There are few things we love more than a local success story, and luckily the Burg is downright teeming with them. Among the many bright spots, accolades and areas of growth, one of the most impressive has been the outstanding progression of USF St. Petersburg.

The hometown university, along with the full University of South Florida system, has seen incredible growth and development in recent years, most recently earning one of the country’s most prestigious academic honors – becoming a member of the AAU. More on that below.

It can be easy to take the institution for granted as just yet another part of the vibrant city, so we wanted to take some time to highlight some of the things that make USF St. Pete so special. From Earth-saving research to one of – if not the – best grouper sandwiches in town, there is plenty to love about the school nestled snug into St. Pete.

USF joins the Association of American Universities

In May, USF was invited to join the Association of American Universities (AAU), a prestigious organization comprised of only 71 leading public and private research universities in the United States and Canada. Other members include Harvard, Princeton, Duke, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Yale, the University of Florida, and the University of Michigan – certainly not bad company to keep.

While USF has always been a powerful economic driver, AAU status gives civic leaders in St. Petersburg a powerful new tool to attract and retain businesses. The opportunity to harness the research capabilities of an AAU institution and to tap into the workforce pipeline is a significant benefit to our community, and one that will impact the city for decades to come.

USF provides unique and engaging academic experiences

For students (or faculty!) who don’t want to just spend every day in a classroom, USF St. Pete is particularly enjoyable. Do you want to dig for fossils in Weedon Island? Would it pique your interest to join a research cruise tasked with uncovering the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill? Maybe you’re interested in learning to use virtual reality to teach physics to high schoolers, or want to join the staff of a presidential campaign as they canvass for voters in New Hampshire or South Carolina?

These are the types of experiences students at USF St. Petersburg wake up to on a daily basis. The talented faculty are always coming up with new and interesting ways to instill knowledge while also improving our society. And the wide array of opportunities to do that provides something for just about anyone. Whether you’re interested in uncovering the early Spanish roots of our state’s colonial history through the Florida Studies program, or learning how to produce a podcast from professors in the Digital Communication and Multimedia Journalism department, there’s an endless array of opportunities available.

USF St. Petersburg is a global destination for the study of ocean science

Speaking of unique programs, USF received a $24 million state appropriation this year to launch construction on the Environmental and Oceanographic Sciences (EOS) Research and Teaching Facility on the St. Petersburg campus. This state-of- the-art facility will be the hub for addressing the need to prepare for, and respond to, natural hazards including hurricanes, storm surge, sea level rise, high-tide flooding and extreme rainfall events. Building on the world-class reputation of USF’s College of Marine Science, it will continue to establish St. Pete as a national destination for researchers and students focused on issues related to resiliency, sustainability and the blue/green economy.

The center is, quite ideally, located in St. Pete’s Innovation District, where neighbors and potential collaborators include the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, the Florida Institute of Oceanography, the National Marine Fisheries Service’s regional office, the U.S. Geological Survey Coastal and Marine Science Center, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Coast Guard. Say what you like about Old Northeast or Historic Kenwood, but that’s quite the neighborhood.

Culture is key at USF St. Pete

Anyone who has spent time at USF St. Petersburg knows the campus has a great vibe. There’s always something to do, whether you’re a student, professor or a member of the community. Art lovers can view murals painted on Harbor Hall and the Piano Man building as part of the Shine Mural Festival, or admire the sculpture on the side of Davis Hall.

Looking for a place to grab a beer and a sandwich? You can’t beat the Tavern at Bayboro, a campus institution for more than 40 years, and home to what may well be the best grouper sandwich in Tampa Bay.

At any given time, you’ll find students creating chalk art on the sidewalks, retirees walking their dogs and professors discussing their research over coffee at the University Student Center. And if you take the time to visit the waterfront, you may be lucky enough to see a dolphin, manatee or stingray glide by. If you haven’t done so lately, we certainly recommend taking a stroll through campus.

USF St. Petersburg is intrinsically tied to the city’s success

Students at USF St. Pete come from all over the country to take advantage of the campus’ top-rated faculty, small class sizes and waterfront location. They add to the vibrancy of our city and participate in initiatives that benefit our community.

For example, a group of USF St. Petersburg students partnered with the St. Pete Youth Farm to create a greenhouse that provides fresh vegetables and fish to the people of south St. Petersburg. A political science undergraduate successfully lobbied the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) to provide free transportation for disabled veterans. In fact, the PSTA board was so impressed, they granted free access for all veterans, which will take effect on November 10.

A marine biology student noticed a young manatee in distress in Bayboro Harbor this winter and used the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Wildlife Rescue Hotline to alert authorities. The manatee, named Burro, is now recovering at ZooTampa and is expected to be released back into the wild.

Because of the small size of the campus and proximity to downtown, USF St. Petersburg students care about one another and contribute immensely to our community. Be sure to stop by and say hello the next time you’re on campus.