University of Central Florida facts for kids
 |
|
|
Former names
|
Florida Technological University (1966–1978) |
|---|---|
| Motto | "Reach for the Stars" |
| Type | Public research university |
| Established | June 10, 1963 |
| Founder | Florida Legislature |
|
Parent institution
|
State University System of Florida |
| Accreditation | SACS |
|
Academic affiliations
|
|
| Endowment | $228.70 million (2023) |
| Budget | $2.1 billion (2022) |
| President | Alexander Cartwright |
| Provost | Michael D. Johnson |
|
Academic staff
|
1,906 (fall 2020) |
|
Administrative staff
|
10,448 (fall 2020) |
| Students | 69,320 (fall 2023) |
| Undergraduates | 59,548 (fall 2023) |
| Postgraduates | 9,772 (fall 2023) |
| Location |
,
Florida
,
United States
28°36′06″N 81°12′02″W / 28.6016°N 81.2005°W |
| Campus | Large suburb Main: 1,415 acres (573 ha) Total: 1,893 acres (766 ha) |
| Other campuses | |
| Colors | Black and gold |
| Nickname | Knights |
|
Sporting affiliations
|
|
| Mascot |
|
 |
|
The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a big public university in Florida. It's known for its research and is located near Orlando. With over 68,000 students, UCF has one of the largest student bodies in the United States. It's a top university for research, meaning its professors and students work on many important projects.
UCF started in 1963 as Florida Technological University. Its first classes began in 1968. The main goal was to train people in science, technology, engineering, and math. This was to support the growing U.S. space program at the nearby Kennedy Space Center. In 1978, the university changed its name to the University of Central Florida. This was because it offered more than just science and technology programs. UCF still has strong ties to space. It runs the Florida Space Institute and manages the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center.
Most students go to classes at the main campus. This campus is about 13 miles (21 km) east of downtown Orlando. UCF offers more than 230 different degrees. These are spread across 13 colleges. Some special campuses include the Health Sciences Campus and the Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Since it opened, UCF has given out over 400,000 degrees.
UCF's official colors are black and gold. Its symbol is Pegasus, a winged horse. This symbol shows the university's idea of "limitless possibilities." The sports teams are called the UCF Knights. Their mascot is Knightro. The Knights compete in NCAA Division I sports.
Contents
History of UCF
Why Was UCF Founded?
UCF was created because of the exciting space race in the 1960s. After President John F. Kennedy's famous speech about going to the Moon, the space program grew fast. Central Florida, being close to Cape Canaveral, became a key area. Local leaders wanted more higher education options for people working in the space industry.
On June 10, 1963, a law was passed to create a new state university. It was meant to be open to everyone and train students for jobs in engineering and technology. Defense scientists and NASA even met with students to recruit them for the space program.
Early Days and First President
In 1964, the university bought 1,000 acres of land in northeast Orlando. Local people also donated land and money to help. In 1965, Charles Millican became the first president. He chose the name Florida Technological University. He also helped design the Pegasus symbol and created the motto, "Reach for the Stars."
The campus layout is unique, with concentric circles. This design was inspired by Walt Disney's ideas. The first classes were held on October 7, 1968. There were 1,948 students and 55 degree programs. The first class graduated in 1970.
How Did UCF Get Its Mascot?
President Millican also picked the university's first mascot, the Citronaut. This was a mix of an orange and an astronaut. But students didn't really like it. So, in 1969, the student newspaper asked for new ideas. For a while, a vulture named Vincent was the unofficial mascot.
Finally, in late 1971, students voted for the Knight of Pegasus. This later became the Golden Knights, and then simply the Knights.
Growing and Changing Its Name
In 1978, Trevor Colbourn became the second president. He saw that the university was teaching more than just technology and science. It had strong programs in business, education, and arts. So, in December 1978, the university's name was changed to the University of Central Florida.
Colbourn also started the university's honors program. He helped create the Central Florida Research Park next to the campus. This park focuses on research for space and defense. Companies like Lockheed Martin and the United States Navy became partners. During his time, student enrollment grew from 11,000 to over 18,000. He also started the school's football program in 1979.
A Time of Big Growth
In 1992, John C. Hitt became UCF's fourth president. Under his leadership, the university grew a lot. It became a well-known research university. When Hitt started, there were about 20,000 students. By 2014, there were over 60,000 students across 12 campuses.
Hitt helped raise academic standards and increased research funding. Many new buildings were built. He also helped create the UCF College of Medicine. The mascot Knightro was introduced in 1999. UCF became the largest university in Florida. It was also the fastest-growing university in the U.S. in 2003.
UCF Campuses
Main Campus: A Unique Design
The main campus of the University of Central Florida is east of Orlando. It's designed in a special way, like a target or concentric circles. The outermost road is Gemini Blvd. Inside that are Apollo Circle, Mercury Circle, and Pegasus Circle.
.jpg)
The main student union building is on Pegasus Circle. The John C. Hitt Library is right next to it. All academic buildings are inside Gemini Blvd. Each college has its own section, like slices of a pie. This design makes the campus easy to walk around. UCF is one of only two universities in the U.S. with this circular layout. Newsweek even called UCF one of the most beautiful campuses in 2011.
.jpg)
Student housing is around the edge of the campus. The northwest side has Greek communities and dorms. The north side has Knights Plaza, which is like a small town with shops and restaurants. The east side has the Arboretum of the University of Central Florida and engineering buildings.
The south side has student recreation and wellness facilities. This includes a pool and sports fields. Also south of the main campus is the Central Florida Research Park. This park is one of the largest in the nation. It has over 116 companies and provides more than 10,000 jobs. Many UCF students and graduates work there.
.jpg)
Other UCF Locations
Besides the main campus, UCF has several other locations in Central Florida.
.jpg)
In Orlando, there's a campus downtown. There's also a health sciences campus at Lake Nona, Orlando, Florida. The Rosen College of Hospitality Management is located near Orlando's tourism areas, like Universal Studios and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.
Downtown Campus
In 2019, a 15-acre campus opened in Downtown Orlando. It was built with Valencia West college. It includes academic buildings and student housing.
Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona
The 50-acre UCF Health Sciences Campus is at Lake Nona. It includes the UCF College of Medicine. Other medical facilities are also there, like a Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Nemours Children's Hospital. This area is becoming a major medical hub. In the future, it will also be home to the UCF College of Nursing and a new UCF College of Dental Medicine.
How UCF is Run
UCF is part of the State University System of Florida. It is managed by a Board of Trustees. This board has 13 members who are appointed for five-year terms. The student government president and a faculty leader also serve on the board.
The president of UCF is the main leader of the university. The president is chosen by the Board of Trustees. The president's office is in Millican Hall on the main campus. The president also lives in the Burnett House on campus.
Academics at UCF
Becoming a UCF Student
It has become harder to get into UCF. In 2005, about 61% of students who applied were accepted. By 2020, this number dropped to 42%.
Many accepted students were in the top 10% of their high school class. The average SAT scores for new students in 2020 were around 1320. Their average high school GPA was 4.18. UCF is among the top universities in the nation for average SAT scores and GPAs. Many students receive financial aid or scholarships to help pay for college.
What Kind of University is UCF?
UCF is approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It uses a semester system for its classes. The fall semester runs from late August to early December. The spring semester is from January to May. UCF also offers four different summer semesters.
UCF is known as a "very high research activity" university. This means it focuses a lot on research.
UCF's Rankings
UCF is often ranked among the top universities. In 2023, U.S. News & World Report ranked UCF tied for 124th among all national universities. It was tied for 64th among public universities. The same report also called UCF the 14th most innovative school. It was ranked 8th best for online bachelor's programs.
UCF's Colleges and Programs
UCF has 13 colleges. These colleges offer many different degrees:
- 101 bachelor's degree programs
- 88 master's degree programs
- 31 doctoral degree programs
- 3 specialist programs
- 1 professional program (medicine)
Most of the professors at UCF have doctorate degrees. The three largest undergraduate colleges are the College of Sciences, the College of Business Administration, and the Health Professions and Sciences.
| College/school founding | |
|---|---|
| College/school | Year founded |
| Arts and Humanities |
|
| Business Administration |
|
| Education and Human Performance |
|
| Engineering and Computer Science |
|
| Graduate Studies |
|
| Health Professions and Sciences (originally Health and Public Affairs) |
|
| Medicine |
|
| Nursing |
|
| Optics and Photonics |
|
| Rosen College of Hospitality Management |
|
| Sciences |
|
| Undergraduate Studies |
|
| The Burnett Honors College |
|
The Burnett Honors College
This college is for about 500 talented new students each year. Students in the Honors College take smaller classes. They can also do their own research projects with professors. Another program lets older students do original research for their major.
College of Medicine
The UCF College of Medicine started in 2006. It helps more students get medical training in Florida. The first class of 41 students started in 2009. Eventually, about 120 medical students will graduate each year.
The College of Medicine is very selective. In 2009, it had the most applications of any state university in Florida. The first class had very high average test scores and GPAs. Every student in that first class received a full scholarship. The university wants the college to be a top research medical school.
Rosen College of Hospitality Management
.jpg)
This college is located near the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. It's designed to feel like a resort. Many areas are named after people who donated money to the college. There are shuttle buses to the main campus.
The college has student housing for 400 students. It also has many student clubs. These clubs help students learn about careers in hospitality.
Special Programs with Limited Access
Some programs at UCF are called "limited access programs." This means more students want to join them than there are spots available. So, getting in is very competitive. Examples include programs in communication, music, theater, dance, and medical laboratory sciences. Students have to apply separately to these programs. They often need to show special skills, like through auditions for arts programs.
UCF Libraries
UCF Libraries have over 2.2 million books and many other resources. This includes e-books, journals, and government documents. They also have special collections about Florida history and tourism.
Most of the books are in the John C. Hitt Library. This library is on the main campus and is open to students and the public. It's a five-story building. A sculpture called Flame of Hope is outside. Inside, there's a beautiful stained glass window called Genesis. In 2012, the main library was named after John C. Hitt.
UCF also has libraries at its other campuses.
Research at UCF
UCF is a major research university. It works with big companies like Lockheed Martin, Disney, and Boeing. UCF also has a campus near Kennedy Space Center. The university is known for its research in space, optics, and engineering.
UCF is classified as a "very high research activity" university. This means it does a lot of important research. In 2018, UCF spent $215.3 million on research. This ranked it 107th in the nation. UCF's research helps create many jobs and boosts the economy in Central Florida.
The Central Florida Research Park is next to the main campus. It's one of the largest research parks in the country. It has over 10,000 jobs. Many people there work with UCF researchers on projects. These projects are in science, engineering, and health.
UCF also has many research centers. These include the Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers and the Florida Solar Energy Center.
Space Institute
UCF founded the Florida Space Institute with partners like NASA. Because of their work, 17 UCF researchers have asteroids named after them. UCF researchers even found and named a planet, UCF-1.01, in 2012. UCF also manages the U.S. National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center. A study in 2015 named UCF the top supplier of engineers to aerospace and defense companies.
Student Life at UCF
Who Are UCF Students?
UCF has over 61,000 undergraduate students and about 10,000 graduate students. They come from all 67 counties in Florida, all 50 U.S. states, and 157 countries. UCF also has programs that let students study in other countries.
The most popular subjects for students at UCF include business, health, psychology, and engineering. UCF's student body has grown a lot. Women make up about 55% of the students.
Student Activities and Clubs
UCF has over 400 student organizations. These include sports clubs and groups for different interests. The Student Government Association is very active. It represents all students and manages a large budget. It helps fund many student activities and services.
UCF Traditions
Spirit Splash is a popular homecoming tradition. It's the only time students are allowed to go into the Reflecting Pond. It's a big pep rally where thousands of students jump into the pond to show school spirit. Spirit Splash started in 1995. The mascot Knightro, the band, and cheerleaders all take part.
Another new tradition is about the Pegasus symbol in the Student Union. New students are told never to walk on the Pegasus. The tradition says that if you step on it, you won't graduate from UCF. Students usually avoid the symbol carefully.
Where Do Students Live?
UCF has housing for over 12,000 students on campus. There are different types of housing, including dorm-style suites and apartments. Most of the on-campus housing is for first-year students. The Towers at Knights Plaza are mainly for older students and athletes.
UCF also has housing near campus that is connected to the university. These places offer UCF services and shuttle buses to campus. There is also Greek housing for fraternities and sororities.
Fun and Fitness
UCF has many ways for students to have fun and stay active. Lake Claire is a lake on campus where students can rent canoes and kayaks. The UCF Challenge Course has a high ropes course.
The Recreation and Wellness Center is a large building on the south side of campus. It has a climbing wall, tennis courts, and sand volleyball courts. It also has a disc golf course and pools. The center offers programs to help students stay healthy.
Campus Transportation
The university has its own shuttle bus system called The Pegasus Express. It has 11 routes on campus. There are also shuttles that go to the regional campuses and off-campus apartment complexes.
UCF Media
KnightNews.com is an online student newspaper. It operates independently from the university. UCF also publishes two magazines: Centric (for students) and Pegasus (the official university magazine).
UCF runs WUCF-FM, an NPR radio station, since 1978. It plays jazz music. In 2011, the university bought WUCF-TV, which is Central Florida's only Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) television station.
The Jazz Studies program at UCF has its own professional recording label, Flying Horse Records.
Greek Life
UCF has many fraternities and sororities. These are social organizations for students. Over 3,000 students are part of Greek life at UCF. This is about 11% of male students and 9% of female students.
Greek life at UCF is divided into different councils. There are groups for different cultures and honors. The average GPA of students in Greek life is often higher than the university average.
UCF Sports Teams
The University of Central Florida has many sports teams. They are called the "UCF Knights." They compete in NCAA Division I sports. Most teams are in the Big 12 Conference.
.jpg)
UCF has 15 varsity teams: 6 for men and 9 for women. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, and tennis. Women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
The Knights have won many conference titles. The women's volleyball team won a national championship in 1978. The men's basketball team reached the Division II Elite Eight in the same year. In 2017, the football team was named national champions by one ranking system after an undefeated season.
The UCF cheerleading team, which is a club sport, has won three national titles.
The UCF sports program started in 1969. In the mid-2000s, UCF built a new athletic village called Knights Plaza. This included a new 10,000-seat indoor arena (now Addition Financial Arena) and a new 45,000-seat football stadium (now FBC Mortgage Stadium). UCF was the first university to open a new football stadium and basketball arena in the same year.
The Knights football program began in 1979. They have won conference championships and division titles. In 2013, they joined the American Athletic Conference and won its first football championship. They also upset the Baylor Bears in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl. In 2017, they had an undefeated season and beat the Auburn Tigers in the 2018 Peach Bowl.
The UCF men's basketball team started in 1969. They have been to the NCAA tournament ten times. In the 2010-11 season, they were nationally ranked for the first time. In 2019, they almost beat Duke, a top-ranked team, in the NCAA tournament.
UCF's main sports rival is the University of South Florida Bulls. Their rivalry is called the War on I-4.
Famous People Who Went to UCF
Many successful people have graduated from UCF. These include:
- Leaders in government, like a former prime minister of Libya.
- Two National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts, Nicole Stott and Fernando Caldeiro.
- Many officers in the U.S. armed forces.
- Executives at major companies like Google, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin.
- Entrepreneurs who started companies like Luminar Technologies and Ethereum.
- People in entertainment, like actors Cheryl Hines and Daniel Tosh.
- Filmmakers Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, who made The Blair Witch Project.
- Musicians and music industry figures.
UCF has also had many famous athletes and sports figures:
- NFL players like Blake Bortles and Brandon Marshall.
- NBA players like Tacko Fall.
- Olympic gold medalist and soccer player Michelle Akers.
- Over 70 UCF alumni play professional sports.
- Sports executives like Alex Martins, CEO of the Orlando Magic.
Notable UCF Professors
UCF's faculty includes many important and well-known people. Some are former U.S. ambassadors or members of Congress. Others are winners of major awards like the Pulitzer Prize. Some professors have developed important tools, like the Flesch–Kincaid readability tests.
Thanks to the work of professors and the Florida Space Institute, UCF will be the first Florida university to lead a NASA mission.
See also
In Spanish: Universidad de Florida Central para niños
- Greater Orlando
- State University System of Florida
