University of Central Florida
Division of Community Relations
Community connections
Connecting the University and the Community
In This Issue: Page 1 • Game Changer: Downtown UCF • New Provost Page 2 • Heart Walk • Countdown to Kickoff Luncheon • Julian Bond Kicks Off Diversity Week • Constituent Relations Award Page 3 • Community Council: SDES Update • Building Healthy Places Initiative • Women & Leadership: A Global Perspective Page 4 • Upcoming Events • Metro Center Outlook Schedule
Letter from helen Helen Donegan, Vice President, Division of Community Relations
As the holidays approach, we reflect on another remarkable year at UCF. From our historic Fiesta Bowl win in January, to partnering with the U.S. Tennis Association in bringing a worldclass training facility to Lake Nona, to taking the first steps in establishing a new downtown Orlando campus, UCF has, as President Hitt likes to say, continued to “make the impossible the inevitable.” We are proud to be “America’s Leading Partnership University™,” and during this season of thanks, we are grateful for the invaluable partnerships with public, private and non-profit organizations that have been a driving force in advancing the greater good of the university, the region, and beyond. Your hometown university continues to defy convention and chart its own course, and these bold collaborations remain essential in ensuring the success of each new venture. Yours in partnership,
Helen
November 2014 • Volume VI, Issue 1
Game-Changer: UCF Downtown
More than 400 business and community leaders gathered at the Ballroom at Church Street on September 23 to hear UCF president Dr. John C. Hitt formally announce the university’s plans to establish a campus in downtown Orlando. Currently, downtown is home to UCF’s College of Business Executive Development Center and the UCF Center for Emerging Media. A new partnership with the City of Orlando, Valencia College, and Orange County Public Schools has paved the way for UCF to expand its downtown presence within the Creative Village development. Possible programs under consideration for relocation to the downtown campus are digital media and visual arts, WUCF TV, and public administration. The proposed expansion remains contingent upon securing state funding and approvals from UCF’s Board of Trustees and the Florida Board of Governors. While there are many logistical details and programmatic decisions remaining, President Hitt expressed confidence in the timing of the expansion, saying, “If we wait much longer I feel the opportunity will pass. If we’re going to do it, this is the time.” Additional event photos are available here. Dr. Hitt’s full remarks can be found here.
UCF welcomes new provost Following a nationwide search, Dr. Dale Whittaker became UCF’s new provost and vice president for academic affairs in August. Prior to joining UCF, Dr. Whittaker served as Purdue University’s vice provost for undergraduate academic affairs and acting vice president for student affairs. He has also served in faculty and leadership positions at Texas A&M University. UCF president Dr. John C. Hitt described Whittaker as “a professional who will help us become better in all areas of our operation and help us develop excellent educational programs that will meet the needs of Central Florida, the state and nation.” Dr. Whittaker’s priorities include increasing research, expanding opportunities for graduate students, and enhancing the university’s partnerships. He said, “UCF is an economic engine for and a mirror of the Central Florida community. It’s a great reflector of the community’s needs and its future economic development.”
Metro Center director moderates “Roosevelts” panel discussion WUCF TV, Central Florida’s PBS station, previewed Ken Burns’ latest documentary, “The Roosevelts: An Intimate History” on September 10, followed by a post-screening discussion of presidential history in Florida. Metro Center Outlook host Dr. Diane Trees moderated the discussion, which featured Jim Clark, author of Presidents in Florida, and Kimberlee Riley, assistant director of the Orange County Regional History Center. This event was free and open to the public, and the complete series was broadcast on WUCF TV starting on September 14.
Knights fans raise $33,000 for student-athletes
20,000 join in Heart Walk
On September 6, an estimated 20,000 walkers converged on UCF’s Memory Mall to participate in the 2014 Greater Orlando Heart Walk. This marks the second year UCF has hosted the event, which raises funds to support the American Heart Association’s fight against heart disease and stroke through research, education and advocacy. The university fielded 33 teams, for a combined total of 422 walkers. This year, UCF’s top fundraising team was the College of Education CEDHP Heartbeats, which raised more than $7,000. In all, UCF teams raised $40,768, surpassing the university’s $40,000 fundraising goal. UCF president Dr. John C. Hitt and CFE Federal Credit Union president and CEO Joseph A. Melbourne, Jr. served as event co-chairs of the walk. The university’s internal Heart Walk efforts were again led by College of Medicine dean Dr. Deborah German, with assistance from the Office of Community Relations. Additional event photos can be found here.
Civil rights activist Julian Bond kicks off Diversity Week celebrations UCF’s 22nd annual Diversity Week kicked off with a keynote address by civil rights activist and politician Julian Bond at the sold-out 2014 Diversity Breakfast. Bond’s speech was entitled “The Road to Freedom: From Alabama to Obama” and was in keeping with the Diversity Week theme “Remember and Reflect—The Civil Rights Act of 1964.” Bond served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1965 to 1975; he also served six terms in the Georgia Senate from 1975-86. As a student at Morehouse College in Atlanta, he helped found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and after college helped found the Southern Poverty Law Center. Bond served 11 years as chair of the NAACP, and continues with his activism as chairman emeritus. The annual event is sponsored by the UCF Office of Diversity Initiatives, and Mr. Bond’s appearance was arranged by the Office of Global Perspectives. Additional event photos can be found here.
The 2014 Countdown to Kickoff Luncheon drew hundreds of Knights supporters to the CFE Arena on August 15 to preview the upcoming football season and raise funds for UCF student-athletes. The luncheon raised more than $33,000 for the Golden Knights Club, the official fundraising arm of UCF Athletics, and was coordinated by UCF Athletics and the Office of Constituent Relations. Since 2009, the luncheon has raised more than $200,000 benefitting UCF student athletes. Guests enjoyed entertainment by Knightro, the UCF Spirit Squad, KnightMoves dance team, and the Marching Knights, as well as a tailgate-style menu. One lucky guest also won an all-expensepaid trip to the inaugural Croke Park Classic, which pitted UCF against Penn State in Dublin, Ireland, on August 30. Additional event photos can be found here.
Constituent Relations nominated for international award
The Office of Constituent Relations received national recognition on August 20 at the ISES LIVE conference in Seattle, Washington, for the planning and execution of UCF’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, which was named a finalist for best public event in the 2014 International Special Events Society (ISES) ESPRIT Awards program. This globally-recognized competition honors exceptional professional achievements across the ISES membership. Events considered for the 2014 competition took place between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013. UCF was joined in this category by two other prestigious events: the 34th America’s Cup and the Official Tribeca Film Festival Award Selection for Transmedia.
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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
UCF Community Council: SDES Update
Members of the UCF Community Council met at the university’s new NorthView apartment community on September 16 for a Student Development and Enrollment Services (SDES) update by UCF vice president Dr. Maribeth Ehasz. Under Dr. Ehasz, SDES engages students in the total collegiate experience, from identification, recruitment, matriculation and investment to successful progression, graduation and employment in a global workforce. “With 60,000 students, it’s vital for each of them to find their own niche. We emphasize accent on the individual to ensure their personal growth and academic success. Ultimately, we want them to leave different than they came,” she said. SDES is comprised of a wide range of programs and resources to enhance the student experience, including Career Services, Student Government Association, Multicultural Student Center, and the First Generation Program. Following Dr. Ehasz’ remarks, council members toured NorthView, an upscale community offering students the best of both worlds: the luxury and independence of off-campus living with the safety and security of UCF housing. Residents enjoy high-end amenities such as a sky deck and tiki hut overlooking a resort-style pool, and units feature walk-in closets and granite countertops. NorthView is also home to an interfaith campus ministry center for Catholic and Jewish students, as well as retail space. Additional photos can be found here.
Metro Center, ULI partner on Building Healthy Places initiative
Metro Center director Dr. Diane Trees is leading the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Building Healthy Places statewide steering committee, formed in response to Florida being ranked 34th out of the 50 states in the 2012 America’s Healthy Rankings® report issued by the United Health Foundation. The goal of the statewide initiative is to encourage the Florida real estate industry, business and civic and community leaders to update policy and design standards to include those that promote public health. Under Dr. Trees’ leadership, Florida’s five ULI District Councils were awarded a $25,000 grant in November 2013 to plan and execute the initiative. Beginning in February 2014, the five regional councils held local workshops, one in each district, gathering best practices in designing communities that support the physical, mental and social well-being of the people who live, work, learn and visit there. Dr. Trees then delivered the councils’ final recommendations at the annual statewide ULI Florida Summit held June 11–13 in Orlando, including 10 key principles for building healthy places. Noting that each district faces a unique set of challenges, Dr. Trees said, “The issue is complex, but the opportunities for impact are abundant.” Download the complete “Building a Healthier Florida” report here.
Global Perspectives features daughters of the civil rights movement The Office of Global perspectives welcomed daughters of two historical figures from America’s civil rights movement at the 8th annual “Women and Leadership: A Global Perspective” forum on September 18. Cheryl Brown Henderson and Peggy Wallace Kennedy, both civil rights activists, shared their family stories and personal paths to becoming leaders for the same cause. Henderson is the daughter of the late Rev. Oliver Brown of the Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education. She discussed her family’s involvement in the case and underscored how ordinary their lives were, in contrast to her father’s extraordinary choice to join other families in the case against the school board. Henderson urged students to be civically engaged, saying, “Being a U.S. citizen is not a spectator sport.”
In sharp contrast, Kennedy was 13 years old when her father, then Alabama governor George C. Wallace, took his infamous “Stand in the Schoolhouse Door,” barring black students’ entry to the University of Alabama in defiance of the Brown v. Board ruling. Kennedy said her father never talked to her about the incident, and that she has taken it upon herself to create a new legacy for her and her children. Advocating for courage and compassion, she said, “All of us here must be better, not bitter… tolerance is more than what we believe, but what we live.” When asked about women’s role in the future of social justice, both called for more women in politics and public
leadership. The presentation was moderated by Ambassador Harriet ElamThomas and was the inaugural event of UCF’s Civil Rights Series, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. The event was also a feature of the 20th anniversary celebration week of the Women’s Studies Program. For more information about the next event in UCF’s Civil Rights Series, please visit www.ucfglobalperspectives.org.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
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Upcoming Events
The UCF Global Perspectives Office proudly presents the following university-wide and community events. Please check website for updated schedule.
january
10 ivek Wadhwa V “ The Next Wave Globalization: China, India & How the U.S. Can Keep Its Competitive Edge in the Midst of Global Innovation”
22 Clarence B. Jones “The 21st Century Challenge of the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.” Advisor and speechwriter for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Cape Florida Ballroom, UCF Student Union Open forum
Author of “The Immigrant Exodus: Why America Is Losing the Global Race to Capture Entrepreneurial Talent.” 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Pegasus Ballroom, Student Union A special open forum of the LIFE Global Issues Series.
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Sarah Shourd “A Sliver of Light”
Kurdish Studies Conference This is the first conference in a pair of collaborative, interdisciplinary forums organized by Soran University and UCF. 8:00 a.m–3:00 p.m. Cape Florida Ballroom, UCF Student Union Breakfast and lunch provided; advance registration required.
Political hostage by the Iranian government from 2009–2010. 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Pegasus Ballroom, UCF Student Union A special open forum of the LIFE Global Issues Series.
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february
2015 Florida International Summit “Opportunities and Challenges for Human Society and Development”
3 Heather Abbott “Overcoming Adversity”
8:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m Pegasus Ballroom, UCF Student Union Advance registration required.
Boston Marathon bombing survivor. 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Pegasus Ballroom, UCF Student Union A special open forum of the LIFE Global Issues Series.
Join host Dr. Diane Trees on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. as she tackles issues of regional and national significance on Metro Center Outlook. Don’t miss her exclusive, in-depth interviews with Central Florida’s business leaders and elected officials. Check local listings for encores and additional information: http://wucftv.org/. And keep up with the latest Metro Center Outlook episodes and news by following the show on Facebook and Twitter.
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America’s changing demographics, featuring Maria Hinojosa, anchor and executive producer of Latino USA on National Public Radio.
BP oil spill update with former U.S. Senator Bob Graham.
Spring legislative preview featuring State Senator David Simmons.
Florida’s State University System chancellor Marshall Criser III discusses the SUS and higher education in Florida.
University of Central Florida Division of Community Relations
UCF Downtown | 36 West Pine Street | Orlando, FL 32801 Phone: 407.235.3935 | Fax: 407.317.7744 | Email: communityrelations@ucf.edu
communityrelations.ucf.edu For more photos and the latest updates, like us on Facebook.