The Millican Society, named for ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s founding president, was established in 2000 and recognizes those individuals who make a planned gift commitment to benefitΒ ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ and its students. β€œWe appreciate the support of all of our donors, but Millican Society members’ support is especially meaningful because it so significantly impacts ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s future,” said Donald Hale, director of Gift Planning at the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Foundation.

President Hitt reflected on the society’s namesake, the late Dr. Charles Millican, with whom he shared a special friendship. He called Millican a β€œtrue pioneer whose creative vision, trailblazing spirit and clear resourcefulness inspired many.”

Hitt thanked donors for their commitment to to ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½’s long-term advancement and said that Millican would be happy to see so many people who believe in “the good work that he began and that we are doing, and will continue to do, at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½.

“As members of the Millican Society, you are envisioning the future of ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ and planning for its success, just as Charlie did early on,” said HittΒ . In addition to decades of visionary leadership, Millican and his wife, Frances, also left an enduring legacy to ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ in their own estate.

Society members were also treated to a talk and tourΒ from MIRC director, Dr. Enrique Puig, who shared the history and goals of the magnificent state-of-the-art facility.

For more information on Planned Giving, visit:

Presented by the Historical Society of Central Florida, Walt Disney World and Central Florida News 13, the award is given each year to Central Floridians whose lifetimes of achievement have made a historic impact on the community. The award is named in honor of distinguished astronaut John Young.

Millican, considered the founding father of ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½, was chosen by the Florida Legislature in 1965 to help plan and build the university.

To read more about Millican’s award and a tribute to his late wife, Frances, from the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Alumni Association, click here.

A treasured university supporter known for her passion, dedication and devotion to her husband and ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½, Mrs. Frances Hilliard Millican died Dec. 28 at age 82.

Mrs. Millican was ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½’s first lady until her husband retired as president in 1978. After her time as ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½’s first lady ended, Mrs. Millican devoted herself to helping advance the work of philanthropy at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ and frequently attended university events.

In his memoirs, Dr. Millican described his wife as “a lovely and an elegant lady, hard-working and supportive, patient and a tireless partner, who has never once complained during our 60 plus years of marriage.”

Mrs. Millican was a member of College Park Baptist Church, and a founding member of the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Women’s Club and ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Town and Gown Council, as well as a member of The Country Club of Orlando. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced at a later date.

Source: Read ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ News for the original story.

Charles Millican, the founding president of the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½, and his wife, Frances, were being treated at a hospital Sunday after falling at home.

Frances Millican, 82, was listed in critical condition at Orlando Regional Medical Center. Her husband, 93, was listed in stable condition Sunday night, the hospital reported.

University spokesman Grant Heston said the couple fell over the weekend at their Orlando home. A family friend said Frances Millican was helping her husband get out of bed when the two fell and she struck her head.

The two have been married 64 years.

“The thoughts and prayers of the entire ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ community are with the Millicans and their family,” Heston said.

Charles Millican was named by the Florida Legislature in 1965 to plan and launch the new campus, known then as Florida Technological University.

“I had no faculty, no buildings, no equipment and a budget for the next seven months of $75,000,” Millican said in 2003.

Classes began in the fall of 1968 with nearly 1,500 students, 90 faculty members and six buildings.

Frances Millican organized public events for the new university and launched projects to help it grow. She founded the campus Women’s Club, which raises money for scholarships.

She was an early advocate for creation of Valencia Community College, which has a scholarship named for her.

Charles Millican served as president for 13 years, retiring in 1978. ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½’s administration building is named for him, and last month, the university unveiled a statue of him.

He initially predicted the school would have 15,000 students. Today, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½’s enrollment is more than 53,000, making it the third-largest university in the country. Its operating budget is $1.17 billion.

Source: Orlando Sentinel, by Rene Stutzman,Β December 28, 2009