University of West Florida

They say your legacy will shape the future and for the woman from Panama City who rolled up her shirt sleeves and got to work, her legacy at the University of West Florida is one of the largest in school history.
 
While serving as the fifth president at UWF from 2008-2016, Judy Bense shaped the university in a way few had ever done up to this point. A large part of that came with her involvement in athletics.
 
She got involved right away with the department and at the national level. She was elected chair of the NCAA Division II Presidents Council in 2014 and was the driving force behind starting football and women's swimming & diving as intercollegiate sports.
 
UWF won four national championships (2008 Men's Golf, 2011 Baseball, 2012 Women's Soccer and 2014 Men's Tennis) and 44 of its 89 conference titles during her tenure. The department won three GSC All-Sports Trophies, eight women's All-Sports and three men's All-Sports Trophies under her watch, in addition to countless player of the year, freshmen of the year and coach of the year honors.
 
She began her career at UWF as a member of the archeology faculty from 1980-2008 and will transition to her role as UWF President Emeritus and Professor of Anthropology/Archaeology.
 
IN HER OWN WORDS
"Three memorable moments stick out for me… (1) When we were able to provide athletics with the out of state tuition waivers to which they were entitled (increasing from from 18 to 94) at the beginning of my presidency in 2008-09, and to see the nearly immediate impact of our athletic teams improving their winning percentage and competing for championships; (2) Seeing four of our athletic teams win national championships; and (3) Starting football and experiencing the incredible positive and prideful transformation of the community, university and alumni that it generated.                        
 
"Seeing how athletics have prepared the student-athletes for competing in life after UWF. Being able to see our athletes learn how to deal with losing and winning championships.
 
"It has been my pleasure and privilege to facilitate the growth and development of athletics. Adding the sports of women's swimming and diving and football has had a tremendous positive effect for our university, alumni and community. As Athletic Director Dave Scot says so often, athletics are the "front porch" of UWF and provide the public an excellent view!"