Jacksonville, Fl — The University of North Florida community is marking the passing of its founding and first president, Thomas G. Carpenter.
Dr. Carpenter served from 1969 until 1980 and was the founding UNF administrator. In October of 1972, the university opened to a charter class of 2,000 students.
He is the namesake of the Thomas G. Carpenter Library.
After serving as president for 11 years and with the University firmly established, Dr. Carpenter resigned and returned to his alma mater, Memphis State University (now University of Memphis), where he served as president until his retirement in 1991.
“The University of North Florida and the Osprey community are saddened about the loss of our founding president and one of its great leaders,” said UNF President David Szymanski. “Dr. Carpenter played a pivotal role in establishing our University and his lasting impact continues to be felt throughout the campus and among our faculty, staff and students. He will be greatly missed.”