A Knight to Remember: College of Sciences Hosts Annual Scholarship Dinner 

A scholarship recipient’s point of view at the annual College of Sciences Scholarship Dinner. 

By: Majdulina Hamed | Published December 10, 2025 

Under twinkling lights and spirited applause, the College of Sciences Scholarship Dinner gathered students, faculty and donors to celebrate academic achievement and the transformative power of philanthropy. The evening was more than a formal event — it was a testament to how financial support unlocks opportunity, fuels ambition and shapes futures across the university. 

This was the first scholarship dinner that I have ever attended during my time at UCF. As an almost three-time alumni from UCF, I am currently pursuing my doctorate in Strategic Communications from the Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM). So, as you can imagine, receiving not only one but two scholarships have helped me immensely during these critical years. I have been honored to receive the Dr. Burt Pryor Fellowship Fund as well as the Dr. Milan D. Meeske Memorial Endowed Scholarship. 

“If you need any proof that the College of Sciences can throw a party, look no further,” says Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. John Buckwalter as he gestures towards the audience. “The turnout is so impressive and I’m so excited to be here on this special night,” he echoed the sentiments of everyone in that room, me included.  

“You worked hard, showed resilience and made the most out of every opportunity that you had. Scholarships are more than financial awards; they’re investments in your future,” says Buckwalter. Those words couldn’t have been more true, because not only was I a scholarship recipient, but I was also working at the event. 

You may have seen my name under articles being published by NSCM for the past few years because I’m also the Content Writer for the Nicholson News, and now partnered with the College of Sciences, I have the wonderful opportunity to capture even more meaningful events around the university.  

When addressing the donors, Buckwalter says, “You open doors, you make opportunities and you change lives. You are a difference-maker. These scholarships are making a difference in the lives of our students in our institution. Your generosity means more than dollars – it means belief in our students’ potential that when you invest in them, you’re investing in the future of our university, our community and our state.”  

As Buckwalter ends his remarks, I snap photos away, inspired by his words. He finishes his speech by saying, “Tonight is more than dinner, it’s a celebration of trajectory.” 

Reid Nicholson, son of benefactors Tony and Sonja Nicholson, also resonates with these remarks when he says, “Every year it’s special coming here to see each and every student and learning about the promise of what they’ll do. We’reinvesting in that promise.” 

I looked around, touched by all of those that made this event possible. As a took photos of the audience clapping after each speaker, I felt grateful to the donors whose commitments to investing in students’ futures created opportunities that extend far beyond financial assistance. 

Olivia Feild, a Dean’s Advisory Board Member of the College of Sciences, mirrors this view by saying, “As a student who also has received a scholarship, it’s important for me to ensure that everybody recognizes how impactful these really are. The connections I made with professors and fellow students during my educational journey helped me obtain my current job at the Kennedy Space Center. That support and belief in me fueled the passion to dream bigger and better and, as UCF would say, ‘reach for the stars.’” 

Hearing that Feild was once in a similar position to where I am in now made me reflect on her words. It made me sincerely appreciate being a recipient of these scholarships. Not only was this an honor, but also a reminder that there are people who believe in my goals and potential.  

Feild reflects these feelings by saying, “When you achieve that scholarship, all your hard work and stress reminds you that somebody believed in you and your story. Scholarships are more than financial aid; they are investments for these students. They open doors to students who dream big but may not have the means to pursue those dreams. Scholarships give students the chance to focus on learning, growing, and contributing to their communities. Scholarships don’t just support education, they support leadership, innovation and change.” 

A couple of student scholarship recipients also had the opportunity to speak about their experiences. Senior double majoring in Communication and Political Science, Linh Võ, who was awarded the Florida Public Relations Association Dr. Bob Davis Endowed Scholarship as a member of the Orlando Area Chapter, opened up about her story starting with her move from Vietnam to the U.S. She explained that her first year was at another university, but it wasn’t until she transferred to UCF that she felt like she was home. 

“I felt lost, but then I found the Communication bachelor’s degree from UCF at the Nicholson School of Communication and Media,” says Vo. “Combined with discussions with my family, this helped me make the best decision I’ve ever made.” 

Next, Camille Fuson, a junior studying biology, spoke about her deep passion and curiosity for wildlife that began in her childhood backyard. While telling her story about why receiving a scholarship was critical in her experience, Fuson explained that her scholarship alleviated her monetary stress this year as a result of hurricanes Helene and Milton.  

“In the fall of 2024, my world turned upside down (again). Hurricanes Helene and Milton destroyed my home twice within 10 days. Everything I had ever known and called home was gone,” says Fuson. “The storm surge had ripped apart my childhood bedroom, leaving nothing more than what I could fit in one storage tote bin.”  

However, there was a light at the end of the tunnel in Fuson’s journey because the Professor I. Jack Stout Undergraduate Scholarship in Natural History gave her the opportunity to continue her education.  

“It’s giving me financial support when I had to put my college savings into rebuilding my home,” says Fuson. “This scholarship allows me to focus on my classes without having to spend my free time working to try and cover textbooks or lab attire.” 

As I take the last few photos of the night and make my final rounds around everyone celebrating at their tables, I have truly seen the impact of our College of Sciences community. From seeing my colleagues planning the event to the final detail to seeing the dinner come together seamlessly with all the donors, faculty, and students in attendance, it has truly been one for the books.  

The message that echoed throughout the room was that generosity changes lives. The scholarship dinner was more than a celebration; it was a powerful reminder of what is possible when a community believes in the potential of its students. The gratitude expressed by students was matched by the pride felt by donors, creating a shared sense of purpose that will continue to ripple far beyond the event. In moments like these, the true spirit of UCF shines; one built on compassion, opportunity and an unwavering commitment to helping one another rise. As we all say in unison for the last time that night, “Go Knights, Charge On!”