The university recognized employees who reached milestone years of service, along with those recently retired or about to be. 麻豆原创 also presented a Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award and excellence awards in recognition of employees who made exceptional contributions to benefit the campus community.

鈥淲e celebrate your service, your dedication, and the impact you make across this university. But behind that recognition is something even more powerful: the daily commitment, the steady work, and the consistency that build momentum over time,鈥� says 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淭he future we talk about at 麻豆原创 is not something that begins someday. It is already taking shape in the work you do, in the systems you support, and in the experiences you create for our students.听Thank you.鈥�

麻豆原创 this year brought a new category of Employee Leadership Excellence Awards, recognizing non-faculty administrative leadership at the director level and above. They joined the expanded Employee Excellence Awards, which highlighted the remarkable contributions of full-time employees up to an associate director level.

The employee event kicked off a Founders鈥� Day celebration that also included faculty and student celebrations. Combined, more than 900 honorees were recognized during the three ceremonies this year.

Here are the honorees from this year鈥檚 Employee Honors Celebration.

Excellence Awards

Employee Excellence Awards for Operational Excellence

Arijeta Kavaja, Public Safety

Cecily McCoy-Fisher, Office of Research

Anna Nye, Office of Risk and Safety

Cindy Prophitt, Facilities and Business Operations

Employee Excellence Awards for Student Success

Cynthia Almanzar, Student Success and Well-Being

Laura Czerkies, Burnett Honors College

Michael McKee, College of Optics and Photonics

Donna Mercado, College of Nursing

Employee Excellence Awards for Community Well-Being

Jodi Reinhart, College of Sciences

Lorna Rodriguez, College of Engineering and Computer Science

David Stoneburner, Office of Institutional Resources

Mykhael Walker, Analytics and Integrated Planning

Employee Excellence Awards for Service and Partnership

Drew Barnes, College of Graduate Studies

Faith DeLorenzo, Digital Learning

Lovelyn Findley, Advancement and Partnerships

Antoine Hart, University Strategic Communications

Employee Excellence Awards Nominees

Sadia Afrin

Cynthia Almanzar

Michelle Anchel

Otto Argibay

Anthony (Joey) Asti

Drew Barnes

Alexandra Barraza-Oliphant

Davalda 鈥淒ee鈥� Bellot

Jim Bennett

Miryana Blesso

Monique Carter

Laura Czerkies

Faith DeLorenzo

Lovelyn Findley

Amanda Greaves

Antoine Hart

Christina Hussey

Alexis Hutchins

Erica Hutton

Kat Jones

Arijeta Kavaja

Marsha Kernica

Melina Kinsey

Keanna Machado

Jay Malcolm

Chuck Mannella

Samantha Mason

Cecily McCoy-Fisher

Michael McKee

Donna Mercado

Traci Mibuta

Anna Nye

Steven Pardo

Diana Perez

Anthony Piazza

Cindy Prophitt

Frances 鈥淔ran鈥� Ragsdale

Matthew Rall

Jodi Reinhart

Lorna Rodriguez

Ashley Samson

William Self

Maricel Soto

Jennifer Stalzer

Emily Stettner

David Stoneburner

Jeremiah Taylor

Rebecca Underhill

Mykhael Walker

Denise Whiteside

Maria Williams

Employee Leadership Excellence Awards

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for Strategic Execution

Andre Watts, Analytics and Integrated Planning

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for People Leadership and Talent Stewardship

Andrea Withington, College of Community Innovation and Education

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for Advancing Collaboration and Partnership

Germayne Graham, Student Programs and Outreach

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for Innovation, Improvement, and Bold Action

Kim Smith, Office of Research

Employee Leadership Excellence Awards Nominees

Drew Andrews

Morgan Bauer

Austin Bott

Brian Boyd

David Canova

Megan Carrigan

Shafaq Chaudhry

Sherri Dixon

Madi Dogariu

Michael Duong

Amy Ellis

Gerard Flood

Steven Freund

Andrea Gandy

Delia Garcia

Germayne Graham

Stephanie Heron

Dana Juntunen

Kerlene King

Ashley Longoria

Ayanna Lopez

Carla McCabe

Rudy McDaniel

Amy Perry

Charlie Piper

Candida Richards

Elizabeth Richner

Cesar RiveraCruzado

Rex Roberts

Anastasia Salter

Wendy Sarubbi

Basma Selim

Kim Smith

Meghan Truhett

Suzzette Turner

Michael Wainstein

Tyler Walsh

Andre Watts

Danta White

Andrea Withington

Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award

Rosemarie Mendoza, Facilities and Business Operations

Emerita Status Awardee

Amy Giroux, College of Arts and Humanities

Employee Service Awards

45 Years of Service

Donna Hickson

35 Years of Service

Tina Maier

Michael Reed

Patricia Trovillion

30 Years of Service

Sharon Bady

Travis Cain

Adrianne Demetry

Francisco Dionisi

Joel Lavoie

Elizabeth Rivera

25 Years of Service

Herlinda Bedoya

Michael Bell

Abdulbaset Benwali

Terri Bigham

Bruce Boutwell

Olivia Bridges

Amy Buford

Cristina Caamano

Carlos Chardon

Keith Coelho

Janny Colon

Elizabeth Costello

Al Davis

Steven Dick

Rafael Durand

Sira Giron

Rebecca Hammond

Jonathan Hanie

Keith Honaker

Davina Hovanec

Latchmin Jaggernauth

Susan Jefferson

Georgia Kent

Michelle Matthews

Andrew O’Mara

Jennifer Opper

Naya Ramirez

Gail Raymond

Brenda Rodrigues

Timothy Ryan

Maria Santiago

Heather Simeon

Carl Truesdell

Meena Turner

Maria Williams

Dela Williams

Andrea Withington

20 Years of Service

Michael Aldarondo-Jeffries

Lindsay Archambault

Gloria Bastidas

Renee Bence

Eric Brewington

Daren Caine

Michael Callahan

Marc Cassidy

Robin Chan

Karen Cox

Kelley Dietrich

Matthew Dunn

Scott Eberle

Cecilia Elias

Samuel Ensenat

Marelis Figueredo Garcia

Matthew Fitzgerald

Scott Freeman

Glenn Gaborko

Tyniesia Gandy

Kelly Gill

Lindana Gomez

Brian Graham

Timothy Haduch

Jenny Hartman

Elizabeth Herrera

Sarah Hunt

Tamara Jomarron

Carreen Krapf

Ellaine Leodones

Marlene Lugo

Carlos Martinez

Deysi Mercedes

Heather Murphy

Uday Nair

Perla Ongy

Robert (Bob) Opdahl

Haresh Patel

Rachel Perry

Omesh Persaud

Sandy Pouliot

Christine Pugh

Luz Quintero

Maria Quintero

Christopher Rains

Tim Reid

Elizabeth Rodriguez

Terrance Rooth

Diana Santiago

Saul Santiago

Kathy Sapp

Basma Selim

Romeo Sibayan

Jeff Smith

George Taylor

Lynda Toussaint

Shreya Trivedi

Reina Vazquez

Tonya Walker

15 Years of Service

Marlene Agostini

Jose Arce

Lucy Bautista

Randy Beck

Aiza Beguez

Miryana Blesso

Carolyn Castro

Silvia Cerro

Lorinda Clark

Patricia Colyer

Theresa Davis

Dani Draper

Jennifer Elliott

Tamara Gabrus

Ernie Gemeinhart

Jessica Glaspie

James Grant

Lisa Haas

Allison Henderson

Maribel Herrera

Jason Kennedy

Ann Kershner

Usha Lal

Dora Laureano

Hank Lewis

Ujjwala Magdum

Jennifer Mark

Jessica Matos

Meghan McCollum

Amanda Miller

Tracey Morrison

Kimberly Nassoiy

Beth Nettles

Hoang Nguyen

Jorge Olmedo

Minh Phan

Rhett Proctor

Elida Prophete

Michael Pugh

Ligia Ramirez

Rebeca Richards

Maria Rodriguez

Daniel Sagendorf

Kimberly Sargent

Wendy Sarubbi

Nick Schenk

Dave Schreier

Lori Shuff

Jacob Skinner

Terri Smith

Suzanne Stalvey

Brian Strickland

Christy Tant

Freddie Tirado Jr.

Joanne Toole

Roger Tripp

Matthew Vaccaro

Tamara Vassallo Soto

Martha Wiggins

Wanda Wint

10 Years of Service

Danielle Adams

Terrell Alexander

Julissa Alicea

Lindsey Anderson

Nadine Arentz

Jose Ayala Torres

Morgan Bauer

Shaun Black

John Boehm

Kate Brinister

Danilo Canlas

Megan Carrigan

Melissa Choinski

Madhavi Chokshi

Lorine Cisch-Taylor

Lisa Clendenning

Shannon Colon

Robert Connors

John Cooke

Todd Coon

Richard Cortez-Satterlee

Joanna Couch

Brandon Couts

Meghan Crowther

Summer Davis

Katherine Del Cid

Vanessa Delgado

Gerald Dillon

Kerri Drylie

Mirvate El Jerdi

Shajira El Masri

Amy Ellis

Jerad Engel

Damian Fagan

Marites Falkenhausen

Sarah Farrell

Jessica Fasano

Ben Fauser

Melissa Fawcett

Janet Feliciano

Valentina Fernandez

Jason Francis

Neftali Garcia

Eileen Garner

Christopher Gase

Kristina Gomez

Agustin Gonzalez

Adriel Gonzalez Gutierrez

Ryan Goodwin

Liz Gordian Olmo

Walter Gordon

Rhonda Granger Gomez

Josh Haupt

George Hayner Jr.

Rita Higgins

Katherine Hoefer

Elizabeth Hughes

Erica Hutton

Renee Johnston

Nathanael Jones

Megan Kellogg

Brian Kelly

Mike Kilbride

Maureen Landgraf

Daniel Lee

Missy Lesnewski

Ian Levy

Sarojben Limbachia

George Lopez

Ricardo Lopez

Juan Lugo

Karemah Manselle

Kristy McAllister

Justin McGill

Pamela McGlinchey

Oliver McSurley

Rebecca Meadows

Nelson Mendez

Pamela Mills

Mike Minutelli

Eli Mizell

Angela Moreira

Rebecca Mowrer

Lauren Murray-Lemon

David Neese

Lucas Noboa

Loida Olivas

Jeffrey Panter

Steven Pardo

Juana Pasco

Laura Patterson

Deborah Pease

Miguel Pellot

Ryan Pendry

Karen Peterson

Wanda Pruett-Butler

Abner Ramos Pi帽ero

Erica Recktenwald

Samantha Redlund

Elizabeth Richner

Carlos Rivera

Victor Rivera

Lisa Roberts

Jacob Scholtz

Skender Shehu

Mari Sievinen

Kiela Sims

Aaron Smart

Liza Smith

Casey Smith

Esperanza Soto

Calvin Soto

Tenley Sterkel

Timothy Sullivan

Jackson Thevenin

Danielle Traylor

Wanda Tummons

Anna Velocci

Brian Villar

Stephen Villiotis

Paul Werden

Jonathan White

Barbara Wilson

Dylan Yonts

5 Years of Service

Lidya Abdelmalak

Elna Andreeva

Dana Archer

Linnette Aviles

Jessica Banos

Arismir Barreiras Peralta

Kristy Beitler

Summer Bernini

Abby Bertrand

Mayra Bonilla Torres

Melissa Braillard

Drew Bryant

Barbara Busch

Jess Camacho

Alexander N. Cartwright

Maria Ceku

Gianna Cifredo

Wilfredo Cornelio

Mario De Vera

Franco Del Pino

Mark Durbin

David Edgar

Lori Fiandra

Steven Fournier

Amoy Fraser

Raquela Garcia-Valenzuela

Melissa Gilliland

Luis Gonzalez

Marisela Guillen

Kathleen Hawkins

Robert Herr

Donna Jackson

Chase Jicha

Justin Kardach

Jamie Kaynan

Scott Langdon

Sarah Lardizabal

Kristeena LaRoue

Angela Lehman

Lucy Leon

Lawrence Lipe

Alex Lucchi

Marc Maheu

Alli Maiorano

Martha Martin

Reyner Martinez

Kate Mascheri

Angelica Mateo

Stephanie Mederos

Christopher Miller

Sarah Moore

Mindy Mozena

Lisa Myles

Iris Neil

Veronica Pak

Evgenia Pamer

Neelam Patel

Tran Pham

Cat Puckett

Monica Quimbayo

Michael Rivera

Marvecia Robinson

Leslie Rogers

Mary Rush

Luis Sanchez Artavia

Kyle Sindelar

Monica Smith

Yulisney Sotolongo

Garrett Spurlin

Jennifer Stalzer

Kimberly Stangle

Kenneth Steele

Lorenzo Stefko

Shari-Ann Stewart

Jane Stump

Elizabeth Tammaro

Jason Taningco

Raquel Toro-Espinal

Pia Valenciano

Thaina Velez

Danta White

Roksana Zak

Recognition of Retirees

Rafael Abreu

Yousef Ayoub

Pam Barkman

Suzette Batka

Emily Bennett

Richard Berwanger

Jeanne Blank

Patrick Blount

Parri Bolinger

Marcus Bowan

Deborah Bradford

Roanne Brice

Gary Burkhart

Rose Carpenter

Rick Catasus

Edgar Chavez

Willis Chico

Eunice Choi

Diane Claudio

Theresa Collins

Debra Copertino

Laura Crouch

Carol Davella

Karen Dlhosh

Debbie Doyle

Carol Ann Dykes Logue

Larry Eflin

Joseph Finnigan

Perry Fraser

Catherine Gholson

Amy Giroux

Robert Goater

Mariela Gonzalez

Tracy Griffith

Mark Gumble

Tania Gutierrez-Catasus

Martha Hamann

MJ Herbert Fuerst

Bethsy Hernandez

Ana Hernandez

Cherie Herrin

Michael Herring

Cathy Hill

Jane Ingalls

Wayne Jackson

Larry Jaffe

Daniel Kidder

Lee Kirkpatrick

Phyllis Kornegay

Melinda Kramer

Donna Leavitt

Ruben Lopez

Dennis Maddox

Kelli Marini

Janice Matley

Marcia Maukonen

Oscar Mauricio

James 鈥淛im鈥� McCully

Carrie McDowell

Linda Milner

Bruce Mink

Michele Monteith

Abderrahim Mouhassin

Christine Mouton

Jesus Munoz

Chuck Nicholas

Stephen OConnell

Leonardo Pascua

Esther Pennepacker

Rosario Pizarro

Brenda Posey

Michele Pozdoll

Odus Radford

Frances Ragsdale

Cindy Rahrle

Robert Reed

Wayne Regilio

Stella Restrepo

Kayonne Riley

Iris Rios

Charles Roberts

Norma Robles

Aimara Rodriguez

James Roop

Rosalba Ruiz

Eileen Ryan

Judith Samuels

Nicolas Santos

James Schaus

Jeanette Schreiber

Susan Schroen

Alison Schultz

Elena Sequera

Kelly Shilton

Michael Shumack

Shela Siegrist

Liza Smith

Karen Smith

Kathleen Snoeblen

Terry Stein

Peter Stephens

Patty Stroupe

Timothy Sullivan

Randolph Sulter

Jeffrey Ulmer

Lisa Vaughn

Luis Velozo

Rebecca Vilsack

Vicki Vitale

Deborah Walker

Kerry Welch

Maria Jocelyn Wick

Scott Wiles

Elena Wilson

Robert Wong

To celebrate that rise, 麻豆原创 Alumni has launched Ever Upward: Fastest-Growing Knight Businesses 鈥� a new annual awards program honoring Knight-owned or -led companies demonstrating significant revenue growth, innovation and leadership.

Ever Upward is about more than recognition. It honors how far ideas can travel, and reminds the 麻豆原创 community that ambition doesn鈥檛 end at graduation. For Knights in business, the direction has always been clear: ever upward.

“Ever Upward … shines a light on Knight-led businesses that are scaling with purpose.” 鈥� Rodney Grabowski, senior vice president for advancement and partnerships at 麻豆原创

鈥淥ur alumni are building companies that are growing rapidly and making a real impact in their industries and communities,鈥� says Rodney Grabowski, 麻豆原创鈥檚 senior vice president for Advancement and Partnerships and CEO of the 麻豆原创 Foundation. 鈥淓ver Upward recognizes success and the entrepreneurial drive behind it. This program shines a light on Knight-led businesses that are scaling with purpose.鈥�

Honorees will be recognized at a signature awards event on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, bringing together alumni entrepreneurs, university leadership and business leaders to celebrate remarkable achievements and share insights.

Inspired by 麻豆原创鈥檚 unwavering charge to reach higher, Ever Upward acknowledges businesses whose growth reflects perseverance and vision. Recognition is based solely on verified financial performance over a three-year period 鈥� spotlighting companies that are truly rising.

Eligible businesses will be ranked by their cumulative percentage revenue growth across their 12-month reporting periods for 2022, 2023 and 2024. To ensure the highest levels of transparency and trust, all rankings will be independently tabulated, so recognition lands exactly where it鈥檚 earned.

Applications for the inaugural Ever Upward awards open Feb. 3 and close March 26.

Unlike traditional business awards that are driven by nominations or subjective criteria, Ever Upward is determined entirely by performance data. All financial information will be submitted directly to Carr, Riggs & Ingram 鈥� the program鈥檚 official tabulation partner and a nationally ranked accounting and advisory firm 鈥� ensuring confidentiality and independent verification throughout the process.

Applications for the inaugural Ever Upward awards will open Feb. 3. Eligible companies must have been in operation since at least January 2022, meet minimum revenue thresholds and be Knight-owned or led.听

鈥淥ur alumni don鈥檛 just represent 麻豆原创, they extend it,鈥� says Michael Harding, 麻豆原创 associate vice president for partnerships. 鈥淓ver Upward celebrates Knight-owned and Knight-led businesses whose leadership and momentum mirror the ambition of this university and uniquely position them to build powerful partnerships with 麻豆原创.鈥�

The application deadline is Thursday, March 26, 2026. Finalists will be announced in early summer, with full rankings revealed at the August awards celebration.

For eligibility requirements and application details, visit the .

We encourage our Knights to consider 麻豆原创 when participating in Giving Tuesday this year. Together, we can fund scholarships for deserving students, breakthroughs in research, and other initiatives that build a better future for our students and society.

Here are five things Knights should know about Giving Tuesday at 麻豆原创:

1. Giving Tuesday is on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

But you can give to 麻豆原创 as early as today by visiting the .

You can support 麻豆原创 for Giving Tuesday as early as today.

2. Last year, Knight Nation came together and raised more than $495,000 to support funds for 麻豆原创 students.

麻豆原创 has participated in Giving Tuesday since 2013. Last year, you helped us unlock even more potential and inspire excellence听across the university on Giving Tuesday. Nearly 700 donors from all over the nation rallied to raise $495,000 toward student success at 麻豆原创, funding scholarships, career services, Knights Pantry, academic support, athletics and more.

3. Every donor and every dollar count.

Every gift matters. Whether it鈥檚 $5, $10 or $50, it makes a collective impact. We have a strong, passionate community of alumni and friends. How much could we accomplish if we all came together as a force for good?

4. This Giving Tuesday, alumni and friends are encouraged to make an impact where it鈥檚 needed most by donating to 麻豆原创鈥檚 Greatest Needs fund.

Gifts to 麻豆原创鈥檚 Greatest Needs fund make possible some of the university鈥檚 most pressing initiatives. This can include fellowships, scholarships, faculty research, student experience programs, athletics, campus learning spaces, emergency relief and more.

When you give a Greatest Needs gift, you can feel good knowing it鈥檚 accomplishing something powerful. Wherever the need is most urgent, your donation provides immediate support.

5. All giving matters鈥攚hether it鈥檚 a donation, your time or your talent.

Here are some other ways to show your support:

• Volunteer with a
• Become a
• Knight Your Ride with a 麻豆原创 license plate
• Cheer loud and proud at
• Hire a Knight

Most importantly, share your story. Tell everyone what it means to be a Knight and why you love 麻豆原创. Together, we can make this great university even greater tomorrow than it is today.

The donation is the first major programmatic gift to the AHSC since it was created in 2018 and will support the 麻豆原创 Genius Innovation Challenge, a new initiative designed to promote synergy through interdisciplinary approaches and solutions.

Bringing together the College of Medicine, College of Nursing, and College of Health Professions and Sciences, and Student Health Services, the AHSC was conceptualized as a nexus of interdisciplinary education and training with the health-focused academic and clinical units within 麻豆原创 in close physical proximity on the 50-acre Lake Nona campus. The campus is part of the Lake Nona Medical City developed by the Tavistock Group and includes 麻豆原创鈥檚 new teaching hospital, the 麻豆原创 Lake Nona Hospital. Nemours Children鈥檚 Hospital and the VA Medical Center are nearby and, along with other facilities 鈥� both existing and planned 鈥� provide additional opportunities for collaboration.

The Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation was established in 1959 and supports the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park, Florida, along with educational and other non-profit organizations that work to improve the quality of life.

The 麻豆原创 Genius Innovation Challenge aligns with the foundation鈥檚 goals through its focus on an interprofessional approach, bringing together researchers, clinicians and students from various academic disciplines and professional fields to foster innovation and holistic healthcare.

All four were selected for their community leadership and professional expertise. The new members will guide the foundation by supporting fundraising efforts, acting as financial and investment advisors, managing the foundation鈥檚 real estate and governing the business affairs of the foundation.

The additions to the 麻豆原创 Foundation Board of Directors are:

Ricardo Cardenas 鈥�92 was named president and chief operating officer of Darden Restaurants in January 2021. In this role, he has responsibility for all restaurant operations as well as supply chain, development, franchising & international and consumer insights. Previously, Cardenas served as chief financial officer for Darden Restaurants. As CFO, Cardenas lead all financial functions for the company including finance and accounting, corporate reporting, corporate tax, treasury and investor relations. An accounting and finance graduate, Cardenas is a 2018 麻豆原创 College of Business Hall of Fame recipient.

James Harhi 鈥�97 is an entrepreneur and founder of JFH Technologies LLC, which specializes in family entertainment centers and consulting. Harhi founded and sold three other small businesses and is now a partner at ProParks Attraction Group, which specializes in the amusement industry by owning, operating, and consulting for domestic and international clients. He holds a degree in interdisciplinary studies and has volunteered as a 麻豆原创 social media ambassador. His wife, Brooke (Bloodworth) Harhi 鈥�00 鈥�02MA, holds both her bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in English.

Stuart Heaton is the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Elevation Financial Group and is a key executive officer of its affiliated companies. He has served for more than two decades as a senior executive directing and managing a broad spectrum of operational, legal and capital-related activities for micro-to-large cap publicly traded companies. In addition, he is a licensed attorney who has practiced law in both the private sector and in-house for 30 years. He is a parent to two Knights 鈥� Geoffrey 鈥�17 and Christopher, a current student.

Michael Hinn 鈥�92 is the co-founder and CEO of Knight Agency, an Orlando-based brand consultancy founded in 1994. Hinn won the 麻豆原创 Alumni鈥檚 Lifetime of Service Award in 2012 for his 18-plus years of contributions to 麻豆原创, 麻豆原创 Alumni and Pegasus magazine. He is also an honorary inductee to the Nicholson School of Communication and Media Hall of Fame, a member of 麻豆原创鈥檚 President鈥檚 Circle, The Charles Millican Legacy Society and 麻豆原创 Athletics Shareholders Society. Hinn鈥檚 wife, Christine Summa Hinn 鈥�90, is also a proud alumna with a degree in organizational communication.

When the pandemic came calling, the on-site engagement center went remote. Getting new software to keep information secure and allow calling from personal computers was the easy part. But with training and feedback being crucial to the student fundraisers鈥� success, this new format presented some challenges.

As is typical of Knights, they rose to the challenge and have excelled.

鈥淸We] had to change up how we interact during shifts, since we aren鈥檛 together in person; it鈥檚 more difficult to ask a question or provide feedback,鈥� says Alexander F. Pribil, engagement center manager at Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL), the organization that partners with The 麻豆原创 Fund in managing call center operations.

Although COVID-19 has changed some of the logistics of student calling, the focus remains the same: staying in touch.

鈥淥ur goal is to let [alumni] know we still care about them, wanting to know how they鈥檙e doing after graduating and letting them know about things going on at 麻豆原创,鈥� says student supervisor Ilyssa Appleman, an event management听major who has worked at Knight Line for two years.

Now, the student fundraisers focus on 鈥榗are calling,鈥� rather than on raising funds for university students and programs. Since the pandemic hit, callers have made about 16,000 care calls.

鈥淲hen we got started with our care calling, we spent some time working on active listening, and taking cues from our alumni,鈥� says Pribil.听 鈥淢ost calls average around the three-minute mark but we have [had] some great conversations that went on for 25-30 minutes 鈥� the callers were really connecting with our alumni.鈥�

Appleman agrees that everyone has adapted well off-site. She has found the transition to care calls very successful and says that most alumni seem to enjoy them.

鈥淭hey feel appreciated that we called to check in during these challenging times. A lot of them like to talk because they have been cooped up inside.鈥�

鈥淸The alumni] feel appreciated that we called to check in during these challenging times. A lot of them like to talk because they have been cooped up inside.鈥�

The student fundraisers also work hard to stay connected to each other remotely. 鈥淚 believe that the callers have adapted to working off-site in a wonderful way,鈥� says Tahlia Hutchinson, a political science major who has worked at Knight Line for more than a year. 鈥淲e run games in our chatroom during shifts and even just talk about our days and update each other on what鈥檚 going on.鈥�

But, regardless of the location 鈥� on-site or off-site 鈥� Knight Line makes an impact not only on the alumni who receive the calls, but also on the students who make the calls.

鈥淭he friendships and connections I have made at the Knight Line will always hold a special place in my heart,鈥� says Appleman. 鈥淚鈥檝e learned so much about the university while working here, and while it鈥檚 common to have a bad day at a job, I have never had a bad day here!鈥�

Hutchinson agrees. 鈥淲orking at the 麻豆原创 Knight Line has offered me many different opportunities, from internships to networking,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he 麻豆原创 Knight Line pays in more ways than one.鈥�

More than 80 donors who have included the university in their estate plans were honored at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and thanked for their commitment by Jeff Moore, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, and others.

Moore, who helped launch the 麻豆原创 Celebrates the Arts festival four years ago, is also a member of the Millican Society. He and his wife established the Jeff and Mindy Moore Endowed Music Scholarship at 麻豆原创. 鈥淢y legacy gift is scholarship, in an area about which I am extremely passionate 鈥� music, and specifically percussion 鈥� at a place in which I believe: 麻豆原创,鈥� he said.

Remembering the festival鈥檚 goal 鈥� to extend the arts and make an impact on the community 鈥� Moore expressed his appreciation for society donors who similarly 鈥渦nderstand the importance of playing an active role in improving lives.鈥�

The Charles Millican Legacy Society is named in honor of 麻豆原创鈥檚 founding president. Two years ago, which would have been Millican鈥檚 100th birthday year, a goal was set to add 100 new members by the end of the IGNITE fundraising campaign.

Planned gifts are an important part of IGNITE, a multi-year fundraising effort to raise $500 million for the university by mid-2019. They currently make up $62 million of the campaign鈥檚 $365 million attainment.

If you’d like to speak to someone about making a planned gift, please contact Kathleen Hagerty, at Kathleen.Hagerty@ucf.edu听or call 407.882.1237.

听President John C. Hitt thanked donors for their support, which has helped the university grow its endowment and fund endowed professorships. Endowed positions are crucial for recruiting and retaining the highest-quality faculty. 鈥淎s members of our Knights family, you have my deepest appreciation for your support in making 麻豆原创 one of the great success stories in higher education,鈥� he said.

听Lisa Dieker, Pegasus Professor and Lockheed Martin Eminent Scholar Chair, shared her experiences as a first-generation student who benefitted from scholarship support, and as an endowed professor whose funding has 鈥済iven me as a faculty member the greatest gift of all: the time to think outside the box.鈥� Dieker demonstrated听 TeachLivE, a program created by Dieker and colleagues at 麻豆原创, which uses interactive technology and avatars to improve teacher training.

听In addition, Pamela Carroll, dean of the College of Education and Human Performance (COEHP) and Michael Morsberger, Vice President for Advancement, addressed the group. Student musician Aramis Ruiz provided musical entertainment, and College of Education and Human Performance Student Maurice McLeish spoke about his 麻豆原创 experience.

Then the email arrived from the College of Nursing Scholarship Committee. At first she thought it was a hoax. Pon had been awarded the Vivian and Barry Woods Educational Endowment Scholarship. The amount of her award was $2,000. 鈥淭here were many things in life trying to stop me from my dreams, almost convincing me that this life was not meant to be,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut if receiving this scholarship when I did doesn鈥檛 tell me that I am meant to be where I am today, then I don鈥檛 know what will.鈥� Pon is on track to graduate in 2018 and thanks the donors who have given her the opportunity to 鈥渟ave lives in the future, while making something of mine.鈥�

Pon was one of the 113 nursing students who received a private donor-funded scholarship this year, selected from more than 400 applicants. Students and their donors met at an annual scholarship luncheon this week to share stories about the power and impact of philanthropy.

One of those donors was Sarah Dodson 鈥�01, who established the In Memory of Marlie Kai Dodson 麻豆原创 Oncology Nursing Endowed Scholarship in 2012, in honor of her daughter who died in 2011. Many 麻豆原创 nurses cared for Marlie during her stays at Arnold Palmer Hospital and inspired Dodson, who wanted to support future caregivers graduating from the 麻豆原创 nursing program. Recently, Dodson experienced a d茅j脿 vu moment when her niece was hospitalized at the same hospital where Marlie spent so much of her life. 鈥淚 was a worried aunt, assuming the worst,鈥� she says.

As fate would have it, her niece鈥檚 nurse was Mackenzie Chase, 鈥�16, the 2015 recipient of Marlie鈥檚 scholarship. 鈥淚t was at that moment, I felt the impact of giving,鈥� says Dodson, who watched as Mackenzie confidently cared for her niece. 鈥淚 knew everything would be fine.鈥�

The College of Nursing awarded $332,000 in scholarship support this year 鈥� the largest amount ever. Two new endowed scholarships were established this year: The Elaine Alliance Endowed Scholarship will support undergraduate nursing students and the Dr. Angeline and John R. Bushy Endowed Scholarship will support doctoral students interested in rural health.

鈥淲e are very thankful for the support we receive from our alumni and friends in providing scholarships for our nursing students,鈥� said Mary Lou Sole, dean of the 麻豆原创 College of Nursing. Sole also noted that six nursing faculty members had established endowed scholarships, and more than 2,000 faculty and staff members contributed to programs and funds campus-wide 鈥� including many to benefit the College of Nursing — during the recent faculty and staff campaign.

Another student who benefited from a scholarship was Robin Kintz, whose path to nursing was a circuitous one. As a middle schooler, she was a caregiver to her breast cancer-battling mom and aunt, and was told she had a knack for the nursing profession. She resisted, and it wasn鈥檛 until later in life when she realized her calling. This semester, she started her first adult rotation — ironically, on the woman鈥檚 oncology unit at Florida Hospital. 鈥淲hen I walked onto the unit, I looked at the patient鈥檚 names on the doors and two stuck out to me: my mom鈥檚 and my aunt鈥檚,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 help but think, I must be doing something right with this whole nursing thing.鈥�

Katie Korkosz, director for advancement at the college, says scholarships are a funding priority and assist students with their tuition and educational expenses. 鈥淢any nursing students are not able to work during the program due to the rigorous curriculum, so scholarship support is critical and helps us recruit and retain the best and brightest students.鈥�

Kintz agrees that working while studying is hard. 鈥淓ntering nursing school last fall was a real challenge for me,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 was working 30 hours a week to pay my bills and was told that working during nursing school would be difficult.鈥� Luckily, Kintz received the Compassion for Nursing Endowed Scholarship which gave her the means to pay for tuition, and more. 鈥淚t gave me peace of mind and the ability to focus more on my classwork.鈥�

To give to the College of Nursing, please visit: or contact Katie Korkosz at katiek@ucf.edu or 407-823-1600.

Provost and Executive Vice President Dale Whittaker and the campaign鈥檚 spirit team delivered the news at the Student Union that 2,045 faculty and staff members made the donation to invest in academic excellence, student success and the university鈥檚 future. This year鈥檚 campaign recorded a 13 percent increase in the number of donors and dollars raised.

鈥淲e are all partners in the advancement of 麻豆原创. To each of you, thanks for helping to ensure that our university continues to be a guiding light to opportunity,鈥� Whittaker said. 鈥淭ogether, our giving sets a powerful example for others. We demonstrate that we are united in a common goal: making 麻豆原创 the best it can be.鈥�

The faculty and staff鈥檚 contribution will benefit many different areas on campus as donors had the option to choose desired funds to support. The donations also will count toward IGNITE: The Campaign for 麻豆原创, the university鈥檚 campaign to raise $500 million by 2019. .

For an in-depth look at the success of Believe, visit , which features video, photos, anecdotes and facts from celebration event.

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