by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
The University of North Florida (UNF) celebrated its 35th anniversary on Tuesday with past presidents, board and trustee members and current faculty, staff and students.
In addition to the 35th anniversary, UNF President John Delaney honored four community leaders with a Presidential Medallion, the highest form of nonacademic recognition awarded by the University.
This is the third year UNF has recognized community leaders who have had an impact on the university. This year’s recipients are: Tom Carpenter, Jim Citrano, Jack Diamond and Adam Herbert.
Herbert was also the special guest speaker. Herbert, who was UNF’s president from 1989-1998, is currently the president emeritus and professor in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University.
Herbert spoke about the growth of UNF through numbers from 1989-1999. He said the size of the incoming freshman class grew from 358 to 1,491, the mean SAT score for incoming freshman grew from 1062 to 1124 and the mean GPA for students went from 3.1 to 3.52.
“All of the development was through the effort of so many colleagues and community leaders,” said Herbert. “Through the leadership of President Delaney, UNF will continue to shine.”
Delaney spoke about all of the additions that the campus has seen as well as the planned additions.
“This is a great opportunity to look back and a wonderful opportunity to look ahead,” he said.
Delaney spoke about the dedication of the new Social Science Building, Northeast Florida’s first LEED certified building. He also spoke about acquiring the old AOL building and the plans for expanding the campus east towards Kernan Boulevard.
When UNF opened its doors on Oct. 2, 1972 there were about 2,000 students and four buildings. Now, 35 years later, there are over 17,000 students and 51 buildings. Those who knew what the campus was like on day one have seen tremendous growth.
Carpenter was UNF’s first president. Tuesday wasn’t Carpenter’s first trip back to campus, as he has been part of a lot of major changes at UNF.
“He continues to be a great supporter of the university,” said Delaney. “He poured his heart and soul into this campus.”
Citrano has been a part of UNF for many years and it began in 1987 when he was president of the UNF Foundation. Delaney said he has helped shape both Jacksonville and UNF.
“He is one of those wonderful persons who is a giver to the community and not a taker,” he said.
Diamond, who is out of the country and could not attend the event, has also helped shape UNF’s campus. Two of his major projects on campus include the Carpenter Library addition and the Fine Arts Center.
“You can see signs of his work all over campus,” said Delaney of Diamond who is a principal at Rink Design Partnership Inc.
Tom Reynolds of Rink Design accepted Diamond’s award on his behalf.
Herbert, who has not lived in Jacksonville since 1998, is planning to retire in Jacksonville.
“He (Herbert) took a small and promising university and helped make it a major imprint on our region,” said Delaney. “We are thrilled to welcome you back home.”