The University of Tampa celebrates 75 years to the minute on Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. The date and time match the date and start time of UT’s first class in 1931. The entire Tampa community is invited to the free event, along with the university community and all alumni.

Bob Martinez ’57, former governor of Florida, former mayor of Tampa and UT trustee emeritus, will speak, as will Tampa mayor Pam Iorio and UT president Ron Vaughn. Numerous dignitaries from UT’s history will be honored, as will Spartan sports heroes. UT government and world affairs professor Dr. Robert Kerstein, who also is the official Hillsborough County historian, will provide an historical backdrop of Tampa in the early ’30s, while history professor Dr. Terry Parssinen will detail some of the university’s earliest events. Guests then will be invited to a reception in one of Tampa’s most beautiful rooms, the Fletcher Lounge in Plant Hall. Students will be invited to the quad area for a birthday bash.

A special R.S.V.P. e-mail address, 75years@ut.edu, has been created for those who plan to attend the Oct. 5 event.