Two decades ago, UCF opened an on-campus stadium that embodied the ambition of a spirited university and the belief of its fanbase. Today, the opening of the new Roth Tower marks the next chapter in that story, celebrating the rise of Knight Nation, UCF’s trajectory as the youngest institution in a Power Four conference and the momentum still ahead.

The Roth Tower project, made possible by a $90 million commitment of Tourist Development Tax revenues from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, represents a pivotal addition to the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village that strengthens Orange County as a premier destination for sports tourism and community engagement.

“The new Roth Tower would not be possible without Orange County’s $90 million investment, and we are deeply grateful to Mayor Demings and the Board of County Commissioners for their belief in UCF,” says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. “That investment, together with the commitment of our donors, fans and community, helped make this next chapter of the Bounce House possible. Today, we are delivering a community asset designed to bring people here, bring them back and create lasting value for Orange County.”

Born to Bounce

Since its opening in 2007, Acrisure Bounce House has allowed UCF to showcase the momentum and trajectory of one of the country’s fastest-growing universities.

For years the idea of an on-campus stadium at UCF was a dream that many had said could never come true. UCF President John C. Hitt and several prominent UCF supporters, including the tower’s namesake, Jerry and Susan Roth, saw the vision of what an on-campus stadium could be. They believed the football program and a stadium could help elevate the university and its brand.

In the last 20 years of the Bounce House, UCF has captivated audiences on nationally televised primetime broadcasts; welcomed premiere college football shows �����ʱ�’s College GameDay and �󰿳�’s Big Noon Kickoff; hosted conference championships that catapulted the Knights to New Year’s Six bowl games; and has become a not-to-be-missed atmosphere in college sports.

The new Roth Tower represents another important investment in our continued rise.

A Tower With a Story to Tell

Thoughtful planning went into the design elements and functionality of the new tower.

The new space allows more opportunities beyond game day to welcome alumni, partners and visitors for corporate meetings and retreats, weddings and events, and even rocket launch viewing opportunities of nearby Kennedy Space Center, whose Launch Complex 39A aligns with the stadium’s 50-yard line.

Stronger media and broadcast spaces will help showcase UCF nationally and open possibilities for hosting other premiere sporting events and concerts. The strategic layout and structure will make operations and logistics safer, smarter and more efficient.

The tower also serves as an extension ɫ����’s mission to equip our students with the knowledge, skills and aptitudes that align with the workforce of the future, offering paid opportunities to gain industry experience in areas including facility and event management, game day operations, broadcasting and production, brand management and strategic communications.

The details are uniquely UCF, with nods to the university’s roots as America’s Space University and its location in one of the most desirable tourist destinations globally.

A new concept in luxury seating, the open-air, semi-private Sky Suites on the north and south wings of the tower​ take advantage of Orlando’s average of 233 sunny days per year. Floor-to-ceiling windows serve as the east and west walls of the central suite space on the third floor for optimal views of the field and athletic village.

The stadium’s art collection is growing with two custom murals that pay homage to the UCF story and the university’s relationship to Orange County designed by artist Harry Foreman ’18, a graphic design and emerging media management graduate. These complement several installations around the concourse already that include Knightro, wings of Pegasus (the university’s official seal), UCF’s Big 12 ties and Orlando.

Building What’s Next

Roth Tower will create memorable experiences for visitors and reinforces UCF as another reason people choose to come to Orange County and come back.

While the tower is a huge step forward for UCF Athletics, it is not the finish line, says UCF Director of Athletics and Vice President Terry Mohajir, who has worked to implement facility enhancements throughout the village since he arrived in 2021.

“Our fans gave this stadium its identity … and kept the faith as UCF climbed from one level of collegiate athletics to the next,” Mohajir says. “Our responsibility now is to keep matching that belief, by giving our student-athletes every opportunity to succeed, competing for championships, delivering a Power Four-caliber experience and continuing to build the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village into one of the greatest destinations in college sports.”

The UCF football team opens the 2026 season against Bethune-Cookman on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. Ticket information can be found at .

Joshua Taggart knew he wanted to work for the space industry the day he experienced his first launch while attending a camp at Kennedy Space Center, seeing the space shuttle Endeavour soar into the sky. He’s now closer to making that dream a reality after being recognized with one of the industry’s most distinguished awards.

Taggart is the latest Knight to receive the coveted Astronaut Foundation Scholarship, a national award that provides more than 70 scholarships of up to $15,000 each for some of the nation’s very best STEM students. He will be recognized with the 2026 class of scholars at the foundation’s gala, to be held next month in Houston.

Taggart says he chose UCF for its reputation in engineering as the No. 1 supplier of talent to the nation’s aerospace and defense industries (Aviation Week Network). He is in good company as part of a trio of Astronaut Scholars this year from the College of Engineering and Computer Science, joining mechanical engineering student Keanu Brayman and computer engineering student Kyle Coutray (a biomedical sciences double major), who have received the scholarship for second consecutive year.

As Taggart works to complete his final year at UCF, his latest accomplishment fuels his path to make an impact as a future space researcher.

Future Focused

Driven to contribute to humanity’s exploration of our universe, Taggart is already working on future-focused innovations that can benefit the space industry.

Through NASA Office of STEM Engagement, he interned at the Johnson Space Center working on communications, avionics, propulsion and flight software for CubeSat subsystems.

This summer at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, he is researching packaging materials for silicon carbide pressure sensors, working to make sure they perform reliably above 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 degrees Fahrenheit), and on integrating thermocouple sensors for temperature compensation.

“I chose this field of research because I want to be involved in next-generation electronics that can withstand the extreme nature of outer space.” — Joshua Taggart

“With the harsh environment that outer space is and planet surfaces like Venus, electronics must survive very high temperatures and radiation effects,” he says. “I chose this field of research because I want to be involved in next-generation electronics that can withstand the extreme nature of outer space.”

His work as an undergraduate researcher for the Q-Sim Lab, directed by Assistant Professor Jaesung Lee, also centers around developing technology designed to operate in outer space. Taggart is working on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) resonators designed to perform under extreme conditions, such as elevated temperatures and increased exposure to radiation.

He recently won a Judge’s Choice Award at UCF Student Research Week for his Honors Undergraduate Thesis, “Robust AlN MEMS Resonators for High Temperature Space Environments.”

His passion for space has only grown over the years, reflected by his ongoing research at UCF and for NASA. As an Astronaut Scholar, Taggart is launching into a future full of possibilities.

“Aside from the financial support that this scholarship will provide me as I complete my undergraduate program, I am very eager for all of the networking opportunities I will have,” Taggart says. “I look forward to networking with other students and industry leaders to learn and grow as much as I can thanks to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.”

Those interested in the Astronaut Scholarship and other opportunities should reach out to the Office of Prestigious Awards at��OPA@ucf.edu.

UCF researchers are known worldwide for their innovative studies, groundbreaking discoveries and contributions to patented technologies that have impacted society and influenced other leaders in the field.

Two College of Engineering and Computer Science professors and a three-time UCF alum-turned-courtesy faculty appointee are now being recognized for their achievements that have advanced the quality of life for the state of Florida and the nation.

Professors Reza Abdolvand and Ni-bin Chang and Lockheed Martin Fellow Clara Rivero Baleine ’01 ’03MS ’05PhD have been named 2026 inductees of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame (FIHF). This initiative celebrates pioneering inventors and empowers future problem-solvers and changemakers.

This initiative celebrates pioneering inventors and empowers future problem-solvers and changemakers.

This year, 10 inventors from Florida will be inducted during a formal ceremony in Tampa on Nov. 6. Since FIHF was founded in 2013, five faculty inventors from UCF have been recognized with the distinction.

“Induction into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame represents the ultimate validation of a lifelong commitment to translating academic research into industry practice,” Chang says. “Being inducted into the Hall of Fame, which includes over 90 inventors in different fields is also a testament to the thriving Florida innovation ecosystem and the power of continuous, groundbreaking discovery.”

A Career in Environmental Innovation

Chang was selected for induction based on his groundbreaking invention of green sorption media (GSM) and sustainable water treatment technologies that improve water quality.

GSM is a cost-effective and sustainable type of filtration media that uses recycled byproducts and natural minerals to treat stormwater runoff, wastewater effluent, groundwater flow and agricultural discharge.

There are a variety of patented GSM blends that can filter heavy metals, pathogens and contaminants from water systems. This process not only restores aquatic ecosystems but halts the transmission of waterborne diseases, and eliminates cyanotoxins and “forever chemicals” from water that can harm both humans and animals.

“Removing these diverse contaminants from water matrices provides profound, cascading benefits for both human health and aquatic ecosystems,” Chang says. “By eliminating the risk pathways associated with both acute exposure and chronic bioaccumulation, these GSM-based treatment technologies support fundamental ecological balance and public well-being.”

GSM blends are already used at more than 300 water treatment sites across the U.S.

The Inventor of Advanced Electronics

Abdolvand, the chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, was named an inductee for his contributions to the field of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) — incredibly small devices that have mighty power. Specifically, he is the inventor of a class of microelectronics called Thin-Film Piezoelectric-on-Substrate (TPoS) devices, which improve the reliability and efficiency of a wide range of electronics, including cell phones.

“By improving the efficiency and reliability of the components that make up these systems, the impact, while often invisible to the end user, is very real,” Abdolvand says. “Better performance, lower power consumption, and more reliable devices are the kinds of improvements that quietly make everyday technology work better for everyone.”

Abdolvand’s interest in innovation stems from his natural sense of curiosity. He says his tendency to connect the dots between seemingly unrelated events or systems has served him well throughout his career in research and academia.

“The moment it all clicked was during my Ph.D., when I was first given the opportunity to work on genuinely hard technical problems,” Abdolvand says. “I realized I could come up with solutions that simply did not exist yet. That realization was a turning point.”

As his career progresses, Abdolvand hopes to leave behind a legacy that is less about devices and innovation and more about people. His passion for educating, inspiring and creating opportunities for students means more than the impacts of his inventions.

“What excites me most is seeing students take the seed ideas developed at the university and carry them forward into their own companies, their own inventions, their own contributions to society,” Abdolvand says. “That chain of innovation — from a research lab to a startup to a product that improves people’s lives — is what I find truly meaningful. If I can play even a small role in setting that chain in motion for as many students as possible, that is the legacy I would be interested to leave behind.”

On the Cutting Edge of��Infrared��Materials and Optics

Driven by a desire to protect people and advance technologies that matter, Rivero Baleine joined Lockheed Martin, a UCF Pegasus Partner, in 2005 after completing three degrees in six years at UCF.

Rivero Baleine now serves as a Lockheed Martin fellow, contributing to cutting‑edge innovation in infrared materials and optics.

Rivero-Baleine’s gradient refractive index optical materials and metamaterial coatings transformed infrared sensing systems for defense and advanced photonics applications.

“I am profoundly proud and deeply humbled to be welcomed into such an extraordinary community of inventors and innovators,” Rivero-Baleine says. “What inspires me most is knowing that these��innovations will��become part of systems that protect service members, strengthen national security and expand the capabilities of the platforms we rely on. That sense of purpose continues to��drive��my work every day.”

Rivero Baleine continues to maintain strong ties with UCF through a courtesy faculty appointment at CREOL and serves on the CREOL Dean Advisory Board and the UCF Material Science Industrial Advisory board.

Rivero Baleine is a Burnett Honors Scholar and earned a bachelor’s degree in physics, and a �������ٱ��’s and a doctorate in optics.

UCF Professor Michal Masternak and his team have identified molecular changes in the liver that happen when space travelers experience radiation and microgravity. These changes – that resemble accelerated aging – provide new insight into how prolonged space missions may increase health risks for astronauts and reveal potential targets for therapies that could combat age-related diseases on Earth.

“Just 24 hours after radiation exposure, there are many genetic changes in the liver that are remarkably similar to what happens during aging.” — Professor Michal Masternak

“We focused on the liver because it is one of the major metabolic organs in our body,” says Masternak, leader of the College of Medicine’s aging and space medicine research efforts. “What we found was that just 24 hours after radiation exposure, there are many genetic changes in the liver that are remarkably similar to what happens during aging. We can assume that if someone were in space much longer, the damage could be much greater.”

The findings were recently published in��GeroScience.

Navigating the Science

For their study, UCF researchers and scientists from the U.S. created a simulated deep space environment in the lab. The team exposed animal models to simulated microgravity for 14 days and galactic cosmic radiation and solar particle events at NASA Space Radiation Laboratory trying to mimic the dosage that astronauts would be exposed to during a trip to Mars.

The exposure triggered noticeable and potentially harmful changes in the liver, including increased cellular senescence (aging and decreased cell function), inflammation and fibrosis. Left untreated, these conditions can eventually lead to declining and even failing organ function.

The research team then compared their results with data collected from astronaut blood samples taken during the NASA Twins Study and Inspiration4 astronauts. They saw similar genetic changes in blood.

“We’ve got this raw data from human studies, and they show that some of these changes are similar,” Masternak says. “That tells us we’re identifying useful molecular targets that one day could help protect astronauts during long-duration space missions.”

They��also��went a step further to see��whether the��changes could be treated. They��identified��a group of molecules known as antagomirs that alter several aging and inflammatory genetic pathways��by interacting with the body’s��microRNA. This system could pinpoint promising��future��therapies for space travelers.

Understanding Aging in the Space Age

Masternak says��the nation’s��growing space industry provides a unique opportunity to study aging at an accelerated pace.

“Very often when we study different aging processes, it takes time,” he says. “Even in humans, it’s almost impossible because it would take decades. But if we see some acceleration of aging in space, then we can translate it to human studies. We can observe processes happening much faster, understand them better and eventually use that knowledge to improve health for people here on Earth.”

“If we see some acceleration of aging in space, then … we can observe processes happening much faster, understand them better and eventually use that knowledge to improve health for people here on Earth.” — Masternak

Those discoveries could eventually lead to therapies that slow age-related diseases, preserve organ function and improve quality of life for everyone as they age.

“Our understanding of aging is very complex,” Masternak says. “Aging isn’t simply wrinkles or cosmetic changes. It’s the gradual and cascading failure of multiple organs and biological systems that happen at the same time. By understanding what starts that process and where it happens, we have a better chance of preventing many diseases before they develop. That is one of the biggest outstanding questions.”

Students Positioned at the Forefront of Space Medicine

College of Medicine students are also benefitting from space medicine research. Biomedical sciences Ph.D. student Md��Tanjim Alam��’25MS��joined Masternak’s laboratory during his��biotechnology��master’s program after initially planning to study cancer in relation to aging biology. Then he was introduced to space medicine, including processing astronaut samples from commercial space travelers to study how extreme environments affect human biology. That research has inspired him.

“I want to keep exploring the unknown,” Alam says. “I really want to understand how space travel influences human health, particularly its effects on aging and cancer.”

Biotechnology��graduate��student��Sarah��S.��Siddiqi��’24��says the interdisciplinary nature of the research attracted her to the space medicine and aging lab.

“When people think of aging, they think only about elderly populations,” says Siddiqi, who earned her bachelor’s degree as a Burnett Honors Scholar in biomedical sciences. “But we study aging across different stages of life and different environments, including space. I’ll always be focused on improving quality of life. I want to better understand diseases that are increasingly prevalent and find ways to recognize them earlier, before they progress to later stages.”

Funding and Disclosure:

Representing��UCF,��Natalie Hayslip��’24��served as first author, while��Sarah Ashiqueali��’21MS ’24PhD, Xiang Zhu, Ridwan Hussein��’22��and��Mishfak��Mansoor also contributed to the research.��Researchers from��Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine,��Universidade��Federal de Pelotas,��the��University of��Pittsburgh��and��the��University of North Carolina at Chapel��Hill��also��contributed.

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation Award Number (FAIN): 2317758(MMM), Ed and Ethel Moore Alzheimer’s Disease Research Program of the��Florida Department of Health,��Public Health Research, Biomedical Research Program��24A12 (MMM), and the National Science Centre, Poland UMO-2023/51/B/NZ5/00498 (MMM).

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the awarding agencies.

At the threshold of retirement on June 30, UCF’s first Pegasus Professor (honored in 2000) and original architect of online learning would rather talk about his ultimate inspiration.

“My greatest reward is that so many of my former students stay in touch with me,” says Dziuban, an inaugural Online Learning Consortium (formerly Sloan Consortium) fellow.

“My greatest reward is that so many of my former students stay in touch with me.”

Those students often showed up for Dziuban’s statistics and research design classes. Many of these students were daunted by the subjects only to find that the person teaching them listened intently, making himself, and the material, approachable.

This is Dziuban’s style — with students, colleagues, everyone. To effectively teach, he knows he must begin with the right questions. That curiosity-driven approach has guided UCF to be a leader in online education, including the ɫ���� program which serves 9,000 students annually, for over 30 years — earning recognition among the nation’s best programs, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Here, UCF’s longest serving faculty member is finally on the other side of the questions, sharing insightful reflection and parting wise words.

Humble Roots

“I never set out to achieve any of this,” he says, “but the smallest incidences can make significant impacts.”

Dziuban grew up near Utica, New York, where most boys graduated from high school and followed their fathers into the mills. Dziuban, avid about hunting and fishing, began to develop a routine that exists to this day: reading two books every week.

“The truth is, I didn’t want to work in a mill,” he says. “Reading led to college and college allowed me to reinvent myself. People had called me Charlie. I hated it. In college, I became Chuck.”

Chuck earned degrees, moved, taught, and discovered a connection with statistics and research. At the University of Wisconsin, a mentor, Chester Harris, changed his life.

“He was terrifyingly smart,” Dziuban says, “but he knew the importance of understanding students before expecting them to understand the subject. I still have a picture of Chester on my desk. It keeps me humble.”

Humility was among the factors that drew Dziuban to a new university in Orlando, where parking lots were dirt and a cardboard box housed the university’s entire computing output.

“I saw FTU then, and UCF now, as a place where you had room to develop ideas.”

“I saw FTU then, and UCF now, as a place where you had room to develop ideas,” he says. “It was like a Silicon Valley startup. You weren’t sure how it might go, but at least the vibe was positive.”

He developed one of his first ideas following a three-hour statistics lecture.

“My students should have been in an emergency room after that lecture,” he says. “I realized they’d learn better by running data first and then coming back for an abbreviated lesson — similar to what we call a ‘flipped classroom.’ Students said, ‘Oh, I get it now.’ ”

Pioneering Digital Learning

Dziuban was called upon to use his expertise in and research design to develop a plethora of ideas that would attract international attention to UCF.

One of those early ideas led to a seismic shift that thousands ɫ���� and ɫ���� students are still benefitting from today.

While developing what would become the Research Initiative for Teaching Effectiveness, Dziuban mentioned to the university’s fourth president, John C. Hitt, the concept of remote learning through the use of VHS tapes.

“He told me to innovate,” Dziuban says, “so we used computers instead of tapes. Eventually, we had the most sophisticated online learning model in the country, and the walls of classrooms came down.”

This is why, the annual Chuck D. Dziuban Award for Excellence in Online Teaching, established in 2012, is bestowed to one UCF instructor who teaches an exemplary online or video course.

“Like I said, I never planned any of this,” he says.

Staying True to “Doing the Right Thing”

If you ever stepped near Dziuban’s office, you’d see a poster featuring a child with hotelier and philanthropist Harris Rosen — namesake ɫ����’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Rosen used an adage that’s echoed in Dziuban’s mind since they began to break barriers to education in communities in need 31 years ago: “Do the right thing.”

With this as his guide, Dziuban helped The Rosen Foundation institute a program to ensure free preschool and resources through high school. College and trade school would also be free. Instead of directing the program, they empowered people in Orlando’s Tangelo Park and Parramore communities to lead it.

They’ve expanded that impact across Florida as well, and the results have been remarkable — including a recent $50,000 donation from the Harris Rosen Foundation to Gainesville for All in honor of Dziuban’s work transformative community initiatives.

“The odds of earning a college education have gone from nine-to-one against to three-to-one in favor,” Dziuban says. “There’s immense talent in every community. We can’t let it go to waste. It’s why we start young and celebrate every success.”

At the end of this school year, he will be on stage for just such a celebration.

“I’ll have the honor of moving tassels from the right to the left on the graduation caps of pre-k students,” Dziuban says.

The man with six decades of achievements in higher education will stand back and enjoy a moment the 4- and 5-year-old kids can tell others about.

“I can’t imagine anything more meaningful than that.”

Designed to accelerate innovation, the Orlando Health Strategic Innovations group connects real clinical and operational challenges with student and academic talent, creating a healthcare environment where ideas are tested, informed by feedback, and continually improved. The space serves as an extension of the system’s downtown headquarters and is jointly funded by Orlando Health Ventures and the Orlando Health Innovation teams.

Orlando Health’s presence within SPRK aligns with UCF’s broader co-location strategy, which brings industry partners onto campus to catalyze innovation through proximity. The approach emphasizes shared space, shared��challenges��and shared outcomes to accelerate problem-solving, support experiential��learning��and speed the translation of ideas into practice.

The co-location marks the latest milestone in��Orlando Health’s��long-standing partnership with UCF.

“By working side by side at SPRK, we are accelerating innovation and moving real-world healthcare solutions more quickly into the communities we serve.” ��— Alexander N. Cartwright, UCF president

The Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute provides comprehensive, year-round care for UCF student-athletes, including on-field coverage, primary care sports medicine, and specialized imaging. As a��Pegasus Partner,��Orlando Health pledged $5 million toward the��, which supports nursing internships, scholarships, and hiring, helping to address the state’s nursing shortage. In addition, Orlando Health and UCF collaborate on advanced technology projects��—��such as the AI for Medical Surgery system��—��jointly offer specialized residency programs and��collaborate in��many��additional��ways.

“Orlando Health has been an exceptional partner,��demonstrating��what is possible when industry and academia come together with shared��purpose. This next phase of co-location builds on that foundation,” says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. “By working side by side at SPRK, we are accelerating innovation and moving real-world healthcare solutions more quickly into the communities we serve.”

Healthcare Innovation at the Center of Campus

Located in��approximately��2,649��square feet��within SPRK, the��Strategic Innovations group��was intentionally placed, here,��to foster continuous collaboration with faculty and students across disciplines.

This co-location enables a new operating model. Orlando Health brings real health system��challenges��directly into the academic environment, and interdisciplinary teams of students, faculty,��and Orlando Health innovators rapidly design, test,��and refine solutions.

Early collaboration has already begun to generate impact in areas such as cancer research, digital health, creation of AI��models��and various orthopedic innovations.

“The opening of an Orlando Health Strategic Innovations space at UCF represents our shared commitment to advancing healthcare delivery through bold new ideas,” says Jamal Hakim, M.D., chief physician officer, Orlando Health. “Through this partnership, we are creating a collaborative environment where clinicians, researchers, students and industry leaders can generate real-world solutions and drive innovations that will shape the future of how we care for patients.”

Built to Go For Launch

The latest milestone in , this co-location represents UCF’s deep commitment to the ecosystem of support powering our vision for the future.

Through��a collective effort��—��combining philanthropy and transformational giving with corporate��partnerships, research��commercialization��and other revenue-generating endeavors��—��UCF��is charting��a��bold��new path forward and building a future the world has only begun to imagine.

“This co-location with Orlando Health exemplifies the kind of partnership that powers Go for Launch, bringing industry and academia together to create real-world impact,” says Rod Grabowski, UCF vice president for Advancement and Partnership, and CEO of the UCF Foundation. “By aligning visionary partners with UCF’s innovation ecosystem, we are accelerating discovery, expanding opportunity and advancing solutions that improve lives.”

Four outstanding undergraduate students are redefining the boundaries of STEM through their high-impact research — and in doing so, placing the university among the nation’s top producers of Goldwater Scholars.

The prestigious Goldwater Scholarship identifies and supports the nation’s best student researchers in the fields of engineering, mathematics and natural sciences.

This year’s honorees — all expected to graduate next spring — have propelled UCF into an elite tier of research institutions, surpassing several Ivy League institutions and tying for fourth in the nation in total Goldwater Scholars produced alongside Stanford University, the University of Notre Dame and the University of Chicago. Their impactful work reflects UCF’s commitment to building a high-level research environment that empowers students to lead projects addressing significant global and scientific challenges.

Supporting Space Exploration

Goldwater Scholar: Keanu Brayman

Major: Mechanical engineering

Ultimate Goal: To develop robotic systems to support human exploration on Mars.

Keanu Brayman’s passion for space began early.

“One of my earliest memories is watching a Space Shuttle streak across the sky from a beach in South Florida,” Brayman says. “I remember being amazed there were people on board and feeling drawn to one day help explore the stars and discover what lies beyond our planet.”

ɫ����, Brayman has refined that dream with the support of faculty and mentors — including Department of Physics Chair and Professor Adrienne Dove, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Tarek Elgohary and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Engineer Christopher Proctor — as well as through programs like the .

He plans to pursue a doctoral degree in aerospace engineering to support lunar exploration and NASA’s Artemis program, as well as develop robotic systems that can extract resources and build infrastructure to support human exploration on Mars.

Engineering the Brain

Goldwater Scholar: Kyle Coutray

Majors: Computer engineering and biomedical sciences

Ultimate Goal: To research ways to restore communication, movement and cognitive function to the brain through engineering methods.

Kyle Coutray is focused on the intersection of neuroscience and technology.

“I’m interested in building systems that interact directly with the brain,” Coutray says. “In the lab, … [I’m] blending [both majors] into one approach.”

He aims to pursue a doctoral degree in neural engineering to further his research on brain-computer interfaces that translate complex brain activity into useful functions.

A 2026 Order of Pegasus inductee and a Burnett Honors Scholar, Coutray credits his success to disciplined focus and strong mentorship, particularly from Charles N. Millican Professor of Computer Science Joseph LaViola and Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Helen Huang.

Advancing Patient Care

Goldwater Scholar: Varun Nannuri

Major: Molecular and cellular biology

Ultimate Goal: To pursue a career as a physician-scientist.

Varun Nannuri is driven by a desire to understand why people experience different health outcomes and improve care.

“Through my clinical experiences, I have seen how much patients and families rely on physicians during some of the most difficult moments of their lives,” Nannuri says. “My research experiences have shown me that better care depends on asking better questions.”

Nannuri plans to pursue a dual M.D./Ph.D. degree and become a physician-scientist. His ambition earned him recognition as a 2026 Order of Pegasus inductee while also completing his Honors Undergraduate Thesis. Nannuri is also a member of the Burnett Honors College as a Burnett Medical Scholar, a program that offers guaranteed admission to the UCF College of Medicine upon completion.

“UCF has given me opportunities to grow as a student, researcher, leader and future physician,” Nannuri says.

Restoring Human Senses

Goldwater Scholar: Trevor Overton

Majors: Electrical engineering and biomedical sciences

Ultimate Goal: To improve the lives of people with disabilities through advanced robotic prostheses.

Burnett Honors Scholar Trevor Overton’s work centers on neuroengineering and next-generation prosthetics.

“I’ve always had a passion for building things, and I also love reading and watching sci-fi,” Overton says. “When UCF offered me the opportunity to join the MEDD [ … I knew I had to take it.”

UCF’s MEDD program provides scientifically driven students like Overton with a unique opportunity to integrate engineering principles into medicine.

Much like the development of cochlear implants, Overton imagines similar breakthroughs with vision and touch.

“I envision a future where robotic prostheses are so advanced that they could completely replace or enhance the abilities of humans,” Overton says. “It’s not entirely impossible.”

After earning a doctoral degree in electrical engineering with a focus on neuroengineering, he hopes to inspire the next generation — just as his professors inspired him — emphasizing that UCF’s strength lies in professors who actively invest in their students.

A Growing Research Powerhouse

With four 2026 Goldwater Scholarship recipients, UCF continues to strengthen its position as a leader in undergraduate research. The achievement reflects both students’ immense dedication and a university-wide commitment to driving innovation, mentorship and hands-on discovery. As these Knights prepare for the next steps in their academic journeys, they carry forward a shared mission: to turn research into real-world impact.

Students interested in applying for the Goldwater Scholarship or other major national awards should contact the Office of Prestigious Awards at��opa@ucf.edu.

Gray, who died April 22 at age 94, leaves behind a legacy woven into nearly every corner of Central Florida. A lawyer, civic leader, builder and philanthropist, he helped create the institutions, infrastructure and opportunities that generations have benefited from.

“At a time when this region was still defining its future, Charlie Gray was among those who saw what could be — and had the courage and persistence to help build it.” — Alexander N. Cartwright, UCF president

For UCF, his impact was foundational. It exists in every student who walks campus with possibility ahead of them, in every graduate who helps shape the future of this region and in every reminder that one person can change the course of a community.

“At a time when this region was still defining its future,��Charlie��Gray��was among those who saw what could be — and had the courage and persistence to help build it,” Cartwright says. “His leadership and belief in the power of higher education helped lay the foundation for the ɫ����, an institution that has opened doors of opportunity for generations of students and strengthened communities across Central Florida and our state.

“When we first arrived at UCF,��Charlie��and Saundra were incredibly gracious in welcoming Melinda and me. It meant a great deal to know him not only as a leader and champion of this university, but as someone whose warmth and generosity left a lasting impression on our family.

“On behalf ɫ����, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his life and legacy. We are grateful for his contributions and will continue to honor the example he set for what is possible.”

Building a New University for Central Florida

Gray is often described as the “grandfather ɫ����,” a title earned through decades of action. In the mid-1960s, as a young attorney and rising political strategist, he helped deliver the momentum needed to turn the vision of a Central Florida university into reality.

After Gray helped Haydon Burns win the race for governor for 1965-67, Burns asked what he wanted in return. Gray’s answer was simple: “Number one, I want a new university.”

Burns delivered, making the project the state’s top higher education funding priority and helping secure what would become Florida Technological University — now UCF.

It was a defining example of Gray’s leadership style: he asked not for personal gain, but for something transformational for the community.

Today, UCF graduates nearly 19,000 students annually and stands as one of the region’s greatest economic engines. Gray remained deeply connected to the university long after its founding, serving as chair of the UCF Foundation and helping guide its growth. In 2016, he received an honorary doctorate of public service.

Driving Prosperity Across Florida

Gray’s impact extended far beyond UCF.

As chairman of the Florida Turnpike Authority, he oversaw the design and construction of the turnpike interchange with Interstate 4 — the gateway to Walt Disney World. That infrastructure helped solidify Walt and Roy Disney’s decision to bring their vision to Central Florida, forever reshaping the region’s economy and identity.

He also secured state support for State Road 408, opening new pathways for growth. As Orange County Attorney, he helped resolve a crippling sewer moratorium, advance the Tourist Development Tax and support development of the Orange County Convention Center, downtown County Administration Center and expansion of the Orange County Library System.

Gray co-founded the Orlando Economic Development Commission (now the Orlando Economic Partnership) and helped attract major employers and mission-driven organizations, including Campus Crusade for Christ and Wycliffe Bible Translators.

He also helped finance the original Orlando Arena, supporting the city’s effort to secure an NBA franchise and helping Orlando become what many called a “major league city.”

In every chapter, Gray believed strong communities do not happen by accident — they are built by people willing to think long-term and serve selflessly.

That philosophy shaped GrayRobinson, the law firm he co-founded in 1970. His guiding principle — “when you build your community, you will build your firm” — became the base of one of Florida’s most influential law firms.

Honoring Charlie Gray’s Legacy

Beyond his professional accomplishments, those closest to him remember a man defined by faith, family and partnership.

He and his wife, Saundra, shared more than 70 years of marriage and adventure — sailing around the world aboard��Sea Gem, ranching cattle and preserving Florida’s natural beauty. Together, they donated their beloved Gemini Springs home to Volusia County as a permanent public park.

Gray is remembered as a selfless leader who gave freely to help others, as he believed in putting in the hard work to solve problems, empower people and build together.

A service will be held Monday, April 27, at 3 p.m. at Orlando Lutheran Towers in the Chapel, with the entrance on Liberty Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, consider honoring Gray by — those building a future Gray would be proud of.

In his role as the senior associate vice president for government and community relations, Kittinger has been a constant and trusted presence in UCF’s work across Central Florida.

He has faithfully represented the university with a spirit of collaboration, generosity, and care that has strengthened relationships and opened doors for years, leading to some of the university’s most impactful, long-lasting, and strategic partnerships.

On April 22, Kittinger will conclude his tenure at his beloved alma mater after nearly 23 years of service.

“Fred Kittinger has approached his work with authenticity, optimism and a sincere joy that brings people together and builds the connections that propel our success,” says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. “He has left a lasting impression with everyone he has worked with and leaves an enduring legacy at UCF.”

Joining Knight Nation

An Orlando native, Kittinger remembers the main campus being built in the 1960s. He enrolled at UCF in 1977, known then as Florida Technological University.

He was intent on staying one year to save enough money to eventually transfer to another, more established university in northern Florida. He abandoned the plan in mere weeks, falling in love with the school that he would later spend so much of his career serving.

“We always had that chip-on-our-shoulder attitude, even back then. I like that part ɫ����,” Kittinger says. “We were the little engine that could. We knew we were going someplace. We knew we were important.”

He served on orientation team and President’s Leadership Council, joined Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, witnessed UCF’s first home football game in 1979 and stockpiled memories he now relays with a smile before graduating with his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

After completing his �������ٱ��’s degree at Florida State, he went on to work as a legislative aide in the Florida Senate and as vice president with the then Orlando Chamber of Commerce. He later served as chief of staff for City of Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood.

In 2003, he was approached by the late Senior Vice President Emeritus Dan Holsenbeck and Board of Trustee charter member Patrick Christensen to gauge his interest in a position at UCF working with local governments.

Now nearly 23 years later, he’s ready for his next adventure.

Advocating for his Alma Mater

When you’re anywhere as long as Kittinger has been at UCF, you’re bound to pick up a few keepsakes. Precious items that once adorned his office walls and bookshelves will now have a new place in his home.

A metal pipe from the Reflecting Pond’s old plumbing before it was refurbished in 2018.

A Florida Tech Boulevard street sign, which may or may not have been procured in an unofficial capacity in 1978 under the guise of darkness by some of his fraternity brothers.

But his most treasured mementos are the relationships he carries with him — from the university to the community to government offices across the state.

“My greatest fortune is the number of folks I’ve had a chance to work with and develop long-term friendships with.” — Fred Kittinger

“It takes that trio to make an impact — you’ve got to have private industry, you’ve got to have government, and you have to have the non-profit independent sector all working together,” he says. “My greatest fortune is the number of folks I’ve had a chance to work with and develop long-term friendships with. I’ve been very blessed.”

He says his proudest moments are wrapped up in some of the university’s biggest milestones, all made possible through partnerships: approval for the College of Medicine; the creation ɫ����’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA); ��the UCF Downtown campus; the growth of the UCF Business Incubation Program that spans all Central Florida counties; and working on the team that secured $90 million in Tourist Development Tax revenues from the Orange County Board of Commissioners to invest in Acrisure Bounce House.

“His ability to build trust and make people feel valued has left a lasting impression on colleagues, partners and communities across our region,” says Janet Owen, UCF vice president for government and��community relations and associate general counsel.

More Than a Job

In addition to his role as an administrator, Kittinger played an active part in students’ lives for many years.

Alongside Holsenbeck and former government relations team member Alison Schultz, Kittinger helped form and guide the UCF Legislative Scholars Program, a premier, immersive, full-time experience during state legislative sessions. From the classroom to the Capitol, students gain firsthand exposure to the legislative process by working directly with legislative staff and professional lobbyists in Tallahassee, Florida. Since the program’s inception in 2005, more than 320 students have participated.

Kittinger served as a longtime adjunct instructor in the , which is part of the College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE).

Alongside his wife of 43 years, they established the Fred and Sandra Kittinger Scholarship Fund in 2020. This scholarship supports graduate students in public administration, assisting with tuition, textbooks, fees and any other items included in the cost of education.

“What has always set Fred apart is not just what he has done, but how he has done it,” Owen says. “He brings a genuine positivity and a welcoming presence to every interaction, approaching his work with kindness, thoughtfulness and a sincere interest in others. On a personal level, I am especially grateful for Fred’s friendship and counsel over the years. He will be deeply missed.”

Miller was impressed by our reputation as an early leader in technology and STEM fields, our connection to the space program and our success expanding into other areas. In fact, UCF boasted one of the highest certified public accountant (CPA) pass rates of any public university — impressive to an aspiring accountant.

So Miller applied, was accepted and committed to UCF sight unseen. It was the beginning of a journey that would change his family’s trajectory, along with the university’s.

Today, he committed a transformational $50 million gift — the largest single philanthropic investment in the university’s history — to position UCF as a global leader in fintech, artificial intelligence (AI) and business innovation by establishing the Barry S. Miller College of Business.

First-Generation Student

Miller is president and co-founder of both Voloridge Investment Management and Voloridge Health. He also founded and sold another successful business in his entrepreneurial career.

But back when Miller was attending UCF, he was paving the way as the first in his family to go to college. His dad, a self-taught contractor and developer and a single father, saw the value of higher education for his son.

“My father had a deeply ingrained work ethic that he passed on to me,” Miller says. “In the summer, he would get me out of bed early and have me carrying lumber and working on roofs. I learned to work hard, but I also learned that [it] was a tough job to do for 50 years. I wanted to try a different path.”

Once he started on that path, there was no stopping him.

Building Foundations

ɫ����, Miller became a star student. He excelled in accounting, learned numerical analysis and had a knack for understanding financial markets. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in finance.

“I learned how to really study and apply myself academically at UCF. Essentially, I was learning strategy and project management as I made my way through school,” Miller says. “I didn’t know how impactful those habits would be until later in life. I realize now that everything I learned at UCF has been foundational to my success.”

“I realize now that everything I learned at UCF has been foundational to my success.”

Outside of class, Miller became a student-athlete, playing football when he initially came to UCF. That’s where he met then-quarterback Darin Hinshaw ’90 ’94MBA, who encouraged him to join his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE), and became his big brother.

“Initially, I wasn’t interested in joining a fraternity. I had this idea that fraternities weren’t serious about school or life, and I was,” Miller says. “But my experience in PIKE ended up being formative. It’s where I learned about being a gentleman, dressing for success, networking and more.”

“To this day, so many of my friends are former fraternity brothers, including one of my best friends, Sean Hayes ’95, who has also been my business partner for nearly 30 years,” Miller continues. “As I look back, everything in my life has a connection to UCF — my friends, my business partners, my career and even my wife Rosie ’95, since we met in college.”

Leaving a Legacy

As he built his career and found success in the business and financial world, Miller wanted to give back to UCF. Over time, he has invested in first-generation and STEM student scholarships, UCF Athletics’ Knights Leadership Academy, the John T. Washington Center mural and more.

Each gift has been based on a personal connection or conviction.

“Being a first-generation student myself, having that opportunity to support students who are the first in their families to go to college is personal to me,” Miller says.

As his capacity to give grew, Miller wanted to make a transformative gift that would have an impact today and for generations to come. That led to conversations with university leaders about the opportunity to establish as a global leader in fintech, AI and business innovation.

To help bring that vision to life — and to build early momentum for , UCF’s comprehensive campaign to fuel bold ideas and build its future — Miller has committed to a $50 million gift, establishing the Barry S. Miller College of Business.

The investment will accelerate an innovative new model of business education��designed for a world��where technology, data and decision-making are inseparable, and it will prepare��students with the skills the marketplace demands.

“We are at a seminal moment in business, and AI and new technologies are creating fundamental shifts at a dramatically faster speed than ever before,” says Miller, who was inducted into the UCF College of Business Hall of Fame in 2022. “I want UCF to become the leader in business education, paving the way for everyone else.”

Inspiring Others

“Finding a way to have an impact is one of the most gratifying things you can do with your time and money.”

Until recently, Miller has made most of his gifts to UCF anonymously. But as UCF unveiled Go For Launch, he saw a powerful opportunity to step forward and encourage others to do the same. By sharing his commitment more openly, Miller hopes to help build momentum and invite broader participation in UCF’s vision.

“I hope this gift inspires people to be part ɫ����’s mission to create a bold new future and give at whatever level they can. Maybe it’s $10, $100 or $1,000 — it all makes a difference,” Miller says.

“I want to tell people this: If it’s not your time to make a gift today, maybe it will be a year from now, or five years from now,” he continues. “Finding a way to have an impact is one of the most gratifying things you can do with your time and money.”