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Political Science Alumnus Strives for Service
University of Central Florida Department of Political Science alumnus Anthony Velardi, ’15, has always focused on the big picture. He came to UCF from his small hometown of Port St. Lucie because it offers a program in International and Global Studies. He was also drawn to the university’s reputation as being one of the most […]
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CEO, Doctor and Harvard Grad Student
UCF biology alumnus Patrick Fullerton ’92 has a simple philosophy: Think big. “If people aren’t laughing at your dreams, you aren’t dreaming big enough,” he said. Fullerton, the son of a truck driver, is a first-generation college student who grew up with no professional leadership in his life. He said UCF made all the difference […]
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Communication Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee
On Thursday, November 3, the UCF Nicholson School of Communication inducted its 33rd member into its Alumni Hall of Fame, Chris Tomasso, ’93. “How I got to UCF and here today is a story of fortuitous events, a few people having tremendous impact on my life, drive, determination, and a lot of luck,” Tomasso said […]
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2016 30 Under 30
The 2016 30 Under 30 class gathered to be honored Saturday at FAIRWINDS Alumni Center during the Indoor Tailgate. They then were recognized on the field at Bright House Networks Stadium during the football game. This incredible group of individuals includes 12 alumni of the College of Sciences. Amanda Booz, ’13, Nicholson School of Communication Ms. Booz […]
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Sociology Alumna Empowers Women
An alumna from the University of Central Florida is using her people skills to support women in her community. Mónica Méndez, Ph.D., ’02, ’08, was honored on March 3 as a 2016 College of Sciences Outstanding AlumKnight award recipient by the Department of Sociology at UCF. Méndez currently serves as the CEO of Dress for […]
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UCF Prepares Alumnus for Life in Law
University of Central Florida alumnus Bennett Lessmann, ’07, is a partner at his own law firm in Boca Raton, Florida. Law Offices of Kleinman & Lessmann focuses on personal injury and medical malpractice cases, with Lessmann using skills that he gained from UCF in every facet of his work. “My UCF degrees helped tremendously in […]
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OBJ Honors NSC Alumni
Story by Bernard Wilchusky, UCF Today Ten UCF staff and alumni were named recently by Orlando Business Journal as among the area’s 40 top professionals under 40 years old. Two of the alumni honored are graduates of the Nicholson School of Communication (NSC). The NSC alumni recognized for making significant achievements in their careers include: […]
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UCF Alumna is an Ally to Orlando
At eleven years old Nilmarie Zapata, ’07, ’09, moved from Puerto Rico to Central Florida with her family. Since then, she has become a leader in the Central Florida community. Zapata earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degree in public administration from the University of Central Florida. One of the main differences […]
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Outstanding Alumna Psyched About UCF
There isn’t a typical day for Neuropsychologist Diane Caroline Robinson, Ph.D., ’06, ’10. The two-time UCF psychology alumna is program director of the Cancer Support Community and Integrative Medicine Department for the UF Health Cancer Center – Orlando Health. There she is responsible for the administration, oversight, provision and leadership of all oncology related social […]
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UCF Alumnus Heads to Rio for Fourth Paralympics
Story by Jenna Marina, UCF Alumni Today When UCF Political Science alumnus Chris Seilkop, ’92, was named to his first Paralympics roster in 1996, his family was ecstatic. As Seilkop gears up for his fourth Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this month – securing his place in history as Team USA’s first four-time, men’s sitting […]
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UCF Alumna Wins Jeopardy
Story by The UCF Burnett Honors College On an average day, Latin and sports do not go together in the same sentence. Unless, perhaps, you’re a contestant on “Jeopardy!” Luckily for UCF College of Sciences and The Burnett Honors College alumna Courtney Paulson, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in statistics, she is well […]
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COS Distinguished Alumni Award Winner 2016: Carol Lawrence
Not many University of Central Florida graduates can say that they knew the esteemed John T. Washington, UCF’s first African-American faculty member. Alumna Carol Lawrence, ’71, and her husband, Jim Lawrence, ’71, had him officiate their wedding. “The late Dr. John Washington for whom the ‘old’ UCF student union building is named was a […]
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Psychology Alumnus Bleeds Black and Gold
Steven Perham, ’12, ’14, attributes his confidence and success in his counseling career to his time spent at UCF. Graduating with his bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCF, Perham went on to earn his master’s degree from UCF’s Clinical Psychology program. “My UCF degrees trained me to work my hardest as a clinician, and I’m […]
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Outstanding Physics AlumKnight
UCF Physics alumnus Howard Bender, Ph.D., ’98, has stayed connected to his alma mater in more ways than one. Most recently he was recognized as a 2016 College of Sciences Outstanding AlumKnight as well as founded an endowed scholarship in the UCF College of Nursing. Dr. Bender graduated from UCF in 1998 with a doctorate […]
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Big Win for Ad/PR Alumnus
Story by Tommiea Jackson, Nicholson News Washington, D.C. is more than 850 miles away, but it isn’t too far for a Knight to travel to make his or her presence known. Steven Torres, ’16, a 2016 College of Sciences advertising-public relations graduate, traveled to the nation’s capital in June and brought home the top prize. […]
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Communication Alumna Conquers Nonprofit Career
Story by Tommiea Jackson, Nicholson News Tallahassee, Fla. – The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy has named UCF Nicholson School of Communication alumna Fonda Anderson, ’84, as chief of staff. In this role, Anderson serves as a key member of the senior leadership team, providing strategic oversight for programs, communication, development and planning processes to […]
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Political Science Alumnus Lays Down the Law
UCF Political Science alumnus Peter Strand, ’08, attributes his successful law practices to the instrumental faculty and work ethic acquired during his time at UCF. When the former army veteran decided to make the move to Florida to take care of a family member, he considered several Florida universities to pursue his degree. Ultimately, UCF’s faculty sparked […]
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Remembering Christopher “Drew” Leinonen
Remembering Christopher Andrew “Drew” Leinonen, ’07, ’09 Alumnus of the University of Central Florida B.A. in psychology in 2007 M.S. in clinical psychology in 2009 A TRIBUTE FROM UCF College of Sciences UCF Psychology Department UCF Classmates & Friends On June 12, Orlando was attacked. This is a tragedy for the University of Central Florida, […]
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NSC Grad Returns to Cover Pulse Tragedy
Story by Nicholson News Associated Press reporter and video journalist Josh Replogle, ’09, has great memories of the University of Central Florida and the Nicholson School of Communication in particular. Why wouldn’t he? He arrived on campus thanks to a Bright Futures scholarship in 2005. Having only lived in Florida a short time before graduating […]
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Three Math Degrees Plus One Knight Equals Infinite Opportunities
After earning three degrees from the UCF Mathematics Department, Robert Muise, Ph.D., ’88, ’90, ’03, continues to maintain strong ties to his alma mater. Most recently, Dr. Muise was honored as the UCF Mathematics Department’s 2016 College of Sciences Outstanding AlumKnight at an award reception this spring. Dr. Muise’s former Ph.D. adviser, Ram Mohapatra, Ph.D., […]
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Alumna Leads $6 Million Fundraising Effort for Pulse Victims
UCF alumna Ida V. Eskamani, ’12, ’16, serves as a development officer for Equality Florida in Orlando where she is currently managing what she describes as the most important task of her career. Following the shooting at Pulse Nightclub, Equality Florida launched a Go Fund Me page for the victims’ families and survivors. Eskamani launched […]
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Alumna UKNIGHTS for Orlando’s First Responders
University of Central Florida biology and psychology alumna Melyssa Allen, ’12, worked with departments and organizations across the university to assemble more than 150 care packages for Orlando’s first responders following the tragedy at Pulse nightclub. “I was listening to the radio the day after the tragedy at Pulse and heard that there had been […]
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‘Most Powerful’ List Features COS Alumni
Story by UCF Today Several UCF College of Sciences alumni were listed on Orlando magazine’s 2016 list of the region’s 50 most powerful people. The July edition of the magazine for the first time divides the 13th-annual list into categories, ranging from government and politics to philanthropy and community voices. In GOVERNMENT and POLITICS, Marcos […]
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Psychology Alumna Masters HR Management
Nikki Monroe, ’96, credits the guidance and support she received in the UCF Psychology Department for her success in Human Resources Management. While obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree in industrial psychology at UCF, she was competitively selected to assist Barbara Fritzsche, Ph.D.,with research. It was during this time Monroe says she was introduced to how psychological studies […]
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UCF Alumna Puts Conservation into Practice
UCF Biology alumna and former UCF Arboretum employee, Tina Richards, ’06, ’13, embraced her passion for the environment at UCF. From her instrumental role in the growth of the UCF Arboretum to becoming a full-time biologist, Richard’s path to success can be traced back to her time spent at UCF. In 2006, Richards received her […]
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Anthropology Alumna Advocates Social Justice
Lillie U. Dao, ’11, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from UCF and has been advocating for social justice and health as a human right through her research ever since. Dao has been devoted to working with underserved and marginalized communities to increase access to health services and health education. She is in pursuit […]
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Political Science Alumna Finds Passion in the People
With four UCF degrees and one on the way, UCF Political Science alumna, Anna Eskamani, ’12, ’15, has long time found a home at UCF. After graduating in 2012 with two bachelor degrees in Political Science and Interdisciplinary Studies, Eskamani went on to earn two master’s degrees in both Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from […]
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Outstanding Communication AlumKnight Represents UCF Worldwide
UCF Nicholson School of Communication alumna, Marci Gonzalez, ’05, was honored as a 2016 College of Sciences Outstanding AlumKnight award recipient in March at the college’s awards reception. Gonzalez graduated with a double major in both Radio/Television (RTV) and Political Science. She began her first job as a reporter and weekend anchor at News 12 The […]
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Communication Alumna and Entrepreneur
UCF Nicholson School of Communication alumna and former athlete, Ashley Bolling, ’12, has found herself a part of downtown Orlando’s business scene with the grand opening of her boutique. From what started as a budding online retail website, her business Closet Freekz’s rapid two year growth can be accredited to its mission of providing “unique and […]
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UCF Alumnus Lives the Optimal Life
“I love what I do.” That is what UCF Psychology alumnus, Maximilian Pollack, ’11, states to be his greatest achievement post-graduate life. Currently serving as a Mental Resilience Trainer and Performance Expert for soldiers in the U.S. Army and as a Mental Conditioning Consultant for his own practice, Max Pollack didn’t always know his ultimate […]