Thu Aug 5
The UCF Art Gallery serves as a catalyst for visual arts experiences and education, culture and community engagement by providing a framework for intellectual and creative inquiry. In the 2020-2021 academic year, the gallery hosted exhibitions and programming both in person and online that examined cultural and social contexts while supporting contemporary art practices. Learn…
Mon Aug 2
Seher “Sissi” Tas learned to find her voice at UCF. As a future filmmaker, she has decided to dedicate the next chapter of her life to lifting the voices of others. Tas grew up in Turkey’s capital city, Ankara, as the daughter of a Chinese mother and Turkish father. She says her Chinese name, XÄ«xÄ«…
Sat Jul 17
In recent days, Cuba has seen unprecedented protests and demonstrations in response to shortages of food and medicine, as well as the government’s handling of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. History professors James C. Clark and Luis MartÃnez-Fernández have provided background and insight into the recent Cuban protests to a number of news outlets. WKMG-Channel 6 featured…
Wed Jul 14
The origin story of the next big superhero franchise is taking place at UCF thanks to the combined efforts of Limbitless Solutions, the School of Visual Arts and Design (SVAD) and 12-year-old Zachary Pamboukas. Two years after creating the first issue of The Bionic Kid comic book series, Bionic Kid Zachary and his older brother, Christo, return…
Tue Jul 13
When you think of composing music, what comes to mind? You might picture orchestras of strings and woodwinds, or performances at black-tie events in concert halls. This classic interpretation is accurate in some cases — but music composition encompasses more than many realize. “In reality, there have never been more people from different backgrounds writing music,” says Alex Burtzos, an assistant professor of composition in the UCF School of Performing Arts.…
Tue Jun 29
Animation Career Review has ranked the UCF School of Visual Arts and Design No. 2 among the nation’s top public animation schools and colleges in 2021. As an online resource for aspiring animators, graphics designers, digital artists and more, Animation Career Review has published a list of the top 100 schools across different programs since…
Mon Jun 28
Class NameLAH 3470 – History of the Caribbean InstructorLuis MartÃnez-Fernández, Pegasus Professor of history and member of the Puerto Rico Research Hub When is it offered?Spring, summer and fall semesters How many students are in a class?About 35 PrerequisitesEUH 2000 and EUH 2001 From the Professor How would you describe this course?This course is a multidisciplinary introduction to the historical trajectory of…
Thu Jun 24
A recent graduate of UCF’s Burnett Honors College studied an important approach to Holocaust education — using literature to teach people about the atrocities. Tiffany Sidders ’21 will continue her research through a master’s in English literature at the University of Alabama this fall. Her research was titled Vergissmeinnicht: An Interdisciplinary Study of Holocaust Trauma…
Fri Jun 18
UCF alumna Christal Hayes ’15 has already covered some of the most momentous events in modern American history — from the tragic mass shootings in Orlando and Las Vegas to two presidential impeachments in Washington. Hayes, who graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, recently was promoted to national correspondent for USA Today, the nation’s largest newspaper.…
Thu Jun 17
Judy Duda has made an indelible impact on UCF and the Central Florida community over the years. She has served on countless local, state and national boards to further her goals of education, arts, social ministry and history, fostered a 25-year relationship with the UCF Symphony Orchestra and served as the chairperson of the executive council for the dean of the UCF College of…
Mon Jun 14
Jeff Moore, dean of UCF’s College of Humanities for five years, has been reappointed to the post. The decision by Michael D. Johnson, interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, follows an extensive committee review of Moore and the college during his tenure. The process included feedback from students, faculty and staff from inside…
Thu Jun 10
Every so often, Professor Martha Brenckle thinks about a group of people she never met who gathered at Bill Federick Park at Turkey Lake more than 40 years ago. This group of ordinary people organized Orlando’s first pride picnic. “It’s just amazing to me that they did that — these regular, everyday people who had…
Wed Jun 9
UCF Professor of Art Robert Rivers was named the winner of the 2021 Florida Prize in Contemporary Art. The annual exhibition at the Orlando Museum of Art celebrates 10 of the most progressive artists in the state of Florida, ranging from emerging to mid-career. Each year, the prize and accompanying $20,000 monetary award are bestowed…
Wed Jun 2
John Norton ’20MA, a former Theatre UCF graduate student, has been awarded a Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Award for his play Triggered. Centered on the CEO of a firearms company and his marketing advisors following a tragic shooting, the one-act play grapples with sensitive and relevant topics. Norton has a history of creating plays that tackle the response to tragedy, including a play about the Challenger shuttle…
Wed Jun 2
Creativity. Culture. Collaboration. Graduating technical communication student Angela Kafka â21 embodies the very best of the UCF College of Arts and Humanities. With a passion for revolutionizing the technical communications field and empowering the community, Kafka has made a name for herself as a powerhouse in her field. As a technical communication major in the Department of…
Fri May 28
For Chung Park, music was his saving grace. Raised by a single mother along with two siblings in the big city of Chicago, the UCF Symphony Orchestra director began going down a dead-end path in high school. Life at home was chaotic, and he didn’t like school. “I felt aimless,” he says. “My compass wasn’t…
Thu May 20
The STARTALK Russian Language and Culture Immersion Program has returned to UCF for a sixth year, thanks to grant funding and the work of associate professor of Russian, Alla Kourova. High school and undergraduate students of all language levels enrolled in the three-week program will expand their language and cultural fluencies, enhance their resume and…
Mon May 17
The university’s new podcast Knights Do That is now available to download on a streaming platform near you. Produced by UCF Marketing, the podcast will focus on Knights who do incredible things on campus, in the community and around the globe. The idea is inspired by the students, faculty, administrators, staff and alumni who continue to push…
Wed May 12
The American Revolution is famous for the stirring words traditionally attributed to its patriots. There’s Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death!” And Israel Putnam’s “Don’t fire ’til you see the whites of their eyes!” And Nathan Hale’s “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” This…
Tue May 11
Associate professor of art history. Executive director of the Florida Prison Education Project. CO-PI of the NEA Big Read: Central Florida grant. Advocate. While there are many ways to describe Keri Watson and her impact on UCF and the community, the university has deemed it as “excellent” by recognizing her many accomplishments with the University…