University of South Florida breaks ground on new home for honors college

The University of South Florida has broken ground on a five-story, 85,000-square-foot facility on its Tampa campus that will be the new home of the Judy Genshaft Honors College.

The university says the new facility will feature interwoven spaces for classrooms, study areas, faculty and adviser offices, event areas, a computer lab, performance and maker spaces and numerous collaborative spaces.

Private gifts totaling $43 million have been pledged and received for the project, including a lead gift of $20 million from University President Emerita and Professor Judy Genshaft and her husband Steve Greenbaum.

“Shortly after becoming USF’s president, Dr. Genshaft decided to elevate the university honors program to the status of a college," says Charles Adams, dean of the honors college. "She and Provost Ralph Wilcox provided the college with the university resources needed to support its expanding population."

The total cost of the project is $54 million and fundraising efforts will continue. Construction is expected to be completed in late fall 2022.

Formally established in 2002, the honors college consists of more than 2,400 high-achieving, cross-disciplinary students who are part of a close community that provides specialized experiences and advanced educational opportunities. By moving from its current home on the second floor of the John and Grace Allen building, the college expects to grow to 3,000 students.

Students are encouraged to participate in global experiences through study-abroad, undergraduate research and hands-on community engagement and service projects, along with professional development opportunities.

MORE. Video of honors college groundbreaking (YouTube):