The Archival collection of Dr. Charles N. Millican from the collection of Norman Van Meter, 1900-2004 contains photographs, news clippings, and personal letters about Charles Millican. The photographs range from social events to private family photos. This collection provides insight into the life and career of Dr. Charles Millican. Charles Norman Millican was born October 9, 1916 in Wilson, Arkansas. He earned a B.S. in Business and Religion from Union University in 1941. In 1946, 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. 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 established the twin tenets of "Accent on the Individual" and "Accent on Excellence," which continue to guide the University, and the motto, "Reach for the Stars". Although he retired as President in 1978, 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. He chaired the Orange County Community Referendum Committee, which passed the resort tax that built the Orange County Convention Center. 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.
The Henry Okraski collection on modeling and simulation, 1948-2019 (bulk 1961-2007), documents the history of the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division and the history of the modeling and simulation field. The collection consists of correspondence, informational and instruction booklets, technical and progress reports, pamphlets, programs, newspaper clippings, articles, overhead projector transparencies, 35 mm projector slides, and a CD. The overhead projector transparencies cover a wide variety of simulation and modeling topics such as advancements made in the field, benefits of use, and graphics of how the simulators work. The 35 mm projector slides contain images of simulators and the machines in use. The photographs contain images of early flight simulators in use. The collection also includes materials related to Henry "Hank" Okraski's professional life and achievements, and a small number of biographical materials related to Luis De Florez, an influential figure in the modeling and simulation industry. Henry "Hank" Carl Okraski was born on January 2, 1936 in Utica, New York to Andrew and Helen Okraski. In 1958, Okraski graduated from Clarkson University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He later received a master's degree in engineering from the University of Florida. After graduating from Clarkson University, Okraski joined Link Aviation in Binghampton, New York, where he worked as a field engineer. In 1962, Okraski joined the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (then known as the Naval Training Device Center) in Port Washington, New York, working as a GS-11 electrical engineer specializing in field support for naval aviation simulators. Okraski moved up in ranks, becoming the Senior Executive Service as Director of Research and Engineering, Deputy Technical Director, and Chief Scientist. During this time, he also served on multiple NATO study groups. In 1994, Okraski retired from government service. Post-retirement, he served as a chairman of the board for the National Center for Simulations, which he co-founded, from 1993 to 2003. He was also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Central Florida, where he assisted with developing simulation academic programs, and at Rollins College.
The Library collection documents the history of the John C. Hitt library. There are several subseries pertaining to different leaders, committees, and departments found within the library. This collection contains photographs, negatives, CDs, VHSs, and documents.
