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Phyllis P. Marshall

Phyllis P. Marshall arrived at USF in its fourth year, 1960. She was instrumental in creating student life on campus while serving as the director of USF’s student center from August 1976 until her retirement in June 1994. She was loved amongst students and many USF alumnus called her their “surrogate mother or mom.”  According to former City of Tampa Mayor and USF alumna, Pam Iorio, “Phyllis Marshall was USF. Phyllis set a tone for the students that has lasted throughout the decades. She made a big university seem like a small, close-knit family.” While at USF, Marshall launched various student clubs, dance and bowling leagues, and Greek organization.  The 400+ active student organizations on campus can thank Marshall for setting the foundation for them to be where they are today.

After years of student lobbying from the undergraduate class of 1987, and a bill being passed to allow for dedication of a building to be named after a living honoree, the University Center was renamed the Phyllis P. Marshall Center on March 3, 1994 in her honor. The administrators of the building felt it was important to retain her name on the new facility, the Phyllis P. Marshall Student Center (MSC) as the MSC is the hub for student life at USF.

Check out this video to learn more about Phyllis P. Marshall’s impact!