University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications

The College of Journalism and Communications is an academic college of the University of Florida. It comprises four departments:

Contents

• About the university of florida college of journalism and communications
• ABC News at UF
• Student Organizations
• Degrees
• List of deans
• References

The college traces its origins to 1925, when the Department of Journalism was formed in Language Hall (now Anderson Hall). Orland K. "O.K." Armstrong was the first head of the department. The first three journalism degrees were awarded in 1928.

The department moved into Buckman Hall, a renovated dormitory, in 1937.

Rae O. Weimer, former managing editor at the New York City daily newspaper PM, began teaching in the Department of Journalism in 1949. In 1950, the journalism program was accredited, although it still had only "one classroom, no equipment and only two teachers." In late 1953, broadcasting was transferred to journalism and the department became a school, the School of Journalism and Communications.

In the 1960s, the School of Journalism and Communications became the fastest-growing journalism program in the United States and the fastest-growing unit at UF. The growth was directly related to its national prominence as the college began dominating the annual Hearst Foundation's national collegiate writing competition.

In 1967, the school became a full-fledged college. Weimer was named the first dean. Weimer has been referred to as the "founding father" of journalism at UF; the current journalism building, Weimer Hall, is named for him.

The centerpiece of the journalism programs at UF is WUFT, which consists of both a WUFT (TV) Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Public television and WUFT-FM NPR public radio station. The commercial broadcasting radio station, WRUF AM850, is also one of the oldest stations in the state.