A message from USF Board of Trustees Chair Will Weatherford

Bulls Nation,

Nearly five years ago, as I stepped into the role of chair of the USF Board of Trustees, I spoke about a belief that continues to guide my perspective today: The University of South Florida is one of the most important assets in Tampa Bay, and our region will only go as far as USF will take it. That belief was rooted in both the potential I saw in this institution and the critical role it plays in shaping the future of our community.

Today, I am filled with pride and gratitude as I reflect on all that our students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners have accomplished together - proving that belief was not only well-founded, but perhaps even understated.

During my five years as board chairman and under President Rhea Law's leadership, USF has continued to ascend to new heights. In that time, USF has achieved milestones that speak not only to our ambition, but to our ability to deliver. We earned an invitation to join the Association of American Universities, reached record levels of student success, achieved an all-time high of $750 million in research funding, expanded our economic impact across the region by billions of dollars, created the first-of-its-kind Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing, and advanced the construction of an on-campus football stadium that will welcome its first game next year.

There is no university in the world with more positive momentum across the enterprise than the University of South Florida. Because of that momentum - and because I believe the future has never been brighter - now is the right time for me to step down as chair and pass the baton to Vice Chairman Mike Griffin. Mike will serve as chair, pending board elections.

Casually referred to as "Mr. USF," there is truly no one who loves this university more than Mike. I have complete confidence that he will work tirelessly alongside our fellow trustees, President Moez Limayem and our outstanding leadership team to build on this momentum and set an even more ambitious course for the future.

These are the right people. This is the right moment.

And this is not goodbye. I will remain on the board and continue to do everything I can to support USF's success in the years ahead here in Tampa Bay, in Tallahassee and wherever else we need to be.

Thank you, Bulls Nation, for your trust, your patience, your good humor and your belief over the past five years. There were times when others doubted what we could achieve. Some questioned whether we could reach AAU membership so quickly, or whether an on-campus stadium would ever become reality. Some even laughed.

They are not laughing anymore.

What they see now is what we have always known: A university with infinite potential, driven by purpose, fueled by talent and united by a shared vision of excellence.

As I often say - and believe now more than ever - USF's best days are still to come.

Go Bulls!

Will Weatherford