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UCF TODAY
Our Frances 1927-2009
When many of us at UCF and in the community spoke of Frances Millican, we referred to her as “Our Frances.” I’ve come to realize, over the years of friendship, that we who were fortunate to know her truly came to think of her as “ours.” I believe that is also true of the university. Frances will forever be woven into the tapestry of the history of the University of Central Florida. When I first met Frances, I was in awe of her graciousness and her gift for making everyone with whom she came in contact feel at ease and that she was genuinely interested in them. Haven’t we all watched Frances interact so beautifully with politicians, CEOs, VIPs and dignitaries? She was amazing! But did you also notice that she afforded the same warmth and genuine interest as she interacted with the waitress who brought her coffee (and it had to be HOT!), the store clerk and the handyman? Little wonder there were hundreds at her memorial service. When I spoke with Dr. Millican about this ability of Frances’, he said, “Let me tell you when I first noticed that gift.” Before he and Frances met, he was attending a
Remembering Frances Millican
Chi Omega event and happened to notice “the loveliest creature he had ever set eyes on” sitting two tables away. He asked a friend who she was and was told, “That’s Frances Hilliard.” He did not meet her that day but continued to think about her. There were two movie theatres side-by-side in the town of Jackson, Tennessee. Charlie Millican was studying the marquee, trying to decide what movie to watch. He turned around to see Frances
he recalled this part of the story, there was a definite twinkle in his eye!) that Frances made sure she sat between him and her friend. After being married for 64 years, Frances proved she was genuinely interested in Charlie Millican. T he u niversit y has lost a beautiful ambassador, we have all lost our dear friend; the Grasty children, Madison, Haley and William, have lost their Grandma and Dr. Millican has lost his beloved Frances. How truly blessed
“I was in awe of her graciousness and her gift for making everyone with whom she came in contact feel at ease.” walking up to look at the marquee and introduced himself. Frances indicated that she and her girlfriends had come to the movies and she didn’t care for any that were play ing next door. She excused herself to make a phone call to let her mother know where she was and indicated she and her friends would join him in the theatre. It turned out to be only one other friend and he noticed (as
we have all been to have had her in our lives. She would have wanted us all to continue to support the university she so deeply loved and which was so much a part of what defined “Our Frances.”
Top to bottom, left to right: Charles and Frances Millican; Charles Millican speaks at Frances’ Memorial Service, with Roger Pynn; the Millicans on their wedding day; Knightro,
Maggie LeClair UCF Women’s Club President
Charles and Frances Millican in front of Millican Hall; Sonja Nicholson, Frances Millican and Maggie LeClair.
This is UCF In November, Founding President Charles Millican was honored with the unveiling of a bronze statue commissioned by UCF Alumni.