THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA - UCF STANDS FOR OPPORTUNITY The University of Central Florida is one of the most dynamic universities in the country in one of the most popular cities in the world. Offering 214 degree programs, it is an academic and research leader in numerous fields, such as optics, modeling and simulation, engineering and computer science, business administration, education, the sciences including biomedical sciences, hospitality management and digital media. UCF’s 1,415-acre main campus provides modern facilities, most of which have wireless abilities, with 600 acres set aside for lakes, woods and an arboretum. UCF has 12 colleges, including the newly established College of Medicine. More than 53,500 students attend classes on UCF’s main Orlando campus and its 11 regional campuses. UCF began offering classes in 1968 and recently granted its 198,311 degree. The incoming freshmen class for the academic year 2009-10 of 3,842 students continued UCF’s rise in academics with an average SAT score of 1225 and a high school grade-point average of 3.8. The Burnett Honors College incoming class had an average SAT score of 1374 and a grade-point weighted average of 4.2. UCF ranks in the top 50 universities nationwide for the number of National Merit Scholars of first-time-in-college students. The UCF Libraries offer more than 1.9 million volumes and 32,009 serial subscriptions, 24,730 of which are electronic journals. UCF has a 149,000-square-foot Recreation and Wellness Center complete with a three-story climbing wall, an indoor track and fitness equipment. The Student Union has computer labs, study lounges, ballrooms and meeting rooms, popular eating establishments and a small shopping mall. The Health Center is a fullservice health clinic with on-site professionals, X-ray capabilities, dental services, a pharmacy, a medical laboratory and physical therapy services. The 10,000seat UCF Arena and a 45,000-seat on-campus football stadium were opened in 2007. Housing includes on-campus residence halls and affiliated apartments for more than 10,000 students. UCF promotes a diverse and inclusive environment. UCF students come from 63 Florida counties, 50 states, and 141 countries. Study abroad programs allow UCF students to study and conduct research with 98 institutions in 36 countries. Students at UCF have been recognized throughout the world and include recipients of the Rhodes, Mellon and Goldwater scholarships.
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CAMPUS LIFE UCF’s 1,415-acre campus provides a safe, serene setting for learning with 600 acres of natural lakes and woodlands. At UCF, there is always something to do. Students attend Division I athletics events, concerts and shows at UCF Arena and are offered a wide array of cultural events and opportunities. Personal development programs and activities in a broad range of educational, recreational and social-awareness topics allow students a chance to expand their understanding of the world. Among the things available to all students are an 85,000-square foot recreational fitness center, a 181,000-gallon outdoor recreational pool and nine sandy beach volleyball courts. UCF’s exciting campus includes a variety of on-campus residential communities, and the addition of a new alumni center and a full-service medical clinic provides expanded opportunities for activities. UCF boasts some of the finest on-campus residences in the nation in the Towers at Knights Plaza. The modern, apartment-style dormitories are located on the north side of campus, allowing UCF student-athletes to live within close proximity to Bright House Networks Stadium, Nicholson Fieldhouse and the Wayne Densch Sports Center. The apartments feature common kitchen areas as well as four single bedrooms with full-size beds. 199
A BIG-TIME UNIVERSITY During Daunte Culpepper’s senior year in 1998, UCF’s enrollment was listed at 28,500. Nearly 12 years later, the university is recognized as one of the nation’s largest institutions. With an enrollment of 53,644 students, UCF is the third-largest school in the country. Since 2000, enrollment has increased over 40 percent.
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The nation’s largest universities in 2009-10:
UCF Facts
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• One of Florida’s 11 public universities • Opened its doors to students in 1968 • Offers over 200 degree programs • Named a “Best Value” university by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and a “School to Watch” by U.S. News and World Report • Attracts exceptional academic achievers (incoming freshmen for 2009-01 had an SAT average of 1225, an average ACT of 27 and an average GPA of 3.8) • Made U.S. medical school history by giving the College of Medicine’s charter class full four-year scholarships
Arizona State Ohio State UCF Minnesota Texas Florida Texas A&M Michigan State USF Penn State
55,552 55,014 53,644 51,659 51,032 50,691 48,885 47,100 46,612 43,998
Daunte Culpepper
PROMINENT ALUMNI Tom Ackert Executive Director, Orange County Convention Center
Ericka Dunlap Miss America 2004
Michelle Akers FIFA Women’s Soccer Player of the Century (1900s)
Alan Eustace Senior Vice President, Google
James Atchison President and Chief Operating Officer, Busch Entertainment Corporation
Tyler Fisher Rhodes Scholar
John Bersia Pulitzer Prize winner
Brian France Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, NASCAR
Drew Butera Catcher, Minnesota Twins
Cheryl Hines Actress
Megan Clementi Miss Florida USA 2010
Jim Hunt Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Walt Disney World Resorts
Lee Constantine Florida State Senator
Shawn Jefferson Longtime NFL wide receiver
Richard Crotty Orange County Mayor
Nelson Marchioli President and CEO, Denny’s Corporation
Daunte Culpepper Three-time NFL Pro Bowl selection at quarterback
Mark Miller Lead singer, Sawyer Brown
Phil Dalhausser Beach volleyball player, 2008 Olympic gold medalist
Jermaine Taylor Shooting guard, Houston Rockets
Robert Damron Professional Golfer
Al Weiss President of Worldwide Operations, Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts
Rich Crotty
Phil Dalhausser
Jermaine Taylor 201