The University of South Florida Polytechnic was established as USF Lakeland in 1988 to serve the citizens of Polk, Highlands, Hardee and eastern Hillsborough counties in a regional setting. It has since evolved to become Florida's only polytechnic.

1982: The state Legislature authorizes funds to begin planning of the USF Lakeland campus. After finding a high demand for the new educational facility, the presidents of Polk Community College and USF send a letter to Florida's Post-Secondary Education Planning Commission recommending a joint PCC-USF facility in Lakeland.

1986: Rather than hold groundbreaking ceremonies on the actual site, a 130-acre orange grove at the southeast corner of U.S. 98 and Winter Lake Rd., a dinner is held in the Lakeland Center with the theme "PCC/USF: An Idea That Sparks The Imagination." Dirt from the site is brought to the Lakeland Center and piled on a raised platform where a robot digs into the ground and says, "I dig PCC/USF Lakeland."

1988: USF Lakeland begins classes on Jan. 6, providing public higher education through the master's degree level for the first time in Polk County. The first of eight buildings, the Curtis Peterson Academic Center (named in honor of the state senator who was instrumental in obtaining funding) opens on the PCC/USF Lakeland campus.

1989: Nearly 2,000 students attend classes on the PCC/USF Lakeland campus (1,486 PCC students and 487 USF students). With enrollment surpassing expectations there is pressure for a second building.

1991: A second academic building (known as the Learning Center) opens. It features a large joint-use library, learning labs, general classrooms, computer classrooms and faculty offices.

2003: The Florida Legislature approves funding of a third academic building on the PCC/USF Lakeland campus. The effort was spearheaded by State Senator J.D. Alexander.

2004: Ground is broken for the $32 million Lakeland Technology Building and renovation of the two existing academic buildings.

2007: The Lakeland Technology Building opens for classes. PCC and USF continue to expand the educational opportunities available to the community. USF Lakeland also goes beyond the walls of the primary campus and provides many full degree programs at various off-campus sites.

2008: USF Polytechnic receives its new name and serves over 2,500 students. USFP offers over 20 complete undergraduate and graduate degrees through the divisions of Applied Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education. The campus also supports a variety of individual classes, electives, web-based courses, certificate programs and program partnerships with the main campus in Tampa.