LINKS   
News   
News Archive   
Contact Us   

USF SARASOTA-MANATEE: THEN AND NOW

In 1975, Three Dog Night and USF Sarasota-Manatee were both making history. Thirty years later, the popular 1970s band is going to “Celebrate” with Concert on the Bay as the regional campus marks its 30th anniversary.

USF Sarasota-Manatee was created in 1974 and 1975, beginning with a union between the university and New College, a small liberal arts school with an outstanding national reputation. On July 1, 1975, then-USF President Cecil Mackey and newly-appointed regional campus administrator, Dr. Lester Tuttle, were on hand when what was then known as “USF at Sarasota” began holding regional classes in six locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

“A lot has transpired since then,” observes current Campus CEO Dr. Laurey Stryker, “including the separation from New College in July 2001. But the dream for access to a Research I university in our community thrives as USF Sarasota-Manatee enrollment and programs continue growing.”

The demand back in 1975 for local degree programs was measured by the 676 students who registered for the first semester at the new bayfront campus. Students had a choice of 47 courses in arts and letters, business, education, and social and behavioral sciences. Bachelor’s degree programs in business, elementary education and criminal justice were offered. Master’s programs in business administration, educational administration and supervision were available. The cost of courses for Florida residents ranged from $14 for a lower-level undergraduate course to $20 an hour for a graduate-level course. Nonresidents paid from $37 to $57 an hour.

According to a 1985 article in USF Magazine, Tuttle and fellow administrators had the challenging task of administering two very different programs: upper-level, mostly part-time commuter students with first-time-in-college traditional residential students. The University Program courses, held primarily in the evening, complemented the mostly daytime New College courses.

During this transitional time, University Program enrollments continued climbing, while New College’s enrollment saw ups and downs. A series of administrative changes took place, beginning with Dr. James B. Heck’s 1978 appointment as dean of regional campuses.

In 1979, Dr. Robert V. Barylski, a Harvard-trained scholar-administrator, was named the first dean of USF at Sarasota. One of Barylski’s responsibilities was to establish a new, triple mission for USF at Sarasota: strengthen New College as one of the nation’s outstanding small liberal arts colleges; develop the University Program in the region’s center for education beyond the associate’s degree; and join with the Ringling Museum, Asolo State Theatre and the airport to enhance one of Florida’s most impressive educational, cultural and historic districts.

“This set the groundwork for a unique district to emerge and develop. The key community needs identified then are still valid,” says Barylski. “We are the state university for this region, the engine promoting Sarasota and Manatee counties as a smarter and better place because of the standards we put forth.”

During Barylski’s decade as dean, the Cook Library, Sudakoff Center, and other facilities were built. Since 1980, he has been an associate professor in the department of Government and International Relations and is the associate director of the Institute for Public Policy and Leadership.

Dr. David P. Schenck followed Barylski as dean and executive officer in 1990. During his almost nine years in Sarasota-Manatee, Schenck witnessed some historical milestones. “When I first arrived on campus, I learned that USF was a well-kept secret in the community. Many business leaders were unaware of our presence and what we had to offer,” he says.

In 1991, the Crosley Estate was purchased in a partnership between Manatee County and the state as part of a plan to expand the USF campus. Manatee County Commissioner Pat Glass, a USF alumna, and other local legislators and business leaders pushed for the purchase. The 33-acre parcel owned by the state sits next to the Manatee County-owned 1929 Powel Crosley Mansion at the end of Seagate Drive. “We were anxious to preserve the land for the community. The mansion was restored and is an asset to all,” says Glass.

Schenck says the first Community Leadership Council (CLC) met in 1993, and it was many of those community leaders who backed Brunch on the Bay. “Charles Baumann and Bob Turner Jr. were part of that initial group, and still strongly support the university today,” says Schenck. Baumann is on the USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus Board and Turner is chairman emeritus of the CLC.

According to Schenck, the first Brunch on the Bay in 1994 was designed to attract people to the campus and promote it in the region. The event grew with each year and by the third year funding was set up for Brunch on the Bay Scholarships. Today, those funds are nearing the $1 million mark.

Dr. Michael Bassis was recruited to oversee USF Sarasota-Manatee and New College when Schenck left in 1998 and Dr. Janna Merrick was associate dean of academic affairs. Dr. Peter French arrived in July 2000 and Stryker arrived in October 2000. Bassis became dean and warden of New College, and Stryker was named vice president and CEO of the University Program. French was appointed interim associate dean.

All that changed in July 2001 when major legislative changes affected the campus. New College became the 11th state university. USF at Sarasota changed its name to USF Sarasota-Manatee, and became an autonomous component of USF, with its own local board responsible for campus fiscal obligations and master planning. Stryker remained campus CEO and Dr. Peter French was named associate dean. In 2002, French was appointed associate vice president and dean for academic affairs.

What a difference a decade - or three - makes. The campus currently serves more than 3,200 students annually and boasts 37 degree programs, with others in the planning stages. The resident faculty has increased to 40, and the number of courses exceeds 530.

USF Sarasota-Manatee has grown along with the surrounding region and continues consulting with community civic and business leaders for direction in aligning courses to fit workforce needs. The most significant growth on campus has occurred in the past 4 years.

“Dr. Stryker is making things happen. She has been instrumental in getting many programs up and running, and working toward completion of the Crosley Campus Center,” Barylski observes. “USF Sarasota-Manatee fills a niche not found at other local institutions of higher learning. Their missions are compelling and all add something special to our community, but we are the only campus offering full- and part-time pragmatic programs.”

New businesses and expanding industries have produced a need for more accountants and business leaders. Dr. William Quilliam, coordinator of the College of Business Administration (COBA ) programs, has seen rapid growth and changes since his arrival 13 years ago.

“Back in 1991, we had no full business major programs and only four business faculty. We relied on adjuncts and classes on other campuses. Now we have full majors in accounting, information systems, and general business administration,” Quilliam says. “Plans are in the works for full majors in finance, marketing and management.”

USF Sarasota-Manatee now has 13 resident business faculty. “We need to increase our marketing and management faculty to support these future degree programs,” says French. “We hope to have a full complement of COBA schools by fall 2006.”

Students are encouraged to participate in professional organizations, such as the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA). “These affiliations provide great networking opportunities with area professionals, and our chapter has contributed to the scholarship program,” says Quilliam, president of the Gulf Coast Chapter of FICPA.

Other new or expanded programs include extended graduate education including Master’s in Business Administration cohorts; a fifth year of education for accounting students planning to sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam; Master’s in criminal justice, social work, business administration, and education leadership; and a graduate certificate in nonprofit management. The campus now has undergraduate degrees in social work, general business and information technology.

French cites the Bachelor of Science in Applied Science (B.S.A.S.) program as a response to the state government’s concerns about the shortage of baccalaureate degrees fueling the workforce. “Students can come in with an Associate in Science degree from a Florida community college and pursue a distinctive USF Bachelor’s degree,” he notes. Currently, B.S.A.S. degrees at USF Sarasota-Manatee offer concentrations in general business, criminal justice, and hospitality, and soon there will be one in public administration.

The USF School of Hotel and Restaurant Management, established in 2003, is the first USF School located on a regional campus, and has the first endowed professorship in the regional campus’ history.

In addition to degree programs in the five colleges, USF Sarasota-Manatee has many outreach programs including Small Schools Workshops, the Center for Advanced Healthcare Practice and Policy Formulation, and the Institute for Public Policy and Leadership.

Much of the local economic development in the last 10 years overlaps the Sarasota and Manatee county lines. One result has been growth in the local higher education institutions, such as USF Sarasota-Manatee. The university broke ground Sept. 20 on the Crosley Campus Center, on property straddling these borders.

“We clearly are a child of both communities and that axis on the county line helps blur any separation,” notes Stryker. “Our enrollment growth has surpassed all our expectations. Shared facilities with New College, such as the library, will keep costs down, while our new Campus Center will allow us the classroom space for more daytime and evening courses.”

As part of “South Tampa Bay,” the region has access to major airports, transportation, ports for shipping and cruise lines, quality higher education, and other strengths associated with regional partnerships. “We see the university as having a regional impact,” says Nancy Engle of the Manatee Economic Development Council. “We recruit to the region and having USF Sarasota-Manatee in our area is a great asset.”

South Sarasota County development has resulted in USF and Manatee Community College expanding service for the influx of new and returning college students as far south as North Port. Classes began in spring of 2004 in south Sarasota County. Since then, the number of classes offered increased 44 percent, and class enrollment is up 112 percent.

“The expansion of USF Sarasota-Manatee into the southern county region is the most significant development in the North Port economy since I arrived here two years ago,” said Robert Tunis, economic development manager for the City of North Port. In order for us to attract the sophisticated businesses we are seeking, a university and its research base are essential.”

Recent studies indicate our area will be short 15,000 workers by the year 2010. This includes jobs through attrition as well as job growth. Not all these jobs will require a bachelor’s degree, but many will. The region already experienced teletronics moving outside the country, and we need to prevent something like that from recurring, says Stryker.

“We want to prevent the brain drain,” says Engle. “I believe that more internships with USF would help because they expose students to our businesses here in the region.” The regional campus has developed 55 non-education internships since March 2003, and is working with area industries to create more.

Statistics show that higher education boosts economic growth because people with advanced education earn more money, are more productive on the job, and are less likely to be unemployed. In 2000, 29 percent of U.S. jobs required vocational or academic degrees. By 2010, estimates indicate that number will reach 49 percent.

Dr. Stryker sees a bridge between higher education and business, which makes her position as immediate past-Chairman of the Sarasota County Committee on Economic Development all the more relevant.

“USF Sarasota-Manatee brings the value of higher education from a nationally-ranked institution to the table. Our students not only have excellent preparation in various majors, but additionally learn good critical thinking, writing and computational skills consistent with many economic trends. The university also fosters a commitment to lifelong learning, perhaps the most important key to adapting to change,” she says.

“We have come a long way in a relatively short time. As we look forward to our new Crosley Campus Center, we anticipate continued collaboration with our community partners in providing your university,” Stryker adds. “Yes, we are a university town, and USF Sarasota-Manatee is an indispensable asset in economic and human resource development, and a source of pride for all residents.”