University of Central Florida
Division of Community Relations
Community connections
Connecting the University and the Community
In This Issue:
Winter 2017
UCF Faculty Senate members celebrate the senate’s 50 years of accomplishments.
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• Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun • Faculty Senate 50th Anniversary Celebration • State of the University Address Page 2 • Countdown to Kickoff Luncheon • Interfaith Forum: Human Rights and Responsibilities Page 3 • Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund Awards • Luminary Awards Celebration • International Education Week Page 4 • Around the Community • Metro Center Outlook Schedule
Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun: Liberating the Human Spirit
On October 16, Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun spoke at the UCF Valerie Greene King Diversity Breakfast, and later to the UCF College of Medicine about how liberating the human spirit is an American value. She shared life lessons from her experiences as an attorney, a senator, as a U.S. Ambassador and as a trailblazer. Her visit to UCF was supported by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Global Perspectives Office, the College of Medicine and the Lester N. Mandell Endowed Distinguished Lecture Series.
Amb. Carol Moseley Braun addresses students at the UCF College of Medicine. (photo courtesy of the UCF College of Medicine)
Faculty Senate 50th Anniversary Celebration
More than 100 current and past UCF Faculty Senate members gathered on August 24 to network and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Faculty Senate at UCF. Faculty Senate Chair and Board of Trustees member William Self introduced President John C. Hitt, who congratulated the senators on being “pioneers, innovators, and risk-takers.” He went on to thank them for their accomplishments, such as passing over 550 resolutions since the senate’s inception, and participating in crafting the Collective Impact Strategic Plan for the university. Provost and Executive Vice President Dale Whittaker also spoke to the faculty to help prepare the senators for the new academic year in their role as faculty leaders.
State of the University Address On October 17, more than 300 members of the university community were in attendance to hear from President John C. Hitt regarding athletics, the downtown campus, faculty hiring, and the university’s research efforts during the annual State of the University Address. During the event, which was livestreamed on Facebook, Vice President of Communications and Marketing Grant Vice President of Communications and Heston interviewed President Hitt, who also Marketing Grant Heston interviews answered questions via video from camPresident John C. Hitt at the State of the pus and community leaders such as former University Address. Florida Governor Jeb Bush, UCF Board of Trustees member William Self, students on the President’s Leadership Council, and OCPS Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins, among others. Dr. Hitt talked about UCF being the only Florida institution to have led a mission with NASA, for a total of eight missions that faculty and students have had involvement in. He also expanded on the idea of “Scale x Excellence = Impact” by explaining, “If you can combine good size with good quality, you get an enormous impact for the good.” In response to a question from the students on the President’s Leadership Council, Dr. Hitt reflected on the significance of being a first generation college student himself, and the scope of opportunity students acquire by choosing to attend college.
Countdown to Kickoff Luncheon
Vice President and Director of Athletics Danny White presents President John C. Hitt with a check for the Golden Knights Club to benefit UCF student-athletes.
More than 1,000 university and community Knight fans gathered at the CFE Arena for the 2017 Countdown to Kickoff Luncheon on August 18. Director of Broadcasting and “Voice of the Knights” Marc Daniels emceed the event and College Football Hall of Fame member and former Nebraska Congressman Tom Osborne served as the featured speaker. Attendees also heard from several players, while then-UCF Football Head Coach Scott Frost took questions from the audience and gave a preview of the upcoming season as well. This was the second Kickoff Luncheon for Vice President and Director of Athletics Danny White and his team. The event raised nearly $50,000 for UCF Everyday Champions Scholarships. To date, this annual event has raised more than $360,000 for student-athletes.
Interfaith Forum: Human Rights and Responsibilities On October 3, UCF held its fifth annual Interfaith Forum, an event that focused on interfaith dialogue regarding social rights and responsibilities. More than 200 students, faculty and members of the community attended the event, including a group of students from Dr. Phillips High School’s Center for International Studies. A panel discussion featured the Three Wise Guys from NPR’s local radio program, “Friends Talking Faith.” The Reverend Bryan Fulwider, Rabbi David Kay (filling in for Rabbi Steven Engel), and Imam Muhammad Musri shared their perspectives on faith, social justice, and moral responsibilities. The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, and founder and president of the Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute. The UCF Global Perspectives Office hosted the event in partnership with The India Center at UCF, the UCF Human Trafficking Awareness Program, the Orlando Area Committee on Foreign Relations, Valencia College’s Peace and Justice Institute and the Global Connections Foundation.
Dr. Arun Gandhi , left, is pictured with Imam Muhammad Musri at UCF’s fifth annual Interfaith Forum.
Dr. Gandhi, center, is joined by students from Dr. Phillips High School’s Center for International Studies.
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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando Awards UCF Scholars On October 27, the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando (HHSFMO) awarded more than $170,00 in scholarships to 24 students, including 16 UCF students who received a total of $80,000 in scholarships. HHSFMO is the largest non-profit organization in Central Florida dedicated to providing scholarships to Hispanic students pursuing an undergraduate college or university degree, and Associate Vice President of Community Relations Maritza Martinez served as the event chair for the 2017 ceremony. Scholarships are awarded by a volunteer committee made up of business and community leaders and past alumni who understand the link between education and success. Students are selected based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership and community involveHHSFMO scholarship recipients are joined by sponsors on stage at the scholarship awards ceremony. ment, and financial need. Since its inception in 2000, HHSFMO has provided over $1.4 million in scholarships to help more than 310 students pursue a college education. UCF students have been awarded approximately 64% of HHSFMO’s scholarships, bolstering the university’s efforts towards becoming designated a Hispanic-serving institution.
International Education Week
Dr. Ayman Abouraddy, center, is presented a Luminary Award by President John C. Hitt and Executive Vice President Dale Whittaker.
Luminary Awards Celebration
The Inaugural Luminary Awards Celebration, held on October 18, honored those faculty members who have helped shine a light on UCF through their research, creative works, and secured grants and scholarships. There were 45 recipients of the Luminary Award whose impact spans multiple colleges and disciplines. President John C. Hitt and Provost and Executive Vice President Dale Whittaker kicked off the event with speeches stressing the value of the work that goes on in institutions of higher education and the role the awardees play in the mission of the university. Vice President of Research and Dean of the College of Graduate Studies Elizabeth Klonoff highlighted some of the impact individual research has had on UCF and the community at large, while Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Excellence and Pegasus Professor Jana Jasinski highlighted the awardees’ extensive accomplishments in their respective fields. More information on awards from Faculty Excellence can be found here.
UCF celebrated International Education Week, November 13–17. The week is a joint initiative between the U.S. Departments of State and Education, recognizing the benefits of international education and exchange across campuses worldwide. UCF Global facilitated a series of events at UCF that highlighted the role of international affairs, cultural diversity and the positive impact the international community has made on Central Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mark Hertling, Florida. One event was former Commanding General the 10th Annual Inter- of U.S. Army Europe, addresses students during Internanational Breakfast. In tional Education Week. collaboration with the Global Perspectives Office, the program underscored the importance of globalization in today’s world. In addition to cultural performances, the audience enjoyed TED-style talks from UCF’s own Dr. Maria Santana and Dr. Timothy Hawthorne, as well as a keynote presentation from Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mark Hertling, former Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe. Hertling addressed ongoing and potential conflicts around the globe, and noted that cultural understanding is a critical component of peace. He implored students in the audience, “Please, put me out of a job.” More information about UCF’s celebration of International Education Week 2017 can be found here.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
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Around the Community The annual Town & Gown Council and UCF Women’s Club Holiday Tea, hosted on December 5 by UCF First Lady Martha Hitt, second from left, raised more than $5,500 for the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. The event has raised nearly $40,000 for the Coalition since its inception.
Vice Provost for UCF Downtown Dr. Thad Seymour, far left, addresses members of Leadership Winter Park Class XXVIII during their Education Day session on November 16. Dr. Seymour participated in a panel discussion on the role of partnerships in conceiving and establishing the new OCPS Academic Center for Excellence in the Parramore neighborhood.
Twenty-one UCF teams comprised of 213 walkers helped raise more than $25,000 for the 2017 Greater Orlando Heart Walk on November 16. This year’s event brought more than 15,000 walkers to UCF’s main campus and raised over $700,000 for cardio vascular education and research.
Members of the Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce Trustee Council join UCF Vice President and Director of Athletics Danny White, center, in the Carl Black & Gold Cabana for the chamber’s Trustee Council Luncheon on August 25. Crews can be seen installing the new Spectrum Stadium signage in the background.
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: 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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February 18 Florida’s film industry An overview of Florida’s film industry and the flourishing commercials market in Central Florida. Guests: Sheena Fowler, director of film and digital media, Orlando Economic Partnership, and John Peros, owner of John Peros Casting.
February 11
Orlando Sanford International Airport’s growth and the impact on Seminole County A discussion on the growth and expansion of Orlando Sanford International Airport and its economic impact on the growth of the cities of Sanford and Lake Mary in Seminole County. Guests: Diane Crews, president and CEO, Sanford Orlando International Airport, and Seminole County Commissioner Brenda Carey.
February 25 Hurricane Maria’s effects on Puerto Rico and Central Florida
A discussion of the impact of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico and its ensuing implications for Central Florida. Guests: Dr. Debra Pace, Osceola County Public Schools superintendent, and Dr. Luis Martinez Fernandez, history professor, University of Central Florida.
Avoiding credit card debt and 2018 regional economic outlook Learn about ways to avoid debt, what to do with disposable income, and the economic outlook for our region. Guests: Michael Eastham, CPA and author of Commons Sense Income Strategies, and Dr. Sean Snaith, director of the Institute for Economic Competitiveness at the University of Central 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
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