Meet UCF’s 2026 Pegasus Professors These four researchers are driven to think big and work with purpose as they address some of society’s biggest problems. March 27, 2026
Bold, Relentless, Rising: Meet UCF’s 2026 Reach for the Stars Honorees These six researchers are proving that groundbreaking work doesn’t take decades — just vision, drive and the courage to think differently.
Founders Day 2026 Student Awardees The Order of Pegasus inducts its 25th class of exemplary Knights among more than 50 students who will be recognized at the annual celebration.
Zhihua Qu Earns UCF’s 2026 Medal of Societal Impact for Contributions to the Power Systems Industry The Pegasus Professor of electrical engineering will receive the award during the Founders’ Day event on April 1.
Artemis II Brings Unique Space Medicine Opportunities As astronauts travel closer to the moon than any human has in more than 50 years, physicians and scientists will learn more about how space travel affects physical and mental health.
UCF Online, Non-traditional Student Supports NASA’s Artemis II Mission Amy Lendian is helping lead launch support operations for NASA’s first crewed lunar flyby flight in 50 years while striving toward her life goal of earning a college degree through UCF Online.
UCF Earns 2026-27 Gold Award for Support of Military, Veteran Students The honor illustrates UCF’s commitment to our military-connect students’ academic progress, graduation rates, career placement and support services.
9 UCF Experts Inducted to National Academies of Practice Faculty members from UCF’s Colleges of Health Professions and Sciences and Nursing are now recognized as distinguished fellows, honored for their dedication to interprofessional research and practice.
UCF’s Video Game Design Programs Rank Among World’s Best for 2026 UCF’s stellar graduate and undergraduate programs are setting the standard globally and top ranked in the South.
Joshua Colwell Leads UCF’s College of Sciences as Dean UCF has appointed Pegasus Professor of Physics Joshua Colwell as dean of the College of Sciences, ushering in a new chapter of leadership for the university’s largest college.
UCF Chemistry Instructor’s Creative Approach Earns Excellence in Online Teaching Award Nicole Lapeyrouse ’16MS ’18PhD is the latest winner of UCF’s Chuck D. Dziuban Excellence for Online Teaching Award, which she’ll receive during Founders’ Day on April 1.
UCF Researcher Receives DARPA Young Faculty Award to Develop Novel 3D Printing Technique Associate Professor Dazhong Wu will receive a nearly $500,000 grant to improve the additive manufacturing testing and inspection process.
UCF to Compete in the International Collegiate Programming Contest’s 2026 World Finals After Top 5 Finish After a strong performance at the ICPC North America Championship, the team of three computer science students will advance to the World Finals in Dubai this November.
UCF College of Medicine Leads the Way in Bilingual Medical Training UCF medical students are better prepared to provide more comprehensive care thanks to a Spanish language program and national certification offered to meet the state’s healthcare needs.
2 UCF Faculty Earn Prestigious IEEE Recognitions in Virtual Reality Agere Chair Professor Carolina Cruz-Neira and Pegasus Professor Gregory Welch have been honored by the IEEE VGTC Virtual Reality Academy, receiving lifetime achievement and service awards, respectively, for their significant contributions to immersive technology.
Deborah Beidel Honored at Founders’ Day as a Big 12 Faculty of the Year Beidel is a Pegasus Professor internationally known for her ground-breaking research and effective treatments for veterans, first responders and emergency workers with PTSD.
Orlando Family Stage’s Centennial Concert Bring Longtime Partnership with UCF to the Stage Central Florida Public Media