NEWS
April 22, 2025
Senate Committee Rejects Adam Kissel’s UWF Trustee Appointment in Narrow Vote
On April 22, 2025, the Florida Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections voted 5–4 against confirming Adam Kissel as a trustee for the University of West Florida (UWF). Kissel, a West Virginia resident with a background at FIRE, the Charles Koch Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Education, faced scrutiny over his past writings advocating for the privatization of public universities. He described these views as long-term libertarian ideals, asserting they wouldn't conflict with supporting increased funding for UWF in the near term.
During the hearing, concerns were raised about Kissel's suitability for the role. Former UWF leaders Suzanne Lewis and Dr. Judith Bense questioned his understanding of the university's community and operations, emphasizing the importance of trustees having institutional knowledge and trustworthiness.
Senators were divided in their opinions. While some, like Senator Erin Grall, supported Kissel for his transparency and expertise, others, including Senator Tina Polsky, sided with UWF representatives' concerns about trust and ideological fit.
The narrow vote against Kissel's confirmation reflects the committee's reservations about his alignment with UWF's values and needs.
April 21, 2025
NEW: Questions Mount for Remaining UWF Trustees
As the Senate considers confirming three new trustees, none were asked the most pressing question: Why did they vote for Scott Yenor as board chair? Despite his controversial views on women, gender roles, and civil rights, Yenor was unanimously chosen by the Board—including these appointees, who now face no scrutiny on that decision.
The article reveals how these DeSantis-appointed trustees—none of whom live in Pensacola—skated through the confirmation process without addressing the backlash surrounding Yenor. With two appointees now resigned, questions remain about the others’ judgment and priorities for UWF.
📖 Read the full article:
Senate needs to ask other UWF trustees the Yenor question – Rick’s Blog
April 17, 2025
Second DeSantis-Appointed Trustee Resigns
Tallahassee sources confirm that Gates Garcia, a Tampa-based podcaster, has resigned from the University of West Florida Board of Trustees. Garcia is now the second appointee to step down, following board chair Scott Yenor’s resignation on April 9.
DeSantis Targets UWF for Conservative Overhaul;
Governor Ron DeSantis has announced plans for a conservative overhaul of the University of West Florida (UWF), labeling it an "indoctrination camp" with "Marxist professors." Speaking at Pensacola State College, he indicated that UWF would experience significant changes, similar to reforms at other Florida institutions where leadership was replaced to align with conservative values.
Jeanne Godwin, former UWF Board of Trustees member and founder of Save UWF, challenged DeSantis's claims, asserting that the university's growing enrollment and high regional rankings contradict the notion of ideological indoctrination. She expressed concern over what she perceives as a politically motivated attempt to reshape the university's governance.
In response, Save UWF is organizing transportation for individuals wishing to address the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee in Tallahassee, with the date to be determined.
For more details, read the full article here: WEAR
April 15, 2025
April 9, 2025
Scott Yenor Resigns from UWF Board of Trustees
TALLAHASSEE, FL — Sources have confirmed that Scott Yenor has resigned from the University of West Florida Board of Trustees. Although he was named board chair in January and chaired two meetings remotely, his appointment was never submitted to the Florida Senate for confirmation.
Yenor’s appointment sparked intense local opposition and became a rallying point for students, faculty, alumni, and Pensacola-area residents who believe deeply in protecting the values that make UWF ours.
A Win for the UWF We Know and Love
This resignation is a direct result of our community standing up and speaking out. SaveUWF was formed to ensure our university remains a place of learning, inclusivity, and local stewardship. Thanks to your voices — and the voices of students, faculty, alumni, and neighbors — we’ve taken a step toward keeping UWF rooted in the values that matter to us.
We believe in a board that reflects our university, our region, and our future. And we’re not done yet.
Let’s keep it ours.
April 7, 2025
New College Alumni Leader Resigns, Says Trust in Administration is Gone (Summary)
Benjamin Brown, Chair of the New College of Florida Alumni Association, has resigned effective immediately, citing a complete breakdown of trust in the college’s administration.
Brown's decision follows significant changes to the governance of the New College Foundation, which he claims have stripped alumni of any meaningful participation in college affairs. He characterizes the alumni association as having been reduced to "window dressing" without influence or accountability in institutional decision-making.
The resignation letter, sent publicly, outlined:
Concerns about the administration’s control over the Foundation, including the removal of checks and balances.
The lack of transparency in financial practices, including possible misuse of donor funds and overextension of the Foundation’s budget for executive salaries and athletics.
A decline in alumni engagement and morale, as well as frustration among major donors.
Brown noted that even though the administration expressed commitments to preserve core academic values (like narrative evaluations and independent study), alumni feel alienated across the political spectrum due to perceived mismanagement.
He emphasized that his resignation is not a retreat but a repositioning to advocate more effectively outside of a broken system, encouraging continued alumni engagement and vigilance.
April 6, 2025
UWF Does Not Need Trustees Selected for Their Myopic Ideological Views
By Donald H. Partington | April 6, 2025 | Pensacola News Journal
In this op-ed, former UWF Foundation Board member Donald Partington defends the university’s legacy, citing decades of successful alumni as proof that UWF is on the right path. He argues that the university does not need ideological changes on its Board of Trustees, but continued support for its educational mission and community impact.
Apriil 2, 2025
Backroom Deal? Lawmakers Push Controversial Plan to Hand USF-Sarasota to New College
Updated Summary (with UWF tie-in):
In a move echoing the concerns surrounding recent political interference at the University of West Florida (UWF), Florida lawmakers are quietly advancing a plan to transfer the University of South Florida’s Sarasota-Manatee campus and the Ringling Museum of Art to New College of Florida. Spearheaded by Sarasota Sen. Joe Gruters and backed by Governor DeSantis, the proposed merger has unfolded largely behind closed doors, without community input or legislative transparency.
Critics warn that the plan mirrors the ideological overhaul already underway at New College and now feared at UWF—where non-local trustees with political agendas have been appointed to reshape public institutions. With New College’s limited academic scope and ongoing leadership issues, the takeover risks dismantling established programs at USF-Sarasota and disregards the needs of local students, faculty, and taxpayers. Like the community response in Pensacola, opposition is building in Sarasota-Manatee as residents push back against Tallahassee’s attempts to impose top-down control on their educational institutions.
Link to article:
What’s up with New College’s hostile takeover of USF-Sarasota? | Tampa Bay Times