In Focus
Friday, Feb. 15
With minutes to go before the first take, a sea of students is ready to dance the “Harlem Shake.”
Photo Op
“It’s crazy, right? It started off as a joke, but when it happened, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of.”
Devin Raposo, event organizer
A flash mob of 700 students gathered in the Student Union to film UCF’s version of the viral sensation the “Harlem Shake.” Knightro kicked off the video, then a cast of characters including Captain America, Santa Claus and a few stormtroopers joined in the fun. The student-produced video can be seen at youtube.com/UCFHarlemShake.
Friday, May 3
President Hitt addresses graduates of the College of Business Administration and the College of Nursing.
Big Stage
“What the next 50 years hold will no doubt be as unpredictable as these first 50 years. However, we can confidently predict that we will continue to reach for the stars, stars that embody our highest hopes.”
UCF President John C. Hitt
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton spoke at one of the five Spring 2013 commencement ceremonies. In total, 7,800 Knights graduated.
Wednesday, March 27
Julia Pierson, ’81, is sworn in as the first female U.S. Secret Service director in the Oval Office.
Top Service
“Over her 30 years of experience with the Secret Service, Julia has consistently exemplified the spirit and dedication the men and women of the service demonstrate every day.”
President Barack Obama
Julia Pierson, an Orlando native, earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from UCF in 1981. She joined the Secret Service in 1983 and worked in a Miami field office until 1985, when she transferred to the Orlando office. In 1988 she was promoted to the Presidential Protective Division, which protects the current president and his family. She served on security details for presidents George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush during her tenure with the service.