USF president reflects on retirement, St. Pete project

The University of South Florida will soon have a new leader, as President Rhea Law announced her impending retirement Monday. Her successor will inherit a long-planned project on the St. Petersburg campus.

Law, USF’s eighth president, never intended to shape the university’s future when she accepted the interim role in August 2021. She has led the school to unprecedented heights since the board of trustees appointed her to the permanent position in March 2022.

Law, whose contract sunsets in April, will remain at USF while the board conducts a national search for her replacement. She reiterated her belief that the university and its three campuses are well-positioned for success Monday afternoon.

“I haven’t forgotten my original goal, which was to create a glide path for the next president,” Law said. “And I hope what I’ve done now, at this point, is create a launch pad.”

Law, 75, left her career as an attorney to succeed former President Steve Currall, who abruptly retired in 2021. She became the first USF alum to lead the university.

The fifth-generation Floridian’s tenure was an unmitigated success. In 2023, USF joined the top 3% of U.S. and Canadian higher education institutions in the Association of American Universities.

USF secured a record $738 million in research funding in fiscal year 2024, a new record. “That’s just an incredible number and one I’m sure we can improve on,” Law said.

USF President Rhea Law (left) and former City Councilmember Ed Montanari board a research vessel docked at the St. Petersburg campus.

The school also set new fundraising benchmarks in 2024, with over $168 million received from more than 54,000 donors. Law believes that underscores the community’s support for the university.

USF opened a state-of-the-art indoor performance facility last year and broke ground on a $340 million stadium in November. School officials believe the long-awaited additions will enhance student life and athletics programs.

“We are on a roll,” Law said. “Now is the time for a new person to come in and really take the reins and move forward with new thoughts, new excitement and new energy. And we can just break all the records all over again.”

She noted USF is transforming an old golf course, The Claw, into a vibrant mixed-use district on the Tampa campus. The roughly 130-acre site will provide new academic, commercial and residential facilities.

Law’s successor will also oversee the construction of a long-planned Environmental and Oceanographic Sciences (EOS) research and teaching facility on the St. Petersburg campus. The $80 million interdisciplinary center was among the first major projects proposed after she became president.

Law confirmed that USF still plans to build the EOS, first publicly announced in November 2021. However, plans have evolved amid funding and environmental challenges.

The governor vetoed $74 million for the project in 2022. USF received $24.3 million in 2023; a $34.9 million request last year did not make it out of legislative committees.

Law said the university would continue its pursuit of state and outside funding for the EOS. She also noted that a silver lining emerged from delays and an unprecedented storm season.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton highlighted environmentally vulnerable areas at USF St. Pete. Law said school officials subsequently created a new EOS plan that is significantly more resilient, costs less money and includes additional space.

“We’re going to the legislature, and hopefully, they will look kindly upon our request,” Law added. “Because it’s an important project for the St. Petersburg campus and our university as a whole.”

From left: City Council Chair Brandi Gabbard, Mayor Ken Welch, USF President Rhea Law and City Councilmember Copley Gerdes during a March 2023 trip to Tallahassee. Photo: City of St. Petersburg.

If recent history is any indication, USF’s ninth president could have political ties. The University of Florida hired Republican Sen. Ben Sasse to lead the school in February 2023 and is now searching for his replacement.

New College President Richard Corcoran is a former Republican Florida House speaker. Former House majority leader Adam Hasner became Florida Atlantic University’s new president earlier this month. Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez – at the governor’s behest – now serves as Florida International University’s interim president.

Public colleges rely on state funding, and Law believes a president with political affiliations is “not necessarily a bad thing.” She said federal rhetoric regarding the Department of Education’s dismantling did not factor in her decision to retire.

Law has “total confidence” in its board of trustees to find the “very best president for the University of South Florida – because we deserve it.” She expects a fast-moving process, and officials will announce their next steps in the coming days.

Law wants her successor to possess the same excitement for USF’s potential as she has over the past three years. She also wants someone who will engage with students, faculty and the surrounding community and is “willing and bold enough” to seize opportunities.

“Should I be asked, I will be more than happy to help introduce people to anybody in this community,” Law said. “Hopefully, I can be helpful in getting those connections because that’s really important to the strength and prosperity of our university and the communities we serve.”