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University of Central Florida Office of the President: Charles Norman Millican Presidential papers, 1953-2008

 

Summary

Abstract:
Charles N. Millican was the first President of Florida Technological University, serving from 1 December 1965 until 31 January 1978. This collection of his administrative papers documents the organization of Florida's university system during those years with particular reference to the decision to found a new university in Central Florida and the physical and philosophical construction of the university that would become the University of Central Florida. Millican's papers include his correspondence, speeches and reports, State University System reports, as well as minutes of the Board of Regents and the Council of Presidents meetings. Of particular interest are documents that were written before his appointment, which concern the establishment of the University, initial planning conferences, site selection and legislative lobbying. After his appointment, topics of historical significance include construction, five-year plan, groundbreaking, dedication and presidential inauguration. Photographs are distributed throughout the record group and show faculty, students, staff, administrators, buildings and dignitaries who had any involvement with the University or its president. All aspects of university life are represented in these papers, academic affairs and faculty achievements, student affairs, and administrative decisions. Commencement ceremonies are well documented especially President Richard M. Nixon's speech at the 1973 commencement. Other topics in the collection include evaluation of the president, college housing program, faculty opinions and regional campuses.
Extent:
12.5 Linear Feet 10 boxes, 3 flat files
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

University of Central Florida Office of the President: Charles N. Millican Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection is arranged in seven series by subject.

University Planning, 1953-1968

State University System, 1965-1978

Business Affairs, 1963-1978

Academic Affairs, 1963-1978

Richard M. Nixon

1973.

Student Affairs, 1968-1978

Public Relations, 1965-1978

President's Office, 1963-2008

Robert Oliver Skemp

J. V. Spatafora

Biographical / historical:

Charles Norman Millican was born October 9, 1916 in Wilson, Arkansas. While studying for a B.S. in Business and Religion from Union University, he worked part-time as a reporter for Dun and Bradstreet. After graduating in 1941, he became pastor of the Olive Branch Baptist Church (Mississippi), while also briefly teaching high school science. Continuing with his church duties, he entered the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky before returning to Jackson to serve as the college coordinator for the Forty-fourth College Training Detachment USAAF (Army Air Corps) from 1943-1945. He married Frances Hilliard of Jackson, Tennessee on May 15, 1945. The following year, he received his M.A. in Economics from George Peabody College and became Acting Head of the Commerce Department at Union University. The Millicans moved to Florida in 1948 where Millican studied for his Ph.D. in Business Finance and Economics. At the University of Florida, he worked as a teaching assistant, instructor and finally as Assistant Professor. Although he was appointed Assistant Dean of the College of Business Administration in 1956, he moved almost immediately to Texas where he became Dean and Professor of the School of Business Administration at Hardin-Simmons University. In 1959, he returned to Florida to become Dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of South Florida.

When Dr. Millican was appointed President of the new university in 1965, the university had no name, no buildings, no faculty and no students; he had to create the university over which he would preside. After Millican's appointment, he hired staff, found premises, and began the slow process of creating his university. He recognized three basic principles which he firmly believed the new institution should adhere to: the value of each human being; the importance of the quality of one's performance; and, the promotion of college spirit. In doing so, he established the twin tenets of "Accent on the Individual", "Accent on Excellence," which continue to guide the University, and the motto, "Reach for the Stars". In addition, he co-designed the "Pegasus" official seal of the university. As early as 1969, Dr. Millican began working to establish a research park associated with the University. Although he retired as President in 1978, others continued his efforts resulting in the opening of the Central Florida Research Park in 1982. After retiring from the presidency, Millican returned to teaching finance as a professor in the College of Business at the University of Central Florida, as it was now known, and earned the title President Emeritus. After retiring from the University in 1981, Dr. Millican became the President of Lake Highland Preparatory School, serving from 1982-1985, and continued as President Emeritus-Consultant until 1993. Dr. Millican returned to serve the University in 1993 as President Emeritus and Special Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer of the UCF Foundation.

In addition to his career in higher education, Charles Millican has worked as a consultant to business firms and Florida Counties on economic growth and financial management and as a church pastor/pulpit supply minister. He chaired the Orange County Community Referendum Committee, which passed the resort tax that built the Orange County Convention Center. As chairman of the Orange County Association for Responsible Development, he created a plan to finance construction of a waste water treatment plant for the southeast quadrant of Orange County. His professional and civic affiliations have included, State Representative of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Board Member of the Orlando Area Chamber of Commerce, Heart of Florida United Way, First Federal Savings and Loan Association, Orlando, United Telecommunications Corporation, Florida and Shands Teaching Hospital, and membership in the Economic Development Commission of Mid-Florida and the Downtown Rotary Club, . He has received Distinguished Alumnus awards from both the University of Florida and Union University, and he received honorary LL.D. degrees from Rollins College and UCF.

Acquisition information:
Transferred by the Office of the President in 1989 (Accession no. CFU1989_01) and 2008 (accession no. CFU2008_16) and by Andrea Withington in 2025 (accession no. CFU2025_37)
Processing information:

Processing History Collection processed by and finding aid prepared by Judith Beale in 2005. Minimal preservation work was necessary; metal paper clips were replaced by plastic clips; newspaper clippings were copied onto acid-free paper, and materials were placed in acid-free folders and cartons. Files arranged chronologically from the back were rearranged chronologically from the front. Publications were removed to be catalogued with other university publications. Sometime previously, most staples had been removed, which made it difficult to identify which papers belonged together. Social Security Numbers were removed. The finding aid was placed into Archon, with adjustments made for Archon and resulting in edition 2, by Mary Rubin in 2015. A quarter box of materials was found in 2019 that contained maps from this collection. They were pulled from the collection sometime prior to 2014. The maps were flattened and re-added into the collection in 2019, resulting in edition 3.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in seven series by subject.

Accruals:

Previous Collection Identifier: CFU1989_01

Additions: CFU19XX_04, CFU2008_16

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Some files are restricted. Access to UCF Facilities drawings, documents, and sensitive data is available to authorized university staff and approved consultants only, per university policy, and under lawful exception to Florida's Public Records Law

Terms of access:

Unpublished records are protected by copyright. Permission to publish quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Preferred citation:

University of Central Florida Office of the President: Charles N. Millican Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Location of this collection:
John C. Hitt Library
12701 Pegasus Drive, Building 2
Orlando
FL
32816-8030
USA