USF named ‘Innovation and Economic Prosperity University’

USF has a new designa­tion to add to its repertoire: “Innovation and Economic Prosperity University.”

This designation, awarded by the Association of Public & Land-grant Universities (APLU), joins USF with 47 other univer­sities in the country, including UCF — the only other univer­sity in Florida to receive the award. Only 18 universities were selected this year.

As an economic force, USF contributes $4.4 billion to the Tampa Bay Area on a $1.5 bil­lion budget.

Part of the application pro­cess involved running self-assessments and preparing the university for evaluation by a board of judges outside the university. The distinction aims to decide which univer­sities not only produce mon­etary gains, but which of those universities have a tangible impact in their community.

USF used a committee of 50 people to go through the Tampa Bay area and conduct research on the economic impact the university has made. The judg­es were members of other uni­versities and partners of APLU.

Among the other universi­ties given the designation this year were Auburn University, Clemson University and University of Louisville.