Florida State University celebrated its 175th anniversary at the Florida Capitol on January 21, 2026, bringing together students, faculty, alumni, and state leaders to recognize the institution’s contributions to education, research, healthcare, and athletics in Florida.
The event featured displays from FSU’s colleges and programs throughout the Capitol rotundas. Attendees engaged with students and staff about the university’s impact on the state’s economy and innovation. The celebration included a pep rally emceed by Jeff Culhane for the fourth consecutive year. FSU cheerleaders and the Seminole Sound pep band provided entertainment while members of the Women’s Soccer team met with fans.
FSU President Richard McCullough addressed those gathered, highlighting recent achievements in national rankings. He said, “We’ve been part of the American story for nearly two centuries — exemplifying academic excellence, conducting research that changes lives, and demonstrating the unconquered spirit that makes FSU one of the nation’s top universities. It’s a remarkable legacy, and we’re just getting started.” McCullough noted that FSU climbed to No. 21 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2026 rankings and reached its highest overall position at No. 51 nationally. Niche ranked FSU as No. 11 among public universities.
McCullough pointed out record student outcomes: a 97% freshman retention rate, a 78% four-year graduation rate, and an 80% transfer student graduation rate—the highest in State University System history. “We are so lucky because we are part of Florida State University, and as one of the greatest universities in the world, there’s no university that has the momentum that we have right now,” he said. “It’s a powerful university that’s rising as fast as any university in the entire United States.”
He also referenced advances in healthcare initiatives through FSU Health: “Yesterday, we signed a historic agreement for us to move forward in a memorandum of understanding, to transfer the city assets of the hospital to Florida State University,” McCullough stated. “Creating a new partnership to bring even better healthcare to Leon County and the surrounding area, and we are building a new hospital in Panama City Beach that will transform healthcare from Tallahassee all the way to Escambia County.”
Chancellor Ray Rodrigues of the State University System spoke about how FSU’s performance supports Florida’s ranking as first in higher education nationwide based on objective data: “Our state is the number one in the nation for higher education, and the reason for that is that ranking is based on objective data — and only objective data,” Rodrigues said. “The performance of flagships like Florida State University plays a large role in why our state has the success that we have in the rankings.” Rodrigues also compared FSU’s student retention rates with Ivy League schools’ rates and praised an increase of 50% in research expenditures since 2021.
The event concluded with recognition of athletic achievement as fans cheered for FSU Women’s Soccer team presenting their fifth NCAA National Championship trophy.
