USF System President Judy Genshaft referred to the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine’s record Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores as just one example of the university’s successes. — Photo by Eric Younghans

During Wednesday’s annual fall address to the university community, Genshaft reported the USF System’s research expenditures for 2016-17 were $568 million, a significant increase from $515 million the previous year.

She also announced the USF System’s incoming freshmen class of more than 3,000 students is the strongest ever at USF, boasting an average high school GPA of 4.09 and an average SAT score of 1283. In addition, first-year medical students entering the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine this fall recorded the highest average Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores in USF history, and the highest among all Florida universities this year, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

“This means the expectations for USF, Florida’s first metropolitan Preeminent university, are greater than ever. We are in a new league, with new peers and new standards,” Genshaft told the audience inside the Marshall Student Center’s Oval Theater. “We are making major strides across every unit, in every measure.”

Genshaft’s remarks highlighted USF’s historic progress over the past year, however she emphasized that earning recognition for these successes and growing the university’s reputation must continue to be important priorities. With the goal to establish one clear message for the entire university, a new logo and brand theme were unveiled for the first time in more than a decade on Wednesday. USF’s new marketing direction comes as a result of multiple brand studies and more than 1,200 interviews with university stakeholders over the past year.

“It became clear that the field is wide open for us to develop and own our identity,” Genshaft explained. “Like any great organization, we now have a clear, consistent brand to guide us as we continue to evolve in the future.”

The new look, shown below, is intended for use by academic and other non-athletics departments. The traditional “Bull U” logo will remain in place for USF Athletics. The new brand theme will be “United, we Shape the Future,” with an official launch planned during Homecoming Week in October.

The complete fall address is available here.