Collections : [UCF University Archives]

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.

This collection provides insight into the creation of the University of Central Florida seal and contains correspondence, drawings, photographs, and news releases. Series I: Correspondence, 1966-1967, holds correspondence and sketches from various designers, citizens, Board of Regents officials, and Dr. Charles Millican. The correspondence in this series shows how the search for the seal began and the effort by the Board of Regents to gather information from all of the public and private Florida universities. Series II: Seal Design, 1967, holds notes, suggestions photographs, and logo examples. Many handwritten lists were created as well as typewritten seal queries for the FTU staff. There are also handwritten notes that were taken during an unnamed university seal conference. Series III: Publicity, 1968, holds news releases, a photograph, and a graphics usage brochure. The collection holds several copies of the news release sent to inform the public of the new FTU seal design. A photograph and a copy of the newspaper article it was featured in is included in this collection, as well as a university publication that explains how to use the university seal in digital form. Series IV: University Seal Preliminary Designs, undated (est. 1967-1968), is comprised of artwork created as design concepts for the new university seal. There are forty-two in this series and all are primarily made from a heavy paper or paper board while some use plastic sheets with logos painted on them to create the final piece. The seal of the University of Central Florida was one of the first items created for Florida Technological University. In 1966, a local citizen wrote a letter to the Florida Governor asking to take into consideration some thoughts he had as to what the new seal should look like. Within a few months, the staff at the newly formed Florida Technological University, with the help of the Board of Regents, began to collect information and designer input as to what the new seal should be. In a twenty-two month long process, the seal was finally chosen and unveiled to the public on April 5th, 1968. The final seal is made up of the Pegasus, designed to "bridge the gap between the humanities and space technology" and was chosen to keep with the university's goal of moving forward and making a "rendezvous with space and the stars". This collection highlights the initial correspondence between the community and the university and the task undertaken by the staff at FTU to create the new university seal.

The University of Central Florida Athletics Collection documents the history and operation of FTU and UCF sports and how University athletics have been chronicled in the media. The creation of several FTU and UCF sports teams are highlighted here, including the UCF football team in 1979. A large portion of this collection contains publications from most FTU and UCF sporting teams including yearly media guides used by local and national media outlets to aid in reporting on University sports.

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.

H. Trevor Colbourn was the second president of Florida Technological University and the first president of the University of Central Florida because he was responsible for the name change. Dr. Colbourn served from 1978 to 1989, and during that time, he established the football program, honors program, Institute of Simulation and Training, and Central Florida Research Park. The collection of correspondence, reports, memoranda, photographs and pamphlets not only covers the period of his presidency but also his earlier research interests and subsequent service to the university as Professor of History and University Historian. Included in these materials are earlier documents created by Dr. Colbourn's predecessor, Dr. Charles N. Millican.

The University of Central Florida is a public multi-campus, metropolitan research university that not only educates the local community but also partners with technological companies and with educational facilities abroad. As Chief Executive Officer of the University, the president has support from a large team; therefore, the Records of the Office of the President document the University's major interests. Nevertheless, correspondence, reports, minutes, leaflets and news clippings also show the breadth and depth of the president's work and his personal interests.