UCF in the News

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.

University of Central Florida recently unveiled its new state-of-the-art microgrid control lab on campus. The lab is a partnership with Florida Power Light and General Electric.

Orlando Business Journal's 2021 Central Florida Power Players recognizes 50 business leaders and executives who are helping grow and innovate the way business is done throughout the region. Winners were chosen in five categories: Industry Giants, Disruptors, Deal Makers, Connectors and Heavy Hitters. The 11 businesspeople who were chosen in the Deal Makers category are those driving major transactions, policies, initiatives and/or projects, spearheading partnerships and relationships that generate new local business activity. They include Wendy Brandon, CEO, UCF Lake Nona Medical Center; Carol Ann Logue, director of programs & operations, UCF Innovations Districts & Incubation Program; and Rob Panepinto, president of Florentine Strategies; director of partnerships and strategy for UCF Business Incubation System & Innovation Districts.

The University of Central Florida’s Recreation and Wellness Center has a sports officiating class that pours people into the Central Florida community to officiate at all level of sport competition. The program is unique because the college and professional referees who come through often return to help train the next generation of whistle-blowers.

Before UCF theater professor Mark Brotherton passed away in March 2021 due to complications caused by cancer, he was slated to direct Theatre UCF’s production of “Welcome to the Moon and Other One Acts.” Brotherton served as an associate professor in theater performance, spending 25 years educating students and contributing to Central Florida stages as a director, writer and choreographer. The play will be presented in his honor at UCF Nov. 12-21.

Hundreds of recent UCF graduates returned to campus as the university held an in-person commencement for those who were denied the occasion last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony was exclusively for UCF’s 2020 graduates from the spring, summer and fall semesters.

Despite many people traveling again, the hospitality industry is still working to recover its workforce. A new UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management study gives a glimpse of why some workers are now looking for opportunities outside the industry.