UCF in the News

A study by researchers at the University of Central Florida and the University of Waterloo in Canada surveyed parkgoers’ feelings toward dynamic pricing. It found consumers don’t like it, especially when it means they know they paid more than others.

A University of Central Florida animation and visual effects graduate student plans to tell the story of immigrants living in the U.S. in a creative way by using 3-D animation. Animation Career Review (ACR) ranked UCF’s School of Visual Arts and Design as number two among the nation’s top public animation schools this year.

Two major players in growing the region's early-stage startups have a new home in downtown Orlando. The University of Central Florida Business Program's Downtown Innovation District and startup accelerator Starter Studio on Dec. 1 will move into a 3,579-square-foot space at 130 S. Orange Ave — the ground floor of the 85-year-old Kress Building.

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) is an engineering organization that targets the Hispanic community, and its chapter at UCF is helping the 30 percent of Hispanic or Latino undergraduate engineering students feel at home. SHPE has over 300 members and focuses on helping students obtain mentorships, internships or jobs, as well as creating a family in the large UCF community. This year, it also launched a scholarship committee for students who struggle financially.

UCF RESTORES is making strides in its mission to make virtual reality treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder more available. The program is now looking to cut down the length of treatment from 15 days to 10 days and using new VR technology developed at the university. With it, treatment can be more personalized for veterans and first responders, and anyone who has experience trauma.

UCF’s classic “Knighthead” logo has received a facelift as the athletics department begins to prepare for bigger stages and brighter lights in the Big 12 Conference. The new logo, which serves as a secondary to UCF’s primary “stacked” logo, provides a more modern look at the Knighthead. The logo was designed in-house, and makes references to the university’s connections to the space program by featuring a Polaris star in the center chest, while remaining true to its original mascot with iconic Knight characteristics.

Cyndia Morales Muñiz, director of UCF’s Hispanic Serving Institution Culture and Partnerships, is a Don Quxjote Awards finalist for Professional of the Year. Dr. Luis Martinez-Fernandez, a professor of history at UCF, also is a finalist for the Excellence Award. The Don Quixote Awards are a flagship event in Central Florida that recognizes businesses and individuals committed to the excellence and development of Central Florida’s Hispanic community. The award ceremony will be on Dec. 11.

The parents of UCF football players are holding a toy drive called “Operation Christmas Knight” to help local kids and families in need this holiday season. The donations will go to kids at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and others living in motels.

If you’ve purchased almost anything lately, you’ve likely noticed higher prices. According to the US Labor Department inflation of commonly used goods is the highest it’s been since 1990. WMFE spoke with UCF sociology professor Amy Donley about how the rising cost of items such as food, clothing and even energy and shelter could affect Central Floridians this winter.