Judy Genshaft Honors College

December 8, 2021 - The First Panel

December 1, 2020 - The Groundbreaking

January 23, 2020 - Project Updates

May 22, 2019 - The Announcement

In the News

American School & University - University of South Florida breaks ground on new home for honors college
Tampa Bay Business Journal - USF breaks ground on $55M honors college named after former president
Sarasota Herald-Tribune - USF to break ground on new honors college facility
Tampa Bay Times - USF honors college named for Judy Genshaft will get new building soon
Florida Trend - USF President Makes Historic Gift, Donating $20 Million to Establish the Judy Genshaft Honors College
Inside Higher Ed - South Florida's President Donates $20 Million
Tampa Bay Business Journal - Outgoing USF president donates $20M for new honors college building
Tampa Bay Times Editorial - Genshaft's remarkable gift to USF
Tampa Bay Times - Judy Genshaft gives $20 million to USF to build a new honors college
The Chronicle of Higher Education - She’s Led the U. of South Florida for 19 Years. Now She’s Giving It $20 Million
USF Newsroom - USF President Makes Historic Gift, Donating $20 Million to Establish the Judy Genshaft Honors College
WUSF - Genshaft Gives $20 Million To USF's Honors College

May 22, 2019 - The Announcement

The University of South Florida has flourished under President Judy Genshaft. Now, she continues her transformational leadership – this time through a historic gift.

President Genshaft and her husband, Steven Greenbaum, have donated $20 million to the USF Foundation. This represents one of the largest gifts of its kind ever made by a sitting university president to their institution. The donation will name the Judy Genshaft Honors College and help fund a new five-story building for the College to be built on the USF campus within the next few years. They also announced a $3 million gift to create an endowment for the deanship of the Judy Genshaft Honors College.

“We are so passionate about this university. It has been such an important part of our life and our family over the last 19 years. It’s only natural that we would do whatever we can to ensure its continued success,” Genshaft said. “Having a world-class Honors College is just one more way USF will distinguish itself as one of the most elite and forward-thinking institutions in the world. The Honors College is special because of its inclusiveness, representing the best and brightest students from all academic units across all of our USF campuses.”

“Based on our research, Dr. Judy Genshaft has given more to the university in her 19 years than any sitting university president in the United States,” said Joel Momberg, USF Foundation CEO and senior vice president of advancement and alumni relations. “This is indeed a historic moment for USF and American higher education. We are so grateful for all President Genshaft and Steven Greenbaum have done for our university.”

The approximately $47 million facility is expected to feature interwoven spaces for classrooms, study areas, faculty and advisor offices, event areas, a music and computer lab, as well as numerous collaborative spaces – expanding the range of academic opportunities for students and giving them a true “home” on campus.

“This transformational gift will bring USF and student success to a new level and ensure that preeminence lives on in the new Judy Genshaft Honors College. It will also provide a lasting legacy for others to emulate,” said USF Board of Trustees Chair Jordan Zimmerman.

January 23, 2020 - Project Updates

December 1, 2020 - The Groundbreaking

Breaking ground: The Judy Genshaft Honors College

The University of South Florida broke ground today on the new home of the Judy Genshaft Honors College, a five-story, 85,000-square-foot facility that will strengthen USF’s position to attract the best students in Florida, nationally and internationally.

“The Judy Genshaft Honors College building will be a remarkable enhancement to our world-class Honors College and will benefit USF, its students and its faculty. The new building will advance USF’s strategic goals and long-term aspirations to attract and support the success of Florida’s most accomplished students. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of Judy Genshaft and Steve Greenbaum,” USF President Steve Currall said.

Private gifts totaling $43 million have been pledged and received for the project, including a historic lead gift of $20 million from USF President Emerita and Professor Judy Genshaft and her husband Steve Greenbaum that was announced in May 2019. Donors have made commitments specifically toward the new facility and the university can’t use the funds for any other purpose. The total cost of the project is $54 million and fundraising efforts will continue.

“President Emerita Genshaft’s and Steve Greenbaum’s philanthropy continues to transform USF. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we thank them for their steadfast commitment to student success and their vision that help propel the university to new heights,” USF Board of Trustees Chair Jordan Zimmerman said.

USF President Emerita and Professor Judy Genshaft and Steve Greenbaum

The new facility will feature interwoven spaces for classrooms, study areas, faculty and advisor offices, event areas, a computer lab, performance and create spaces and numerous collaborative spaces – expanding the range of academic opportunities for students and giving them a true “home” on campus. Fittingly, it will be built along the renamed USF Genshaft Drive (formerly USF Maple Drive).

"Having one of the most premier honors colleges in the nation is just one way USF will distinguish itself as one of the most elite and forward-thinking institutions in the world. This stellar new home for our already excellent college will help attract top talent to USF, making an indelible impact on our community for years to come. We are delighted to see this dream become a reality," Genshaft said.

The new Judy Genshaft Honors College building

Formally established in 2002, the college aligns with USF’s strategic goals in student success and supports the university’s long-term aspirations. The college consists of more than 2,400 high-achieving, cross-disciplinary scholars who are part of a close community that provides specialized experiences and advanced educational opportunities. Students are encouraged to participate in global experiences through study-abroad, undergraduate research and hands-on community engagement and service projects, along with professional development opportunities. The college is open to students from all academic units on each of USF’s campuses. Collectively, Honors College students earn an average GPA of 3.72. By moving from the current location on the second floor of the John and Grace Allen building, the college expects to grow to 3,000 students.

“Shortly after becoming USF’s president, Dr. Genshaft decided to elevate the university honors program to the status of a college. She and Provost Ralph Wilcox provided the college with the university resources needed to support its expanding population, and she and Steve provided very generous scholarship support. All this work, and the work that she has inspired in others, has been directed to one goal – to build one of the premier public honors colleges in the country,” Judy Genshaft Honors College Dean Charles Adams said.

Construction is expected to be completed in late fall 2022.

December 8, 2021

Judy Genshaft and Steve Greenbaum signing building panel

College naming donors, President Emerita Judy Genshaft and Steve Greenbaum, sign the first panel installed on the building’s exterior. These outer panels present an optical illusion as they change colors based on lighting and perspective.

Learn More

A Home for Honors College Students
The Judy Genshaft Honors College is a learning and engagement hub for the brightest scholars at the University of South Florida. Honors College students represent all disciplines on all USF campuses. We invite you to learn more and provide your contact information so you can stay updated as the project progresses. There are many ways you can provide support and we can't wait to share more with you.

Where will the Judy Genshaft Honors College be located?
The new building will be located just north of the Muma College of Business on USF Genshaft Drive.

What are the features of the new facility?
There are a number of features currently being planned such as: classrooms, event space, an atrium, collaboration and conference rooms, study areas, computer labs, music and art studios, adviser and faculty offices, an administrative suite and a café. We will share more information as the project develops.

Get Involved

For more information on supporting the Judy Genshaft Honors College or naming opportunities in the new facility, call 813-974-1246 or email jkane@usf.edu to contact Judy Kane, Director of Development for the Judy Genshaft Honors College. View Naming Opportunities