In the Beginning

President John Allen's plans for USF's Tampa campus included dorms for married students (at present-day Riverfront Park) as well as a medical school (to the far left).

The opening convocation in September 1960.

John Allen takes a ride around the USF site before construction begins.

The first five buildings on campus were the Library, the Chemistry Building, the University Center (ULH), a teaching auditorium, and the administration building (today the John and Grace Allen building). The university quickly outgrew the original library, and that building is now part of the Student Services Center. Our first President, John Allen, believed the library should be the heart of every university so it was originally the tallest building on campus. The Chemistry Building still serves as a science laboratory and classroom building.  The University Center has been expanded and renamed the Marshall Student Center after employee and student advocate Phyllis Marshall. At first, because the campus was so spread out and there were few buildings, students had a long walk to their classes. There were not many professors, and John Allen often served as an instructor for certain classes. Could you imagine the USF president teaching your English class now?