 | |
Former name | William J. Porter University (1934–1935) Jacksonville Junior College (1935–1958) |
|---|---|
| Motto | |
Motto in English | "Let There Be Light" |
| Type | Private university |
| Established | April 16, 1934; 91 years ago (April 16, 1934) |
| Accreditation | SACS |
Academic affiliations | ICUF |
| Endowment | $59.2 million (2022)[2] |
| President | Tim Cost |
| Provost | Sherri Jackson (interim) |
Academic staff | 180+ |
| Undergraduates | 2,938 (fall 2019)[3] |
| Postgraduates | 1,236 (fall 2019) |
| Location | , Florida ,United States 30°21′12″N81°36′16″W / 30.3532°N 81.6045°W /30.3532; -81.6045 |
| Campus | Large city[4], 260 acres (110 ha) |
| Newspaper | The Navigator |
| Colors | Green and white[5] |
| Nickname | Dolphins |
Sporting affiliations | |
| Mascot | Nellie |
| Website | www |
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Jacksonville University (JU) is aprivate university inJacksonville, Florida, United States. Located in the city'sArlington district, the school was founded in 1934 as a two-year college and was known asJacksonville Junior College until September 5, 1956, when it shifted focus to building four-year university degree programs and later graduated its first four-year degree candidates as Jacksonville University in June 1959.
The university isaccredited by theSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). JU's student body currently represents more than 40 U.S. states and approximately 45 countries around the world. As aDivision I institution, it fields 18 varsity athletics teams, known as theJU Dolphins, as well as intramural sports and clubs. Among the top majors declared by JU students are aviation management, biology, nursing, business, and marine science.
The school was founded in 1934 by William J. Porter. Originally known asWilliam J. Porter University, it began as a private two-year college. Since a permanent site had not yet been acquired, classes were held on the third floor auditorium of theFirst Baptist Church Educational Building in downtownJacksonville.[6] Sixty students were enrolled in Porter University's first year of operation.[7]
The school changed its name toJacksonville Junior College in 1935. It relocated three times over the next fifteen years, including a period in theFlorida Theatre building, but the influx ofGI bill students following the end ofWorld War II made it necessary for the school to find a permanent location. In 1947 the administration purchased land in Jacksonville'sArlington neighborhood on which to establish the current campus. The first building was completed in 1950 and classes officially began.[8] The same year the school received full accreditation as a two-year college from theSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).[6]
In 1958 Jacksonville Junior College merged with theJacksonville College of Music, and the name was changed toJacksonville University. In 1959 the first four-year class of 100 students graduated, and in 1961 JU received full accreditation as a four-year school from SACS. The 1960s saw the university grow substantially as enrollment increased, dormitories were built, two new colleges were established and theSwisher Gymnasium was constructed. The first student dormitories (Williams, McGehee, Brest, Merrill and Grether Halls) opened for the fall semester of 1965 on the south part of campus for a combined total of $2.4 million.[9][10] The sixth dormitory, Botts Hall, opened in 1968.[11] In 1970 theJacksonville University Dolphinsmen's basketball team, under starcenterArtis Gilmore, went to theNCAA Division I Championship. However, the opening of the publicUniversity of North Florida in 1972 eroded JU's enrollment, while the removal of public funding hurt the school financially. In the 1990s Jacksonville University reconfigured itself as primarily aliberal arts college and embarked on a substantial fundraising campaign, which provided for the construction of new buildings and a revision of the campus master plan.[6][8] In 1997 a new cafeteria was constructed, a Visual Arts Annex opened, and the on-campus Villages Apartments finished construction and opened for students on the north part of campus. Merrill and Grether Hall were demolished in 2007 to make way for Oak Hall, a modern 500-bed dormitory, and a new parking garage.[12]
George Hallam, in conjunction with Jacksonville University and its library staff, published an extensive history of the university titledOur Place in the Sun, which details the development and progress of the institution between its inception in 1934 through the spring of 1988. Other university publications which have chronicled JU history throughout the decades include theJU Navigator, theRiparian, andThe Wave magazine.
In April 2025, Jacksonville University announced sweeping restructuring plans that eliminated 40 faculty positions and reduced undergraduate programs from 60 to 37. The faculty responded with a no-confidence vote against President Tim Cost, criticizing the abrupt termination of tenured professors, lack of financial transparency, and violation of shared governance principles. The administration also faced scrutiny for breaching a debt covenant during Cost's leadership.[13]
The cuts blindsided students, with some learning their majors would be discontinued. Protests erupted as students and faculty disputed the administration's claim that only about 100 students university-wide would be affected, with one department alone reporting over 100 impacted students. While the university offered 18 full-ride scholarships to displaced students, the board of trustees stood by Cost, declaring full confidence in his leadership.[13][14]
Jacksonville University offers more than 100 majors, minors, and programs at the undergraduate level, as well as 23 master's and doctorate degree programs, leading to theM.S.,M.A.,M.A.T., andMaster of Business Administration, Doctor ofOccupational Therapy (OTD), andDoctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
In 2024, Jacksonville University accepted 57.3% of undergraduate applicants, with admission standards considered challenging, applicant competition considered average, and with those enrolled having an average 3.61 high schoolGPA. The university does not require submission of standardized test scores, but they will be considered when submitted. Those enrolled who submitted test scores had an average 1190SAT score (24% submitting scores) or an average 26ACT score (13% submitting scores).[15]
The university is divided into five colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Davis College of Business & Technology, the College of Fine Arts & Humanities, the College of Law, and the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences. Along with the five colleges, the university also consists of three institutes: the Marine Science Research Institute, the Public Policy Institute, and the STEAM Institute.[16]
The College of Arts and Sciences offers a traditional liberal arts education and includes JU's School of Education, Wilma's Little People School, science and mathematics, social sciences, humanities, and the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC). JU has the second-largestNaval Reserve Officer Training Corps program in the nation[17] and the longest-running in Florida. Jacksonville is a military- and veteran-friendly town, and is home to three major military installations. It is also an approved Yellow Ribbon School, and is home to the Jacksonville University Veterans and Military Resource Center (VMRC). University staff and administration includes many distinguished veterans from multiple branches of the U.S. military.
The College of Fine Arts & Humanities, with its integratedAlexander Brest Museum and Gallery, offers dance, theatre, music, and visual arts. Graduate programs are available in choreography and visual arts.
The Davis College of Business & Technology (DCOBT) received its AACSB accreditation in January 2010, and is the only private, AACSB-accredited business school in North Florida.[18] DCOBT offers both MBA and EMBA degrees, along with undergraduate business degrees in accounting, aviation management, aviation management & flight operations, business administration, business analytics, business information systems, economics, finance, international business, management, marketing, and sport business. In both 2017 and 2018, the school's CFA Research Challenge team won theCFA Institute Research Challenge in Florida, beating out schools such as University of Miami and University of Florida, and went on to compete nationally.[19] In 2018 they won the national competition and competed as finalists in the global CFA Institute Research Challenge in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[20] Jacksonville University has also teamed up with the Florida Coastal School of Law to offer a joint MBA/law degree, and joined forces with Aerosim Flight Academy to provide professional flight training to students of its ever-popularaviation major.
The inaugural class of Jacksonville University College of Law occurred in August 2022 with fourteen students.[21] Twenty-six students joined the next year.[21] Provisional accreditation was granted to the school by theAmerican Bar Association during that organization's February 22–23, 2024 meeting.[21]
The JU Flight Team competes inNational Intercollegiate Flying Association Regional and National Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) against other universities, with its best team performance in 2007. The program is the third largest in the nation, behind Spartan School inTulsa, Oklahoma and theEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University inDaytona Beach. The team placed 10th in the nation at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association.[when?] In 2008, the team was awarded the Loening Trophy, which is given to the best collegiate aviation program in the country each year. It is currently on display in the Smithsonian in Washington, DC.
The Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences (BRCHS),[22] includes the School of Orthodontics and one of JU's many premier learning environments, the Simulation Training and Applied Research (STAR) Center where students can participate in simulations of everything from childbirth to wound care.
The university's BRCHS program offers Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Master of Science in Nursing degree, among many other degree programs and certifications.[23] In 2014, Jacksonville University partnered with Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital to create the Brooks Rehabilitation Speech-Language Pathology program.[24] BRCHS is affiliated with hundreds of local healthcare partners, including Nemours Children's Clinic, Baptist Health Systems, Shands, St. Vincent's Healthcare, Florida Blue, Duval County Public Schools, and Wolfson Children's Hospital.
In 2012, the university established the Public Policy Institute (PPI), offering the only Master in Public Policy (MPP) degree program in the state of Florida.[25] The institute also offers dual degree programs in conjunction with the Davis College of Business and hosts a variety of politically related events, including televised debates for local and regional elections, a radio program titledPolicy Matters, and internship opportunities with local companies, local government and the Office of the Governor.
On February 28, 2022, Jacksonville University announced that with the assistance of a Jacksonville municipal grant, it was starting a law school. The announcement was made by Jacksonville University president Tim Cost and Mayor Lenny Curry. The location will be in the VyStar Building downtown where Jacksonville University already has a facility for working students.[26] The law school opened in August 2022 with an initial enrollment of 14 students, the first new law school to open in the U.S. since 2014.[27]
In November 2022, the university announced that it had partnered with theLake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine to open a branch of the medical school at the Arlington Campus by 2026.[28]
Jacksonville University was ranked tied for No.41 out of 135 Regional Universities South, and No.26 in Best Value Schools, inU.S. News & World Report'sBest Colleges rankings for 2025.[29]
The JU athletic programs participate inNCAA Division I in theASUN Conference, with the exception of the rowing program, which competes in the MAAC Conference (NCAA Division I).
Terry Alexander, the most successful coach in Jacksonville's baseball history with 631 wins, entered his 31st year at Jacksonville and his 20th year as the program's head coach.[when?] He has led the program to nine NCAA regional appearances, won six conference championships (1995, 1999, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009) and has completed five 40-win seasons. He has also coached 10 All-America honorees, 50 all-conference selections and helped 44 players get drafted byMajor League Baseball organizations.
Thebasketball program has producedprofessional basketball players such asArtis Gilmore,Otis Smith, Pembrook Burrows III andRex Morgan.[citation needed] In 1970, Jacksonville University became the second smallest school (behindSt. Bonaventure) to make it to theNCAA Final Four and the national championship game.[citation needed] The team was led by head coachJoe Williams. After defeating theSt. Bonaventure team in the tournament semi-finals, the Dolphins lost to theUCLA Bruins in the national championship. The following season, Jacksonville became the first college basketball team to average 100+ points per game, at a time when there was no three-point shot and no shot clock in college basketball. In 2009, Jacksonville won the regular seasonAtlantic Sun Conference title in men's basketball, but fell toEast Tennessee State in the conference tournament title game. The Dolphins were invited to theNational Invitation Tournament, the school's first post-season tournament since 1986, but lost in the first round to theUniversity of Florida Gators.
The football program began play in 1998, winning its first Pioneer League title in 2008. The Dolphins competed in the Football Championship Series (FCS), where they won two division titles and two conference championships. The university discontinued its football program at the conclusion of the 2019 season.[30]
JU is noted for its rowing program after taking the overall FIRA Cup (Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association) in 2007 and again in 2014. The women's rowing team won their first MAAC Championship in 2014 and won an automatic bid to the NCAA Div I National Championship (JU Website). Recently, JU has expanded its rowing program with the addition of the Negaard Rowing Center. The JU rowing program has had over 50 years of success around the world and has competed in locations such as theNile River and England'sHenley Royal Regatta.
In 2016 Jacksonville University landed a pair of lacrosse icons to lead its men's lacrosse program. Providence College assistant coach John Galloway was named head coach. One of the young legends in the sport, he was at Providence for four years after spending one year as a volunteer assistant at Duke. He brought along one of the game's most famous players, Casey Powell, as his offensive coordinator.[31]
| Race and ethnicity[32] | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 49% | ||
| Black | 20% | ||
| Hispanic | 14% | ||
| Foreign national | 7% | ||
| Other[a] | 7% | ||
| Asian | 2% | ||
| Economic diversity | |||
| Low-income[b] | 38% | ||
| Affluent[c] | 62% | ||
The school's Greek system includes fraternities and sororities. While Greeks do offer some social events, many residence halls also host their own events.
There are a variety of campus ministries on campus.[33] In 2011, the Campus to City Wesley Foundation started meeting at JU.[34]
Campus media organizations include the student newspaper (The Navigator), campus radio station (JU108), literary and arts magazine (The Aquarian), student-run broadcasting station (Dolphin Channel), and yearbook (The Riparian), which stopped its publication in 2010.[citation needed]
The Carl S. Swisher Library spans over 52,000 square feet and three floors. It offers scenic views of the St. Johns River and is situated in the academic center of campus. This building was funded by a former JU Board of Trustees chair, Carl S. Swisher, who contributed the necessary funds for its construction.[35] The library was built in three phases, with the first phase completed in 1953, the second phase in 1961, and the third phase in 1971.[36] In 1966, then-president of the University, Dr. Robert H. Spiro, established the "Friends of the Library."[37] The library has completed several renovations over the years, the most recent being completed in early 2023.
Today, the Carl S. Swisher Library holds more than 350,000 volumes of books, periodicals, music scores, and other items, as well as a substantial collection of digital resources.[38] The library provides services in support of the university's objectives, including research assistance, instruction sessions, and interlibrary loan services.[39]
In partnership with the university's College of Law and Center for Gender + Sexuality, in March 2023 the Swisher Library became home to the American Bar Association's 19th Amendment exhibit.[40]
This list of Jacksonville University alumni includes graduates, non-graduate former students and current students of Jacksonville University.
| Alumni | Notability |
|---|---|
| Aaron Bean | United States congressman |
| Bertice Berry | Sociologist |
| Alvin Brown | Mayor of Jacksonville, 2011–2015 |
| Dee Brown | NBA player (1990–2002), 1991NBA All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest winner |
| Jade Cargill | Fitness model andprofessional wrestler forWWE, inauguralAEW TBS Champion |
| David "Jack" Dorsett | Director of Naval Intelligence, vice admiral, US Navy |
| Alex Farmer | Bishop of the AnglicanGulf Atlantic Diocese |
| William Forsythe | Dancer and choreographer |
| Paul G. Gaffney II | President ofMonmouth University |
| Artis Gilmore | ABA player (1971–1976),NBA player (1976–1988), Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee (2011) |
| Michael Hackett | Basketball player,Liga Profesional de Baloncesto MVP in 1984, andIsraeli League Top Scorer in 1991 |
| Donnie Hammond | Professional golfer |
| Tommy Hazouri | Former mayor of Jacksonville (1987–1991), Duval County School Board member (2004–2012), Jacksonville City Council member (2015–2021) |
| Bruce Helford | Television producer (The Drew Carey Show,George Lopez) |
| Stan Jordan | Florida state representative (2000-2008), Duval County School Board member (1984-2000, 2008-2009)[41] |
| Russell Knox | Professional golfer |
| Smoke Laval | College baseball coach ofLouisiana–Monroe,LSU, andNorth Florida |
| Terrence Mann | Actor, director, singer, songwriter and dancer |
| Tom McMillan | FormerMajor League Baseball shortstop and member of the inaugural1977Seattle Mariners team |
| Daniel Murphy | Major League Baseball player for theColorado Rockies (previously withNew York Mets,Washington Nationals,Chicago Cubs) |
| Frank Pace | Television producer |
| Micah Ross | FormerNFL player with theJacksonville Jaguars,San Diego Chargers, andCarolina Panthers |
| Leonard Skinner | Namesake ofSouthern rock bandLynyrd Skynyrd, basketball player |
| Otis Smith | NBA player (1986–1992), formergeneral manager of theOrlando Magic |
| Gary Tabach | Retired United States Navy captain, the first Soviet-born citizen to be commissioned an officer in the Armed Forces of the United States |
| Jay Thomas | Film and TV actor, radio show host |
| David Walker | Formercomptroller general of the United States |
| Will W. Weatherford | FormerFlorida state representative andspeaker of the Florida House |
| Jack Williams | Journalist and founding editor of theUSA Today weather page |
| John A. Wright | Oklahoma state representative, unsuccessful candidate forlieutenant governor |
| No. | Term | Portrait | Name | Background | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1934–1937 | William J. Porter[42] | Former judge of theDuval County Criminal Court of Record | ||
| 2 | 1939–1940 | Francis A. Waterhouse[42] | Former professor atDartmouth College and theUniversity of Pennsylvania | Harvard University (AB, MA, PhD) | |
| 3 | 1944–1951 | Garth H. Akridge[42] | Director of Vocational Education forMiami-Dade County Public Schools | University of Central Arkansas (BA),Columbia University (MA, PhD) | |
| 4 | 1951–1956 | Paul L. Johnson[43] | Professor atPhoenix Junior College | Central Missouri College (BA),Columbia University (MS, PhD) | |
| 5 | 1956–1963 | Franklyn A. Johnson[44][45] | Former International Studies professor andWorld War II veteran | Harvard University | |
| 6 | 1964–1979 | Robert H. Spiro Jr.[46] | Former dean of liberal arts atMercer University | Wheaton College (BA) | |
| 7 | 1980–1989 | Frances B. Kinne[47] | Founding dean of the Jacksonville University College of Fine Arts | Drake University (BA, MA),University of Frankfurt (PhD) | |
| 8 | 1989–1996 | James J. Brady | Economist and former left-handedpitcher inprofessional baseball | University of Notre Dame | |
| 9 | 1996–2000 | Paul S. Tipton[48] | Former president ofSpring Hill College | Spring Hill College (BA) | |
| 10 | 2000–2004 | David L. Harlow[49][50] | Former chancellor ofRhodes College | George Washington University (MBA) | |
| 11 | 2004–2013 | Kerry D. Romesburg[51] | Former president ofNevada State College andUtah Valley State College | Arizona State University (BS, MS, PhD) | |
| 12 | 2013–present | Tim P. Cost[52] | Former EVP of Global Corporate Affairs ofPepsiCo | Jacksonville University (BS),University of Rochester (MBA) |
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