase over last year and exceeding the University’s goal of 15,200 students by 3%. “Surpassing 15,000 students is […]

Student looks at a computer screen. A tv screen on the wall behind the person says, "Center for Cybersecurity at the University of West Florida."

UWF Center for Cybersecurity awarded $2M grant to expand Florida cybersecurity training program

The University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity has been awarded a $2 million grant to expand the UWF Florida Cybersecurity Training Program, a statewide initiative that provides free cybersecurity education for eligible Florida government personnel. The program is funded by the Florida Legislature through the Cyber Florida: FirstLine initiative. “This program will equip Florida’s […]

Dr. Brent Venable points to a white board with red figured drawn on it while a seated student looks.

UWF awarded $7.5M Office of Naval Research grant to advance research in decision making

The University of West Florida has been awarded a five-year, $7,488,652 grant from the Office of Naval Research to lead a groundbreaking project aimed at advancing understanding of human judgment and decision making, subject to negotiating a term sheet and legal contract. The project, titled “Adaptive Taxonomic Modeling of Variability in Judgement and Decision Making,” […]

Three University of West Florida students sitting at desk working on mechanical robot arm.

Six UWF STEM programs receive prestigious ABET reaccreditation 

Six University of West Florida STEM programs have earned reaccreditation from the Computing and Engineering Accreditation Commissions of ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural sciences, computing, engineering and engineering technology. The undergraduate programs in computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, cybersecurity and information technology are accredited […]

UWF Interim President Diaz stands between two National Merit Finalists

UWF welcomes National Merit Finalists and top scholarship recipients

The University of West Florida welcomed two National Merit Finalists this fall semester, bringing the recipients of this scholarship to 18 students since 2017. John David McCrory and Collin McDonald are among the approximately 16,000 students across the country who met the requirements for Finalist standing out of an estimated 1.3 million participating high school […]

Graphic: University of West Florida College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Presents Gulf Coast Culture Pensacola Noir. Grayscale background with buildings, a street map and nautilus shell.

UWF announces 2025-26 Gulf Coast Culture Series: Pensacola Noir

The University of West Florida’s College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities is proud to announce this year’s Gulf Coast Culture Series theme: Pensacola Noir. The Gulf Coast Culture Series is an evolution of the longstanding Experience UWF Downtown Lecture Series. Launched in 2024, GCC expands beyond lectures to celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of […]