Fall 2020 Return-to-Campus #9 - Our 56th Academic Year
Friday, Aug 21, 2020
As we return to campus and embark on a new academic year, I’ve prepared aÂ
 for the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø community.
From its earliest days, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, faculty and staff have shown tremendous determination to overcome adversity. In late August 1964, as 51³Ô¹ÏÍø prepared to welcome its first 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, Hurricane Cleo hit South Florida. The storm caused a great deal of damage to the new campus and delayed the start of classes by nearly a week. However, when the flood waters receded and the power came back on, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s charter class arrived, excited to begin their studies at Florida’s newest university.
We now begin our 56 th  academic year and I’m reminded of the perseverance of those first Owls, and how that strength of spirit endures to this today. While the past few months haven’t been easy on any of us, I’ve watched with pride as Owls across the university stepped up to support our neighbors, uplift our 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and continue 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Race to Excellence. The resilience and innovation showcased during this time is truly inspiring. I’m confident that, together, we will make this another great year at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.
Welcome, Owls. We are in this together.
From its earliest days, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, faculty and staff have shown tremendous determination to overcome adversity. In late August 1964, as 51³Ô¹ÏÍø prepared to welcome its first 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, Hurricane Cleo hit South Florida. The storm caused a great deal of damage to the new campus and delayed the start of classes by nearly a week. However, when the flood waters receded and the power came back on, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s charter class arrived, excited to begin their studies at Florida’s newest university.
We now begin our 56 th  academic year and I’m reminded of the perseverance of those first Owls, and how that strength of spirit endures to this today. While the past few months haven’t been easy on any of us, I’ve watched with pride as Owls across the university stepped up to support our neighbors, uplift our 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and continue 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Race to Excellence. The resilience and innovation showcased during this time is truly inspiring. I’m confident that, together, we will make this another great year at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.
Welcome, Owls. We are in this together.