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University of Central Florida Office of the President: John C. Hitt presidential papers, 1963-2018, bulk 1992-2018

 

Summary

Creator:
University of Central Florida. Office of the President
Abstract:
The John C. Hitt collection, 1963-2018 (bulk 1992-2018), is made up of materials collected during John C. Hitt's 26 years as president of the University of Central Florida, as well as memorabilia he owned from before his time at the University. These items pertain to his presidency and contain correspondence with other university presidents and notes sent within the Office of the President, as well as various awards and memorabilia collected throughout his presidency. These include magazines, VHS tapes, books, shirts, photos, and a signed basketball. John C. Hitt was born on December 1, 1940 in Houston, Texas. On March 1, 1992, Hitt was appointed as the fourth president of the University of Central Florida (UCF). As president, he awarded over 260,000 degrees and opened several buildings across campus, including the Bright House Networks Stadium, Student Union, and Burnett Honors College. Enrollment at UCF more than tripled during his tenure, graduation and retention rates rose, minority enrollment increased from 17% to 46%, and the average SAT score for incoming freshmen increased by over 300. On June 30, 2018, after 26 years of service, Hitt retired. He died on February 20, 2023 at the age of 82 and is survived by his wife Martha Hitt as well as their two children, Charles and Sharon.
Extent:
20 boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], University of Central Florida Office of the President: John C. Hitt presidential papers, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Background

Scope and content:

The John C. Hitt collection, 1963-2018 (bulk 1992-2018), documents John C. Hitt's twenty-six years as president of the University of Central Florida (UCF). It primarily features administrative files from the earliest years of Hitt's presidency and awards and memorabilia from the later years. This collection provides information about John C. Hitt's activities and achievements during his tenure as UCF's fourth president. Proposal and planning documents give some insight into the path taken to achieve various notable advancements for the University. The collection also includes copies of letters sent to and from Hitt early in his presidency, offering a glimpse into his communication with students, faculty, presidents of other universities, and administrative staff.

Series I: President's office records, 1992-1994, contains administrative files and communications sent to and from Hitt's office. Of interest in this series are proposals for programs, such as the College of Medicine, various campus plans, and related correspondence. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series II: Awards and certificates, 1992-2018, contains plaques, certificates, and awards presented to Hitt throughout his presidency.

Series III: Photos and memorabilia (1963-2018), contains photos of Hitt with other people, as well as collectibles from both before and during Hitt's presidency. Of interest in this series are Hitt's personal planners from his first few years at UCF, a flag flown over the capitol to commemorate Hitt's 15th anniversary at UCF, and some photos of UCF sports teams.

Biographical / historical:

John C. Hitt was born in Houston, Texas on December 1, 1940. His parents ran a printing business, which his mother continued after his father's death in 1955. Hitt's father, who had not gone to college, stressed the importance of higher education throughout Hitt's childhood. Hitt was the first in his family to attend college – Austin College in Sherman, Texas. While studying at Austin College, Hitt played football and met his wife, Martha.

Hitt served as provost and vice president of academic affairs and professor of psychology at Bradley University for ten years. In 1987, he took on the positions of vice president of academic affairs and associate professor of psychology at the University of Maine, where he was eventually named interim president. On March 1, 1992, Hitt was appointed as the fourth president of the University of Central Florida (UCF). As president, he awarded over 260,000 degrees and opened several buildings across campus, including the Bright House Networks Stadium, Student Union, and Burnett Honors College. Hitt also worked to expand UCF by opening the College of Medicine and the Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Enrollment at UCF more than tripled during his tenure, graduation and retention rates rose, minority enrollment increased from 17% to 46%, and the average SAT score for incoming freshmen increased by over 300. On June 30, 2018, after 26 years of service, Hitt retired. He remained employed by UCF as President Emeritus.

In the year following Hitt's retirement, the Florida House Public Integrity and Ethics Committee investigated financial decisions made during his last five years in office. The original accusation was that $38 million in Education & General Fund money was used to tear down and reconstruct Trevor Colbourn Hall. The ensuing investigation identified $85 million in misdirected Education & General Funds money. The University of Central Florida launched its own investigation through Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. Once their investigation was concluded, the University of Central Florida's official position was that the misspending was not born by Hitt but was executed with his oversight and approval.

Hitt passed away on February 20, 2023, at the age of 82, survived by Martha Hitt and their two children, Charles and Sharon.

Acquisition information:
Transferred from the Office of the President in 2013 (CFU2013_23), 2015 (CFU2015_33), and 2018 (CFU2018_21). Transferred from UCF Foundation, Inc. in 2018 (Accession no. CFU2018_23).
Processing information:

Processed by and finding aid prepared by Laurel Holt in 2024. Personally identifiable information has been redacted.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into 3 series as follows. Each series is arranged chronologically. 

  • I. President's office records, 1992-1994
  • II. Awards and certificates, 1992-2018
  • III. Photos and memorabilia, 1963-2018

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The entire collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

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

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], University of Central Florida Office of the President: John C. Hitt presidential 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