High Impact
From the President
Photo by Mark Wemple
I wonder if Sam Gibbons, when he drafted the bill for what would become the University of South Florida, ever imagined the unstoppable institution he would help create. As a university and a community, we owe so much to Sam Gibbons. Our tribute to this great visionary and friend looks back at his legacy.
This issue of USF Magazine is filled with stories about what makes USF unstoppable. You will read about our world-class research enterprise which just broke the $400 million mark for research expenditures and is ranked 10th worldwide among universities granted U.S. patents. It is heartening to think how USF is helping change lives every day.
You will also read about engineering professor Autar Kaw, who was just named a U.S. Professor of the Year. Imagine the magnitude of this distinction — being recognized among the country's most outstanding professors!
In the fall we opened the Veterans Achievement Center, a new student center dedicated to our nation's veterans who are returning to college. Our commitment to these brave men and women is huge. What a tremendous honor it is for us to have recently been named fourth among the nation's most veteran-friendly institutions.
We have been busy these past few months. In September we announced a new partnership with Lakeland Regional Health Systems that will create up to 250 residency slots and a new health system for the region. We also announced a major gift from Drs. Kiran C. and Pallavi Patel to potentially create the Patel College of Global Sustainability. This generous couple has done so much to advance our vision for USF.
As the year draws to a close, I wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to another exciting year at this unstoppable university.