Happy birthday! FSU celebrates its 175th anniversary
SUMMER 2026 / FSUMED 35
Florida State University is commemorating a rare and historic achievement, marking 175 years since its founding. This milestone celebrates the university’ s longstanding tradition of excellence and highlights its continued growth and significance as a leader in higher education.
“ As we mark Florida State University’ s 175th anniversary, we honor a legacy of groundbreaking research, innovative teaching, and an outstanding track record of student success that built FSU into one of the Top 25 public universities in the nation,” said FSU President Richard McCullough.“ While we celebrate our past, we are also experiencing unprecedented momentum. From posting record graduation rates and research expenditures to launching FSU Health and receiving transformative philanthropic gifts, every day we are building upon our great traditions and past achievements to propel Florida State University to even greater heights.”
Founded in 1851 as the Seminary West of the Suwannee River, just 75 years after the United States gained independence and six years after Florida became a state, FSU began with a clear mission: to educate the young people who would help shape and civilize the Florida frontier. The original site, where the iconic Westcott fountain now stands, lays claim as the oldest continuous location of higher learning in Florida.
Over the past 175 years, the institution has evolved through different names and purposes, growing from a modest few acres to a sprawling campus with 390 buildings on 1,810 acres across the state, including 216 buildings on 487.1 acres on the original main campus in Tallahassee. Today, FSU encompasses 17 colleges, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, the FSU Panama City campus, The Ringling Museum in Sarasota, a branch campus in Panama City, Panama, and international study centers in London, Florence and Valencia.
FSU’ s 175th anniversary committee, chaired by FSU First Lady Jai Vartikar, has launched a yearlong commemoration of the university’ s history and achievements.
Learn more about FSU 175 by scanning this QR code or visiting 175. fsu. edu
The entire university community, including the Marching Chiefs, came out in force to kick off the year-long celebration.