UCF continued its annual tradition of celebrating its outstanding students, faculty and staff on Founder’s Day. But the celebration was anything but traditional. For the first time, students, faculty and staff were recognized separately at three different events throughout the day.
More than 200 faculty and 48 students were honored for their achievements. Professor Jiyu Fang of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering was recognized for 20 years of service to the university. Additionally, Kelsey Rigby, a biomedical sciences major advised by Assistant Professor Kausik Mukhopadhyay, was recognized with the Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis award.
Among the other undergraduate and graduate students are groundbreaking national and global scholarship winners, researchers, athletes, teaching assistants, residence assistants and leaders in campus organizations such as Student Government, LEAD Scholars and the President’s Leadership Council. The honorees include students in the Burnett Honors College, transfers and those from first-generation and international backgrounds.
“These recipients are some of UCF’s highest-achieving, dedicated and passionate students, and they are already making an impact on the world,” UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright says. “The UCF community is incredibly proud of them and all they have accomplished, and we look forward to the great things they will do in the future.”
Faculty awardees were honored for their excellence in teaching and research, and their years of service to the university.
“Faculty are the foundation of our university and the key to distinguishing UCF as a model University for the Future in academic excellence, student success and societal impact,” says Michael D. Johnson, UCF provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “We are grateful to them and look forward to celebrating their remarkable teaching, research and service with the campus community.”