List Of University Of Central Florida Alumni
The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a metropolitan public research and space-grant university located on a 1,415-acre (5.73 km2) main campus in Orlando, Florida, United States. UCF is a member institution of the State University System of Florida and is the largest university in the United States in terms of undergraduate enrollment. It was founded in 1963 as Florida Technological University with the goal of providing highly trained personnel to support the Kennedy Space Center. When the university's academic scope expanded to encompass other disciplines, the school was renamed to the University of Central Florida in 1978. Initial enrollment in 1968 was 1,948 students; as of 2012, the university has 59,767 students from more than 140 countries, all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Since the university's first graduating class in 1970, UCF has awarded more than 200,000 degrees, including 35,000 graduate and professional degrees, to nearly 170,000 alumni.
UCF alumni have made research contributions to optics, modeling and simulation, digital media, engineering and computer science, business administration, education and hospitality management. Graduates of the university include a Prime Minister, a Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, a United States Assistant Secretary of State, a Deputy Assistant Secretary at the United States Department of the Treasury, and a Director of the National Reconnaissance Office; in addition to numerous members of the Florida Cabinet, Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate, two National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts, and numerous officers in the armed forces through a unique partnership with the U.S. military. UCF graduates have served at the head of organizations such as the Orlando Magic, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Texas Rangers, NASCAR, Busch Entertainment Corporation, Ericsson, Darden Restaurants, Sun Sports and Fox Sports Florida, Raymond James Financial, and NASA. Actress Cheryl Hines, widely known for her role as Cheryl David on the HBO television series Curb Your Enthusiasm, graduated from UCF with a degree in communication. The Blair Witch Project, one of the most successful independent films produced, was filmed by UCF students and directed by alumni Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez.
As a competitor in college athletics, UCF has had many notable student athletes, coaches, and staff members, such as National Football League (NFL) players Daunte Culpepper, Kevin Smith and Brandon Marshall; National Basketball Association (NBA) starting guard Jermaine Taylor; NASCAR driver Aric Almirola; and champion woman's soccer player Michelle Akers. As of 2012, more than 75 UCF alumni compete in professional sports, such as, basketball, football, baseball, golf, soccer and auto racing.
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