UCF Celebrates 50th Anniversary
By Space Coast Daily // June 10, 2013
NOW AMONG LARGEST UNIVERSITIES IN THE NATION
ABOVE VIDEO: 50 years after the University of Central Florida was established as Florida Technical University, it is among the largest universities in the country. Following the construction of the main campus in Ovideo, additional campuses were added in Cocoa and Palm Bay.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA– The University of Central Florida celebrated the 50th anniversary of its establishment as a state university.
UCF’s first president Charles Millican said “The name Florida Technological University or FTU seemed to be appropriate because the space program at Cape Kennedy,about 40 miles east of here, was extremely active. Florida Governor Farris Bryant signed Legislative Bill 125, which officially creating a new state university on June 10, 1963. In January, 1964 a campus site was chosen.
UCF MILESTONES (All photos courtesy of UCF)
June 10, 1963 – Florida Governor Farris Bryant signs Legislative Bill 125 to create the university that would eventually be named Florida Technological University, then the University of Central Florida/
April 5, 1968 – UCF Logo Launched. The official seal with the Pegasus is approved as well as school colors.
June 14, 1970 – The first commencement of UCF (then FTU) was held at theBob Carr Performing Arts Center in downtown Orlando. Central Florida-born astronaut John Young spoke to 423 graduating seniors,
October 16, 1970 – Registration Jumps to 5,119 Fall registration jumps to 5,119, composed of 3, 318 men and 1, 797 women—and four unclassified due to a computer glitch.
June 8, 1973 – President Nixon Speaks at to a crowd of 12,000 at FTU’s 1973 commencement, 795 of them graduating students.
January 10, 1975 – The Florida Solar Energy Research Center starts in Brevard County. Plans revealed for the Florida Solar Research Center (FSEC) to be housed at FTU’s Cape Canaveral Center. FSEC was created to advance solar technology to combat the high cost of fossil fuels. Nearly 38 years later, FSEC offers some of the most advanced technologies and aids Central Florida by spreading information and sharing technology with the community.
December 6, 1978 – Florida Governor Reubin Askew signs the legislation changing the name of FTU to University of Central Florida.
December 12, 1980- The first-ever doctorate awarded to Ali Reza Hurson, a computer scientist.
October 25, 1986 – The Beach Boys Perform at Homecoming
May 1, 1993 – UCF Joins National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges.
1996- UCF Moves to Division I-A
September 15, 2007 – UCF football plays its first on-campus home game at Brighthouse Networks Stadium. The Knights dropped a close game to the Texas Longhorns
October 1, 2008 – President Bill Clinton visits campus during a campaign appearance for then Senator Barack Obama.
March 20, 2013 – Florida Senate Resolution declares “UCF Day” in Florida
Florida Senate Resolution 1780: A resolution extending congratulations to the faculty, administration, staff, students, and alumni of the University of Central Florida on the occasion of the university’s 50th anniversary and recognizing March 20, 2013, as “UCF Day” in Florida.
