University of Central Florida
Division of Community Relations
Community connections
Connecting the University and the Community
Summer 2017
In This Issue: Page 1 • Downtown Campus Groundbreaking Page 2 • President Hitt’s 25th Anniversary • Global Perspectives’ John Bersia in NYC • Taking on Medical Marijuana Page 3 • Celebrating Women’s History Month • Martinez: Woman on the Move • Founders’ Day Honors Excellence, Service • Global Perspectives Wins Telly Award Page 4 • PLC: Recruiting Student Leaders • ULI Real Estate Trends Conference • Tackling Cybersecurity Challenges Page 5 • Upcoming Events • Metro Center Outlook Schedule Page 6 • Around the Community
Letter from helen Helen Donegan, Vice President, Division of Community Relations
Excitement is in the air at UCF—2017 isn’t half over yet, and it has already proven to be a milestone year in the university’s history. From the 25th anniversary celebration of President Hitt’s leadership and service at UCF, to the first-ever men’s basketball team appearance in the NIT Final Four at Madison Square Garden in New York City, to the groundbreaking on the transformative UCF Downtown campus, to the too-many-to-mention awards and accolades bestowed on our faculty, staff and students, we have much to celebrate. But we won’t rest on our laurels. As we charge boldly forward, we will continue to redefine what a research university can be by leveraging the power of partnerships in our quest for excellence and innovation, and in the process help shape the future of our Central Florida community. As Dr. Hitt says, the best is yet to come.
Dignitaries and stakeholders participate in the historic groundbreaking ceremony for the UCF Downtown campus--the culmination of a unique partnership between the University of Central Florida, Valencia College, the City of Orlando, Creative Village, and Orange County. The project has received overwhelming corporate and community support.
Downtown Campus Groundbreaking
More than 900 Central Florida, UCF, and Valencia community members gathered at the UCF Center for Emerging Media on May 11 to break ground on the highly-anticipated downtown campus in Creative Village. Program speakers and videos highlighted the transformative impact the campus will have on surrounding neighborhoods, countless student lives and careers, Central Florida job growth, and the expansion of Creative Village. Guests heard from UCF Board of Trustees Chairman Marcos Marchena, UCF Provost and Executive Vice President A. Dale Whittaker, Valencia College President Sandy Shugart, City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Florida Senate Past President Andy Gardiner, Florida House of Representatives Past Speaker Steve Crisafulli, Dr. Phillips, Inc. and The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation President and CEO Ken Robinson, and Jones High School Junior and future downtown campus student, Porcha Jones. Marchena, Whittaker, and Shugart presented Jones with a partial scholarship immediately following her remarks. A downtown campus gallery inside the UCF Center for Emerging Media displayed the downtown campus’ path to fruition, expected impact, and future vision with photos, renderings, and key project leader quotes including quotes Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, scheduled to open in the fall of 2019, will be the first building on the UCF Downtown campus.
Yours in partnership,
Helen
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Downtown Campus Groundbreaking continued from previous page from UCF President John C. Hitt and Valencia President Sandy Shugart. “We’re building something unique here,” Shugart said. “But the real measure of a college or university isn’t defined by its buildings, but how well it serves those within them. We’re determined to make a difference in the life of this community.” “This innovative campus will offer a bold new avenue for uplifting lives and livelihoods of students from the Parramore community, from Central Florida, and from throughout the Sunshine State,” UCF President John C. Hitt said. “It will provide area employers with talent that will invigorate and reshape the workplaces of tomorrow. And it will energize the rising downtown of the No. 1 tourist-destination city in America. With today’s groundbreaking, we begin a future of greater prosperity in Central Florida.” More event photos can be found here.
CFR’s James Lindsay, Farah Pandith and Philip Gordon discuss the future of the Middle East.
Global Perspectives’ John Bersia in NYC Global Perspectives Office Director John C. Bersia attended a national college and university educators’ program at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on April 21. The two-day session consisted of panel presentations on critical topics such as the Middle East, immigration and refugees, and climate change. “The experience helped expand UCF’s connections with the Council and other institutions, as well as its access to prominent experts for insights on global issues and potential campus visits,” Bersia said. Participants also discussed classroom teaching approaches, including model diplomacy (role-playing in realistic settings). Bersia added that because the Council is eager to share its growing resources in this area, UCF professors—including those who already use simulations—stand to benefit.
President and Martha Hitt celebrate 25 years at UCF’s helm.
President Hitt’s 25th Anniversary Celebration
The UCF and Central Florida communities gathered on March 1 to celebrate President and Mrs. Hitt’s 25th Anniversary at the University of Central Florida. The program included an interview with President Hitt by UCF Vice President of Communications and Marketing Grant Heston. The interview encompassed a discussion on the past, present, and future of UCF as well as glimpses into President and Mrs. Hitt’s path to UCF. City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Theresa Jacobs presented proclamations to President Hitt; Mayor Dyer’s proclamation included a key to the City of Orlando. Student Government Association President Chris Clemente spoke on behalf of the student body; Faculty Senate Chair Keith Koons spoke on behalf of the UCF faculty; and Assistant to the Dean of the College of Sciences Maggie LeClair spoke on behalf of the staff. UCF Alumni Board Chair-Elect Dan Ward presented President and Mrs. Hitt with an honorary alumni award that recognizes outstanding service and philanthropy to UCF, lifelong devotion and loyalty to the university, and upholding the UCF Creed of integrity, scholarship, creativity, and excellence. President Hitt closed the program with optimism for the future, saying, “As with most anniversaries, today’s celebration is infused with nostalgia. It’s a potent and powerful feeling. But more powerful is the belief I have in our future. My belief is, for our beloved UCF, the best is yet ahead.”
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Dr. Diane Trees, left, moderates a panel discussion on medical marijuana featuring Louis Rotundo, Wade Vose and Rep. Jason Brodeur, left to right.
Taking on Medical Marijuana
Metro Center Director Dr. Diane Trees moderated a medical marijuana panel on January 5. The Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted the “Panel on Pot” which featured State Representative Jason Brodeur, medical marijuana industry consultant Louis Rotundo, and local government attorney Wade Vose. The panelists discussed the complexities of implementing Amendment 2—which Florida voters passed in 2016 with a supermajority vote of 71.3%—including its transition from the state to the local level, requiring dispensaries to locate in remote industrial parks, and navigating the discrepancies between state and federal law. The Florida House and Senate were unable to agree upon legislation governing the expansion of Florida’s medical marijuana industry during this year’s legislative session.
Celebrating Women’s History Month March is Women’s History Month, a time to explore the vital role of women in history. The Global Perspectives Office staff participated with other UCF departments for a full calendar of inspiring events, including: • Olympic Gold Medalist Kayla Harrison on “Empowering Women: Persistence and Overcoming Obstacles” (March 21) • Actress and UN Goodwill Ambassador Mira Sorvino on “The Global Global Perspectives’ Amb. Harriet Elam-Thomas, Fight Against Human Trafficking” (March 23) left, and National Consortium for Academics and Sports Executive Director Delise O’Meally, right, • “Women’s Hospitality are joined by Olympic gold medalist and Women’s Leadership Forum,” an History Month speaker Kayla Harrison, center. all-day event featuring global leaders in the hospitality industry (March 31) Visit the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s website for the complete schedule of events.
Martinez: Woman on the Move
Associate Vice President of Community Relations Maritza Martinez was honored at the 2nd Annual Onyx Magazine Women on the Move awards luncheon held on March 16. The event recognized the accomplishments and contributions of some of Central Florida’s most influential and impactful women of color. Maritza Martinez, left, accepts the “Women on the Move celebrates 2017 Women on the Move award from Michelle Tatom, right. trailblazers who have served to make a difference in their communities. These ‘can-do women’ have shattered glass ceilings, achieved their full potential and paved the way for others in their chosen professions,” said Rich Black, publisher of Onyx Magazine. The Women on the Move Class of 2017 included other notable UCF alumni, including Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins and Votum Construction President and CEO Vernice Atkins-Bradley. UCF Multicultural Student Center Coordinator Stephanie Campbell was also among this year’s honorees.
College of Undergraduate Studies Dean Dr. Elizabeth Dooley, left, confers the College and University Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching on Dr. Ann Gleig.
Founders’ Day Honors Excellence, Service More than 500 university and community friends and family gathered on April 5 to honor faculty who have demonstrated excellence in service to UCF and its students at the Founders’ Day Honors Convocation. The annual ceremony recognizes faculty members for outstanding teaching, advising, research, professional service, and librarianship. This includes recognition of UCF Reach for the Stars recipients for highly successful early-career research and creative activity and Pegasus Professor Award recipients for receiving UCF’s highest honor of excellence. A new award for Collective Excellence was presented by UCF Provost A. Dale Whittaker this year to help reach Collective Impact Strategic Plan goals. This award celebrates teams of two or more people who strengthen UCF’s impact. Members of the faculty who have completed 20, 30, 40, and 45 years of service and who recently retired or who are retiring soon, and those designated with the title emerita or emeritus were also recognized for their dedicated service. Faculty members who served 10 or more years as a senator in the Faculty Senate were honored for their service as the collective voice of their colleagues. Eleven students who demonstrated exceptional ability in a particular area of study were featured in videos highlighting their accomplishments. Each student was chosen by a committee within their college and presented their award by the dean of that college. Four Honors in the Major students who wrote the most outstanding theses were recognized for their achievements.
Global Perspectives Wins Telly Award Global Perspectives Office Director John C. Bersia and WUCF TV are being honored with a Telly Award for an episode of Global Perspectives featuring Ndaba Mandela, grandson of South African president and activist Nelson Mandela. Bersia is host of the Global Perspectives show on WUCF TV, which Nielsen Ratings just ranked as one of the most-watched PBS stations in the country. Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring the best in TV and cable, digital and streaming, and non-broadcast productions. The Telly Awards mission has been to strengthen the visual arts community by inspiring, promoting, and supporting creativity. The Telly Awards typically receives more than 13,000 entries each year from all 50 states and 5 continents. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world. This year’s winners include companies, agencies and organizations of all sizes, from large multinational media companies to small ad agencies and local production houses. “Ndaba Mandela is a prominent voice in South Africa’s rising generation of leaders, and this show presented a wonderful opportunity to share his thoughts with a broader audience,” said Bersia.
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2017–2018 President’s Leadership Council members with UCF Vice President for Administration and Finance Bill Merck, center.
PLC: Recruiting Student Leaders The 2017–18 President’s Leadership Council (PLC) has been selected based on their excellence in leadership, scholarship, and service to the university and the Orlando community. The PLC consists of 35 UCF students who serve as student liaisons at special events, tour guides for distinguished guests, and leaders across campus and community organizations. This year’s PLC has an average GPA of 3.67 with majors from 10 of UCF’s 12 colleges. Members hold leadership posi-
tions in prestigious university organizations including various Greek organizations, 4EverKnights, Student Government Association, Marching Knights, Burnett Honors College, and LEAD Scholars. The PLC also includes National Merit scholars and former student athletes. The PLC set goals for the year at their new council retreat April 28–29 which included a dinner hosted by President and Mrs. Hitt where PLC members had the opportunity to share ideas with and ask questions of university leadership.
ULI Real Estate Trends Conference
Metro Center Director Dr. Diane Trees was joined by leaders in the real estate industry as she moderated a market trends roundtable discussion at the Urban Land Institute of Central Florida’s Real Estate Trends Conference on January 25. The conference, which attracted nearly 250 attendees, was sponsored in part by the UCF Metro Center and provided an outlook on real estate investment and development trends. Agriculture, tourism, real estate and construction are major drivers of economic development in Florida. The panelists—Boyd Development Corporation President Scott Boyd, Compspring President Lisa Dilts, and Foundry Commercial CEO Paul Ellis—discussed a wide range of topics, including real estate finance and capital markets, property sectors, metropolitan areas, and other issues impacting development.
Dr. Diane Trees moderated a real estate trends panel featuring Scott Boyd, Lisa Dilts, and Paul Ellis.
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From left: UCF student Ada Tang, Global Perspectives’ Julie Johnson and Jessica Squires, UCF Ph.D. candidate Laura Moeller, Global Perspectives’ Shannon Payne and UCF alumna Lauren Gandy attend the 2017 Florida International Summit.
Tackling Cybersecurity Challenges What if a cyberattack shut down your local power grid? Emptied your bank account? Or stole all of your medical records? Who is keeping us safe? Who will keep us safe in the future? Representatives from the military, private sector and academia came together on February 2 to address these questions for the 2017 Florida International Summit, “Cyber Strategy in a Globally Connected World.” The summit, hosted this year by USF World, is the signature annual event of the Florida Network for Global Studies, an educational consortium consisting of FIU, FSU, UCF, UF, UNF and USF. Several Global Perspectives staff and students attended the summit, and UCF’s Ted Reynolds moderated one of the panels. Additional event information can be found here.
Upcoming Events June 8
“UCF Remembers . . . 6.12.16” will include the following events:
REMEMBERING PULSE UCF will remember the victims and survivors of the Pulse nightclub tragedy on June 8 with a day of reflection, giving back, and coming together. June 8 was chosen for the university’s events to allow the community to participate in City of Orlando and Orange County Government remembrances on June 12.
“REFLECTIONS ON PULSE” An opportunity to create art and share tributes to the 49 victims. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. in the Student Union Atrium UCF REMEMBERS BLOOD DRIVE 2p.m.–8 p.m. near the Student Union OPENING RECEPTION FOR “RESILIENCE: REMEMBERING PULSE” EXHIBITION Event will run through June 30 and includes photos, quilts, paintings, and more that honor the victims and the LGBTQ+ community. 4p.m.–6 p.m. in the UCF Art Gallery “UCF REMEMBERS” A ceremony honoring the 49 and celebrating diversity and equality with performances by the Orlando Gay Chorus, a reading of the names of the 49 victims, and campus and community speakers begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Pegasus Ballroom
Join host 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. And keep up with the latest Metro Center Outlook episodes and news by following the show on Facebook and Twitter.
June 18
How do we keep our kids safe as they relax and play away the summer days, and what is this mysterious affliction called “summer brain drain”? Join us as we discuss summer safety and summer activities.
June 25
As we approach the July 4th holiday weekend, join us for some tips about safety and the consequences of driving under the influence when operating boats and automobiles.
July 2
July 9
Obtaining a college degree— whether a 2-year or 4-year degree—continues to hold financial rewards. However, student debt can be a huge factor in the long run. Join us for a discussion on student financial literacy and the myths surrounding good and bad debt.
Ecotourism is a growing economic driver for both Florida’s tourism industry and local governments. Join us as we discuss Florida’s natural beauty and how outdoor recreational activities have become major attractions for visitors and residents alike.
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Around the Community City of Orlando MLK Parade UCF mascot Knightro thrilled spectators at the 33rd Annual Downtown Orlando Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade on January 14. Knightro was joined by City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, as well City of Orlando district commissioners and UCF student marchers. More than 5,000 attendees were on hand for this year’s parade.
HFUW Women’s Leadership Luncheon The 10th Annual Heart of Florida United Way Women’s Leadership Luncheon on May 4 was attended by nearly 1,000 community leaders and raised more than $185,000 to support educational programs in the tri-county area. The event featured New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult as the keynote speaker. Vice President of Community Relations Helen Donegan founded the Women’s Leadership Council in 2007 to address critical problems impacting women and children in Central Florida. West Orange Chamber Honors Trees, UCF The Division of Community Relations has cultivated thriving relationships with area chambers of commerce on behalf of the university, and the West Orange Chamber of Commerce recently presented two awards in recognition of our service to the chamber. On September 16, Metro Center Director Dr. Diane Trees was honored for her “Outstanding Participation in the West Orange Chamber.” On February 3, UCF Associate Vice President of Regional Campuses and West Orange Chamber board member Dr. Kimberly Hardy accepted the Chairman’s Award on behalf of UCF at the 2017 Big Orange Awards.
Capitol Connection 2017 UCF representatives joined members of the Oviedo-Winter Springs and Seminole County Regional Chambers of Commerce on this year’s Capitol Connection trip to Tallahassee April 4–5. Several members of the Central Florida Delegation addressed the group in private meetings. Attendees also gained insight into this year’s legislative session at a media briefing featuring a panel of seasoned Tallahassee journalists as well as a panel discussion featuring veteran corporate lobbyists.
Connect DTO Associate Vice President of Community Relations Maritza Martinez chaired the Connect DTO technology and innovation session on May 9, which featured Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. Connect DTO is a new program of the Downtown Orlando Partnership that offers in-depth insights into commerce, community, culture and catalyst movements taking place in Downtown Orlando. Community Relations Manager Dawn Ofodile is a member of the inaugural class.
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
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