History of Florida State University in Timeline

Florida State University, a public research university in Tallahassee, Florida, holds the distinction of being the oldest continuous site of higher education in the state. Founded in 1851, it is a senior member of the State University System of Florida.

1901: Florida State Becomes a Collegiate Institution

In 1901, Florida State University was officially recognized as a collegiate institution and became Florida State College. Its activities prior to this were limited to secondary-school grade courses.

1902: Formation of Florida State University's First Official Varsity Football Team

Florida State University established its first official varsity football team in 1902, known as "The Eleven."

1904: Florida State Football Team Becomes State Champions

In 1904, Florida State University's football team achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first-ever state champions of Florida after victories over the Florida Agricultural College and Stetson University.

1905: Florida State University Founded as a Women-Only College

In 1905, Florida State University was established as a women-only college, marking the beginning of its journey as an institution of higher learning.

1905: Buckman Act Reorganizes Florida College System

The 1905 Florida Legislature passed the Buckman Act, reorganizing the Florida college system into separate schools for white men, white women, and African Americans. This act controversially changed a historic coeducational state school into a school for women.

1911: Florida Supreme Court Decision on Westcott Will

In 1911, the Florida Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state educational board in a case involving James Westcott III's estate, supporting the use of his funds for a single-sex school despite his will's original intent.

1919: Florida State University Size Comparison Until 1919

Until 1919, Florida State University was the largest of the original two state universities in Florida.

1920: Founding of Lakefront Retreat for Students

The year 1920 marked the establishment of a 73-acre lakeside recreational area known as Camp Flastacowo, initially intended as a retreat for students during FSU's time as a women's college.

1930: Acquisition of FSU Southwest Campus

In 1930, Florida State University acquired the Southwest Campus, formerly known as 'The Farm.' This campus now houses the Florida A&M University – Florida State University College of Engineering, among other facilities.

1930: The Ringling Museum Opens its Doors

The Ringling, the State Art Museum of Florida, opened its doors to the public in 1930, offering visitors a world-class collection of art and cultural artifacts.

1933: Florida State College for Women Achievements in 1933

By 1933, the Florida State College for Women had grown to be the third largest women's college in the US and was the first state women's college in the South to be awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.

1935: Establishment of FSU Student Government

In 1935, the student government at Florida State University was established, consisting of executive, judicial, and legislative branches.

1940: Rowena Longmire Student-Alumnae Building Opens

In 1940, the Rowena Longmire Student-Alumnae building opened its doors, providing a dedicated space for student activities and fostering a sense of community on campus.

1947: End of Women-Only Era at FSU

After 42 years as a women-only institution, Florida State University began admitting male students in 1947.

1947: Transition to Co-education

In 1947, after 42 years as a women-only institution, Florida State University began admitting male students, marking a significant shift in its history and paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse campus.

1947: Selection of "Seminoles" as the Athletic Team Name

In 1947, students chose "Seminoles" as the name for the school's athletic teams, a name derived from the Seminole people and officially sanctioned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

1947: Florida State Returns to Coeducational Status

In 1947, the Florida Legislature returned the Florida State College for Women to coeducational status and designated it as Florida State University. The post-war years brought substantial growth and development to the university.

1950: Establishment of High Energy Physics Program

In 1950, Florida State University established its High Energy Physics program, marking its entry into a field that would become crucial to understanding the fundamental nature of the universe.

1956: Infrastructure Development in 1956

In 1956, Strozier Library and Tully Gymnasium were built, contributing to the university's infrastructure development.

1956: Charlie Carter Composes FSU's Alma Mater

The year 1956 saw the composition of Florida State University's alma mater by Charlie Carter, adding a musical identity to the growing institution.

1959: Discontinuation of Journalism Department

In 1959, the Journalism Department at Florida State University was discontinued.

1962: First African-American Undergraduate Student Admitted

In 1962, Maxwell Courtney became the first African-American undergraduate student admitted to Florida State University.

1965: First African-American Athlete Joins FSU Baseball Team

In 1965, Fred Flowers joined the FSU baseball team, becoming the first African-American athlete in university history.

1967: FSU Panama City Operations Begin

In 1967, Florida State University Panama City began operations, approximately 100 miles from the main campus.

1968: First African-American Football Player

In 1968, Calvin Patterson became the first African-American player for the university football team.

1972: Class-Action Lawsuit for Gender Discrimination

In 1972, Margaret Menzel, a professor in the biology department, led a class-action lawsuit against Florida State University for discrimination against women in pay and promotion.

1975: Settlement of Gender Discrimination Lawsuit

In 1975, the gender discrimination lawsuit led by Margaret Menzel was settled, with the university agreeing to establish a task force to investigate bias against women and revise its anti-nepotism policy.

1979: The Southeast Review Literary Journal is Founded

The English Department at Florida State University established The Southeast Review literary journal in 1979, originally known as Sundog, providing a platform for literary expression and scholarship.

1980: Gay Student Elected Homecoming Princess

In 1980, Bill Wade, a gay male student, was controversially elected as Homecoming Princess under the name 'Billie Dahhling,' highlighting social acceptance issues of homosexuality at FSU.

July 1982: FSU Assumes Control of Panama City Campus

In July 1982, FSU assumed control of the Panama City campus after the Bay County Commission donated a 26-acre waterfront site for a new campus.

1987: Completion of Panama City Campus

In 1987, the new campus for FSU Panama City was completed on the donated 26-acre waterfront site.

1987: Start of 14-Year Streak in AP Poll Top Five

The Florida State Seminoles football team began a remarkable run of success in 1987, marking the start of a 14-year streak where they consistently finished ranked in the top five of the AP Poll.

1990: FSU Awarded National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

The National Science Foundation (NSF) selected Florida State University to host the new National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in 1990, marking a significant achievement in scientific research and a testament to FSU's growing reputation.

1993: Florida State Seminoles Win First National Championship under Bobby Bowden

Under the leadership of coach Bobby Bowden, the Florida State Seminoles football team reached new heights in 1993 by winning their first national championship.

1999: Florida State Seminoles Secure Second National Championship under Bobby Bowden

The Florida State Seminoles football team, led by coach Bobby Bowden, achieved another significant victory in 1999 by securing their second national championship.

June 2000: Creation of FSU College of Medicine

In June 2000, the Florida Legislature approved the creation of the Florida State University College of Medicine, addressing the need for medical doctors, especially in primary care fields.

2000: End of 14-Year Streak in AP Poll Top Five

The Florida State Seminoles football team's impressive 14-year streak of finishing in the top five of the AP Poll came to an end in 2000.

2001: End of Bobby Bowden's National Championship Appearances

The year 2001 marked the end of an era for Bobby Bowden and the Florida State Seminoles football team as they made their final appearance in a national championship game during his tenure.

2005: NCAA Grants Waiver for Seminole Imagery

In 2005, the NCAA granted Florida State University a waiver to continue using Seminole imagery, recognizing the university's close collaboration and agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

2006: FSU Men's Track & Field Team Wins First Consecutive NCAA National Championship

The FSU men's Track & Field team achieved a remarkable feat in 2006 by winning their first of three consecutive NCAA National Championships.

2007: FSU Men's Track & Field Team Wins Second Consecutive NCAA National Championship

In 2007, the FSU men's Track & Field team continued their dominance, securing their second straight NCAA National Championship title.

June 2008: Addition of King Life Sciences Building

In June 2008, the King Life Sciences Building was added next to the College of Medicine to complement medical research with research in related fields.

2013: Anti-Discrimination Policy Established

In 2013, Florida State University established an official policy prohibiting discrimination against multiple protected groups, including the LGBT community.

2013: Designation as Preeminent University

In 2013, the Florida Legislature and the Florida Board of Governors designated Florida State University and the University of Florida as the first two 'preeminent universities' among the twelve universities of the State University System of Florida.

2013: Florida State Seminoles Claim National Championship Victory under Jimbo Fisher

In 2013, the Florida State Seminoles football team, under the guidance of coach Jimbo Fisher, emerged victorious in the national championship game.

2014: FSU Ranked Highly for African American Doctorate Recipients

Florida State University was ranked 16th among doctorate-granting universities in the US for producing the highest number of African American doctorate recipients by the National Science Foundation in 2014.

2014: The Ringling Museum Named a Top Florida Attraction

In 2014, The Ringling Museum was recognized as the second most popular attraction in Florida by readers of USAToday Travel, demonstrating its significance as a cultural institution.

2017: FSU Recognized for Efficiency

In 2017, Florida State University was recognized for its efficiency, demonstrating its commitment to responsible resource management and providing value to its students.

2018: Transformation of Harold Goldstein Library

In 2018, Florida State University replaced the Harold Goldstein Library with the Innovation Hub, a cutting-edge technology and design center, reflecting the university's commitment to innovation and interdisciplinary learning.

2019: FSU College of Business Earns High Ranking

In 2019, the Florida State University College of Business received recognition for its undergraduate program, securing the 27th spot among public universities and 44th nationally.

February 14, 2022: FSU Receives Highest Credit Rating Among Florida Universities

On February 14, 2022, Fitch Ratings affirmed Florida State University's Issuer Default Rating at AA+ with a stable outlook, solidifying its position as having the highest credit rating among all universities in Florida.

2022: Florida State University Research and Financial Data in 2022

In 2022, Florida State University had research and development expenditures of $414 million. The university ranked 82nd out of 890 evaluated institutions according to the National Science Foundation. The university's annual budget was $3 billion, with an estimated economic impact of $15.5 billion.

2022: U.S. News & World Report Ranks FSU 19th Best Public University

In 2022, U.S. News & World Report recognized Florida State University as the 19th best public university in the United States and 55th overall among national universities, showcasing its strong academic reputation.

2022: FSU's Research Prowess Highlighted

In fiscal year 2022, Florida State University demonstrated its strong commitment to research, garnering over $355 million in annual research expenditures for sponsored research, ranking it 82nd out of 890 institutions.

August 2023: Florida State University Surpasses 400,000 Alumni Worldwide

By August 2023, Florida State University celebrated a significant milestone, surpassing 400,000 alumni residing across all fifty states and numerous countries.

2023: FSU's Diverse Student Body in 2023

By 2023, Florida State University boasted a diverse student body of 43,701 students hailing from over 130 countries and all 50 U.S. states, showcasing its global reach and inclusivity.

2023: Florida State University Enrollment and Achievements in 2023

In 2023, Florida State University enrolled 43,701 students from all 50 states and 135 countries. It is home to Florida's only national laboratory, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, and was instrumental in the commercial development of the anti-cancer drug Taxol. The university also operates the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

2023: FSU's Selective Admissions in 2023

In 2023, Florida State University maintained selective admissions with an acceptance rate of 23.0% from 61,278 freshman applications, highlighting the academic rigor and competitiveness of the institution.

2023: Panama City Campus Enrollment in 2023

In Fall 2023, the FSU Panama City campus had over 1200 students engaged in undergraduate and graduate degree programs, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

2024: FSU's Financial Endowment Reaches $785.2 Million

By 2024, Florida State University's financial endowment reached $785.2 million, with total assets valued at $1.03 billion, providing significant support for scholarships, research, and other donor-designated purposes.

2024: FSU Ranked Top Public University in Florida by Princeton Review

In 2024, Princeton Review's Best Value Colleges ranked Florida State University as the leading public university in Florida and sixteenth nationally, reaffirming its commitment to providing high-quality education and value.