Archives

For two decades, the UCF Business Incubation Program has supported the growth of hundreds of local small businesses to diversify the Central Florida economy. Now, the program is positioning itself for a new generation of success.

Flying Horse Editions celebrates 30 years of supporting artistic works and research with an exhibit featured in UCF’s Art Gallery.

Shawn Welcome ’17 reflects on the power of poetry in a community as he begins his term as Orlando’s poet laureate.

Developments from UCF faculty advance their fields while making societal impacts. 

Thanks to NASA-developed technology, this UCF alum’s company is working to achieve clean water globally.

Education is a lifelong endeavor, as evidenced by this comparison of two of UCF’s oldest and youngest students.

From new winter celebrations to new campus murals and learning technology, there’s plenty of ways Knights are staying engaged at UCF.

UCF’s new Microgrid Control Lab simulates a modern grid control room and will serve as a hands-on learning and research facility.

UCF researchers receive a new, custom boat to continue studying sea turtles.

If you aren’t taking these six actions, you should be, according to experts at UCF’s Marriage and Family Research Institute.

For the first time since the start of the pandemic, UCF’s Gather Luncheon returned to campus to promote community building and healthy eating.

These UCF researchers shine a light on what it takes to end domestic violence, and they have a question for everyone: Who’s willing to help break the cycle?

After graduating from UCF’s first class of medical school graduates, Elona Rrapo Kaso ’13MD has returned to Lake Nona to work and help train students at the Orlando VA Medical Center. She shares what it’s like to see the development of Medical City and UCF’s College of Medicine. 

The story behind how UCF’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy grew into an industry game changer.

UCF’s 2021 season opener was one to remember with return to the full game day experience and the start of the Gus Malzahn era.

A UCF alum’s healthcare app aims to alleviate stress for patients’ loved ones while keeping them informed.

Cutting-edge hologram technology is helping train UCF’s future healthcare professionals.

Tom Weichart ’04MS reflects on his time as a nurse at the White House during the George W. Bush presidency. 

Premiering in February 2022, UCF will be featured on The College Tour, which was co-produced by a local film company staffed by alums. 

From a Welcome Back Social to Hispanic Heritage Month observances, there was a lot to celebrate during the Fall 2021 semester.

Hospitality management students learn the science behind America’s billion-dollar beer-brewing industry. 

A UCF researcher is developing new technologies to study protein movement in human cells in an effort to advance our ability to treat diseases.

UCF’s Lou Frey Institute and faculty are helping develop civic education standards to encourage engaged citizenship.

Faculty members of UCF RESTORES helped support the mental health of first responders at the collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, Florida. 

George A. Kalogridis ’76 shares his journey of helping Walt Disney World open its doors 50 years ago as a busboy to eventually rising as one of its top executives.  

Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir and Head Football Coach Gus Malzahn talk about their vision for UCF as the future of college football and university athletics.

Gene Kruckemyer ’73 reflects on his 52 years at UCF as a student, instructor and news editor as he approaches his next big adventure. 

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s $40 million gift to UCF — the largest in the university’s history — will strengthen proven pathways to opportunity, fueling student success, academic excellence and faculty research for generations.

Knights are leading the team helping to create NASA’s Gateway — an outpost that will orbit the moon to advance deep space travel, research and habitation.

How one of the minds behind the ’90s viral sensation The Blair Witch Project continues to evolve transmedia storytelling.

The most prestigious universities in the world are looking at the McNair Scholars coming out of UCF and asking: How can we make a universal impact like that?

From trailblazing for women’s soccer to officiating for men’s basketball, Knights reminisce about their Olympic memories.

This year’s spring semester was UCF’s greatest undertaking in school history as all 16 varsity sports were in action after most traditional fall sports were pushed back. 

Derreasha Jones ’21 has left a legacy at UCF by honoring the impact of John T. Washington — one of the university’s first Black faculty members. 

UCF’s new senior vice president for administration and finance was 34 when he first became a chief financial officer. He’s spent every day since helping others achieve success.

As UCF prepared to slowly transition to pre-pandemic operations, old, new and modified activities made campus come to life. 

One alum’s global exercise brand is topping the home-fitness industry leaderboard.

After the pandemic forced the showcase to be cancelled in 2020, UCF Celebrates the Arts returned in 2021 with a lineup of primarily outdoor events.

Victim Services Director Christine Mouton ’98 ’01MS reflects on what it was like to support 9/11 victims and survivors over 20 years ago.

How a photograph of a rocket launch captured from UCF’s football stadium landed among Time magazine’s top 100 photos of 2020. 

The Bod Pod can scan your body in under five minutes and provide your precise body fat percentage — helping everyone from athletes to the elderly.

UCF researchers are working to make driving safer, smarter and more sustainable for everyone on the road. 

UCF art and engineering students collaborated to create a new solar-powered sculpture at Exploria Stadium that infuses energy back into the city’s power grid. 

UCF researchers are exploring our oceans to better understand dangerous diseases found below — and possible cures. 

How one UCF alumna is advocating for a more inclusive education system.

Learn what is essential to graceful aging — no matter how old you are. 

Professor Peter Delfyett’s latest honor recognizes his influential career and opens doors for the STEM community at UCF. 

Go Baby Go! and St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital are partnering to provide low-cost mobility solutions for children with disabilities.

Now may be the time to change careers. 

As curator of the Vatican’s meteorite collection, Robert Macke ’10PhD combines science and faith to explore age-old questions of how and why we are here.

How a UCF graduate and former police officer is advocating for public service reform.

It’s not about you as an individual, even if you benefit from it. But recognizing and challenging structural “whiteness” is the key to equity — and excellence.

A UCF grad shares how her father’s kidnapping drives her to help others.

The $23 million renovation of the Student Union finished its final phase just in time to welcome students back to campus in August.

A look at the first few weeks on campus as the community continues to navigate life during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Inspired by Latinx arts and music, five Knights discuss their cultural pride and the importance of representation.

For more than 30 years, the Racial and Gender Report Card, produced at UCF, has held sports organizations accountable for their hiring practices.

How UCF is taking action to meet its mission for inclusive excellence. 

Centuries ago, it was tarring and feathering. Today, it’s a hashtag. It’s evolving, but is cancel culture effective?

Artwork commissioned for UCF Downtown pays homage to Parramore’s rich heritage.

Porsha Dossie ’14 ’18MA helps preserve American history for the National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights Network.

Drawing on a lifelong love of hip-hop, a UCF professor has developed three new business courses based on innovation and entrepreneurship.

Since the 15th Amendment made it illegal to deny citizens the right to vote based on “race, color or previous servitude,” Black Americans and other people of color have fought to overcome various methods intended to suppress that right. Here are just a few.

It’s taken nearly 100 years for healing to begin from the 1920 Ocoee massacre. Somewhere between the evil of that night and the long-overdue commemorations of today are timeless lessons you might not expect.

Don Harrell shares why his past and present make him proud of his heritage.

Whether playing eight ball, searching for optical solutions or planning for the future, new UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright is hardwired to visualize all possible opportunities.

In partnership with 3D printer manufacturer Stratasys, two UCF-affiliated groups are helping build gear to protect national and local healthcare workers.

Here are a few of the people at UCF who are holding everything together — even during a pandemic.

UCF’s Emergency Operation Center is home to the university’s Emergency Management team, which helps keep Knights safe in times of crisis. 

7 days. 69,525 students. 6,600 new courses. How UCF leaned on more than two decades of online learning expertise to shift the entire university to remote learning.

A library card with a story to tell

Using inspiration from UCF’s 1970 yearbook, we honor the first and most recent graduating classes through photos and timeless lyrics. 

UCF senior Brandon Aliberti reminisces with his grandfather, Gary Wright ’70, a member of UCF’s first graduating class 50 years ago.

An unusual assignment gave history students a chance to reflect on the items that most defined the pandemic.

UCF mental health experts discuss the the impact the pandemic will have on us.

Students, faculty and staff spoke up during a June 5 online forum to discuss issues related to race and racism at the university. 

Stephen Brennan ’15, a certified emergency nurse, discusses traveling to Queens, New York — the worst-hit area in the United States — to help during COVID-19.

With new study spaces, technology and seating, the additions to the library are intended to help students focus on collaboration and studying. 

The recently opened Games and Interactive Media Maker Space at UCF Downtown was built to foster creativity and collaboration through a practice known as “critical making.”

UCF’s Aphasia House and Knights on the Go Café is helping people like Larry Lentz Jr. improve their mobility, language and social skills.

The Lockheed Martin/UCF Academy was developed to bolster STEM education and retaining current teachers while building the talent pipeline.

The work being done by researchers at UCF and Arecibo Observatory could help protect our planet from a fatal impact.

Since the 1960s, beloved Peanuts character Snoopy has been an icon for safety in the aerospace industry.

Blake Lynch ’14 is providing comic relief to nurses around the world.

Drishtie Patel ’08 ’12MNM is part of a team mapping the world’s missing roads to provide life-saving resources to people in times of crisis.

From a historic season for men’s soccer to the launch of Knights Pantry on the Rosen campus, here’s a look back at some of the big moments at UCF.

Orlando’s affordable housing is a game of chance.

This alum-led startup is taking a stand in the sand to offer more eco-friendly fashion.

A study led by a UCF professor has found binge-watching could be deadly.

There is a special kind of freedom one can experience only by riding a bicycle state line to state line. 

Since 1980, UCF Marching Knights have been a major force at the university.

UCF’s new chair for the Board of Trustees opens up about personal passions and professional practices. 

One of the most technologically innovative startups is paving the way to a more affordable renewable energy future.

UCF successfully raised more than $500 million to support student success, faculty retention and student-athlete performance.

From treating post-traumatic stress disorder to creating devices that detect toxins such as fentanyl, UCF is making first responders’ jobs easier and safer.

The first two decades of Angela King ’07 ’09MA’s life were fueled by bullying, violence and her involvement in white supremacist organizations. She has spent the past two decades trying to make amends — and helping others leave hate groups.

How Jacqueline (Cade) King ’12 helped dreams come true for generations of Star Wars fans.

From a new campus opening downtown to major wins for athletics, there was a lot to celebrate during the UCF Fall 2019 semester.

Forging the future of endurance-boosting technology.

Could eating processed foods while pregnant increase the likelihood of childhood autism? Recent findings by UCF researchers suggest yes.

Whether you’re at a sporting event, academic award ceremony or out wearing UCF gear, the words “Charge On!” unite those affiliated with the university.

After receiving a grant from Walt Disney World Resort, the two programs developed a summer animation camp for 20 kids to channel their creativity.

Twenty-five years ago, Jim Hobart ’91 and Mike Hinn ’92 took UCF’s Reach for the Stars motto to heart — and haven’t stopped since.

The interim president talks books, motivation, the value of higher ed and the future of UCF.

From surfing lessons in Cape Canaveral to hiking in Patagonia, UCF Outdoor Adventure provides students affordable options to explore beyond campus.

As head of research and development for Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream, Ellie Zitsman draws inspiration from her adventures to create new flavors.

A group of trailblazing Knights became the first class to graduate from UCF’s Inclusive Education Services program.

After a lifetime as a competitive athlete, Kyle Coon ’13 is taking on his toughest challenge yet — to compete in the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo as a blind triathlete.

From the UCFestival concert to the women’s tennis victory against USF, UCF had a wide range of fun events to attend in Summer 2019.

The sky’s the limit for two aerospace engineering students looking to advance the sport.

UCF student-athlete Konya Plummer made history playing for Jamaica in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Curiosity has fueled the world’s biggest discoveries. Here’s what it means for UCF researchers on the front line.

The story of a single road not often traveled in its entirety. The relationships, politics and passions that built it. And what it tells us about who we really are.

The problem of overtourism – and how to solve it.

How chasing experiences has led one UCF business grad to launch a clothing line — and visit 29 counties and hundreds of skate parks. 

The pull of anticipation is a strong draw to discover the unknown.

You may not spend much time thinking about tea. Two UCF brothers want to change that.

With the civil rights movement embroiling the nation, Orlando leaders were faced with an important decision: Who would they send to represent the city at the 1964 World’s Fair — the all-black band from Jones High School or the all-white band from Edgewater?

College after retirement? Actually, it makes a lot of sense.

Self-driving cars were once science fiction fantasy. Today, Jason Eichenholz ’95MS ’98PhD and his company, Luminar, are making them a reality.

Before he even graduated, Omar Raja ’16 launched a popular Instagram account and landed a career with Bleacher Report. Here’s how he made it happen.

Patches that treat cancer? Hats that stimulate hair growth? Jackets that charge your smartphone? UCF’s NanoScience Technology Center is an epicenter of futuristic wearables.

Meditation has been an influential practice across the globe for thousands of years. But you might not realize how the ancient art can improve your life.

UCF researchers are setting the standard for extraterrestrial soil.

Esports is a fast-rising, billion-dollar industry that is threatening to overtake traditional sports. So what is it, exactly?

With Homecoming celebrations, a GameDay visit and major accomplishments from students and staff, campus was full of memorable experiences.

From media to legislation, Azmia Magane ’07 ’09 has always had the strength fight for representation. Now the social work grad uses that strength to battle lupus and raise awareness for the “invisible illness.”

The men’s and women’s basketball teams kept the momentum rolling from UCF’s stellar football season with exceptional performances of their own this year.Spring 2019 | By Jenna Marina Lee

As design director for Highlights magazine, Patrick Greenish ’02 drives the look of a publication that plays an influential role for hundreds of thousands of children across the United States. And that impact isn’t lost on him.

As the need for cybersecurity experts across the nation grows, UCF has created a space where students interested in the field can develop their skills.

More than 50 UCF student-teachers and faculty have been providing tailored instruction to children with chronic illnesses since the program’s launch in August.

Nearly a decade after my first time at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee, I’m still shaking endless amounts of dust out of my camp gear. There are things about music festivals that never leave you.

A look at some of the big moments and quieter behind-the-scenes stills of UCF game days.Winter 2018

The head of UCF football’s social media selects his top moments from the season.

The Knights know how to handle business on the field — and they make sure they look good doing it. This is every uniform combination of the 2018 season.Winter 2018

Marc Daniels on the UCF football team’s incredible past two seasons and the promise of the program’s future.

We are proud to have played in the Fiesta Bowl, but fostering social mobility in higher education matters even more.

It started with selfies at tailgates — and turned into a family.

New head football coach Josh Heupel is as real as it gets.

UCF continues to “Reach for the Stars” with its new commitment to manage the second-largest single-dish radio telescope on the planet — the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.

Whether he’s exploring new places, pushing beyond physical boundaries or setting up the next generation of students for success, UCF’s new president is all in.

Designed with purpose, UCF’s newest District Energy Plant debuted its color-coded piping system in May to help teach engineering students how to build a cleaner world.

Students start the semester by showing off their freshest outfits.

From commencement ceremonies to rock climbing at the Recreation and Wellness Center, campus was filled with fun celebrations and dynamic challenges during Summer 2018.

What a game is teaching South Florida families about hurricane preparation in real time. 

UCF coastal engineer Thomas Wahl discusses how seemingly small changes in sea levels will have big consequences for our coastlines — and how to prepare.

Sarah Chetrit ’10 went from being an accountant to a full-time travel blogger. The wanderlust expert offers her tips for planning your next trip.

Fifty years ago, Central Florida changed forever when UCF — then known as Florida Technological University — opened for classes on October 7, 1968.

The number of people privately dealing with mental health issues will stun you. It’s why alumni Brandon and Michi Marshall launched Project 375 — to make mental health the most important topic of conversation you have today.

Rick Brunson ’84 on why journalism education has never been more important or more challenging.

President John C. Hitt and President-elect Dale Whittaker discuss life lessons learned, their favorite UCF tradition and the future of UCF.

Much more than a shiny token, President Hitt’s Pegasus ring represents a big commitment to UCF — and he’s not the only person to wear one.

Being the president of a university — especially one of the nation’s largest — is, without a doubt, a busy job. So before the board meetings and after the special events, every president deserves a chance to relax, unwind and enjoy a glass of club soda (with a little lime). Well, that’s assuming every president is like our very own John C. Hitt. Here are a few more of his favorite things, each one offering a glimpse into his world.

Insight, wisdom and tongue-in-cheek musings from UCF’s fourth president.

How John C. Hitt changed Central Florida for the better. 

Martha Hitt on why she fell — and keeps falling — in love with UCF.

Behind the scenes of President Hitt’s final commencement ceremonies this spring. Summer 2018 | Photos by Nick Leyva ’15

On November 19, 1992, UCF’s fourth president, John C. Hitt, delivered his inaugural address, “Vital Force, Vital Partner.” Here is his full speech.

Dale and Mary Whittaker help students power through UCF’s oldest philanthropic tradition. Summer 2018

For a quarter century, President John C. Hitt worked to put UCF on the map. But who is the man behind the evolution?

President Hitt shares what it means to be a Knight. 

Kristin Harris ’11 has the job pop culture nerds dream about.

Diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder as a toddler, medical student Jessica Fernandez is proving that healing others is about more than science — it’s about empathy and compassion.

(And How to Get Started Today)

What causes someone to sacrifice self for community?

UCF Football has a new head coach to lead the 2018 season.

The UCF ropes course challenges students to reach new heights.

A UCF alum is helping eastern Kentucky find the light at the end of the tunnel.

Here are the 15 people tasked with finding our next leader, who will expand on UCF’s commitment to bold academics, innovative research and international impact.

From winning an American Athletic Conference title to participating in a Recreation and Wellness Center yoga class, campus was an energetic and lively place to be during Spring 2018. 

Capping off four years with creativity.

UCF is preparing future doctors to address the opioid crisis by changing their approach to pain management.

For one special day, Make-a-Wish kid Hannah Culler experienced being a doctor at UCF College of Medicine.

Orlando Poet Laureate Susan Lilley ’75 ’80MA on why she writes poetry.

Online education may have its detractors in higher education, but across the nation, students are driving a shift from classroom to digital learning. And UCF is all in.

Learn more about campus’ busiest residents and the place they call home.

A look into the origin of the knight’s costume.

This fall, Bill and Melinda Gates toured the UCF campus.Fall 2017

Knights racing isn’t the No. 1 engineering club in the country, but they’re not letting that stop them.

Melissa Amoi-Belinda Smith ’11 shares her journey from robotics competitions at UCF to becoming a user experience researcher for YouTube.

Six keys to pitching your idea from the executive producer of Shark Tank.

Expert Catherine Kaukinen on what’s so groundbreaking about Title IX.

From a solar eclipse and the first football game of the season to Spirit Splash, the Fall 2017 semester was full of big moments.

After 26 years, John C. Hitt announced he is retiring from the UCF presidency in 2018.Fall 2017

A new OCPS school joins other Community Partnership Schools in their mission to not only provide education, but serve entire communities. 

It’s true. UCF is big. But being big is about more than our size. It’s how we think and how we act. 

Diver and photographer Anai Colyer ’14 discusses what it’s like to swim with one of nature’s most feared predators. 

Central Florida is becoming a hotbed of artistic activity — from theater to graphic design to cultivated graffiti — and UCF grads are at the center of the creative boom. 

Graham Judd ’09 brings the plants of Tolkein’s Middle-earth to life in a new book.

Sam Borkson ’01 creates art to inspire friendship with the world.

1 prompt. 6 writers. 150 words or fewer.

Each piece of public art at UCF tells the story of the faculty, staff and community members who make these works available to the public.

The 2017 UCF-Orlando Jazz Festival included performances from guitarist Peter Bernstein, trumpeter Leroy Jones and The Jazz Professors.

From art classes to UCFastival and Holi, the UCF campus during the Spring 2017 semester was a vibrant, inspiring place to be.

Limbitless Solutions’ bionic arms highlight each child’s passion and personality. 

How a moment of creative inspiration has fueled President John C. Hitt’s 25-year tenure at UCF. 

UCF Celebrates the Arts held its third annual weeklong showcase in April, allowing students to take their creative work from the classroom to center stage at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando.Summer 2017

Looking back on a turnaround season that culminated with a landmark postseason run, UCF men’s basketball head coach Johnny Dawkins recalls five defining moments.

UCF and Valencia College broke ground on a new partnership campus in downtown Orlando that will serve 7,700 students from both schools when it opens in 2019.Summer 2017

One year after the tragic event, UCF paid tribute to the 49 people killed on June 12, 2016, and unveiled a mural dedicated to the two Knights who lost their lives.

Robert Venditti ’01MA and the roundabout way he’s achieved success as a writer.

UCF faculty explore the idea.

Performance artist Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz discusses her Reinas series and how she channels queens to unravel societal traumas and anxieties. 

A popular class breaks down how our brains respond to music.

Surprising facts about U.S. student debt and how we pay for college.

It’s been 11 years since the Florida Legislature and then-Gov. Jeb Bush approved UCF’s new medical school. As the university prepares to expand our medical offerings to include a teaching hospital, we look at 10 numbers that set the College of Medicine apart from similar programs in the nation.

A cutting-edge classroom simulator at UCF is helping educators become better teachers.

UCF alumni chapters and clubs are a great way to stay connected to everything you love about being a Knight.

From Spirit Splash and Homecoming to basketball games and Rent-a-Pup, the UCF campus was the place to be.

The Speak & Spell broke ground in technology.

The Cure Bowl is fueling groundbreaking cancer research at UCF.

Six ways nanotechnology is improving our lives.

Over the course of a year, Justin Fricke ’12 and Adam Fricke ’15 visited all 50 states, three Canadian Providences and one U.S. Territory.Spring 2017

From basketball camp to the world stage, Lapchick has dedicated his life to addressing racial inequality in sports and society.

Professor Konstantin Vodopyanov’s revolutionary technology could make diagnosing disease as easy as exhaling.

UCF showcases its tech prowess at Orlando Science Center’s Otronicon.Spring 2017

The Knights opened the 2017 season at their new home, the United States Tennis Association National Campus in Lake Nona.Spring 2017

After 25 years as president of UCF, President John C. Hitt still believes there is no better tool than a college degree for improving social and economic mobility.

Cyndia Morales Muñiz ’13EdD went from being the first in her family to graduate from college to being named a Top Latino Leader.

Artists come to UCF’s Flying Horse Editions for serious printing power.

Relive the first win of the season and Scott Frost’s first victory as head coach at UCF. Fall 2016

UCF launched a $500 million fundraising campaign — the most ambitious in the university’s history.

Twenty-three years and $12 million ago, Harris Rosen revitalized Tangelo Park. Now he’s doing the same thing in Parramore.

Amanda Stephen ’08 is the newest inmate on Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black.

UCF head basketball coaches on their passion for the game and mentoring student-athletes.

From Move-in Day and Convocation to Fan Fest and a Black Lives Matter vigil, the UCF campus offers a variety of ways for students to participate.

UCF to build a permanent sea turtle conservation research facility in Brevard County.Fall 2016

A new building on Memory Mall puts international students front and center.Fall 2016

The past year has been filled with triumphs and devastation. From graduations and world-renowned speakers to the heartbreak felt after the Pulse shootings, Pegasus shares the 33 photos that showcase UCF’s year in review.

Six ways to build a better community according to Jennifer Marvel ’12, executive director of Orlando’s Audubon Park Garden District.

UCF economics professors helped me make the connection between my studies and my passion. Now, I want to return the favor.

Whether it’s breaking the stigma of mental illness or overcoming childhood hardships, a UCF professor and her students are helping others heal through creative writing.

UCF ranks No. 1 for higher education performance in the state of Florida, announces new head coaches and a VP of research, and more…

At UCF’s new downtown Orlando campus, thousands of students will tap into the heart of the City Beautiful.

UCF Professor Joshua Colwell and his team of physics faculty and students watched as their experiment rocketed to space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard. Summer 2016

Meteorites give physics students a rock-solid connection to cosmic theories.

Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer presented an out-of-this-world performance during UCF Celebrates the Arts.Summer 2016

John Joseph Adams ’00 is discovering the next generation of sci-fi authors.

UCF’s Robinson Observatory offers a stellar view of the night sky.

Learn about the work UCF researchers are doing on nearly every planet in our solar system and beyond.

Nearly 8,000 students graduated during spring commencement ceremonies, the Knights showed off their skills under new football Head Coach Scott Frost at the annual spring game, and Bill Nye the Science Guy visited campus to encourage students to change the world.

UCF has been committed to space exploration since before man’s first step on the moon.By Angie Lewis ’03

UCF professors debate the pros and cons of space tourism.

In 2009, Nicole Stott ’92 spent 91 days in space, which gave her a new perspective on life. Now she wants to share it with the world through art.

On June 12, Orlando was attacked when a shooter went into Pulse nightclub in downtown and killed 49 and injured 53. A vigil was held to honor those affected, including two members of the UCF community.By the staff at Pegasus

Former Google VP and UCF alumnus Alan Eustace ’79 ’81MS ’84PhD fell a world-record 26 miles from Earth’s stratosphere all in the name of science.By Alan Eustace ’79 ’81MS ’84PhD

UCF’s motto is Reach for the Stars, and the constellation Pegasus shows us the way. For centuries, it has been a guide for travelers and astronomers alike, whether by land, sea or air.

Vice President and Director of Athletics Danny White and Head Football Coach Scott Frost discuss being the new guys, learning the important lessons and their big plans for the future of UCF Athletics.

Last summer, Hye Jung Kim, ’09, spent seven weeks aboard a 62-foot canoe modeled on the type ancient Polynesians used to sail the Pacific.

Egyptian mummies reveal secrets from the past to inspire future scientists.

In November, UCF ice hockey played for the largest crowd in its 19-year history at Orlando’s Amway Center.

For UCF Alumni Association executive director Julie Stroh, a decision to give back has transformed her life in profound ways.

Grace Bochenek, ’98, director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory, on energy sources, fossil fuels and the importance of STEM education for America’s future.

The board of trustees ensures UCF’s future is bright by providing governance and guidance to the president and establishing the mission and priorities of the university.

UCF students and faculty partner with University of Florida and local physicians to serve rural communities in the Dominican Republic. 

UCF’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is helping families transform motorized toy cars into a way for children to explore their environment.

How a push in the right direction led to the creation of the cultural hub of the UCF student body.

Limbitless unveils new hands-free wheelchair, UCF takes top honors for academics and innovations, Cheerleaders score another victory and more…

Photos: 20th anniversary of Spirit Splash, parents of Steven Sotloff speak to journalism students, C-SPAN bus on campus, and the Big Read

A new group on campus is making it easier for students going through recovery to balance sobriety with their studies and a social life.

UCF’s growing entrepreneurial culture is empowering students to successfully navigate their way from concept to launch.

UCF basketball center Tacko Fall has never let a few near misses keep him down.

UCF journalism students are learning to use mobile devices to capture breaking news and jobs after graduation.

The UCF FAIRWINDS Alumni Center celebrates an important anniversary.

Animal remains offer unique insights for UCF biologists.

In July 2015, the Limbitless Solutions team made its first international donation of a custom robotic hand to 6-year-old Paulo Boa Nova from Brazil. And a film crew documented the entire process for the UCF Impact campaign.

How Knightro landed a date for Homecoming

A new Orlando bowl game will benefit the fight to defeat breast cancer and the work of an innovative UCF College of Medicine researcher.

UCF cyber defense champions infiltrate U.S. national security hot spots on a victory tour of the nation’s capital.

Slideshow: Greater Orlando Heart Walk for the American Heart Association, class of 2019 convocation, President Hitt welcomed 200 new faculty, Step Right Up: Art of the Sideshow at the UCF Art Gallery

Marketing guru Seth Godin lets College of Business Administration students in on a few of his best secrets to success.

UCF’s Adaptive Climbing Program empowers students with different abilities to experience the thrills and health rewards of indoor rock climbing at the Recreation and Wellness Center.

Emily Hart, 99, vice president of original programming for Disney Junior, knew from a young age that she wanted a career entertaining children.

Take a few pointers from TV news anchor and political talk show host Ybeth Bruzual, ’05, who has learned to get answers from some of the most difficult interview subjects possible: politicians.

For people with intellectual disabilities, UCFs Inclusive Education Services is creating a pathway to a higher education and a brighter future.

Here are a few tailgating tips and tricks from fellow Knights fans that are sure to score points with your guests.

A College of Medicine professor designed this ultimate facility so students can learn with state-of-the-art technology.

Rolling Stones in Orlando, Knights Honored, New UCF Leadership, and more

Graduation Milestones, Famous Speakers and Alumni Statistics

Student Engineers Build Mars Robot Mining Drone for NASA Contest

UCF alumni are building a community of passionate soccer supporters in Orlando.

Is gamification a futuristic fad, or does using video games to teach children promise a meaningful advance in education? UCF experts explain why we aren’t seeing more games in school yet.

$688,049.19 That’s the amount raised by nearly 1,300 volunteers who stayed on their feet for 20 continuous hours to benefit Greater Orlando Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. 

Summer 2015In April 12-year-old Wyatt Falardeau from Vero Beach, Florida, became the latest recipient of a robotic arm from Limbitless Solutions during a special behind-the-scenes experience organized by the nonprofit and Blue Man Group at Universal Orlando.

Driven by a passion for working with children, Phillip Gordon, ’13, has become a mentor to the youth of his Parramore community.

The Kaplan Collection of antique physicians instruments creates a historical context about technology for UCF medical students.

Slideshow: Bike Week cycling events, Terry McMillan speaks at the UCF Book Festival, UCF Celebrates the Arts 2015 in downtown Orlando and Symphony Under the Stars moves inside.

How a UCF industrial engineer solved a big problem at the world-famous performing arts school.

From Africa to South America and beyond, UCF students and alumni are working to improve the world as Peace Corps volunteers.

Trash litters a campus landmark in a statement for sustainability.Summer 2015

The proliferation of technology can create dangerous distractions in the operating room. Two UCF experts discuss the risks, research and solutions to the potentially deadly situation.

Grace under pressure helped Lindsey Neumann, ’09, earn the honor of 2014 Navy Times Coast Guardsman of the Year.

Associate Dean Melvin Rogers of the College of Health and Public Affairs remembers one of UCF’s earliest and most ardent advocates for diversity.

With a pair of NBA championships and an Olympic gold medal, why is Brendan Suhr coaching at UCF?

On Jan. 13, the UCF Downtown Community Outreach Team toured the Parramore Heritage Community, an Orlando neighborhood adjacent to UCF’s planned downtown campus. Spring 2015

The UCF volleyball team clinched the 2014 American Athletic Conference championship.Spring 2015

Rising high above the campus landscape, the UCF water tower has been a university icon since the 1960s.Spring 2015

A great university is built by great faculty. In just more than 50 years, we’ve grown to become the nation’s second-largest university, with researchers and professors whose impact reaches far beyond our Orlando backyard.

A photo gallery of UCF events around our community.

Spring 2015

UCF Celebrates the Arts 2015, a free, family-friendly festival at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts taking place April 10-15, will showcase the university’s best in theater, music, dance, and visual and digital arts to the Central Florida community.

According to The Sonic Boom author Tyler Gray, ’97, the sounds present all around us hold hidden meaning. 

A poem by Terry Ann Thaxton, associate professor of creative writing 

Dan Demole, ’01, Jingle Punks Co-founder

Keeping children with asthma out of the emergency room is Linda Gibson-Young’s goal.

UCF News, Milestones, Personalities and Other Items of Interest Fall 2014

Debunking the myths of student-athlete academic standards.

With a new public administration certificate program, UCF offers vision, strategy and best practices to a fledgling democracy.

UCF’s collaboration with Siemens Energy has produced scientific knowledge and innovation in power generation, aviation and space.

Shannon O’Donnell, ’06, has experienced more than 40 countries. Her book, The Volunteer Traveler’s Handbook, helped the 29-year-old earn one of National Geographic Traveler magazine’s 2013 Traveler of the Year awards.

In Central Florida, the path from farm-to-fork is being cut by Knights.

Jay Easterbrook, ’85, Artificial Reef Builder

Rod Durham, ’86, Extreme Weight Loss

Fall 2014

UCF Alumni collaborate to give a historic Winter Park landmark a new lease on life.

How the mythological winged horse became the symbol of UCF.Fall 2014

Carol Mundy’s home was an unofficial museum before she donated more than 5,000 rare African-American artifacts to the UCF Special Collections & University Archives.Fall 2014

Can physics, one of the oldest academic disciplines in world history, be taught with a modern approach to teaching — without lectures and tests? Two faculty members weigh in.

New York Yankees Director of Strength and Conditioning, Matt Krause, ’99, keeps multimillion-dollar baseball players like Derek Jeter in top physical shape.

The Burnett Honors College’s annual outreach program encourages educationally disadvantaged students to consider college as an accessible opportunity that will benefit their future.Summer 2014

Alexa Score ’12 is a professional wakeboarder and cancer survivor.

Summer 2014

Summer 2014

Do we really need humans to explore space? Or are machines a better alternative to reach into the solar system and beyond? 

Satellite trackers allowed researchers to follow juvenile loggerhead turtles on their perilous journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

Student veterans often bond with each other, but are they connecting with traditional UCF students?

For Marci Gonzalez, ’05, an ABC News Correspondent who has covered horrific events from the mass shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, to the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake, dealing with disaster is part of telling the story.

UCF alumna Lindsey Parry, ’08, lives her passion for community service.

UCF Professor of Neurology Stephen Berman offers a point-counterpoint argument with himself on the future of physicians.

Epic in scale and difficulty, this is the most ambitious play attempted by UCF.

Meet three undergraduates who are determined to earn their college degrees.

UCF’s jazz ensemble performs at the home of Cirque du Soleil orchestra conductor.Spring 2014

A seasonal roundup of speakers, performances and other important events in the UCF community.Spring 2014

Bennett builds things people like to use. And she likes that.

Dunn believes a 3D printer on the ISS may make a Mars mission possible.

The UCF associate professor discusses his first feature film and the screenplays that inspired his work.

After 30 years in the business, Anez looks back.

The UCF alumni once removed 14-year-old Taylor Swift from their show.

The original editors look back 20 years to the creation of the inaugural issue.

Jan. 1, 2014, University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz., UCF 52, Baylor 42Spring 2014

UCF’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy helps 10-year-old L.J. realize his dream.Spring 2014

A School of Visual Arts and Design student surveyed 253 pieces to find her top 10.

Excelling Locally and Around the World

Congratulating UCF on our 50th Anniversary

All the world’s a stage for UCF’s original Shakespeare troupe

A UCF professor is bringing more attention to men’s health.

The road to commercialization

From Orlando to Washington, D.C. and back

Power plant saves millions

Student ingenuity pays off

Faculty forecasts

Computer vision turns complexity into performance

The rate of change is accelerating at UCF because of President Hitt’s commitment to partnerships.

UCF has always been fortunate to have had the right president at the right moment.

Here’s What I Think

The bride wore white, and everyone else wore black and gold.

College life at UCF wouldn’t be the same without them

Those with stroke and brain injuries learn to speak at Aphasia House

What’s in an office?

Researching how hospitals administer service.

UCF employs faculty who have received their education from all over the world

Predicting the 2012 Election

Learn Emily Ellyn’s recipes

Transforming the Russian legal system, one visit at a time.

Dr. Kerstin Hamann knows the heart of Western European politics.

How one torn pair of jeans cemented the destiny of a Knight.

Is Bigger Better?

Harris Rosen spent the first half of his career making millions and the second half giving away millions.