DIVISION OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
Community Connections Volume V, Issue 2
UCF kicks off next 50 years in historic fashion Inside this issue:
Fiesta Bowl
1
State of the University
2
Florida Lottery/ Bright Futures Scholarship Social
2
CASE District III 2 Award Global Issues Conference
3
Downton Abbey
4
Global Food Systems
4
Upcoming Events
5
Around the Community...
6
2013 was a historic year at UCF, in many ways: The university celebrated its 50th anniversary, the inaugural College of Medicine class graduated, the school played its first season in the newlyformed American Athletic Conference, and the football team finished the regular season 11-1, going 8-0 in conference play and including wins over marquis opponents from the SEC and Big Ten conferences. With each successive victory, the spotlight on UCF’s football program intensified. As the team moved up in national rankings each week, UCF fans across the country were able to cheer the Knights on to victory from the comfort of their homes as numerous games were selected for national broadcast. One standout moment for Knight Nation was the headline-making play by wide receiver J.J. Worton, fondly referred to now as “The Catch” (Worton subsequently won the ESPN Sport Science Center Newton Award for best catch). The Knights capped off the regular season by capturing the American Athletic Conference championship and securing a program-first BCS bowl berth in the 2014 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Thousands of Knights faithful travelled to Glendale, Arizona, to watch UCF take on the Baylor Bears on January 1. Though the Knights were widely regarded as underdogs—a position they found themselves in several times during the season—they emerged victorious in a 52-42 upset over the Bears. The win catapulted the Knights into the Associated Press top 10 final rankings for the season. Walt Disney World hosted a UCF victory parade at Magic Kingdom—treatment usually reserved for Super Bowl winners. And City of Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer declared January 27 “UCF Knights Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Champions Day.” Quarterback Blake Bortles summed up the season, “It’s awesome to be a part of this. We weren’t highly touted guys out of high school, but we came to UCF on a mission.” #ChargeOn
Winter 2014
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Community Connections
Hitt: State of the university is strong; UCF primed for greatness
UCF president John C. Hitt, second from left, is joined by first lady Martha Hitt, far left, and several university founders at the State of the University address in September.
UCF president John C. Hitt gave his annual State of the University address in September, delivering remarks to faculty, staff and students, as well as business and community leaders and elected officials in attendance. Dr. Hitt discussed the opportunities and challenges at UCF, along with his vision for the university’s future. Hitt stated, “As we begin our next 50 years, I am proud to report that the state of our university is strong – and that UCF is primed for greatness on many fronts.” Remarks were also given by Dr. Reid Oetjen, chair of the Faculty Senate, and Melissa Westbrook, president of the Student Government Association. To celebrate UCF’s 50th anniversary, university founders and original faculty and staff members were honored at the event.
Florida Lottery celebrates Bright Futures scholars The Florida Lottery hosted a reception on UCF’s Memory Mall in October for students who are recipients of the Bright Futures Scholarship. Last year, 25,495 students received the Bright Futures Scholarship and in fall 2013, more than 90% percent of all UCF freshmen who were Florida residents benefitted from the scholarships. The Bright Futures Scholarship Program, which is primarily funded by the Florida Lottery, was created in 1997 by the Florida Legislature to assist students in pursu-
ing postsecondary educational and career goals. Since the program's inception, the Florida Lottery has contributed more than $4.29 billion to send more than 650,000 students to college. The event was coordinated through the Office of Constituent Relations.
Left: Florida Lottery representatives recognize Bright Futures Scholarship recipients at the annual ice cream social in October. Above: Bright Futures scholars enjoy the celebration.
50th anniversary celebration honored with CASE District III award The Office of Constituent Relations was a winner at the CASE District III Awards in February for the submission of “UCF’s 50th Anniversary Celebration: A Knight to Remember.” CASE, which stands for the Council of Advancement and Support of Education, recognized UCF in several categories, including a special merit award in the Programs and Projects— Communications and Marketing— Special Event category. The award is for a “special event designed to introduce or support a specific
university program or event, or institutional priority.” The entry was assessed on its stated goals and how successfully those goals were met. It was pitted against entries from educational and professional institutions across the southeastern United States. In 2011, the Constituent Relations team won two CASE District III grand awards for the College of Medicine opening celebration. The Constituent Relations team was recognized for They were also the recipients of the their work on “UCF’s 50th Anniversary Celebra2010 CASE District III creative tion: A Knight to Remember” at the CASE District partnership award for that event. III Awards in February.
Volume V, Issue 2
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Global Perspectives conference examines global issues, local impact Food Security: At Home and Abroad; Now and Later
fertilizers to grow “tomatoes for the whole Eastern seaboard.” Continuing with the tomato story, she UCF’s annual Global Issues Conpointed out that underpaid and ference, held on November 7, exameven slave labor is used to harvest ined the concept, “What is Global is the crops. Lothrop urged the audiLocal.” After a morning keynote, the ence to be aware eaters and to first panel focused on the power of understand the impacts of their food, as well as food security and food choice of food. sufficiency. Jonathan Foley, left, and Ambassador Gary -Christine Comfort, Lawrence Presenters included Ricardo SalGrappo, right, address the audience at UCF’s J. Chastang Global Fellow, UCF vador, Senior Scientist and Director annual Global Issues Conference in November. (photos courtesy of UCF Global Perspectives Office) of the Food & Environment Program ***** at the Union of Concerned Scientists; severed. Understanding Conflict in the Jonathan Foley, the Director of the Grappo also discussed the challengMiddle East Institute on the Environment at the es facing the U.S. and its allies in the University of Minnesota; and moderaAmbassador Gary Grappo reMiddle East. He warned that the Syritor/ presenter Gabriela Othon Lo- cently spoke at the annual Global Isan conflict is increasingly viewed as a throp, market director for East End sues Conference at UCF on November “religious war” by leaders in the reMarket, a neighborhood market and 7. Speaking on U.S. foreign policy in gion. Historically, the costs for ending food hub in the Audubon Park Garden the Middle East, Grappo expressed religious wars are very high. Grappo District of Orlando, Florida. the need for what he called “activist summed up the issue: “Differences Salvador discussed the idea of food democracy” to help the ailing region. are okay. Killing because of our differsecurity, stating that a country can be He highlighted three major problems ences is not.” “food secure, without being food suffi- facing the region: unemployment, the Grappo concluded by discussing cient.” America, he cited, is a food lack of civil institutions and rampant U.S. relations with its Middle Eastern sufficient country, but still has many sectarian violence, using the Syrian allies, and particularly the recent rift who still go hungry. Salvador asked conflict as an example. with Saudi Arabia. He noted the imthe audience, “Who are the hungry Grappo is the former Head of Mis- portance of retaining ties with the and why are they hungry?” His ansion of the Office of the Quartet Rep- Kingdom, underscoring that a “loss of swer was that people of color are dis- resentative, the Honorable Tony Blair, trust is lethal.” proportionately hungry in the United in Jerusalem. He served as the U.S. -William George, Prince MohamStates, and that will not change until Ambassador to Oman from 2006 to mad Bin Fahd Program for Strategic it is acknowledged and addressed. 2009. Additional posts include Portu- Research and Studies, UCF Foley focused on food security for gal, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Nicaragua the future. He suggested that there ***** and Washington, D.C. are five questions we should always In keeping with the conference’s Sponsors of the Global Issues Constrive to answer: How can we grow theme of “What’s Global is Local,” ference included the UCF Global Perfood without tearing down the world’s Grappo discussed the need for Middle spectives Office, UCF Prince Mohamforests? How can we deliver better Eastern countries to solve their local mad Bin Fahd Program for Strategic nutrition to people who need it? How problems first. Solving these domestic Research and Studies, The India Cencan we increase efficiency? Can we issues will, Grappo argued, establish ter at UCF, UCF Diplomacy Studies, control the supply and demand of conditions for democracy. In bringing UCF Middle Eastern Studies Profood? Are bio-fuels an efficient use of peace to the region, tribal and sectarigram, UCF China-Taiwan Cross-Strait our resources, namely water? When an issues must be addressed first and Program, UCF Kurdish Political Studasked for an example, Foley described foremost. ies Initiative, UCF Global Peace and the drip irrigation method Israel emGrappo stressed the need for U.S. Security Studies Program, UCF Al ploys. He said that Israelis cannot diplomatic intervention in the region, Ghazali Islamic Studies Program, afford to be wasteful with their water, using the Syrian crisis as his example. UCF Human Trafficking Awareness but Americans have more so they use Citing the unchecked sectarian vioProgram, UCF Isle of Man Small more. lence in the country, Grappo cauCountries Program, Chastang ChariLothrop pulled the discussion into a tioned against inaction, stating table Foundation, The India Group, local context by discussing some of “unresolved conflicts do not resolve Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the agricultural woes of the Central themselves.” An end to the Syrian UCF Political Science Department, Florida area. One of her main concrisis would have multiple positive UCF International Services Center, cerns was Floridians “killing off our effects, he argued. For example, Iran’s UCF LIFE and the Global Connecown water supply,” such as Lake path to the terrorist group Hezbollah, tions Foundation. Apopka, by overuse of chemicals and which runs through Syria, would be
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Community Connections
Downton Abbey comes to UCF Jessica Fellowes treated an audience of over 200 people at UCF to “An Afternoon with Downton Abbey” on September 30. Niece of Lord Julian Fellowes, the show’s creator, Jessica Fellowes is a Downton Abbey insider and author of two supplementary books about the show, The World of Downton Abbey and The Chronicles of Downton Abbey. During the presentation, which was hosted by the Global Perspectives Office, Fellowes discussed the different aspects of the show, including her uncle’s inspiration, the characters, societal norms and particularly the role of women in England after World War I. Fellowes noted that her uncle’s portrayal of women at that time was represented in the three daughters on the show: Mary, Edith and Sybil. Mary, she explained, represents the woman who married for her position, while Sybil supported women’s suffrage and value in the workplace. Fellowes shared that her favorite character was the middle daughter, Edith, and said that she represents “women with the biggest change in expectations for the time.” Fellowes described how women in
She highlighted that “everything has changed in our social framework over the last one hundred years.” She concluded on the thought that in spite of advancements in technology and changes to women’s place in society, people were just “as complicated one hundred years ago as they are now.” A member of the audience asked if any radical changes were coming to the next season of Downton Abbey. Fellowes responded by denying any major changes to characters or plot but acknowledged the biggest change would come by way of the show’s costumes and design. In addition to the Global Perspectives Office, sponsors and partners Downton Abbey insider Jessica Fellowes included the UCF Book Festival 2014 discusses the show’s characters and the in association with the Morgridge Inrole of women in post-World War I Engternational Reading Center, UCF Colland at UCF in September. (photo courtesy of UCF Global Perspectives Office) lege of Education and Human Performance, UCF Diplomacy Program, England at that time, particularly up- UCF Global Peace and Security Studper class women, were expected to ies Program, Chastang Charitable marry and have children. After the Foundation, CliftonLarsonAllen, Orwar, she continued, much of the social lando Area Committee on Foreign hierarchy was destroyed; the upper Relations, WUCF TV, UCF Political class began to associate more with the Science Department, UCF Internalower class, and women gained more tional Services Center, UCF LIFE and independence because so many men the Global Connections Foundation. died or returned home injured. - Brandon Kelley
Global Perspectives staff take a “universal” look at food systems former Miss Universe, Mpule Kwelagobe. The discussion was hosted by the East End Market and the Rollins College Social EntrepreKaren Phillips, UCF Pegasus Health assistant director of neurship and Sustainacommunications and public relations, gives Community bility Initiative, and inCouncil members a tour of the Pegasus Health facility. cluded interested members of the community. "There is a danger of the single narrative," Kwelagobe warned, which became evident as she discussed the work of her organiFrom left: Jessica Gagnon, Mpule Kwelagobe, Stephanie Jarvis and Jocelyn Figueroa at a discussion on global food zation. Green growth, systems in January. gender equality, wom(photo courtesy of UCF Global Perspectives Office) en’s and youth empowIn late January, GP staff members erment, and sustainable development attended a special small group conver- are just some of the issues included in sation on global food systems with the MPULE Institute for Endogenous
Development's work to champion agriculture-led development in Africa. As founder and CEO of the institute, Kwelagobe underscored the importance of building your "tribe" farmers, private corporations, educational institutions, government agencies, etc. - to convey different parts of the interrelated and interdependent issues. When asked what she took away from the discussion, GP Public Affairs Coordinator Jessica Gagnon answered that "global issues can be so complex; we could never hope to better understand them through soundbites and news clips. Having time and a space for conversations like these helps us connect, through our community, to important global issues, such as food systems, and realize our role in the process."
Volume V, Issue 2
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Upcoming Events The UCF Global Perspectives Office proudly presents the following university-wide and community events in spring 2014. Please check website
Central Florida Global Economic Forum “Winning Strategies in Today’s Marketplace”
for updated schedule.
Lou Frey Institute Symposium “From the Chambers to the Cloud: Connecting Citizens and Local Governments” March 10, 2014 9:15 a.m.—3:00 p.m. UCF Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom
April 1, 2014 8:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. UCF Student Union, Key West Ballroom UCF Book Festival, featuring Andre Dubus April 5, 2014 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m CFE Arena Open to the public
Tal Dehtiar, founder of Oliberte Footwear and social entrepreneur “The Business of Doing Good and Doing Well”
Naomi Tutu, race and gender justice activist, and daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu “Striving for Justice: Searching for Common Ground”
April 10, 2014 3:00 p.m. —4:30 p.m. UCF Student Union, Cape Florida Ballroom Open forum
March 20, 2014 3:00 p.m.—4:30 p.m. UCF Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom
Viviana Hurtado “The Wise Latina”
UCF Community Summit on Environment and Global Climate Change
April 11, 2014 Time: TBD Location: TBD Campus and community meetings; please check website for updates
March 25, 2014 3:00 p.m.—5:00 p.m. UCF Student Union, Cape Florida Ballroom
Join host Dr. Diane Trees on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. as she tackles issues of regional and national significance on Metro Center Outlook. Don’t miss her exclusive, in-depth interviews with Central Florida’s business leaders and elected officials. Check local listings for encores and additional information: http://wucftv.org/. And keep up with the latest Metro Center Outlook episodes and news by following the show on Facebook and Twitter. March 2 - March 16
Pre-empted for WUCF TV pledge week.
March 23
Topic: The Affordable Care Act...how will it affect Florida's health insurance carriers, physicians
and the state economy? March 30
Topic: The film industry in Florida…what is the economic impact of the film industry, and what
is Central Florida’s role in keeping the state competitive?
Connecting the university and the community. DIVISION OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Around the Community…
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
UCF Downtown 36 West Pine Street Orlando, FL 32801 Phone: 407-235-3935 Fax: 407-317-7744 E-mail: community relations@ucf.edu
Counterclockwise from left: UCF president John C. Hitt, athletics director Todd Stansbury, and head coach George O’Leary join Mickey Mouse as grand marshals of a special parade held in honor of the 2014 Fiesta Bowl champions at Disney’s Magic Kingdom in January. (photo courtesy of UCF Athletics Communications)
Ambassador Harriet Elam-Thomas, UCF Diplomacy Program director, was interviewed by The Huffington Post for the article “Art in Diplomacy (...Not ‘as’ Diplomacy)” in October.
Check out our website: communityrelations.ucf.edu For more photos and the latest updates:
UCF president John C. Hitt, right, is joined by fellow panelist, Seminole County Public Schools superintendent Walt Griffin, left, and moderator Mark Sardo, center, at the Oviedo-Winter Springs Chamber of Commerce Education Update luncheon in October.
the art and science of generating and relationships with groups of individuals on whom the university depends for support.
(photo courtesy of Winter Park Chamber of Commerce)
(photo courtesy of University of North Texas)
Community relations is
enhancing constructive
Associate vice president Maritza Martinez, right, addresses Winter Park Chamber members, community leaders, and residents at Mayor Ken Bradley’s State of the City address in January.
Metro Center director Dr. Diane Trees, left, interviews Faron Kelley, right, director of marketing at runDisney and ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in January. (photo courtesy of WUCF TV)
UCF mascot Knightro, center, joins members of the City of Orlando Mayor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission at the MLK Parade in January.
(photo courtesy of Oviedo-Winter Springs Chamber of Commerce)