Welcome

Council & Commission

Calendar

History
  Francis Eppes VII
  1851 - 1905
  1905 - 1947
  1947 - 1959
  1959 - 1980
  1980 - 1990
  Present

Partners

Resources

Commemorative Items

150 Home

FSU Home

On May 15, 1947 Governor Millard Caldwell signed a legislative act that returned the Florida State College for Women to co-educational status. Florida State University emerged, putting an end to the first and only state supported women's college in Florida. June commencement diplomas recognized both schools with the phrase: "The Florida State College for Women issued by the Florida State University." Four hundred thirty-two women and twelve men graduated on June 9, 1947, jointly representing the last graduating class of FSCW and the first graduating class of FSU.

This transitional year also saw the birth of the Flying High Circus at FSU. New faculty member, Jack Haskin, a new faculty member, created the circus in an effort to develop an activity in which both men and women could participate while the new university integrated men into campus life.

Doak Campbell FSU President

The conversion to co-ed status resulted in an unprecedented growth spurt. By 1954, student enrollment reached 5,650, and President Doak Campbell saw an urgent need for campus expansion. In keeping with a newly developed long range plan, the school began construction of a student center, athletic stadium, and more dormitories.

Recruitment of a large number of faculty in 1949 enhanced the academic reputation of FSU. The impact of these men and women was such that they became legendary in the history of FSU as the 49ers. They led the way in transforming the women's college into a research institution.

Doak Campbell retired on June 6, 1957.Robert Manning Strozier succeeded Campbell. Strozier established a great rapport with both the faculty and students during his three year tenure as FSU's president. Unfortunately, he suffered a fatal heart attack on April 20, 1959.

Under the leadership of head coach Tom Nugent, FSU's football team made its first appearance on national television. Football was not, however, the only winning athletic team at FSU. Both the basketball and baseball teams regularly turned in winning performances, and the swim team ranked number one in the Southeast.

By 1958, FSU resembled a traditional coeducational university. More than 3,000 students resided in campus dormitories, freshmen wore beanies known as "rat caps" until Thanksgiving, and the school's graduates were already making their marks on history,

Source:

• D’Alemberte, Talbot. "Florida State University: Embracing the Challenge of Change." State of the University Address. Tallahassee, Florida. 7 October 1993.
• Sellers, Robin, Ph.D. Femina Perfecta: The Genesis of Florida State University, Tallahassee: The Florida State University Foundation, 1995.
• Wills, Martee & Morris, Joan Perry. Seminole History: A Pictorial History Of Florida State University, Jacksonville: South Star Publishing Company, 1987.