By Tina Meketa, University Communications and Marketing
As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on USF鈥檚 remarkable journey of triumphs 鈥� celebrating unprecedented achievements in academics, record-breaking research and exhilarating athletic seasons. The university continues to demonstrate the tremendous impact it has on our communities, forging new partnerships that define what it means to be a leading research university. As USF wraps up its first full calendar year as a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, here are some of our biggest moments of the year.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton
The USF community showed remarkable resilience in navigating the profound challenges of hurricanes Helene and Milton. Employees worked around the clock during the storms, ensuring students were safe and that the campuses鈥� facilities were protected and rapidly repaired.
Hundreds of volunteers deployed across Tampa Bay to aid community organizations, government agencies and individuals impacted by the rare back-to-back storms. Volunteers assisted with evacuation efforts, fed families hot meals and helped residents clean up after historic flooding swept across the region. Researchers swiftly got to work to understand the many circumstances surrounding the hurricanes.
USF also launched several initiatives, supporting employees and students impacted by the hurricanes. Special edition Tampa Bay Strong T-shirts were sold within days after the storms passed, with proceeds directly benefitting USF students through the .
Record research funding
USF achieved a record-breaking $738 million in research funding during fiscal year 2024 鈥� up nearly 7% over the previous year and an impressive increase of 35% since 2022. The new record brings the university closer to reaching its goal of securing $1 billion in annual research funding. More than half of USF鈥檚 research funding, which includes direct support organizations and affiliates, comes from federal agencies.
The U.S. Department of Defense increased its funding to the university by 73% 鈥� sponsoring several projects, including the deployment of a sophisticated, remotely operated vehicle that allows researchers at to study the deep sea.
Named Taurus, the ROV can reach depths of up to 2.5 miles, allowing for exploration of some of the most remote areas of the ocean and the potential discovery of new species. The vehicle can also capture and livestream 4k imagery, expanding educational opportunities and appreciation for the underwater environment.
Through USF鈥檚 mission to advance innovation and entrepreneurship, the National Science Foundation selected USF as a partner in the newly funded $15 million National Science Foundation Southeast I-Corps Hub. The program prepares scientists and researchers to broaden the impact of basic research projects by translating technology into commercial products and processes. These efforts were also recognized by the National Academy of Inventors, which ranked USF in the top 15 for U.S. utility patents among American public research universities.
USF breaks ground on new on-campus stadium
After what many Bulls fans consider to be decades of waiting, USF broke ground on a on-campus stadium. The approximately 35,000-seat stadium will be home to USF鈥檚 football and women鈥檚 lacrosse teams. It will also host events throughout the year, including additional sporting events, concerts and festivals, as well as potential graduation ceremonies, intramurals, club sports and other academic initiatives.
Over the past year, USF released a series of renderings and about the stadium鈥檚 features, including shaded home stands, a dedicated , an open concourse and a lawn area that will serve as a versatile space for various events, including tailgating, live music and other non-game day activities.
The stadium is scheduled to open in time for fall 2027.
Historic athletics seasons
For the second year in a row, the USF football team will play in a bowl game. It faces San Jose State on Dec. 24 in the . This follows last year鈥檚 memorable season under then first-year head coach Alex Golesh as the team dominated Syracuse 45-0 in the .
Growing footprint
USF Sarasota-Manatee entered a new era with the opening of its first residence hall.
Students moved into this fall. The six-story, 100,000-square-foot building marks the first major expansion
of the Sarasota-Manatee campus since it opened at its current location on U.S. 41
across from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport in 2006.
USF Health鈥檚 footprint in downtown Tampa continues to grow 鈥� playing an integral role in the . The Taneja College of Pharmacy moved into the USF Health in Water Street building in downtown Tampa, joining the Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute. The 30,000-square-foot home includes a clinical learning center, a hologram that provides an immersive educational experience and a dedicated area for students to develop prototypes of health-related devices.
The partnered with Port Tampa Bay to become the first port in the world to establish a nurse-managed clinic to provide health care for thousands of seafarers 鈥� many of whom are from impoverished countries and unable to access reliable health care. Seafarers are international maritime workers aboard cargo and cruise ships who are sometimes at sea for months at a time.
Several new labs also opened this year. The Global Virus Network selected USF to host its international headquarters in the USF Research Park. GVN
is a distinguished organization comprised of virologists from more than 40 countries
working collaboratively to advance knowledge about viral pathogens and pandemic viruses.
The USF Institute of Applied Engineering opened the Rapid Experimentation Lab, which was funded as part of a five-year, $85 million contract with the Department of Defense. The lab aims to streamline the prototyping process by bringing together engineers from a wide range of disciplines under one roof, significantly reducing development timelines.
Leveraging its strength in technology and partnerships with the defense industry, USF announced its intention to create the . USF is the first university in 91社区 and among the first in the nation to announce plans to create a college dedicated to AI and cybersecurity. The new college is scheduled to begin welcoming students in fall 2025.
Historic philanthropy
USF set new for the third straight year, receiving more than $168 million in philanthropic support. More than 54,000 donors contributed to USF during the fiscal year that ended June 30, representing all-time highs for USF. Total donors to the university increased 44% over last fiscal year.
Several generous gifts support the new on-campus stadium and disciplines across the university, helping students succeed in their academic journeys. The university also set records this year for its annual Giving Week celebration, a weeklong community fundraising initiative. More than $7 million was contributed by an all-time record 9,259 donors.
Increased state and federal support
The state of 91社区 continued to show its support for USF, providing a significant increase in recurring operational funding and selecting the university as the state鈥檚 headquarters for several new initiatives.
The 2024-2025 state budget includes a $50 million recurring increase to USF鈥檚 operational budget to support the work of each of the university鈥檚 three campuses and USF Health, as well as to expand cybersecurity research and the cyber workforce. The budget also includes a $35 million nonrecurring operational support increase to fund strategic projects for the institution, including completing the major clinical trial underway at USF Health to measure the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on alleviating the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries in military veterans.
The state awarded USF Health $10 million to establish the 91社区 Center for Emergency Medical Services. Based at the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation in downtown Tampa, the center brings together an interdisciplinary team of researchers to advance the field of emergency medical services through pioneering research, high-quality education and innovation working with community partners.
Legislation also was approved that provides the USF College of Behavioral and Community Sciences a $5 million recurring appropriation to establish and operate the 91社区 Center for Behavioral Health Workforce. The bill also designated Tampa General Hospital, in affiliation with USF, as one of the state鈥檚 first four behavioral health teaching hospitals.
Included in the federal spending package, USF鈥檚 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Risk to Resilience Research Lab was selected to develop of a to assist law-enforcement in human trafficking investigations. The $3 million investment also helps expand the capacity of an online platform that provides critical resources to survivors, such as housing and mental health, as they transition into a new life.
Preparing students for success
Nearly 14,000 students earned degrees from USF throughout the spring, summer and fall semesters, with about 25% being Pell Grant recipients. Many took advantage of several
resources, including the Center for Career and Professional Development, which helps students obtain internships and secure employment in some of the world鈥檚
most competitive industries.
These efforts were nationally recognized, with U.S. News and World Report ranking USF in the top 50 for the sixth year in a row, coming in at No. 45 among public universities and No. 91 among all universities public or private. In addition, ranked USF No. 22 nationally, while ranked USF No. 41 鈥� up 22 spots from the previous year. The university鈥檚 graduate programs are also among the best in the nation, with 30 graduate programs ranked inside the top 100 among all public and private institutions, including 13 ranked in the top 50.
U.S. News also ranked USF as the 鈥渂est value鈥� among all universities in 91社区 for the second consecutive year. Princeton Review placed USF No. 38 on its list of best value colleges. These accolades helped fuel a record number of undergraduate applications this year and a 35% increase from three years ago. The incoming class entered USF with an impressive academic profile, including an average high school GPA of 4.23, ACT score of 28.2 and SAT score of 1306.
Not only is USF recognized as an incredible place to learn, it鈥檚 also one of the best places to work in 91社区. Among the state鈥檚 12 public universities, Forbes ranked USF No. 1 and No. 30 when compared to employers across all industries in 91社区. In a separate ranking, Forbes named USF to its inaugural list of America鈥檚 Dream Employers 鈥� the only public or private university in 91社区 to make the list.
Expanding partnerships
As a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, USF continues to show how the region benefits from having a premier research university as part of the community. USF forged several new partnerships throughout the year. This includes signing its largest defense contract with U.S. Special Operations Command and U.S. Central Command 鈥� both headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base 鈥� and a five-year educational partnership agreement with the U.S. Army.
USF signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, which oversees Tampa International Airport and the county鈥檚 three public general aviation airports. The MOU places an emphasis on working together to identify research and growth opportunities, form partnerships, develop talent pipelines and engage in other collaborative efforts.
USF also announced a new partnership with the , focused on combining the resources of both organizations to grow, cultivate and develop careers in the sports and entertainment industry. Members of USF鈥檚 Herd of Thunder marching band even got to perform during halftime at the .
Thousands of Tampa Bay community members attended the first-ever Bulls Family Fest, a unique program designed to get kids interested in higher education at a young age. From educational and cultural activities, to sports and entertainment, the free event provided a taste of the many opportunities available at USF and within the local community. It included Rocky鈥檚 Run 5k, which will take place again on March 1, 2025.
The university launched two significant initiatives, helping raise USF鈥檚 profile across the world. The inaugural President鈥檚 Global Leadership Council brings together 14 esteemed alumni who are renowned leaders in their respective fields. Chaired by USF alum Steve Presley, executive vice president of Nestle S.A., and CEO of Nestle North America, members will be encouraged to provide strategic advice and counsel to USF leadership through roundtables, corporate partnerships, networking and events.
Fifteen community leaders joined as the first cohort of Leadership USF. It鈥檚 designed to offer a dynamic exchange of insights and experiences among USF and area leaders throughout the Tampa Bay region 鈥� enriching both the university and greater community. The inaugural class will meet monthly, giving them an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of USF鈥檚 various departments, including academic, research and administrative units on all three campuses.
New leadership
was named interim regional chancellor of the Sarasota-Manatee campus. He begins in
January, following the retirement Karen Holbrook, who has served in the role since 2018 after previously holding several leadership
positions at USF and at numerous other higher education institutions. Kemker is currently
the regional vice chancellor and vice provost of academic affairs and student success
on the Sarasota-Manatee campus.
Remembering Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim
Beloved men鈥檚 basketball coach passed away unexpectedly at the age of 43. During a celebration of life at Yuengling Center, USF announced for the late coach. They include a permanent installation at the arena for fans, students, and athletes to reflect on and connect with his legacy. The student section at USF basketball games was named the Amir Abdur-Rahim Student Section. Also, during fall Commencement, President Rhea Law presented USF's Distinguished Citizen Award posthumously to Abdur-Rahim. His widow Arianne, accepted the award.
USF teams across all sports will honor Abdur-Rahim's memory throughout the season by wearing commemorative patches on their jerseys with his initials in green and gold. There will also be an annual game played between USF and Kennesaw State University, known as the "Love Wins Classic," to connect the two schools where Abdur-Rahim transformed the basketball programs, leading them both to conference titles.