Arboretum Seeks Fall 2013 Volunteers

This is an excerpt from a story in the Central Florida Future asking for summer volunteers, read entire piece here. Whether you’re interested in restoring nature trails or enhancing your gardening skills, the UCF Arboretum wants you to be its newest volunteer. Officials at the 82-acre on-campus nature preserve are searching for a team of […]

New COS Gonfalon Design Unveiled

“Gonfalon; a symbol of spirit for the University of Central Florida.” Originated in the medieval state of Italy, the gonfalon works as an ensign of the state of office. For UCF, the gonfalons are hung during the commencement ceremony to represent their respective college. In order to increase student participation, the College of Sciences created […]

Sacrificing Times: Secrets of Ancient America

The Department of Anthropology presents Dr. Marla Toyne: Uncovering the Secrets of Ancient America Orlando Museum of Art Auditorium September 5th, 2013 from 5:30-6:30 PM  Topic – They Were Sacrificing Times: Ritual Violence of the Northern Coast of Peru The free presentation will help you discover why the Tumi knife was made and used by pre-Incan society during […]

Dr. Hojun Song Awarded NSF Grant for Outstanding Research

While most children grow up wanting to be doctors, astronauts or firefighters, Dr. Hojun Song knew he wanted to study bugs.  Song is an assistant professor in the biology department and also the founder of the Song Laboratory of Insect Systematics and Evolution at UCF.  It was when he moved to the United States from […]

Alumni Publish New Literature

Congratulations to Brian Lackovic, ’94, who recently published his book, The Celestial Connection, a part historical fiction, part cyber espionage thriller. The premise of the book is a mysterious phone cable and an old set of train tracks long forgotten in Jupiter, Fla. connect the lives of two individuals who are separated by 120 years. […]

Comet in Deep Freeze Thaws as It Approaches Earth; Viewing Planned

What some people are calling the comet of the century will be paying a visit to our part of the solar system in November, but scientists, including UCF’s Yan Fernandez, are already hard at work preparing for its arrival. Comet ISON comes from the Oort Cloud, a refuge for icy debris jettisoned by Jupiter and […]

Alumna’s Degree Takes Her Around The World

To say that Marlene Nilsson, ’97, is well traveled would be putting things mildly. Working in places like Chad, Egypt, Sudan, Libya and Saudi Arabia this alumna has been all over the world. Her career is what allowed her to become so worldly, but Marlene credits her education at UCF for helping her succeed in […]

Disney Pays Kudos to UCF Biologist For Efforts to Save Local Lagoon

Disney’s Worldwide Conservation Fund has named UCF biologist Linda Walters and Winter Springs High School teacher Paul Sacks  among its conservation heroes for 2013. The Disney Conservation Hero Award recognizes “local citizens for their tireless efforts to save wildlife, protect habitats and educate communities.” Individuals were nominated by non-profit environmental organizations. Each winner and their […]

COS hosts PhD Reception for 31 Summer PhD Graduates

In a reception hosted by Dean Michael Johnson, the College of Sciences honored its largest class of PhD graduates on Friday, August 2, 2013.  The PhD graduates attended the reception in the Psychology Building on the UCF campus with their families and faculty advisors.  Associate Dean Teresa Dorman hosted a presentation that individually recognized each graduate […]

UCF Alumni Tie the Knot – Summer 2013

Jimmy Skiles, ’06, and Kim Merkur ’08, were married June 15, 2013 in Key Largo, Fla. UCF alumni in the wedding party included: Abby Martin-Winblad, ’08; Alexina Binnie-Alonso, ’08; maid of honor Melissa Merkur-Ventre, ’07; Derek Warden, ’08; Tom Kunnen, ’06; Adam Pallesen, ’06; Matt DeSalvo, ’06; and best man Brandon Purington, ’06. The groomsmen […]

COS Alumni Make the List

Orlando Magazine recently released the names of Orlando’s 50 most powerful people for 2013. The 10th annual list showcased a diverse mix of leaders in the Orlando community. As the magazine noted, these movers and shakers possess the power to move and inspire others. Among those listed include University of Central Florida President, John Hitt, […]

COS/UCF mourns the loss of Associate Professor Dwight C. Kiel in the Department of Political Science

The College of Sciences is sad to report Dwight C. Kiel, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science, passed away August 8, 2013.  Professor Kiel joined UCF in 1990 as an Assistant Professor in the Political Science Department.  His research focused on political theory and public policy, especially in the areas of education and environmental […]

Students and Professors are ‘Better Together’ for Undergraduate Research

The Summer 2013 edition of the Pegasus features Dr. Costas Efthimiou (Physics) and Dr. Steven Berman (Psychology) – College of Sciences professors working in collaboration with their students to produce amazing results in undergraduate research. Dr. Efthimiou worked on a research project with Christopher Frye involving string theory and how it relates to Einstein’s theory of […]

COS/UCF Mourns the Loss of Founding Biology Chairman Ellis

This story is reposted from UCFToday. Leslie Ellis Jr., the founding chairman of the University of Central Florida’s biology department, who served as acting university president after Charles Millican retired in 1978, died Tuesday.  he was 87. Dr. Ellis joined the university in 1968 after serving as chairman of the biology department at Mississippi State […]

Journey from Sergeant to Top Attorney

When it comes to describing UCF alumnus Jason Odom, ’97, there is no shortage of words. He was very motivated and hardworking during his years at UCF; however, Odom wasn’t like your typical student. While studying to receive his degree from UCF he also served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1993 to […]

UCF Alumna Inspires The Next Generation of Filmmakers

UCF Alumna and Nicholson School of Communications graduate, Stefanie Esquijarosa, ’09, is bringing film and media to Orlando area youth through the Florida Film Academy.   As Production Manager for Steel Spyda, Stefanie is at the sharp end of film and TV – assisting with the production of documentaries both on, and off, location.  She also has […]

After the acquittal: The need for honest dialogue about racial prejudice and stereotyping

This story is reposted from the American Psychological Association. By Gwendolyn Puryear Keita, PhD Psychological research shows that people often notice differences between themselves and others, but judgments about the differences can be based on biased thinking. A national uproar George Zimmerman’s acquittal of second degree murder charges in the shooting death of unarmed teenager […]

UCF Graduate Nominated for Emmy for ABC’s “Shark Tank”

This story is reposted from Knight News. A University of Central Florida graduate and Hollywood producer has just been nominated for an Emmy award. Clay Newbill is a producer on ABC’s hit TV show “Shark Tank”. The show was one of five nominated for an Emmy for best reality series. “I’m really good,” Newbill told […]

UCF RT-V Student Interns for NBC’s Today Show

There were over 10,000 applicants who applied for the east coast NBC internships, yet only 300 applicants were chosen. Of that, only 10 selected for the TODAY show and NSC’s Kaitlyn Chana was one of the chosen few. This story is reposted from NBC Universal Intern Insider. Kaitlyn Chana-philanthropist, multimedia journalist, and student at the […]

UCF Alumna Named President of Red Lobster

Congratulations to Salli Setta, ’87, who was named president of Red Lobster, the world’s largest casual-dining seafood chain, last week. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Setta replaced Dave Pickens, another longtime Darden employee promoted earlier this month to chief restaurant operations officer. She started working with Darden in 1990 as a sales-promotion assistant at Olive […]

UCF Alumna Returns to Vantage Communications

Public relations industry veteran and UCF alumna, Brianna Swales, ’03, has returned to Vantage Communications as account director. In her new role, Swales will be responsible for driving internal employee development initiatives, developing comprehensive strategy and messaging for clients, and tapping into new emerging markets while serving as a liaison with international agency partners in […]

Dr. Linda Walters Furthers Her Education

Dr. Linda Walters, Pegasus Professor of biology and director of the Center for Success of Women Faculty at UCF recently graduated from the HERS Bryn Mawr Summer Institute, held June 22 – July 6, 2013 at Bryn Mawr College. Since 1978, the HERS Institute for Women in Higher Education at Wellesley College has annually offered women […]

Joey Conicella, ’05, Will Brake for Cupcakes

By Angie Lewis, ’03 Alumnus’ sweet treats are Yum Yum in the tum tum He may have dreamed of being a Disney animator when he grew up, but little did Joey Conicella, ’05, realize then that he would, indeed, be bringing smiles to the faces of children and big kids alike — just, in a […]

Donna Lucas: UCF’s Employee of the Month

Donna Lucas, Administrative Assistant for the Department of Psychology was awarded UCF’s Employee of the Month for July! This award is in recognition of her hard work, commitment, and loyalty to the Department and the University.  Lucas has taken on an ever expanding role and increased duties in her position. Furthermore, she was integral to […]

Meet UCF Bioarchaeologist Who Looks Into Our Buried Past

Sandra Wheeler graduated with multiple degrees in anthropology from UCF and returned in 2010 as an instructor specializing in bioarchaeology. Her main area of research focuses on the bioarchaeological analysis of infants and children, which recently led her to uncovering the earliest recorded evidence of child abuse. Her findings were reported by national media. She […]

COS Professors Featured in “The Verge”

Drs. Arlen and Diane Chase were recently featured in “The Verge” for their work using Lidar, also known as laser, imaging, detection and ranging. It  works by illuminating a target zone with lasers affixed to an aircraft. The light is reflected off target objects — whether foliage, buildings or even clouds — and captured by […]

Meet Hometown Boy: A Rocket Scientist, Movie Actor and Mentor

This story is reposted from UCF Today. Joshua Colwell is a UCF physics professor trying to unravel the mystery of how Earth and the solar system were formed. His expertise has landed him roles in several NASA-funded projects, including the Cassini mission, which is exploring Saturn’s rings. Becoming a rocket scientist was a natural career […]

Alumnus Discusses Public Policy and Billboards

Chad Harvey, ’96, graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in political science and since then has become a very accomplished real estate professional. He has experience in acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, entitlements, development and business negotiations which has led him to a very interesting job with CBS Outdoor as a real estate manager. CBS Outdoor […]

NCFS: Pioneers in the Forensic Science Community

Few realize that UCF is home to one of the few Academic Forensic Science Centers in the United States. The National Center for Forensic Science (NCFS) produces future thought-leaders and practitioners in forensic science as well as first class research that has benefitted the forensic science community since 1997. Playing an essential role in the […]

Summer Harvest Feast