Prestigious Honor Puts USF In Top 3 Percent Of U.S. Universities

TAMPA, FL — Business leaders and legislators around Florida say the University of South Florida historic invitation to join the Association of American Universities is a major accomplishment, formalizing USF's position as a leading research university and global powerhouse.

Founded in 1956, USF, with campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, is now one of only two institutions from the State University System of Florida to be an AAU member. The other is the University of Florida. And it's the first public university in Florida in 40 years to be invited to join the AAU.

Its path toward AAU was first set by the university’s board of trustees more than 15 years ago. USF President Rhea Law served as the board chair in 2007 when USF formally added AAU membership as an aspiration in its strategic plan.

Achieving that goal enhances funding opportunities for USF. Member universities receive the majority of competitively awarded federal funding for research. According to the AAU, faculty at its member universities perform 63 percent of the total amount of federally funded basic research ($28.8 billion).

Federal agencies, such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Defense, rely on universities to perform critical research in the national interest. For USF, it means more opportunities to respond to challenges, as it did in studying the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and developing tools for early detection of dementia.

USF is already among the most research-intensive universities in the nation and one of the world’s top universities for generating new U.S. patents.

As an AAU institution, USF is positioned to further enhance its role of meeting the state’s workforce needs and driving economic development, Law said.

USF generates an annual economic impact of $6 billion, supporting more than 68,000 jobs. Companies from across the country are relocating to Tampa Bay ­– one of the nation’s fastest growing regions – and many credit the robust pool of talent created by USF, especially in cybersecurity.

This trajectory will only continue as the brightest faculty, staff and students are historically known to gravitate to AAU universities located in metropolitan areas, helping bring more federal tax dollars to the state of Florida.

Law said AAU membership will make USF an even more attractive destination for high-achieving students around the world. In the past year, USF received a record number of applications and welcomed its largest and strongest academic incoming class, which included 79 National Merit Scholars, a 27 percent increase from the record set the previous academic year.

USF is also one of the youngest institutions to be welcomed into the AAU, a reflection of the university’s fast rise. It joins the ranks of prestigious universities, such as Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford, Princeton, UCLA, Ohio State and Michigan. Of the association’s now 71 members, USF is the fifth youngest and one of only six AAU universities to be founded after 1950.

Through its new membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU), the University of South Florida is now considered in the nation’s top 3 percent of four-year universities.

“USF already plays a key role working with businesses in our region to help bring and grow thousands of high-paying jobs in our community," said Bob Rohrlack, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Chamber. "As an AAU member, USF Bulls are now even better positioned to help drive economic development in our region, and that benefits the entire community."

“This is a tremendous achievement that puts USF among the ranks of the country’s most prestigious universities," said Craig J. Richard, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. "AAU membership will strengthen our region’s national reputation as a top destination for research and innovation and it will boost our talent attraction and retention efforts and business recruitment activities. Congratulations to President Law and the entire USF family of faculty members, staff, students and alumni.”

“We are proud to partner every day with USF to provide world-class care across our community and beyond," said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. "We know that USF’s inclusion as an AAU member and its recognition as a leading U.S. academic institution will strengthen our collective ability to drive innovation, propel breakthroughs in discovery, and improve the health outcomes for patients here and around the world. As an alum of the USF Muma College of Business, I am one proud bull.”

“I’m so proud of the achievements of USF," said Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. "Their impact in the state is felt in so many ways including through their expanding pipeline of talent and research that is helping grow Florida’s economy.

"I am overjoyed that the University of South Florida is now a member of the esteemed Association of American Universities," said President Emerita Judy Genshaft. "This is a journey that USF has traveled for more than 15 years, and I always knew that the university would one day achieve this extraordinary milestone. I extend my sincere congratulations to President Law and the rest of the USF community on this well-deserved honor."

“We have loved watching the University of South Florida grow its size, reputation, influence and excellence in all areas for the last 45 years,” said Carol and Frank Morsani. The couple made their first gift to USF in 1978 and support every facet of the university community from the USF Health College of Medicine that bears their name to student scholarships, business leadership and the lead gift for the on-campus stadium. “This recognition from the AAU puts USF exactly where it belongs as a proud member of our nation’s most renowned universities.”

Another indicator of the university’s trajectory, USF is currently ranked in its highest position ever by U.S. News & World Report at No. 42 among all public universities. Over the past decade, USF has jumped 52 spots and continues to have its sights set on becoming a top 25 public university in America.