Westcott Building

Ruby Diamond Concert Hall is the primary performance venue for Florida State University and is located on the first floor of the Westcott building. It offers a 1,172-seating capacity without seats installed on the pit. Originally built in 1911 to serve as the main auditorium for the University, it was torn down in 1951 after developing a settling crack and was rebuilt in 1954. In 1971 the auditorium was named in honor of a generous benefactor to the University and a graduate of the Florida State College for Women.

The Westcott Fountain was a joint gift from the Florida State College for Women classes of 1915 and 1917 and graced the plaza for over 70 years. The fountain was renovated in 1982 in remembrance of Professor Anna Forbes Liddell (1891-1979), a Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Philosophy. During the summer of 1988, the support structure failed, and an exact replica of the original fountain was installed. Since its initial installation in 1917, the fountain has been a symbol of Florida State University’s proud heritage and pays homage to those who came before. There are many stories, traditions and myths surrounding the fountain. No one in the classes of 1915 and 1917 envisioned how important a symbol the Fountain would become. Surrounded by busy students, faculty, and staff, ghost stories, and the occasional pinning ceremony, engagement, or prank, it has truly earned its place in FSU history.

The commemorative brick plaza surrounding the fountain originated as a project of the classes of 1996 and 1997. It was constructed in 1998 with donations from the classes and from other alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of the university. The plaza is home to countless celebrations and photo opportunities and bricks commemorating names, dates, and special accomplishments continue to be installed each semester. The Brick Program is administered by the FSU Alumni Association.

Florida State University was founded in 1851 as the all-male Seminary West of the Suwannee River and classes were first held in 1857. In 1909, the university was renamed the Florida State College for Women after the Florida Legislature reorganized the state’s higher education system. During this era, our school seal, which showcases three torches along with our motto of Vires, Artes, Mores, was created. The Latin translates to strength, skill, and character. In 1947, with the influx of men returning from World War II, the university became coeducational and was renamed the Florida State University. It was during this period that we adopted the Seminoles as our school symbol in honor of their unconquered spirit. Our school colors, which are garnet and gold, were also selected at this time.

Transformative Daring: We support thoughtful risk-taking that leads to successes that improve our world dramatically. And when we face challenges, we confront them with resilience, curiosity, and renewed desire to overcome hurdles to our goals.

Inspired Excellence: We achieve the highest levels of success by drawing strength and understanding from the talents of those around us and from our interactions with them.

Dynamic Inclusiveness: We believe the benefits of a richly varied community arise not only from the diversity of people it includes, but more importantly from intentional efforts to create a strong sense of belonging that encourages deep and high-quality connections.

Responsible Stewardship: We transform the resources we are given and the public’s trust in us into powerful impact that betters the lives of those around us, near and far.

Engaged Community: We uphold the traditions and history that create a small-college culture within a large university. This makes FSU a welcoming place where people discover others like themselves—while also connecting to and learning from classmates and colleagues of vastly different backgrounds and experiences.

Florida State University will be among the nation’s most entrepreneurial and innovative universities, transforming the lives of our students and shaping the future of our state and society through exceptional teaching, research, creative activity, and service. We will amplify these efforts through our distinctive climate—one that places a premium on interdisciplinary inquiry and draws from the rich intellectual and personal diversity of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni. These three forces—entrepreneurship, interdisciplinarity, and diversity—deepen FSU’s impact and result in a powerful return to our students and the people of Florida for their continued support and trust.

College Avenue is an historic Tallahassee street that will lead you from the gates of the Westcott Building to the heart of downtown Tallahassee, where you’ll find a number of local restaurants, historic sites, and museums. The tall white building in the skyline is our state Capitol Building. With rolling hills and canopy roads, Tallahassee is unique in the state of Florida—located 30 miles south of Georgia and 40 miles north of the Gulf coast beaches.