Professional Achievement Award winners are selected by each individual college and are given to alumni who are standouts in their respective fields.

The 2015 awardees included:
The Burnett Honors College
Susan D. Rozelle, ’94| Associate Dean for Faculty and Professor of Law, Stetson University College of Law
College of Arts and Humanities
Juliann Nicole Hickey, ’95 | Senior Vice President and Eastern Regional Manager, Title Resources
College of Business Administration
Terry D. McNew, ’86 | President/CEO, MasterCraft Boat Company LLC
College of Education and Human Performance
Gonzalo S. La Cava, ’97, ’01, ’09 | Area Superintendent, Central Learning Community, Fulton County Schools
College of Engineering and Computer Science
Benjamin J. Patz, ’85 | Managing Director, The FAN Fund
College of Health and Public Affairs
Bernard Rousseau, ’98, ’00, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow | Associate Vice Chair for Research/Chancellor Faculty Fellow/Associate Professor of Otolaryngology, Hearing and Speech Sciences, and Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
College of Medicine
Dr. Michael Makowski, ’80 | Eye Physician/Surgeon, Tomoka Eye Associates
College of Nursing
Thomas Weichart, ’04, ’14 | Clinical Nursing Director, ONI Medical Associates
College of Optics and Photonics
Frank J. Effenberger, ’95 | VP, Access Lab, Futurewei Technologies
College of Sciences
James Rosengren, ’81 | Founder/Chairman/CEO, Heritage Health Solutions Inc.
Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Christopher Iaciofoli, ’03 | Director of Operations, Red Lobster Seafood Co.

—â¶Ä”â¶Ä”

The evening’s other recipients included:
Distinguished Student Award
Yudeysis Cores
Service to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Award
The Honorable Olga M. Calvet, ’71 | Senior Vice President/CFO, Palmas Services LLC
Distinguished Alumnus Award
Alex Martins, ’01 | CEO, Orlando Magic
Michelle Akers Award
Limbitless Solutions
Champions Award
J. Charles Gray

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!

Read more stories about alumni at ucfalumni.com.

Charles serves in his current role, as well as founding director, of GrayRobinson, where he continues to practice full time in the 270-plus lawyer firm.

He’s served as city solicitor for the City of Orlando, chairman of the Florida State Turnpike Authority, chairman of the Economic Development Commission of Mid-Florida, and chairman of the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Foundation (now trustee emeritus), as well as in many other leadership positions.

After winning the 1964 gubernatorial campaign, Florida Gov. Haydon Burns asked his campaign chair, Charles, what he wanted.

“Number one, I want a new university,� he said. And, Burns promised it to him, along with his other list of requests, which included an east-west expressway, a Board of Regents term for a dedicated campaign worker, and his suggested state road board member, among others. Charles didn’t ask for anything for himself.

Burns fulfilled every promise except one. After reading in a newspaper that he appointed someone else to the state road board, Charles called and questioned him. He answered: “Charles, getting a new university authorized, implemented and appropriated is not easy. I made a deal with the most powerful man in the legislature, Speaker of the House E.C. Rowell, who said he could get it done only on the condition that his best friend was appointed as a state road board member. I had to make a deal, and I’m sorry about that. That university was your first choice, and that’s what I had to do.�

Charles considered it an excellent trade-off.

Once Florida Technological University (now Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½) finally came to fruition, Charles was instrumental in the in the selection of former President Charles Millican, and current President John Hitt, and even introduced The Burnett Honors College’s namesake, Al Burnett, to the university.

As a prominent attorney and a major figure in the community, he has remained one of Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s strongest advocates.

The Champions Award has only been given out three other times, to the following recipients:

Read more stories about alumni at ucfalumni.com.

The $60,000 in net proceeds from the classic, named in honor of Al and Nancy Burnett, will help attract the best and brightest graduate school scientists to the College of Medicine’s Burnett School of Biomedical Scientists. The inaugural tournament, held last October, was rained out and rescheduled this spring at Winter Park’s Interlachen Country Club.

“The money raised during this event is a powerful statement of the commitment that the entire community has for the cutting-edge biomedical research we are performing in the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences,� said Dr. Stephen King, a Burnett faculty member who golfed in the event as president of the medical school’s Faculty Council. “These funds will be used to train the next generation of researchers that can help society address the health challenges of the future.�

The Burnetts’ donation to begin the biomedical sciences program was the foundation for Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s new medical school. It was one of many gifts the Burnett family has given to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ – the president’s home and the Burnett Honors College are also the result of their generosity.

“Al and Nancy Burnett personified the philanthropic spirit that has made this community so great and that lead to the formation of the Burnett School and the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ College of Medicine,â€� said Dr. Deborah German, vice president for medical affairs and founding dean of the medical school. “That caring and giving attitude is demonstrated through their children and grandchildren in this golf tournament that will help create tomorrow’s scientific leaders.â€�

Golfers included Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ President John C. Hitt, area business leaders and donors. The scramble tournament included a shotgun start, buffet lunch and awards reception. The tournament’s proceeds were matched by the Al & Nancy Burnett Charitable Foundation.

“We are so grateful that Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ created this wonderful opportunity to celebrate our parents’ legacy with the good friends and leaders who inspired their passionate support of the university,” said Bruce Burnett, the Burnetts’ son and a director of their charitable foundation. “They were very proud of the cutting-edge research taking place at the university and its commitment to educating future doctors and scientists in a new and better way.”

Event sponsors included: GrayRobinson, P.A. Attorneys at Law, SunTrust Private Wealth Management, Mercedes-Benz of Orlando, CFE Federal Credit Union, Moore, Ellrich & Neal, P.A. Certified Public Accountants, AT&T, DELL, FAIRWINDS Credit Union, the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Foundation, Inc., the Volvo Store of Winter Park, Jim and Judy Russell and the Al & Nancy Burnett Charitable Foundation.

Money raised will go toward fellowships for Masters and Ph.D. students. Burnett School faculty researchers, graduate and undergraduate students focus their work on cancer, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and infectious disease.

College of Medicine faculty members Dr. Jane Gibson and Dr. William Self also participated in the tournament. “Our golfing highlights included a few birdie opportunities (that we were unable to convert), playing on a simply amazing course, and driving past an alligator on one of the holes,â€� said Dr. King, who completed the faculty threesome. “We look forward to improving our skills and being ready to participate in what we hope will become an annual tradition at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½.â€�

The good news: The tournament raised over $65,000 for Burnett school graduate student fellowships and had more than 90 golfers, including Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ President John C. Hitt and Pat Campano, father of College of Medicine vice president for medical affairs and dean, Dr. Deborah German.  “The glass is always half full, and today it was really overflowing,â€� mused Dean German.  “That money goes to support graduate students who will do the research that will save the lives of our future children and grandchildren.â€�

The tournament honored the late Al and Nancy Burnett, devoted Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ supporters, whose generosity created the Burnett school. Plans are already underway to set a new date for the tournament that will be open to all fall participants.  “We invite everyone who’s become a part of this tournament to please come and be our guests,â€� said Charles (Chip) Roberts, the College of Medicine’s assistant vice president for development.  “Save your mulligans, and we’ll all be back to have a great time in the spring.â€�

In the meantime, Dr. German hopes to brush up on her own golfing skills. “I look forward to seeing you back here in the spring,� she said. “I’m told by Dad and one of the faculty members, I’ll be good enough to play by then!�

“Al and Nancy Burnett were very generous friends of Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ and the College of Medicine,â€� said Dr. Deborah German, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the medical school. “We are honored to work with their family and continue the legacy with this first-time golf tournament.  Proceeds will support critical medical and biomedical research programs that were important to Al and Nancy and that will have impact on the health of us all.â€�

The tournament begins with an 11 a.m. buffet lunch.  Golfers begin play at 12:30 p.m. with a shotgun start. Following the scramble tournament, golfers will enjoy an awards reception. Registration is $1,200 per foursome. Individual players also are welcome with a $300 registration. The first $50,000 raised will be matched by a grant from the Al & Nancy Burnett Charitable Foundation.

Sponsorship opportunities are available and range from a $25,000 presenting sponsor to a $2,500 silver sponsorship.  Silver sponsor benefits include recognition at the tournament, a foursome at the tournament and one hole sign on the course.

Event sponsors include: GrayRobinson, P.A. Attorneys at Law, SunTrust Private Wealth Management, Mercedes-Benz of Orlando, CFE Federal Credit Union, Moore, Ellrich & Neal, P.A. Certified Public Accountants, the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Foundation, Inc., and the Al & Nancy Burnett Charitable Foundation.

To sign up for the tournament or get more information, please visit http://med.ucf.edu/burnett-classic/

Dr. Hitt thanked supporters for sharing their time, talent and personal resources to ensure that Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ continues to stand for opportunity.  “Your philanthropy supports our students, faculty, programs and facilities. Your vision helps us to provide real-world experiences to our students. Your support strengthens our commitment to creating new facilities to meet student and community needs.â€�

Two special awards ─ the President’s Award and the Partnership Award ─ were also given. The recipient of the 2012 President’s Award was Dr. Neil Euliano, a long time supporter of Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ who led the way for the creation of the Veterans Commemorative Site on Memory Mall. “We thank you not only tonight, but always. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to honor your service and the sacrifices of all American veterans,â€� said Hitt.

The 2012 Partnership Award was given to The Wayne M. Densch Charitable Trust, whose decades-long partnership with Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ has resulted in the renaming of two athletics buildings and the creation of the Wayne Densch Sports Center, home to the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ football program. A new partnership between the two will become a student-academic center on campus that will provide classroom space, career advisement and tutoring services for Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s student-athletes.

Senior engineering major Tatiana Viecco thanked the donors who have made her studies at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ possible. “Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s ability to stand for opportunity is made so much stronger because of donors like you. You give much more than money ─ you give hope and encouragement too. None of what I’ve accomplished would be possible without your generous contributions.â€�

(Photo: Santiago Rodriguez, Santiago Studios)

Trustees learned that the freshman class includes 67 National Merit Scholars, 14 National Hispanic Scholars, four National Achievement Scholars and 53 high school valedictorians.

“We are continuing to attract top-notch students from across the country,� said Al Harms, vice president of Strategy, Marketing, Communications and Admissions.

Eighteen percent of freshmen are the first in their families to attend a four-year college or university. That figure rises to 26 percent for the entire Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ student body.

“This is great for them, but also for their children,� President John C. Hitt said during the State of the University Address on Tuesday. “Data show that children of college graduates are 12 times more likely to go to college than children of parents who have not attended college.�

Other key statistics for the fall freshman class of 3,640 students include:

In other action Thursday, the Board of Trustees:

Learned that Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s purchase of the WMFE TV broadcast license and production equipment is now final. The sale ensures that, through , public broadcasting will remain in Central Florida and will lead to a stronger broadcast signal, meaning PBS will be accessible to more people in Central Florida and others will enjoy better viewing reception. Additionally, more educational opportunities will be available for Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ students in broadcast engineering, digital film and media, communications and other fields.

Discussed the success of Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s online learning initiatives, including the university’s emphasis on providing the resources faculty members need to develop highly effective online courses. The Sloan Consortium, a higher-education association that promotes online learning, recognized Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ this year with its top institution-wide award for creating and delivering high-quality courses online.

Approved naming the presentation room in the Graduate Student Center in Colbourn Hall after Patricia Bishop, who retired in January as vice provost and dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

Remembered Al Burnett, a highly respected entrepreneur and one of the university’s most generous supporters. Burnett, who passed away this month, and his wife Nancy, who died last year, donated $12.8 million over more than 30 years to support Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ students and programs, and the impact of their gifts plus state matching funds totaled nearly $25 million. The university president’s home, honors college and school of biomedical sciences are named in their honor. Trustees watched a video tribute created by Burnett Honors College students.

Learned that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded a $1.1 million grant to continue the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ , which prepares juniors and seniors for a doctoral education. Participants are low-income or first-generation students or are from underrepresented groups.

Honored Physics Professor Dan Britt for developing the technology that allowed scientists and the public to get close-up views of Mars’ minerals and textures with the proper color.

Applauded the women’s soccer team for ranking as high as No. 6 in the nation this fall. The team has been ranked in the top 10 for six consecutive weeks.

The legacy of Al Burnett and his wife, Nancy, includes a $10 million donation that laid the foundation for the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ College of Medicine, which is transforming health care and the economy in Central Florida. Their generosity also built the beautiful home of the university’s honors college, which includes classrooms, a reading room and a popular Meditation Garden.

“One of the qualities I admired most in Al was the love and devotion he had for his family,” Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ President John C. Hitt said. “Martha and I will always treasure the friendship we shared with Al and Nancy. He touched many lives through his enormous generosity toward Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½.”

The Burnetts donated $12.8 million over more than 30 years to support Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ students and programs, and the impact of their gifts plus state matching funds totaled nearly $25 million. The university president’s home, honors college and school of biomedical sciences are named in their honor. Al Burnett also received an honorary doctorate degree from Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½.

The Burnetts’ $10 million donation established a new college of biomedical sciences at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ in 2004. Al Burnett envisioned his gift leading to the establishment of a college of medicine that he hoped would open in five to 15 years.

The Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ College of Medicine opened five years later – in 2009, and it now enrolls 180 students. So far, $2 billion in construction is committed at medical city, of which $1.5 billion is complete or under way. The medical city has been described as the biggest economic game changer for Central Florida since Walt Disney World.

Nancy Burnett passed away last year. Following Nancy Burnett’s death, the couple’s children donated $28,000 for a graduate fellowship at the College of Medicine’s Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences to honor the memory of their mother.

“Their gifts have benefited thousands of students in our classrooms, in our research labs and on our athletic fields, and their generosity will continue to benefit Central Floridians for many years to come,â€� President Hitt said following Nancy Burnett’s death.

Al Burnett was born in Denver, Pennsylvania, and he attended Drexel University with a full athletic and academic scholarship.

His success as an entrepreneur began at a very early age.  When he was five years old, he sold his mother’s vegetable soup from a red wagon.  While in college, he sold Fuller Brushes door-to-door in downtown Philadelphia and managed a campus-wide candy business with his fraternity brothers. In the 1950s he established Twin Kiss, a family restaurant franchise that quickly expanded to 234 locations in 11 states.

Nancy and Al Burnett moved to Winter Park in 1966 with their family after acquisition of Contemporary Cars.  During the next two decades, he expanded the dealership to include the Porsche and Audi brands.  The dealership had more employees with 10 and 20 years of service than any other dealership in the United States.  This was the first of 16 automobile dealerships he purchased in Florida, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

“He was a someone who reminded us to pursue excellence, work hard, and give back to the community,” said Alvin Wang, dean of The Burnett Honors College. “These are the values that we strive to cultivate among our students.”

A memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, at First United Methodist Church Winter Park, 125 N. Interlachen Ave.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Pen Bay Healthcare Foundation, 22 White Street, Rockland, Maine 04851.

In 2004, when the Burnetts made their $10 million donation to create a new college of biomedical sciences, Mr. Burnett called the gift “a necessary step if we’re going to head in the direction of a full-fledged medical school, which is what I hope we can accomplish in the next five, 10 or 15 years.”

“Their gifts have benefited thousands of students in our classrooms, in our research labs and on our athletic fields, and their generosity will continue to benefit Central Floridians for many years to come,” Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ President John Hitt said. “Please keep Nancy’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”

Family and education were always important to Nancy Burnett. She taught speech and drama in Ephrata, PA, where she met her future husband. The Burnetts moved to Winter Park in 1968 with their family, after acquiring Contemporary Cars. She received an honorary doctorate degree from Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ for her unfailing commitment to the university. She was also an active member of the Interlachen Country Club, a member of 101 and Town and Gown, and actively supported many Central Florida charitable organizations.

“Nancy Burnett was dedicated to family and that extended family including the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ community,” said Dr. Deborah German, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the College of Medicine. “Every day at the medical school we witness the Burnett family’s generous support as we train the next generation of scientists.”

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be made to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of the Comforter.

Provost and Executive Vice President Tony Waldrop informed the university’s Board of Trustees of the new designation on Wednesday.

Public Administration offers 22 graduate and undergraduate programs and serves nearly 1,000 students. The school’s areas of focus include nonprofit management, urban planning and emergency management.

The school’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Management has earned about $4 million in external funds and helped more than 200 nonprofit organizations.

“This is an amazingly innovative department,� College of Health and Public Affairs Dean Michael Frumkin told the trustees.

Public Administration is one of eight Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ graduate programs nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Also at Wednesday’s Board of Trustees meeting:

— President Hitt expressed “great sadnessâ€� that Nancy Burnett, a longtime friend and benefactor of the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, passed away last week.

Nancy and Al Burnett have donated $15.5 million over more than 30 years to support Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ students and programs. The Burnett Honors College and Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences are named in their honor, as is the president’s on-campus home.

“Their gifts have benefitted thousands of students in our classrooms, in our research labs and on our athletic fields, and their generosity will continue to benefit Central Floridians for many years to come,� Hitt said. “Please keep Nancy’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.�

— Board members approved Chairman Emeritus status for Rick Walsh and Vice Chairman Emeritus status for Tom Yochum. Yochum attended the meeting, accepted a plaque and said he was thankful for the opportunity to serve the university for 10 years.

— The board welcomed newly appointed trustee Robert Garvy, chair and CEO of INTECH.

— The board heard an update on the university’s progress on developing a new policy governing academic integrity and misconduct. The Academic Integrity Task Force is in the process of receiving feedback from the university community.

— The board learned about a proposal to attach a large screen to the outside of the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Arena that could be used to showcase movies, away sporting events and university programs along with advertisements. Additional feedback about the concept will be accepted.

— Joel Hartman, vice provost for Information Technologies, was lauded for his selection as the 2011 Sloan Consortium’s A. Frank Maydas Leadership Award winner. The award acknowledges and celebrates leadership in online education.

— The board recognized Professor Linda Walters for being named one of the best biology professors in the country by The Coastal and Estuarine Research Foundation. She also earned the 2011 Florida Campus Compact Service-Learning Faculty Award for her excellence in linking Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ courses with community needs.

— Associate Professor H.G. Parza of the Rosen College of Hospitality Management was applauded for earning the John Wiley and Sons Lifetime Research Achievement Award from the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education.

— The board lauded the volleyball team for earning the 2010-11 Team Academic Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. The award honors teams that have matched their dedication to the sport of volleyball with excellence in the classroom.