The University of North Florida (UNF) marked the opening of the Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, September 5. The new center is located on the second floor of the Thomas G. Carpenter Library.
The establishment of the center was made possible by a significant donation from Allen and Delores Lastinger, who have been active supporters of education and community initiatives in Florida. Their contribution includes a collection featuring rare books, historical maps, and artifacts related to Florida’s history. UNF plans to digitize most of these materials to make them accessible to students, faculty, and researchers worldwide.
During the event, several speakers addressed attendees. UNF President Dr. Moez Limayem stated, “The Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History will help UNF foster discovery and expand access to Florida’s rich historical legacy,” adding, “We are deeply grateful to Allen and Delores Lastinger for their extraordinary generosity, which will empower students and scholars to explore and engage with our state’s past for generations to come.”
Library Dean Jennifer Murray commented on the center’s role as an academic resource: “By housing rare collections that illuminate the history of our state and region, the Lastinger center will serve as a global resource for scholars, researchers and community members alike,” she said. “It will also provide students with invaluable, hands-on experience working directly with primary source materials. We’re excited for the conversations, partnerships and new insights this space will inspire.”
Chance Courtney-Durrett, an anthropology student who received a research grant funded by Allen Lastinger, also spoke at the ceremony.
In addition to establishing the center, the Lastingers provided further support through gifts creating three annual professorships in UNF’s College of Arts and Sciences (COAS), funding student research grants and internships focused on Florida history and culture. The first recipients of these professorships—Drs. Keith Ashley (anthropology), Denise Bossy (history), and Laura Heffernan (English)—were selected in 2024 based on their research connected to Florida studies.
Delores Lastinger is a UNF alumna who earned her master’s degree in education administration in 1975; she has worked as a teacher and community volunteer. Allen Lastinger previously served as president and COO of Barnett Bank. The couple has supported UNF since 1990 when they established an endowed scholarship for education students. In 2021, another gift from their foundation increased support for future educators at UNF.
Their philanthropic efforts extend beyond higher education into early childhood development, local history projects, health initiatives, and other causes aimed at long-term community benefit.
