Judge Lacey Collier

UWF Degree and Graduation Year:
MA Political Science, 1972, BA Accounting, 1975.

Why did you choose to attend UWF?
“I didn’t; UWF just reached out and grabbed me!” When I returned to Pensacola in 1970—still a career Naval Aviator—I was cruising around town and made a trip out to campus to see the “new” university. I noticed the administration building and, out of curiosity, decided to stop in and pick up a catalog. The lady at the front desk kept asking me what my degree was in although I insisted I only wanted a catalog. With some frustration, I finally responded that it was in government, and she said, “go to Political Science, you can get a catalog there.” The Political Science department, as it turned out, was on the way back to my car so I went in and asked for a catalog. The receptionist said with authority, “Sit down!” As a good military man, I did, when out came Dr. Freeman, the chair of the department, with pipe in hand. He asked me if I was interested in attending UWF in the new political science masters program. I answered in the negative, that I only wanted a catalog. But, even though classes had already started, I was active duty in the Navy, and not interested in school, Dr. Freeman would not let up. He called me the next day and gave me my schedule! UWF opened this door for me and I could not pass it up. The faculty worked with me and made sure I was successful. I can honestly say this was the only educational experience I have truly enjoyed!

Then another educational door opened for me at UWF and I “was grabbed” once again. I had finished my MA in Political Science, and was about to end my time in the Navy. I began to wonder what was next for me. My good friend and attorney, M.J. Menge, suggested I go to law school! During the time I had left in the Navy and before I could enter law school, M.J. encouraged me to audit some accounting courses at UWF. It was then I met another UWF professor who pushed me along - Dr. Tom Committe. He would not let me just audit classes; he insisted that I get a degree in Accounting! He worked with me, scheduled classes to accommodate my Navy schedule, and would not let me quit!

As it all turned out, without UWF “grabbing” me, I would have not been able to get into a law school; and for better or for worse, I would not be a Senior United States District Judge today. UWF was my rock—my foundation.

What were your goals as a student?
As I said, I was not really planning on ever going back to school so I really did not have goals. But I ended up absorbing all I could! I entered UWF as a student who did not really like school, but left UWF having had two great educational experiences.

What is your best memory from your days at UWF?
Drs. Freeman and Committee helped create some of my best memories. They pushed me to achieve and taught me to learn.

Who was your favorite professor and why?
I really could not single out any one of them. I had numerous good ones, both in Political Science and Accounting. - Dr. Freeman, Dr. Anderson, Dr. Myers, Dr. Committe, -- they were all so good. (A story I love to tell: Dr. Anderson gave me the only B I had while working on my MA in Political Science. And I was so proud of it - it was the highest grade in the class.)

What do you do now and how did UWF help you progress to this point?
I am a Senior United States District Judge for the Northern District of Florida. I owe all of my success after my Navy days to UWF for pushing me along academically. A mediocre performer in my undergraduate days, it was my record in the Masters program got me into law school, and my degree in accounting has been extremely useful in helping me better understand case testimony as it relates to financial issues. I do not like even to think about where I would be without UWF.

How do you stay connected to UWF?
I have continued to be involved with UWF over the years. My involvement has included service on the UWF Alumni Association Board, President of the UWF Foundation and am proud to be a Foundation Fellow. I am proud to have been serving as Foundation President during our last capital campaign. Our endowment went from approximately $6 million to approximately $40 million. This effort brought many people together in support of UWF. It helped us get out of “thinking small.” I still serve on the Foundation Board, and I am the Chair of the Community Maritime Park Associates Board of Trustees responsible for the creation of the Park which will house UWF’s conference center and its Admiral Jack Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center.

What advice do you have for current and future UWF students?
Take advantage of what is offered. Do not let opportunities pass you by. Enjoy school, have fun and get as much out of it as you can. Also, think about the future-I loved Pensacola and UWF 35 years ago when I was first here - and I love it now. Both are exploding with the growth of the Emerald Coast Campus, the arrival of the Lambda Rail, and the plans for the Maritime Park and Museum. Get involved in as much as you can. Give back as you have been given.

What quality makes UWF special or unique?
UWF has big school qualities with a small school atmosphere. I can still recall those 2:00 a.m. trips to the computer lab - it was so peaceful then. When I am on campus today, I still feel that peace. It is a great place with great faculty. I am so fortunate, and deeply proud, to be a part of it all.

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