Trevor Colbourn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Trevor Colbourn
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| 2nd President of the University of Central Florida | |
| In office 1 July 1978 – 30 June 1989 |
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| Preceded by | Charles N. Millican |
| Succeeded by | Steven Altman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 February 1927 Armidale, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 12 January 2015 (aged 87) Winter Park, Florida, United States |
| Spouse | Beryl Evans |
| Children | Two |
| Residences | Orlando, Florida, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of London (B.A.) College of William and Mary (M.A.) Johns Hopkins University (Ph.D.) |
| Profession | Professor, historian |
Harold Trevor Colbourn (born February 24, 1927 – died January 12, 2015) was an Australian professor and a leader in education. He was the second president of the University of Central Florida (UCF). Before it was UCF, the school was called Florida Technological University.
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Trevor Colbourn's Early Life and Studies
Trevor Colbourn was born in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia, on February 24, 1927. When he was young, his family moved to England. There, he earned a degree in history from the University of London.
Later, Colbourn moved to the United States. He continued his studies, earning two more degrees in history. He got his master's degree from the College of William and Mary. Then, he earned his doctorate (Ph.D.) from Johns Hopkins University.
Colbourn's Career Before UCF
Before becoming a university president, Colbourn taught history. He worked at Penn State University and Indiana University Bloomington.
In 1967, he became a dean at the University of New Hampshire. A dean is a leader in a university department. In 1973, he moved to San Diego State University. There, he was the Academic Vice President. He even served as the Acting President for a short time from 1977 to 1978.
Leading the University of Central Florida
On July 1, 1978, Trevor Colbourn became the second president of the University of Central Florida (UCF). The Florida Board of Regents chose him for this important role. He took over from Charles N. Millican, who was the first president of the university.
Renaming the University
When Colbourn became president, the university was still called Florida Technological University. But the school was growing and offering many new subjects, not just technology. Colbourn thought the name should change to show this growth.
In 1978, Governor Reubin Askew agreed. The university was officially renamed the University of Central Florida.
Growth and New Programs at UCF
Under Colbourn's leadership, UCF grew a lot. He started many new and important programs:
- He created the university's football team.
- He began the honors program for top students.
- He helped establish the Central Florida Research Park. This park helps businesses and the university work together on new ideas.
- He opened many smaller branch campuses. These campuses made it easier for more students to attend.
During his time as president, the number of students at UCF increased greatly. In 1978, there were about 11,000 students. By 1989, this number grew to over 18,000!
Life After Presidency
Colbourn stepped down as president in June 1989. However, he stayed at UCF and continued to teach history classes. In 1990, he was given the special title of "President Emeritus." This means he was honored for his past leadership.
He retired from UCF in 2006. But he still remained involved with the university community.
Trevor Colbourn's Personal Life
Trevor Colbourn married Beryl Evans in 1949. They had two daughters. He enjoyed swimming and listening to opera and symphony music. He passed away on January 12, 2015, at the age of 87.
See also
- List of University of Central Florida faculty and administrators
