Participation in the Solar Energy Innovation Network will assess cost-effective options to meet the city鈥檚 commitment to use 100 percent renewable energy for municipal operations by 2030 and citywide by 2050.

鈥淐ities are the front lines, where leading an effort like this can not only help to improve the health of our residents but also help preserve natural resources, ensure environmental protection, create new jobs in the growing clean-energy industry and drive even more economic growth to our region,鈥� Dyer said.聽鈥淲e鈥檙e committed to taking the steps necessary to make our city resilient and we are proud to have partners on both the local and national level to support these efforts.鈥�

Elizabeth Klonoff, 麻豆原创鈥檚 vice president for research and dean of the College of Graduate Studies, said: 鈥淲e are eager to work hand-in-hand with the City of Orlando to make our community a national model for renewable energy and sustainable living. Our researchers are already leaders in this field and I can鈥檛 think of a better place to implement some of our cutting-edge research than our own hometown.鈥�

Through Orlando鈥檚 participation in the Solar Energy Innovation Network, the solutions developed and demonstrated through the project will serve as a blueprint for other communities to implement.

鈥淲e selected teams that are experimenting with promising ideas to use solar power to improve the future of grid security and reliability in their communities,鈥� said Kristen Ardani, who leads the Innovation Network at NREL.

The team鈥檚 participation in the program will include financial, analytical and facilitation support services to help identify barriers and create innovative solutions to help Orlando ensure a reliable plan for power in the the future.

NREL is operating the Solar Energy Innovation Network with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies. For more information on the network, visit nrel.gov/solar/solar-energy-innovation-network.html.

鈥淲e are grateful for Siemens鈥� cutting-edge work to advance the industry and drive innovation,鈥� said President Hitt. 鈥淭his long-standing partnership prepares our students for today鈥檚 challenges and builds the high-tech workforce that will serve our community for decades to come.鈥�

Software Gives More Students a Competitive Edge

Siemens announced the next phase of its academic partnership with the university: a major in-kind technology grant of Siemens鈥� Product Lifecycle Management software with a commercial value of $593 million. The software grant, one of the largest made to the 麻豆原创 Foundation, amplifies a similar in-kind grant in 2016 that has already benefitted hundreds of students in 麻豆原创’s Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research. The Siemens software technology is used by 140,000 companies worldwide, including 75 in the state and nearly a dozen in Central Florida. A large number of 麻豆原创鈥檚 graduating engineering students go on to secure employment at companies that use PLM software.

Siemens announced the next phase of its academic partnership with the university: a major in-kind technology grant of Siemens鈥� Product Lifecycle Management software with a commercial value of $593 million. The software grant, one of the largest made to the 麻豆原创 Foundation, amplifies a similar in-kind grant in 2016 that has already benefitted hundreds of students in 麻豆原创’s Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research.

The software relates to the design and manufacturing of sophisticated products for energy and power generation, automotive, aerospace, machinery and high-tech electronics. It helps engineers transform their ideas into real products by providing information and feedback as the product moves from design to prototype.

Mechanical engineering doctoral student Marcel Otto, ’15, works in the research center and interned at Siemens. 鈥淭his software helps you do what is done in industry,” said Otto. “It’s user-friendly, hands-on, and is focused on efficient problem solving, which is critical in industry where every minute counts to bring a product to market.鈥�

The software will now be scaled up for use by all 11,000 students in 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Engineering & Computer Science and will be available for use in all phases of a student鈥檚 academic career, from freshman introductory courses to sophomore design challenges, all the way through to junior and senior capstone design courses.

The software will now be scaled up for use by all 11,000 students in 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Engineering & Computer Science and will be available for use in all phases of a student鈥檚 academic career, from freshman introductory courses to sophomore design challenges, all the way through to junior and senior capstone design courses.

Students majoring in industrial engineering, electrical and computer engineering, biomedical engineering and many more disciplines will utilize the software as part of their course studies.聽For example, in the 麻豆原创 Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, the software will be available in the ergonomics class, the study of engineering design for optimal human interaction. Multiple student competition teams will also now utilize the software, including 麻豆原创鈥檚 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, BAJA Racing, and Formula SAE Racing teams.

“Siemens has been innovating for the world from Orlando鈥檚 backyard for nearly 30 years, and we are proud to serve as an industry leader for our academic partnership with 麻豆原创,鈥� said Steve Conner, CEO of Siemens鈥� Energy Inc. “We are pleased to grow this robust partnership that spans cutting-edge R&D leveraging 麻豆原创鈥檚 strength in advanced turbomachinery and energy research, to providing 麻豆原创 students real-world experience on the same software and technology used worldwide, offering a leg-up on the competition when they begin their careers.”

A 30-Year Partnership

Over the course of three decades, Siemens and 麻豆原创 have partnered to focus on the development of the energy sector. This includes the 2017 launch of 麻豆原创’s Digital Grid Innovation Laboratory 鈥� the first of its kind in the United States; the Center of Innovation for Diagnostics and Prognostics research program; and the Siemens Energy Center which celebrates the 10th anniversary on-campus this year.

鈥淚鈥檓 proud our community is home to a world-class public research institution like 麻豆原创 and to companies like Siemens that are willing to work together to invest in our students and the future of our economy,鈥澛爏aid U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy. 鈥淔or over 30 years, the 麻豆原创-Siemens partnership has produced cutting-edge research and top-notch local talent in the engineering and manufacturing industries.聽 I鈥檓 encouraged to see that Siemens is continuing its commitment to this public-private partnership through its generous donation. This partnership strengthens the education of students pursuing high-paying jobs in STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] fields and ensures our economy has the skilled workforce it needs to continue growing.鈥�

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said: “Orlando was recently recognized as the top city in America for STEM job growth.聽That acknowledgement is proof of the impact that partnerships like the one between 麻豆原创 and Siemens are having as part of our community’s shared commitment to creating the jobs of tomorrow, training the next generation of hometown high-tech workers and growing our innovation-based economy.

鈥淭he digital revolution that swept through travel, music and retail is now changing the way we design and manufacture complex products, and software and technology are at the core, said Del Costy, senior vice president and managing director of Americas for Siemens PLM Software. 鈥淪iemens is committed to connecting academia and industry to develop future digital enterprise workers who can support industries across the globe, and by expanding our partnership with 麻豆原创, we are doing just that.鈥�

In January, Siemens also established a partnership with 麻豆原创 and BRIDG (Bridging the Innovation to Development Gap) in Osceola County, the world鈥檚 first nonprofit and industry-led public-private partnership to develop smart sensors. Siemens is providing an in-kind software grant valued at more than $30 million to BRIDG that will enable its digital enterprise site to feature the complete Siemens Product Lifecycle Management portfolio.

FIEA鈥檚 first class of 12 students started Aug. 22, 2005. Since then, the program has enrolled more than 500 students and is the largest graduate program in 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Arts & Humanities. It was named the No. 2 graduate game design program in the world this year by the Princeton Review.

The commemorative events include tailgating before the 麻豆原创 football game on Thursday, a private party for FIEA alumni and guests Friday, and a FIEA student gaming tournament Saturday. Faculty, students and staff will be available to talk to media during all these events.

The program鈥檚 economic impact is apparent here and across the globe. More than 125 companies have hired FIEA鈥檚 421 alumni, including brands such as Rovio, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Sony, Blizzard, Bungie, Cartoon Network, Disney and Marvel. About 45 percent of graduates stay in Florida to work, mostly at local companies such as Iron Galaxy Orlando, n-Space, Electronic Arts and Lockheed Martin. Students who graduated in 2013 had a mean base salary of $60,359.

鈥淭en years ago we created a unique graduate program to serve an industry and area in need of talented employees,鈥� said FIEA executive director Ben Noel. 鈥淭oday, through hard work and great collaborations we鈥檙e hoping to train the next generation of game developers, filmmakers, artists and digital entrepreneurs. I couldn鈥檛 be more proud of our graduates and what they鈥檝e accomplished so far.鈥�

The program started from a unique partnership between 麻豆原创, the State of Florida and Electronic Arts. It was created in May 2004, when the Florida Legislature provided $4.2 million in start-up funding. Electronic Arts helped with the formation of the program and in the early development of the curriculum. On Aug. 24, 55 more grad students started the program as part of FIEA鈥檚 12th class.

鈥淲ith one out of every seven of our current, core product-development-team members coming from the FIEA program, we can certainly state that 麻豆原创鈥檚 decision to create FIEA to respond to the needs of our growing industry has paid dividends greater than we imagined,鈥� said EA Studios vice president and group chief operating officer Daryl Holt. 鈥淲e turned to 麻豆原创 because of the university鈥檚 commitment to partnership and its track record of excellence. The entire digital media community benefits from this commitment, as do graduates who are becoming leaders in the field and helping cement Central Florida鈥檚 position as an industry leader.鈥�

In 2005, the City of Orlando leased 麻豆原创 space at the former Orlando Expo Center at 500 W. Livingston St. (now Bentley Street) to house FIEA and other digital media programs. The building was renamed 麻豆原创鈥檚 Center for Emerging Media in 2010.

鈥淲e are proud to celebrate FIEA鈥檚 10-year anniversary,鈥� said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. 鈥淔or our city to continue to thrive, we must attract and retain top talent, and FIEA鈥檚 success over the last 10 years has played an essential role in developing the jobs of the future. FIEA provides a pipeline of incredible talent to Orlando鈥檚 gaming, entertainment and simulation companies, which has resulted in tremendous growth for this industry.鈥�

Rogier van Etten, a technical artist at local video game developer Iron Galaxy Orlando, said: “FIEA not only sharpened my programming and art skills but it also taught me how to work on large teams of creative people. It certainly helped get me where I am today in my career.”

In 2014, the school opened FIEA Ventures, a state-of-the-art digital media workspace designed for encouraging start-up companies in a creative environment. The program is available exclusively to FIEA alumni and provides start-ups with office and meeting space, a 20-seat theater, mentorships, equipment, and access to technology and expertise. Tenants also have access to the building鈥檚 audio, motion capture and films studios, collectively called Studio 500.

For a full agenda of the week鈥檚 events as well as historical photos, go to .

FIEA Ventures and FIEA are located in 麻豆原创鈥檚 Center For Emerging Media, 500 Bentley St., Orlando. For more information, visit www.fiea.ucf.edu.

The 100 new faculty hires to be added during the next year will be in addition to replacements for retiring and departing faculty members.

鈥淭hese new colleagues will be hired across the colleges, and 90 percent of them will be tenure track faculty,鈥� Hitt said. 鈥淢y top priority remains to add as many new faculty members for the following year 鈥� and the years beyond 鈥� as our resources will allow, while also rewarding you for your talent and efforts.鈥�

Speaking at the Student Union, the president said the raises are long overdue after seven years of state budget cutbacks.

鈥淪tarting in 2007, a wave of budget cuts slowed the momentum of this university, and they forced you to endure hardships and make sacrifices,鈥� he said.

Hitt praised faculty members for maintaining their professional and personal values, and remaining focused on the success of students even while they had to teach more courses or manage larger classes.

The new budget calls for salary increases of up to 5 percent 鈥� 3 percent across the board and 2 percent merit increases. Members of the United Faculty of Florida will be asked to ratify the agreement, and the 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees also must approve. Once those approvals are obtained, the raises would be put into place with an effective date beginning Aug. 8, Hitt said. These same raises are being provided to eligible staff members and administrators.

The president also provided some insight about the possible expansion of 麻豆原创 in downtown Orlando.

鈥淭he interest in a greater downtown presence intensified in January when I joined Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and others on a trip to see the downtown Phoenix campus of Arizona State University,鈥� the president said. 鈥淔olks, it鈥檚 impressive.鈥�

That 22-acre campus in Phoenix serves 11,000 students and has a student union, offices, wellness facility and student residences.

麻豆原创 has received a $2 million appropriation by the state Legislature to look into the feasibility of expanding its presence downtown.

In other announcements, President Hitt said 麻豆原创 will:

For the complete text of the president鈥檚 speech, go to .

Fox 35鈥檚 鈥淕ood Day鈥� will broadcast from 7 to 10 a.m. Friday from the Reflecting Pond on the main campus. Fox鈥檚 visit is part of a college road trip series that features several universities in Central Florida.

Anchors Amy Kaufeldt and John Brown will be stationed outside Millican Hall just in front of the pond, and meteorologist Jayme King and reporter David Martin will provide live coverage from across campus. The team will speak with students, alumni, faculty, staff and administrators about what makes 麻豆原创 such a special place to learn, live and work.

Students and other members of the campus community are invited to stop by Millican Hall on Friday and be a part of the broadcast. Show your school spirit by wearing 麻豆原创 swag and using the hashtag #Fox35麻豆原创 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media outlets.

Scheduled to appear live during the broadcast are 麻豆原创 President John C. Hitt; the 麻豆原创 spirit team; women鈥檚 soccer coach, Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak; and Bodhi, 麻豆原创鈥檚 therapy dog.

Pre-recorded segments include:

A segment about 麻豆原创鈥檚 innovative undergraduate photonics and laser program is scheduled to air on Fox 35 at 10 p.m. Friday.

The morning show also will be shown on Fox 35鈥檚 .

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will be the guest speaker. An Orlando native, Dyer has served as the city鈥檚 mayor since 2003. He earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Civil Engineering from Brown University and received a law degree from the University of Florida.

Friday鈥檚 9 a.m. ceremony will include students from the College of Arts and Humanities, the College of Health and Public Affairs, the College of Nursing, and Liberal Studies and Social Science majors through the Undergraduate Studies and Graduate Studies offices.

The speaker will be Tico Perez, co-founder of Edge Public Affairs and a member of the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees Florida鈥檚 state universities. He received his bachelor鈥檚 degree in Political Science from 麻豆原创 in 1983 and was student body president. He went on to earn a law degree from Georgetown University.

Graduates in Friday鈥檚 2:30 p.m. ceremony will be from the College of Education, the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and the College of Sciences.

The speaker will be Dede Schaffner, who is serving her third term as a member of the Seminole County School Board. As a parent volunteer, Schaffner founded Seminole County schools鈥� nationally recognized Dividends School Volunteer Program. She earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Elementary Education and a master鈥檚 degree in Educational Leadership from 麻豆原创.

The Arena doors will open to guests聽1 1/2 hours聽before the start of each ceremony.聽The procession of graduates will begin 20 minutes before the start of each ceremony.聽

Guests must have tickets to attend the ceremonies. Guests without tickets are welcome to view closed-circuit telecasts of the ceremonies from the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center across the street from the 麻豆原创 Arena. Broadcasts also will be posted after the ceremonies at .

The anticipated graduates include 3,712 who filed intents to receive bachelor鈥檚 degrees, 810 for master鈥檚 degrees, four for education specialist degrees and 65 for doctoral degrees.

With this week鈥檚 graduations, 麻豆原创 will have awarded more than 225,000 degrees since classes began in 1968.聽

For more information, visit the commencement .