This collection contains materials related to the Knights Racing program, which spawned from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) chapter at Florida Technological University, now University of Central Florida. Materials found in this collection include newspaper clippings, chapter documents, photographs, plaques, racing car designs, and more. This collection provides insight into the Knights Racing program at Florida Technological University (University of Central Florida) and the groups involved. The Knights Racing Program has been a staple of the University of Central Florida since the creation of the FTU chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in 1972. Before the program became widely known as "Knights Racing," the racing teams were simply referred to as simply the members of the ASME chapter. The program's name, "Knights Racing," originated with UCF's mascot change in 2007 which shortened the UCF's mascot from "The Golden Knights" to "The Knights." The Mini Baja Competition was coined under the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), who began to hold competitions for the Baja carts. This competition consists of students designing, building, and operating a recreational offroading vehicle. At the time of their creation, the Baja Racing Team and the Formula SAE team were one team; however, they separated in 2019 due to Student Government Association funding limitations. Since their divorce in 2019, the teams compete, design, and build their cars independently. As of 2021, the Formula SAE and Baja Racing Teams remain under the umbrella of the "Knights Racing Program" though they act independently.
The Orlando Gay Chorus collection, 1990-2018, contains articles, awards, membership files, newspapers, photographs, posters, and programs pertaining to the Orlando Gay Chorus, a non-profit organization and one of the largest mixed LGBTQ choruses in the United States. There are also similar materials pertaining to the Gala Chorus, an organization the Orlando Gay Chorus is a member of. The collection also includes audio cassettes, books, CDs, ephemeras, maps, and pamphlets. The Orlando Gay Chorus was founded on February 14, 1990. As of 2023, the organization has over one hundred members. In addition to the full choruses, it has four ensembles that perform at annual events, cabarets, community, and pride events. The chorus also contributes to many humanitarian efforts. Each November, the Orlando Gay Chorus partners with the Children's Home Society of Florida to sponsor families in need for Thanksgiving Day meal baskets. US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots is the longest campaign hosted by the Orlando Gay Chorus in Central Florida. The organization gifts toys and a monetary donation to the marines each year during their holiday concerts. Over time the chorus has received several awards, such as the Lifetime Achievement Award, for their thirty plus years of service. After a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Orlando Gay Chorus resumed activities and continue to perform today.
