The University of North Florida (UNF) began the 2025-26 academic year with its annual Convocation ceremony, focusing on teamwork, student and faculty achievements, and partnerships with the community. The event took place in the UNF Arena and highlighted the university’s theme for the year: “Together Everyone Achieves More.”
This year’s Convocation comes as UNF welcomes its largest freshman class to date, with 3,170 new students joining the campus. Of these, 2,920 are full-time first-time-in-college students. The total student body has reached a record high of 17,600 due to increases in graduate and transfer enrollment.
“Our new academic year is already off to an amazing start,” said UNF President Moez Limayem during his address. “We have accomplished so much over the past year in so many areas, and the common denominator is teamwork. We’ve moved the needle significantly in areas where other universities are struggling and that is because we are doing things differently here at UNF, and we are working together as a team.”
During the ceremony, various scholarships and gift cards were distributed to randomly selected students. Community First Credit Union provided five $1,000 scholarships. President Limayem contributed a $1,000 scholarship himself. Additionally, a scholarship from the UNF Foundation will cover tuition and fees for one student’s remaining time at UNF; this recipient is currently a second-year student in the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services.
Other prizes included Dining Dollars from campus organizations such as the Osprey Staff Association and Provost’s Office, along with parking upgrades and Amazon gift cards.
President Limayem discussed several initiatives underway at UNF:
– Starting this fall semester, all incoming students must complete at least one hands-on learning experience before graduation.
– According to state data referenced by university officials, UNF leads Florida public universities in bachelor’s graduates employed within the state after graduation (https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2024/05/unf-no1-job-placement.html). Over 1,200 companies participated in on-campus career events last year.
– Recent construction projects include opening Osprey Ridge residence hall. Renovations are ongoing at Coggin College of Business and Brooks College of Health. A new esports arena called Flight Deck is being built on campus.
– Planned developments include a Student Success and Academic Building, an Honors College Academic Building, and a new apartment complex with 700 beds off Kernan Boulevard.
Community partners were recognized for their support:
– Brooks Rehabilitation has made a significant donation enabling UNF’s physical therapy program to double its size within one year.
– Community First Credit Union operates an on-campus branch and sponsors events like Market Days while providing financial support through scholarships.
– Jacksonville Public Education Fund continues its partnership supporting teacher residency programs as well as faculty research related to school counseling.
– Degree Wellness has expanded its health services beyond student athletes to benefit more members of the university community.
Provost Karen Patterson joined Mike Binder in announcing recent faculty awards:
Dr. Bryan Knuckley was named recipient of this year’s Distinguished Professor Award for his contributions in teaching chemistry and biochemistry.
“We are grateful to our faculty members and our advisors for putting our students on the path to success and working so hard to ensure that they stay on track and progress to graduation,” Patterson said.
Limayem and Patterson also honored faculty and staff who represent core values such as accountability (Jodi Newton; Tiffiny Poole; Gregory Wurtz), civility (Thomas Van Schoor; Kristi Sweeney; Mike Trotter), culture of care (Amisha Bartley; Scott Jones; Angela Lee), excellence (Gui Cesar; David Morris; Kellie Woodle), and integrity (Carly Bengry; Laura Kelp; Heather Pease).
