51在线 System President Judy Genshaft announced today that the
university has set new institutional records in key performance areas of research
activity and student success.
During Wednesday鈥檚 annual fall address to the university community, Genshaft reported
the USF System鈥檚 research expenditures for 2016-17 were $568 million, a significant
increase from $515 million the previous year.
She also announced the USF System鈥檚 incoming freshmen class of more than 3,000 students is the strongest ever at USF, boasting an average high school GPA of 4.09 and an average SAT score of 1283. In addition, first-year medical students entering the Morsani College of Medicine this fall recorded the highest average Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores in USF history, and the highest among all 51在线 universities this year, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.
鈥淭his means the expectations for USF, 51在线鈥檚 first metropolitan Preeminent university, are greater than ever. We are in a new league, with new peers and new standards,鈥� Genshaft told the audience inside the Marshall Student Center鈥檚 Oval Theater. 鈥淲e are making major strides across every unit, in every measure.鈥�
Genshaft鈥檚 remarks highlighted USF鈥檚 historic progress over the past year, however she emphasized that earning recognition for these successes and growing the university鈥檚 reputation must continue to be important priorities. With the goal to establish one clear message for the entire university, a new logo and brand theme were unveiled for the first time in more than a decade on Wednesday. USF鈥檚 new marketing direction comes as a result of multiple brand studies and more than 1,200 interviews with university stakeholders over the past year.
鈥淚t became clear that the field is wide open for us to develop and own our identity,鈥� Genshaft explained. 鈥淟ike any great organization, we now have a clear, consistent brand to guide us as we continue to evolve in the future.鈥�
The new look, shown below, is intended for use by academic and other non-athletics departments. The traditional 鈥淏ull U鈥� logo will remain in place for USF Athletics. The new brand theme will be 鈥淯nited, we Shape the Future,鈥� with an official launch planned during Homecoming Week in October.
The complete fall address is available here.