The University of Central Florida Memorabilia collection, 1965-2020 documents University of Central Florida (UCF) events and activities, such as such as homecoming, various sporting events, building dedications, and university anniversaries. It chiefly contains a variety of memorabilia, including t-shirts, cups, glassware, buttons, pins, programs, plaques, and other commemorative objects related to UCF students, alumni, faculty, staff, and university presidents. It also includes memorabilia from UCF's early days as Florida Technological University. The Pegasus Seal, the university's emblem, is featured on many objects, including those created when the university was named Florida Technological University. This artificial collection was brought together by UCF Special Collections & University Archives staff over time from various known and unknown sources. Items continue to be added as they are collected. Originally named Florida Technological University, the University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public multi-campus, metropolitan research university. Florida Technological University (FTU) was founded in 1963 by the State of Florida to provide educated professionals to work in the growing space program. Building began in 1967 and classes started in 1968. Charles N. Millican served as the founding president. His successor, H. Trevor Colbourn, started the university's football program. In 1978, FTU's name was officially changed to UCF. Steven Altman presided over the university from 1989-1991. John C. Hitt served as president from 1992 until 2018. Dale Whittaker was UCF's fifth president from 2018 to 2019. Alexander Cartwright became the university's president in 2020.
The Mr. and Miss UCF pageants aim to give students scholarship opportunities as well as help promote community engagement. This collection contains photographs, programs, DVDs, and documents surrounding the Mr. and Miss UCF competitions. There is also material relating to the Miss Florida, Miss America, and different county pageants.
University of Central Florida. Office of News and Information
Abstract Or Scope
The University of Central Florida News and Information records, 1974-2018, contains materials from the Office of News and Information relating to UCF's history, achievements, finances, presidents, faculty, departments, entities, and partnerships. This collection provides researchers with insight into UCF-related history, news, and news reporting. The University of Central Florida Office of News and Information, now defunct, disseminated news about the University to the media. It was founded in 1968 as the Public Relations department. That same year, the department was renamed the Department of Public Information. In 1979, it was briefly renamed the Office of Information Services before becoming the Office of Public Affairs the following year. In 1997, the department was renamed the Office of Public Relations and renamed News and Information three years later in 2000. In 2026, the Office of Strategic Communications does similar work with the media.
Office of Global Perspectives & International Initiatives
Abstract Or Scope
The University of Central Florida Office of Global Perspectives & International Initiatives Records collection, 2001-2013, contains presentations from the Office of Global Perspectives & International Initiatives. It mainly consists of printed and recorded presentations, newspaper clippings, VHS tapes, and CDs, relating to the Global Perspectives & International Initiatives office. This collection provides insight into the presentations and projects that the Global Perspectives & International Initiatives office led and participated in. The UCF Office of Global Perspectives & International Initiatives was founded to support students and offices on campus with international activities and learning. They also collaborate with national and international partners on projects, research, events, and initiatives. The focus of this work being on the study of modern slavery, human trafficking, diplomacy, and other foreign affairs.
University of Central Florida. Office of Graduate Studies
Abstract Or Scope
The Office of Graduate Studies records, 1969-2015, documents the creation and maintenance of several graduate programs across six colleges at the University of Central Florida. The collection chiefly consists of program initiation proposals, program requests, reports, reviews, committee papers and correspondence relating to the formation of and proposed alterations to the given programs. The Office of Graduate Studies was founded in the late 1960s and was associated with the Office of Research. In 2003, they changed their name to the Division of Graduate Studies, and in the fall of 2008, they became the College of Graduate Studies. The College supports graduate students through their degree program, from the application period to graduation and beyond.
University of Central Florida. Office of Student Involvement
Abstract Or Scope
The Office of Student Involvement (OSI) supports student success and enhances the campus environment by focusing on their core principles of connect, involve, and impact by providing programs, services, student leadership opportunities, and intentional environments. This collection of records contains memorabilia, documents, and media relating to OSI's history, programs, and agencies.
University of Central Florida. Office of Technology Transfer
Abstract Or Scope
The University of Central Florida Office of Technology Transfer records, 1989-2024 contains United States patents, international patents, trademarks, copyrights, Certificates of Correction, and correspondence about inventions made by UCF faculty, students, and staff. These materials were collected by the Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) within the Office of Research. This collection provides researchers with the ability to view firsthand what patents, trademarks, copyrights, and certificates of correction consist of and understand what the process of obtaining these documents looks like. Established in 1989, the University of Central Florida Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) serves the University of Central Florida research community and their discoveries by guiding them through the intellectual property protection, marketing, licensing, and networking processes. Through a combination of the disciplines of science, business, and law, OTT formulates a unique intellectual property plan and commercialization strategy for each discovery, promoting a transition from idea to market. Once on the market, OTT helps to manage corresponding patents, trademarks, and copyrights. The Office of Technology Transfer exists within the Office of Research.
University of Central Florida. Office of the President
Abstract Or Scope
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.