麻豆原创 President John C. Hitt Announces Retirement

On October 24, John C. Hitt announced he was stepping down as president of 麻豆原创, effective June 30, 2018. Hitt and his wife, Martha, arrived on campus in 1992 and have since dedicated their lives to making 麻豆原创 one of the largest and best universities in the nation. For 26 years, Hitt fostered partnerships to expand 麻豆原创鈥檚 offerings to increase students鈥� opportunities to earn college degrees. In turn, his vision not only transformed the 麻豆原创 community, but the entire Central Florida region. Hitt will continue to be a part of the Knight family even during retirement, helping to advance philanthropic, community and partnership goals as president emeritus.

$2.23 Billion
Earned in research funding since 1992

30,477
Minority students enrolled at 麻豆原创 in Fall 2017. This is more than the total enrollment in 1991鈥�92, which was 21,267 students.

850
National Merit Scholars enrolled since 2002

71
New degree programs

4.06
Average GPA for this year鈥檚 freshmen. The average GPA for freshmen in 1995 was 3.34.

3
Consecutive years 麻豆原创 has had the highest student-athlete graduation success rate in the nation

President Hitt meets with leadership in his conference room to discuss the transition.

Marcos Marchena 鈥�82, chairman of the 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees, addresses President Hitt.

President Hitt takes a moment to reflect before taking the stage at the press conference.

The crowd gives President Hitt a standing ovation as he takes the stage.

President Hitt announces his retirement from the 麻豆原创 presidency with his wife, Martha, at his side.

鈥淲hen we first visited campus, [Martha and I] had a powerful feeling that 麻豆原创 was a special place. We never could have imagined then how very special it would become.鈥�
President John C. Hitt

Vice President and Executive Chief of Staff Rick Schell, 麻豆原创 Foundation CEO Mike Morsberger and Vice President of Student Develop and Enrollment Services Maribeth Ehasz were in the front row to show their support for Hitt.

鈥淚鈥檝e never felt better about the future of 麻豆原创. I make this decision in good health and of my choosing. The time is right for this decision because I鈥檝e never felt better about 麻豆原创.鈥�
鈥� President Hitt

President Hitt wears a gold Pegasus ring on his finger as a sign of his commitment to, and love for, 麻豆原创.

Martha joins President Hitt on stage at the conclusion of his announcement.

Those gathered give President Hitt a standing ovation as he takes a seat.

鈥淔or me as a coach, he hired me, and I鈥檓 eternally gratefully for the opportunity he鈥檚 given me. I love 麻豆原创 and love the opportunity here, so I’m going to miss him.鈥�
鈥� Men’s Basketball Head Coach Johnny Dawkins

麻豆原创 Provost Dale Whittaker smiles as he applauds President Hitt.

麻豆原创 Board of Trustees Chairman Marcos Marchena, who will lead a committee in a comprehensive, transparent and extensive search for the next president of 麻豆原创, discusses the transition. The search committee convened by Marchena include trustees and representatives from the faculty, staff, student body, alumni, the Florida Board of Governors and the Central Florida community.

President Hitt speaks to a group of reporters after his speech.

SGA President Nick Larkins and Vice President Cristina Barreto represented the student body at the press conference.

鈥淢aking this decision now provides the best opportunity for our momentum to continue. I know that our leadership team, including our trustees, vice presidents, and deans, will continue turning big dreams into reality.鈥�
鈥� President Hitt

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