COSSPP Celebrates its First 50 Years in Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy (COSSPP) celebrated its first 50 years of excellence with alumni and friends in Tallahassee, FL, on September 13, 2024.

Director Ted Ellis (L) and College of Social Sciences and Public Policy Dean Tim Chapin (R) at the 50th Gala.
Director Ted Ellis (L) and College of Social Sciences and Public Policy Dean Tim Chapin (R) at the 50th Gala.

More than 100 students, faculty, alumni, staff, and friends gathered at the Goodwood Museum & Gardens to celebrate the College’s 50th anniversary, reflect on its rich history, and look to the future.

Two of the 2024 Distinguished Alumni class, Mayor John Dailey and Kathy Mears, were present at the gala and honored for their respective contributions to the college. Dean Tim Chapin also honored various leaders within the college and gave an illustrious history of how the college has changed since its inception 50 years ago, along with the city of Tallahassee.

As the third-largest, most demographically diverse, and politically engaged college on campus, COSSPP is a microcosm of campus, the state, and the nation.

COSSPP was established as the College of Social Sciences in the fall of 1973 as part of a university-wide academic reorganization and consisted of just five departments: economics, geography, government, sociology, and urban and regional planning.

Since then, COSSPP has grown to include 11 centers and institutes, 12 departments, and interdisciplinary programs. It serves as a bedrock college for the university, with over 5,000 students calling COSSPP home each year and 50,000 alumni around the globe working to address the world’s challenges and better their communities.

As we look to the next 50 years, we know that, in many ways, the “Future will be Made in Bellamy,” we thank our alumni and friends for continuing to support the next generation by generously giving their time and treasure.

To learn more about all of COSSPP’s 50th anniversary activities and festivities, visit coss.fsu.edu/50th. To stay up to date with all the exciting things going on at the college, sign up for our quarterly Alumni Newsletter.

View the full album and download the original resolution images on Flickr!

2024-09-13 COSSPP - 50th Gala-01