Editing University of Central Florida (section)

==History==

===Founding===
Following President [[John F. Kennedy]]'s [[We choose to go to the Moon|September 1962 speech "We choose to go to the Moon"]], in which he described his goal of accomplishing a [[Apollo program|crewed space flight to the Moon]] by the end of the decade, the space program grew in importance and scope in Central Florida because of its proximity to [[Cape Canaveral]].<ref>{{cite news | title = Congressional Record 113th Congress (2013–2014) – University of Central Florida -- (Senate – June 07, 2013) | publisher = The Library of Congress | date = June 7, 2013 | url = http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r113:S07JN3-0023:/ | access-date = October 31, 2013 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151023053709/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r113%3AS07JN3-0023%3A%2F | archive-date = October 23, 2015 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Prominent residents and local leaders began lobbying the [[Florida State Legislature]] to increase access to higher education on the [[Space Coast]]. With the help of former [[Florida Senate|state senate]] [[Senate President#U.S. state senates|president]] [[William A. Shands]] and Senator [[Beth Johnson (American politician)|Beth Johnson]], on June 10, 1963, the legislature passed and [[Florida Governor|Governor]] [[Farris Bryant]] signed into law Senate Bill No. 125, which authorized the [[Florida Board of Regents]] to create a new [[state university]] in East Central Florida.<ref name="50history">{{cite web | title = UCF History | publisher = University of Central Florida | date = 2013 | url = https://www.ucf.edu/50/history/ | access-date = August 12, 2014 | archive-date = August 12, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140812011723/http://www.ucf.edu/50/history/ | url-status = live }}</ref> The university was founded as a non-segregated and coeducational university, with the mission of educating students for space-age careers in engineering and other technological professions. Defense scientists and NASA met with students,{{When|date=November 2024}} recruiting for the space program.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

On January 24, 1964, the board of regents purchased {{convert|1000|acre|ha|abbr=off}} of remote forest and pasture land along [[Florida State Road 434|Alafaya Trail]] (SR 434) in northeast Orlando for $500,000 as the site of the new university.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Local residents donated another {{convert|227|acre|ha|abbr=off}}, and raised more than $1 million in funds to secure the land acquisition.<ref name="50history"/> In December 1965, the board of regents appointed [[Charles Millican]] the [[List of Presidents of the University of Central Florida|first president]] of the new university.<ref>{{cite news | title = Millican's Peanut Butter and Cheese Crackers | publisher = University of Central Florida | date = June 26, 2009 | url = https://today.ucf.edu/millicans-peanut-butter-and-cheese-crackers/ | access-date = April 3, 2012 | archive-date = September 26, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120926053100/http://today.ucf.edu/millicans-peanut-butter-and-cheese-crackers/ | url-status = live }}</ref> With the consultation of a citizen advisory group, Millican chose the name Florida Technological University, as well as co-designed the school's distinctive Pegasus seal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fulltext.fcla.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?a=49&sid=2b5514c174db581337a6fa5a70674588&idno=CF00001585&c=fhp&cc=fhp&view=jpg&seq=2 |title=Accent on the Individual: The First Twelve Years of Florida Technological University |author=Sheinkopf, Kenneth |publisher=Florida Heritage Collection |access-date=December 5, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Millican is also responsible for the university's slogan, "Reach for the Stars", for the two key principles of the school, "accent on excellence" and "accent on the individual", and for the campus's unique pedestrian-oriented concentric-circle layout, which was based on plans by [[Walt Disney]] and has become a model for other universities.<ref name="millicanhonored">{{cite web |url=http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=0024004111f64130facebe329f007c7a |title=Founding President Millican Honored |access-date=July 29, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida |archive-date=June 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624105929/http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews//index?page=article&id=0024004111f64130facebe329f007c7a |url-status=live }}</ref> Millican and then-Governor [[Claude Kirk]] presided over FTU's groundbreaking in March 1967. On October 7, 1968, the inaugural classes were held in the school's first academic building. 1,948 students were enrolled in 55 degree programs within five colleges, led by 90 instructors and aided by 150 staff members, during the university's first year.<ref>{{cite news | title = University of Central Florida celebrates 40 years of growth | work = [[Orlando Sentinel]] | date = October 7, 2008 | url = http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/orl-ucfforty0708oct07,0,7075818.story | access-date = October 7, 2008 | archive-date = October 8, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081008132036/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/orl-ucfforty0708oct07,0,7075818.story | url-status = live }}</ref> FTU graduated its first class of 423 seniors on June 14, 1970, with [[astronaut]] and Orlando native [[John Young (astronaut)|John Young]] giving the commencement address.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Millican selected the university's official colors, and had a role in selecting its first mascot, the [[Citronaut]], a mix of an orange and an astronaut.<ref>{{cite news | title = An orange. An astronaut. Almost a mascot. | publisher = University of Central Florida | date = July 17, 2009 | url = https://today.ucf.edu/an-orange-an-astronaut-almost-a-mascot/ | access-date = June 13, 2010 | archive-date = June 3, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100603033046/http://www.today.ucf.edu/an-orange-an-astronaut-almost-a-mascot/ | url-status = live }}</ref> The [[Citronaut]] proved unpopular, so in 1969 the student newspaper, ''[[Central Florida Future|The Central Florida Future]]'', encouraged mascot suggestions from students and faculty. The search for a replacement proved unsuccessful until 1970, when Judy Hines, a night nurse, proposed Vincent the Vulture. He served as the university's unofficial mascot for more than a year. In late 1971, students voted and selected the Knight of Pegasus as the school's official athletic mascot.<ref name="mascot">{{cite news | title = One School Many Mascots | work= [[Central Florida Future]] | date = January 20, 2004 | url = https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/media/paper174/news/2004/01/20/News/One-School.Many.Mascots-583071.shtml?norewrite&sourcedomain=www.ucfnews.com | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927183110/https://www.centralfloridafuture.com/media/paper174/news/2004/01/20/News/One-School.Many.Mascots-583071.shtml?norewrite&sourcedomain=www.ucfnews.com | url-status = dead | archive-date = September 27, 2007 | access-date = October 28, 2007 }}</ref> The nickname later evolved to the Golden Knights and eventually to the Knights.

After retiring as president in 1978, Millican identified his proudest moment leading the school as when President [[Richard Nixon]] delivered the university's spring 1973 commencement address.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===Expansion===
Entering office in 1978, the university's second president, [[Trevor Colbourn]], recognized the diversification and growth of UCF's academic programs away from its strictly technological and scientific beginnings.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1988/04/05/milestones-in-ucf-history/ |title=Milestones In UCF History |work=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |date=April 5, 1998 |access-date=February 16, 2012 |archive-date=May 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520111919/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1988-04-05/news/0030130226_1_university-of-central-board-of-regents-central-florida |url-status=live }}</ref>  As the university developed strong business, education, and liberal arts programs, Colbourn recognized that the university's name no longer reflected its mission. From its establishment the university was known as Florida Technological University, nicknamed Florida Tech, until December 1978 when Governor [[Reubin Askew]] signed legislation changing the school's name to the University of Central Florida.<ref name="facts_about_ucf"/>

Colbourn established the university's [[Burnett Honors College|honors program]], and started the university's first satellite campus{{where|date=August 2023}}. In addition, he was responsible for constructing the [[Central Florida Research Park]] adjacent to the UCF campus, founded in 1978. The park serves as a major focus of [[simulation]] for [[outer space|space]] and [[defense (military)|defense]]-related research. It was part of Colbourn's plan to make UCF a world-class partnership university. Among the university's first partners were [[Lockheed Martin]] and the [[United States Navy]], and Colbourn led the push to found both the [[Institute for Simulation and Training]] and the [[Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers]] in 1986.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} During his tenure, enrollment increased from 11,000 in 1978 to over 18,000 in 1989.<ref name="papers">{{cite web |url=http://library.ucf.edu/special/FindingAids/Colbourn.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525172802/http://library.ucf.edu/special/FindingAids/Colbourn.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 25, 2013 |title=Guide to the Presidential Papers of H. Trevor Colbourn, 1948–2006 |publisher=University of Central Florida library |access-date=April 8, 2013}}</ref> Colbourn also supported the university's athletic programs. He was responsible for establishing the school's [[UCF Knights football|football program]] in 1979, which began an era of growth for the university.{{According to whom|date=January 2025}} In April 1979, UCF awarded its 15,000th degree.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

===Hitt presidency===
In March 1992, [[John C. Hitt]] became UCF's fourth president. Once known mainly as a small commuter and technology school, UCF administrators began to increase its academic and research standing while also evolving into a more traditional research university. When Hitt took office, UCF's enrollment was 20,302. As of 2014, 60,821 students attended classes on 12 campuses spread across central Florida. The university consisted of 13 colleges and employed more than 10,150 faculty and staff.<ref name="facts_about_ucf" /> During this time, UCF raised admissions standards, increased research funding, built new facilities, and established notable partnerships with major research institutions.<ref>[http://www.sptimes.com/2006/07/28/State/UCF_chief_gets_top_pa.shtml UCF chief gets top pay in Florida] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415061923/http://www.sptimes.com/2006/07/28/State/UCF_chief_gets_top_pa.shtml |date=April 15, 2009 }} ''St. Petersburg Times''</ref>

The university's athletic program also grew with an [[FBC Mortgage Stadium|on-campus football stadium]], [[Addition Financial Arena|new basketball arena]], more on-campus housing, and the development of the [[University of Central Florida College of Medicine|UCF College of Medicine]] at Lake Nona.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Until 1999, the Knights were represented by a [[Jousting|jouster]] from the [[Medieval Times]] dinner show in nearby [[Kissimmee, Florida]]. That same year, [[Knightro]] was introduced at the staple homecoming event, Spirit Splash.

During its spring 2010 graduation ceremonies, UCF awarded its 200,000th degree,<ref>{{cite news | title = UCF to Award Milestone Degree at Commencement | publisher = University of Central Florida | url = http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=002400410a7944710128412c5363007e17 | date = April 28, 2010 | access-date = May 7, 2010 | archive-date = May 2, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100502003831/http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=002400410a7944710128412c5363007e17 | url-status = live }}</ref> less than five years after awarding its 150,000th.<ref>{{cite news | title = A World of Opportunity | publisher = UCF College of Healthy and Public Affairs | url = http://www.cohpa.ucf.edu/documents/AWorldofOpportunity.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060909072952/http://www.cohpa.ucf.edu/documents/AWorldofOpportunity.pdf | url-status = dead | archive-date = September 9, 2006 | access-date = June 13, 2009 }}</ref>

==== Colbourn Hall scandal ====
In August 2018, the state university system's [[Florida Board of Governors|Board of Governors]] and the [[Florida Legislature]] opened an investigation into the university for misuse of state funds. On September 13, 2018, UCF admitted to misappropriating money intended for educational and operating expenses to build the new $38&nbsp;million Trevor Colbourn Hall, leading to the resignation of CFO Bill Merck.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Annie|title=UCF lambasted after admitting misusing state funds for new $38 million academic building|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ucf-funds-misappropriation-20180913-story.html|access-date=2020-09-05|website=orlandosentinel.com|date=September 13, 2018 |archive-date=January 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120002729/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ucf-funds-misappropriation-20180913-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2019, UCF severed ties with President Emeritus John Hitt after the investigation proved that UCF had misspent or planned to misspend over $85&nbsp;million between 2013 and 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Aboraya|first=Abe|date=2019-01-22|title=UPDATE: UCF To Sever Ties With John Hitt Over Misspent Funds|url=https://www.wmfe.org/ucf-to-fire-four-employees-over-illegal-colbourn-hall-construction/96137|access-date=2020-09-05|website=90.7 WMFE|language=en-US|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920135235/https://www.wmfe.org/ucf-to-fire-four-employees-over-illegal-colbourn-hall-construction/96137|url-status=live}}</ref> Newly appointed president [[Dale Whittaker]], who was a provost at UCF during Hitt's tenure, resigned in February 2019 after just seven months in office over allegations that he also knew about the misappropriation of funds.<ref>{{cite news|last=Martin|first=Annie|date=February 21, 2019|title=UCF Board of Trustees accepts President Dale Whittaker's offer to resign|newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ne-ucf-dale-whittaker-resignation-board-of-trustees-20190221-story.html|access-date=February 21, 2019|archive-date=February 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222014204/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ne-ucf-dale-whittaker-resignation-board-of-trustees-20190221-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Gillespie|first=Annie Martin, Ryan|title=UCF President Dale Whittaker resigned 'to end punitive measures and threats.' But is his departure enough?|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ne-ucf-future-after-president-dale-whittaker-20190222-story.html|access-date=2020-09-05|website=orlandosentinel.com|date=February 23, 2019 |archive-date=June 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620052520/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ne-ucf-future-after-president-dale-whittaker-20190222-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Board of Trustees Chairman Marcos Marchena also resigned that month.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Powers|first=Scott|date=2019-03-04|title=John Hitt a shadow in UCF investigation|url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/289573-john-hitt-a-shadow-in-ucf-investigation|access-date=2020-09-05|website=[[Florida Politics]]|language=en-US|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627133449/https://floridapolitics.com/archives/289573-john-hitt-a-shadow-in-ucf-investigation|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2019, the final report into additional UCF construction projects revealed the balance of misdirected funds between July 2010 and August 2018 was $99.61&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|99.61|2010|r=2}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref>{{Cite web|title=UCF seeks to move on after final report on funding misuse|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2019/08/30/ucf-seeks-to-move-on-after-final-report-on-funding.html|access-date=2020-09-05|website=www.bizjournals.com|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110101359/https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2019/08/30/ucf-seeks-to-move-on-after-final-report-on-funding.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The report found that key people in the university leadership were aware of the misdirection of the funds. UCF was fined by the state for 120% the cost of the misused funds.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Powers|first=Scott|date=2019-08-24|title=Beyond Colbourn Hall: UCF probe report details 11 other projects in scandal|url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/304103-beyond-colbourn-hall-ucf-probe-report-details-11-other-projects-in-scandal|access-date=2020-09-05|website=[[Florida Politics]]|language=en-US|archive-date=January 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131080646/https://floridapolitics.com/archives/304103-beyond-colbourn-hall-ucf-probe-report-details-11-other-projects-in-scandal|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Cartwright presidency ===
[[Alexander Cartwright (academic)|Alexander Cartwright]] is the fifth and current president of UCF. He became the president on April 13, 2020, succeeding acting president Thad Seymore, who took over following Whittaker's resignation in February 2019.