HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 03 21 UCF President John C. HittROCLAMAT.,HO
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Al OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
�; WINTER SPRINGS,. FLORIDA
On March 1, 1992, DR. JOHN C. HITT became the fourth President of the University of Central Florida (UCF), and
during his exemplary and celebrated tenure over these last 26 years, his determination, advocacy, and impassioned leadership have
steered UCF to become a premier choice for those seeking exceptional higher educational opportunities; and
X(H _ _ S, During the administration of PRESIDENT HITT, enrollment at UCF has more than tripled to over 66,000 students,
becoming the largest university in the State of Florida as well as one of the largest in our country; partly due to the emphasis on
providing commendable academic programs taught by an impressive faculty, all for the purpose of personal betterment; and as
PRESIDENT HITT once noted, "There's nothing else I'm aware of,that changes a person's life more dramatically and emphatically
than a higher education"; and
Of the 309,274 degrees earned by students during UCF's history, PRESIDENT HITT has conferred 254,397 degrees
or 82 percent, and has awarded more degrees at a state university in Florida than any other President in our state's history; and
Ws, Through the goals and endeavors of PRESIDENT HITT to establish UCF as America's Leading Partnership
University, this profound effort resulted in many collaborations which have advanced growth and success in the Central Florida area
and have included - the UCF College of Medicine as well as the Medical City at Lake Nona project, the Central Florida Research Park,
UCF Downtown, the Direct Connect to UCF program, the Florida High -Tech Corridor, as well as the Business Incubator program of
which the City of Winter Springs has been very proud to have partnered with UCF on this national award winning project; and
During the tenure of PRESIDENT HITT, more than 100 new buildings have been added by UCF, surpassing $1
billion dollars in construction, and which included a medical college, student union center, student wellness center, visitor information
center, community health clinic, a 45,000-seat football stadium, a 10,000-seat arena, as well as regional campuses; and
II11S, Beyond the leadership, dedication, and numerous observable improvements to the footprint of not only UCF, but
Central Florida and beyond, the incredible legacy of PRESIDENT JOHN C. HITT can be surmised as so eloquently stated by former
Florida Governor Jeb Bush who remarked, "I believe Walt Disney and John Hitt have done more to transform Central Florida into a
vibrant, dynamic place than any two people."
Mayor of the City of Winter Springs, do hereby Proclaim that over these last 26
years through the illustrious vision, aspirations, efforts, and contributions of
UCF PRESIDENT JOHN C. HITT
the educational landscape has forever been transformed and has grown to incredible proportions throughout Central Florida offering
immeasurable opportunities for students, educators, and numerous business partners alike, which has enhanced life for thousands of
other individuals, and of which we are truly thankful to this great leader amongst men - DR. JOHN C. HITT.
commissioner
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Charles Lacey
Mayor
Cade Resnick Geoff Kendrick
Commissioner Commissioner