Last year,��Spencer��was promoted to��his��first leadership role as a performance coordinator with the Entertainment Events team at Universal Orlando Resort��— guiding performers,��maintaining��show quality,��and collaborating with creative and technical teams��to deliver��live events and��immersive��guest experiences. He credits �鶹ӳ����ý with helping him achieve a decades-long goal.

That��dream��started during��his��childhood in Virginia, when��his��parents went through a difficult divorce, and he��found��his��happy place at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.��He went on to become a theater student, and in high school he took a job��at the park��as a performer.

That’s��when he��knew��he��could turn his passion into a career.

“As a kid,��I could immerse myself in a show and have a reprieve from��difficult times��at home.��I knew that someday I wanted to create that happiness for others,”��Spencer��says. “Once I��had the opportunity��to work there, I was fascinated��by what it took��behind the scenes��to bring a theme park experience to life.��I��wanted a career filled with days like those.”

To pursue��this path,��he��set��his��sights��on attending��, where he��went on to��earn��his bachelor’s degree in entertainment management��in 2023.��Just��this week,���鶹ӳ����ý��welcomed�� as its first entertainment-sector Pegasus Partner and announced the creation of The Universal School of Experience Leadership and Innovation��at Rosen College.

“When I found Rosen College, I knew it was the place for me,” he says.��“On the first day of class, my professor talked about the joys of a career in the theme park industry. It was a dream��I’d��had for so long that it moved me to tears.”

He sent his mom a text that said,��“Thank you for everything��you’ve��done for me.��I’m��exactly where I need to be.”

However,��as��an out-of-state��student,��tuition��was a challenge��for Spencer.��His��mom did all she could��to help��him, but��he��has worked��hard to pay for��his��education.��He became��a��resident��assistant��on campus��and also��received a Rosen��College��scholarship.��Throughout school,��he has��worked as a performer in all three��major��Central Florida���ٳ��me parks��simultaneously.

He also became a��leader��on campus and in the industry, serving��as��vice��president��of �鶹ӳ����ý’s Future Theme Park Leaders Association��while he was a Rosen College student.

He credits��his��professors��with��believing in him and supporting him throughout his journey,��helping him to work toward��his goal��of��becoming��a show director��in one of the local world-class theme parks.

The same professor who inspired him on day one later encouraged him to pursue a master’s degree in���ٳ��med experience, part of���鶹ӳ����ý’s��College of Arts and Humanities.��This program��is designed��for���ٳ����next generation of creators, artists and leaders��who��are redefining what it means to be entertained, and Spencer just��graduated in early May.

“My �鶹ӳ����ý journey has been the experience of a lifetime,” he says.��“And the best part is that I’ll spend my career creating experiences that are just as life-changing for others.”

Last year, Spencer received a��Universal Orlando��Impact Award��recognizing his contributions��to���ٳ����grand opening celebration of Epic Universe, the resort’s newest theme park.

He��shared his��story on stage��at��,��inspiring the �鶹ӳ����ý community��and��demonstrating���ٳ�� power of a Knight education to��reshape what it means to be entertained and what the future of experiences holds for people everywhere.

The �鶹ӳ����ý-Universal��Pegasus Partnership��is a��significant early��milestone��of����—��a��$3.5 billion��campaign to expand��opportunity, advance��discovery��and drive impact across the university.

Spencer’s��story shows why����is��so important: Investments in �鶹ӳ����ý help students ignite meaningful careers, discover new��frontiers��and create a bold tomorrow.��Students like��him��are launching a new era of innovation and making their mark across every industry.

Dinender Singla, professor and head of the College of Medicine’s Division of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Sciences, developed a system that turns exosomes — vesicles that cells secrete to communicate with one another — into delivery vehicles for medical treatments.

This innovative technology, for which �鶹ӳ����ý is seeking patent protection, places therapeutics inside exosomes and coats them with cell-specific markers that direct them to an exact area of the body to deliver the drug.

“I call these smart tiny bubbles,” Singla says. “Millions of people have heart disease, and they take multiple drugs in extremely high doses. But we have no way to be certain these drugs are getting to where they need to go. We need innovative technologies to get treatments exactly where they need to go to cure the problem.”

How the Therapy Works

This discovery is part of Singla’s work to provide therapies to treat and prevent heart disease, including heart damage caused by cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and targeted radiation to the chest. That heart damage seems to be caused by inflammatory factors that treatments use to kill cancer cells. Technology developed by Singla encapsulates anti-inflammatory heart treatments in exosomes and then delivers the drug to the exact area of heart damage.

“They can treat cancer and protect the heart.” — �鶹ӳ����ý Professor Dinender Singla

As part of this research, Singla’s team also developed technologies to deliver cancer-killing drugs inside exosomes. They chose triple-negative breast cancer for their research, the deadliest form of the disease, with a 77%–78% five-year survival rate. In the lab, the therapy showed significant promise in killing cancer cells – at much lower doses that are used in chemotherapy – while also protecting the heart. So the exosome therapy could help cancer patients without the severe side effects of chemotherapy.

“These therapies can work hand-in-hand,” Singla said. “They can treat cancer and protect the heart.”

Financial Investment is Key for Drug Development

The next step will be manufacturing the therapy for clinical use and advancing into FDA clinical trials for heart disease and cancer treatment. To help accelerate that path, Singla partnered with Orlando investor and �鶹ӳ����ý donor Chakri Toleti, a healthcare technology entrepreneur focused on building category-defining businesses through AI and agentic platforms, biomedical innovation and ambient intelligence including most recently care.ai, which was acquired by Stryker in 2024.

Through his innovation fund, TCapital, Toleti backs transformative technologies designed to improve healthcare delivery and reduce human suffering at scale. Together, Singla and Toleti invested in and formed Exomic to fund continued research, clinical development, and commercialization of the technology.

“This was an opportunity to do something truly innovative in cancer and cardiovascular treatment.” — Chakri Toleti, �鶹ӳ����ý donor

Toleti says his passion for advancing cancer research is deeply personal after losing his father to the disease.

“This was an opportunity to do something truly innovative in cancer and cardiovascular treatment,” he says. “Dr. Singla’s work represents a fundamental shift toward new biomedical platforms not only in how targeted therapies are delivered in the human body, but in how we think about treatment and healing itself.”

Such public-private partnerships are one of the goals of , which drives innovation, enterprise, and collaboration across disciplines.

“Dr. Singla’s groundbreaking exosome delivery system perfectly exemplifies how university innovation translates into significant, life-saving benefits for society,” says Winston V. Schoenfeld, vice president for research and innovation. “As demonstrated by the creation of Exomic, industry partnership is essential for driving such pioneering technologies towards successful translation and real-world clinical use.”

The effort is also providing exciting learning opportunities for College of Medicine graduate students. Jonatas De Mendonca Rolando ’23MS ’26PhD��earned his Ph.D. in biomedical sciences earlier this month. He is staying at �鶹ӳ����ý as a post-doctoral researcher to continue creating the exosome therapy.

He helped develop protocols and procedures for the delicate technology and saw its impact in the lab. He’s excited to have a financial supporter who can help take the therapy from lab to, he hopes, patients.

“It’s been amazing to part of a high-tech project and see leadership in science,” he says. “I am very excited for my future.”

Researcher Background

Singla is the AdventHealth Endowed Chair of Cardiovascular Sciences at the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences and is a faculty fellow with the �鶹ӳ����ý Office of Research. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Punjabi University, Patiala, India, and his Ph.D. from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers and has continually been funded by the American Heart Association and/or the National Institutes of Health since 2004.

About TCapital

TCapital is an AI, Frontier Tech and Life Sciences innovation fund investing in category-defining platforms and infrastructure. Founded by healthcare technology entrepreneur Chakri Toleti, T-Capital invests in companies shaping the future of treatment, care, and biomedical innovation. For more information, visit TCapital.com.

What was your vision for the College of Business��when you arrived in 2012?

When I arrived, �鶹ӳ����ý��had experienced��tremendous growth, particularly coming out of the recession. But that growth made the college feel transactional. Faculty were stretched��thin,��technology had replaced��in-person��interaction��and there��wasn’t��a strong sense��of community.

What struck me most was that while we had excellent individual scholars, we��didn’t��yet have a true community of scholars. People��didn’t��know each other well, and without that,��it’s��very difficult��to build a shared vision.

So,��I��started by��listening. I met one-on-one with every��faculty��and staff member and asked three simple questions: What do you think about �鶹ӳ����ý? What would you do if you were me? And what is your role here?

What��emerged��was powerful. Many of our faculty were first-generation college graduates, just like our students, just like Barry and just like me. They��are��here because they wanted to��help build something different. That became the foundation for our vision: creating a culture of engagement that would transform the��college��experience��for everyone.

Faculty,��students��and staff here are expected to interact with each other and with people in industry and the community at large.��This has helped make��us fiercely��practical. Faculty learn what is going on at the forefront of business. The college has a relevant curriculum with hands-on��experiences��for students.��This helps��students discover their path, develop��professionally��and fully engage with their future.

How would you describe the college’s culture today?

Today, that culture of engagement defines us.

There’s��a quote��from��English��philosopher Herbert Spencer��we often reference:��“The great aim of higher education isn’t knowledge, it’s action.”��It’s��not enough for students to learn concepts;���ٳ��y need to know how to apply them.

You see that in the building itself.��It’s��full. Students are here, working together, interacting with faculty, and engaging with corporate partners and alumni. That connection to the real world has become part of the fabric of the college, and��it’s��what makes the experience more meaningful��and more transformative.

Changing culture is one of the hardest things a leader can do. It requires people to see a future they��haven’t��experienced yet. But over time, our faculty,��staff��and students have seen the value of what��we’ve��built together,��and��that’s��what makes it sustainable.

��Ƿ���does���ٳ�����������������Ѿ����������investment��accelerate that future?

“Great universities win by attracting great people (faculty and students) and creating the conditions for them to succeed. This gift helps us do exactly that.”

This investment allows us to recruit leading scholars at the intersection of business and technology��—��faculty who are working on the most pressing challenges facing industry and society.

They’ll help us tackle critical questions around trust in technology, cybersecurity, the concentration of power and how humans and intelligent systems interact. They’ll also help prepare our students to lead in that environment.

At the end of the day, great universities win by attracting great people��(faculty and students)��and creating���ٳ�� conditions��for them to succeed. This gift helps us do��exactly that.

What will��distinguish���ٳ�� college over the next decade?

Our differentiation will come from��deepening our engagement with industry��and technology.

We want to be known as a place where innovation happens first,��where companies come for talent and insight, and where students gain access to real opportunities.

Ultimately, it’s��about outcomes. If we do this right, our graduates will be exceptionally well-prepared for high-impact, high-growth careers. That return on investment will set us apart.

What gives you optimism about the future?

I grew up during the��Space��Race,��and��at the time, the race to the moon was a sign of hope for people.��Technology was seen as the path to a greater future. With the recent Artemis II launch, I would like��to see��us��instill in our students, and in our leaders, a return to that kind of optimism around what technology��can do. I think those flights are the definition of how technology can enhance the human experience, rather than replace it.

“The Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation unites creativity, technology and the practical application of business, marketing, and guest service to develop tomorrow’s leaders in themed entertainment and immersive experiences.” — Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences

The first-of-its-kind Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation is housed within the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, ranked No. 1 nationally. With the addition of Universal’s new school and the college’s School of Hospitality Leadership, students now have access to a dual-school model that brings together experience-focused education with business strategy, operations, and service leadership.

“The Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation unites creativity, technology and the practical application of business, marketing, and guest service to develop tomorrow’s leaders in themed entertainment and immersive experiences,” says Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences Mark Woodbury.

“�鶹ӳ����ý was built to power what’s next for our students, for industry, and for the State of Florida,” �鶹ӳ����ý President Alexander N. Cartwright says. “This collaboration with Universal Destinations & Experiences represents our mission at its best, creating an environment where students are learning in direct connection with the people and ideas shaping the future of immersive experiences.”

A First-of-its-Kind Model for Experience Education

The Universal and �鶹ӳ����ý partnership will also support research through a new Hospitality Technology Lab, designed to be a creative sandbox for students to collaborate, test ideas, and gain practical hands-on experience working alongside �鶹ӳ����ý faculty, Universal professionals, and industry stakeholders. Students will gain timely insight that reflects industry needs as part of their education. Built around innovation and interdisciplinary teaming, the lab embeds coursework, student projects, and faculty research in a shared space, equipping graduates with both current skills and the adaptability to lead in a constantly evolving technology ecosystem.

The new school’s research will build on �鶹ӳ����ý’s existing strengths, applying university expertise to one of the world’s most dynamic industries. Focus areas for teaching, learning, and research will include:

• Service robotics and human-centered approaches to shape guest and employee interactions
• AR and VR simulation technologies for training, operations, and immersive environments
• AI and digital twins for optimizing and personalizing the guest experience

This work extends a decades-long partnership between �鶹ӳ����ý and Universal rooted in collaboration and shared success. For more than 20 years, Rosen College has served as a key talent pipeline for Universal, with thousands of graduates contributing across its parks, experiences, and operations, alongside hands-on learning opportunities like the �鶹ӳ����ý/Universal Creative Lab.

“Together with �鶹ӳ����ý we have opened doors for students and helped strengthen our industry with valued talent — and the next chapter will be even better,” Chief Administrative Officer of Universal Destinations & Experiences John Sprouls says. “We’re creating a distinctive academic home that will expand pathways into fulfilling and dynamic careers.”

“Rosen College has long been a global leader in hospitality education, and this next step reflects how our industry is evolving,” says �鶹ӳ����ý Rosen College of Hospitality Management Dean Cynthia Mejia. “By strengthening our relationship with our longtime partners at Universal Destinations & Experiences, we are creating a first-of-its-kind two-school model that blends creativity, technology and leadership, preparing students to lead the future of guest experiences.”

Pegasus Partners: Scaling Impact Through Collaboration

As �鶹ӳ����ý’s first entertainment-sector Pegasus Partner, Universal Destinations & Experiences joins a group of industry leaders working with the university to solve real-world challenges, accelerate discovery, and strengthen the workforce talent pipeline. Universal is also the first Pegasus Partner to enter into a master research agreement with �鶹ӳ����ý, enabling collaboration at scale and unlocking new opportunities for applied research.

The Pegasus Partners program offers opportunities for select partners to engage across the university in ways that create meaningful value for both organizations. That engagement includes talent development and recruitment, shared research projects, joint ventures and collaborations, strategic philanthropy, and co-location at �鶹ӳ����ý.

As the first Pegasus Partner since the start of , �鶹ӳ����ý’s $3.5 billion campaign to accelerate its next era of impact, Universal’s commitment is a powerful model that combines philanthropy and strategic industry investment to drive innovation, expand opportunity, and fuel shared success.

For 25 years, members of have shared a powerful belief: investing in �鶹ӳ����ý is ultimately an investment in students and the lives they’ll lead.

Through planned gifts such as bequests, estate plans and retirement assets, society members extend opportunity far beyond a single generation. Their support fuels scholarships, research and academic programs that prepare students to meet the evolving needs of industry and community.

In 2025 alone, planned gifts accounted for nearly one-third of all charitable support to �鶹ӳ����ý.

The society is named for �鶹ӳ����ý’s founding president, Charles Millican, a visionary who built the university with the future firmly in mind. During his tenure, Millican transformed 1,227 acres of Central Florida scrubland into an institution designed to support the space race and prepare students for careers in engineering and computer science. He championed what would become the Central Florida Research Park and helped shape �鶹ӳ����ý’s enduring ambition to reach for the stars.

Today, that vision lives on through more than 500 members of The Charles Millican Legacy Society — and through the students whose futures are shaped by their generosity.

A World of Possibility

Thiago Maillo’s path to a bachelor’s degree wasn’t linear — but it was driven by something unwavering: the pursuit of greater opportunity.

After his first year studying medicine at the Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Maillo realized he wanted a different future. He saw higher education in the United States as the place to build it. Just three months after applying to Valencia College, he moved to Florida and later .

“Scholarships have made all the difference. They’ve made it possible for me to achieve my dreams.” — Thiago Maillo, biomedical sciences major

Today, he’s a Burnett Honors Scholar and biomedical sciences major on the neuroscience track, with a minor in psychology. He’s conducted research at the Applied Cognition and Technology Lab, completed an internship with ThinkNeuro and serves as an undergraduate teaching assistant in Genetics and Embryology. He’s also found community as president of the Argentinian Student Association.

“Being at �鶹ӳ����ý was my goal from the start,” says Maillo, who plans to pursue a doctoral degree in cognitive neuroscience. “I love being a Knight. Scholarships have made all the difference. They’ve made it possible for me to achieve my dreams — and pave the way for my two siblings to follow in my footsteps.”

Reimagining What’s Possible

Shannon Hankinson didn’t follow the traditional path to �鶹ӳ����ý — she created her own.

A Tampa native and single mother of two, Hankinson spent years leading teams at Target before realizing that success and fulfillment aren’t always the same. Determined to change course, she saved money, left her job, earned an associate degree at Eastern Florida State College and transferred to �鶹ӳ����ý, becoming the first in her family to pursue a four-year degree.

“Donors made it possible for me to build a future that reflects my values and supports my family.” — Shannon Hankinson, electrical engineering major

Now a senior electrical engineering major, she has seized several opportunities at �鶹ӳ����ý. She completed two semesters in the , joined the Society of Women Engineers and works as a research assistant in �鶹ӳ����ý’s Radiation Effects Exploration Laboratory. There, she studies semiconductor reliability, hardware design and embedded systems under Assistant Professor Enxia Zhang. Through the Scalable Asymmetric Lifecycle Engagement program, she also gained hands-on experience with the U.S. defense sector.

This spring, Hankinson will graduate debt-free — supported by scholarships, research funding and a fellowship that’ll carry her directly into a �鶹ӳ����ý master’s program. A doctorate is next.

“One of my goals was to show my children that it’s never too late to do what you want to do with your life,” Hankinson says. “Donors made it possible for me to build a future that reflects my values and supports my family.”

A Lasting Legacy

On May 2, �鶹ӳ����ý celebrated the 25th anniversary of The Charles Millican Legacy Society. The milestone coincides with , which builds on the university’s commitment to accelerating student success, advancing research and driving societal impact.

“… support from … our Charles Millican Legacy Society members [continues] to power our innovators, educators and researchers …” — Rod Grabowski, senior vice president of Advancement and Partnerships

“This university was founded to serve the next great frontier — America’s space race — and it’s support from dedicated individuals like our Charles Millican Legacy Society members that continue to power our innovators, educators and researchers as they move that mission forward,” says Rod Grabowski, senior vice president of Advancement and Partnerships and CEO of the �鶹ӳ����ý Foundation. “From driving the latest advances in AI to creating next-level immersive experiences and sparking breakthrough medical research, �鶹ӳ����ý is building a future others have only imagined — one that this society’s namesake would be proud to see.”

Maillo is forging new frontiers for his family. Hankinson is showing her children what’s possible when you start again.

They aren’t outliers. They’re what happens when students with extraordinary drive meet extraordinary support.

This is the true legacy of �鶹ӳ����ý, of Millican and of the society members: students with the confidence to go further, supported by those who believe they can.

Designed to accelerate innovation, the Orlando Health Strategic Innovations group connects real clinical and operational challenges with student and academic talent, creating a healthcare environment where ideas are tested, informed by feedback, and continually improved. The space serves as an extension of the system’s downtown headquarters and is jointly funded by Orlando Health Ventures and the Orlando Health Innovation teams.

Orlando Health’s presence within SPRK aligns with �鶹ӳ����ý’s broader co-location strategy, which brings industry partners onto campus to catalyze innovation through proximity. The approach emphasizes shared space, shared��challenges��and shared outcomes to accelerate problem-solving, support experiential��learning��and speed the translation of ideas into practice.

The co-location marks the latest milestone in��Orlando Health’s��long-standing partnership with �鶹ӳ����ý.

“By working side by side at SPRK, we are accelerating innovation and moving real-world healthcare solutions more quickly into the communities we serve.” ��— Alexander N. Cartwright, �鶹ӳ����ý president

The Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute provides comprehensive, year-round care for �鶹ӳ����ý student-athletes, including on-field coverage, primary care sports medicine, and specialized imaging. As a��Pegasus Partner,��Orlando Health pledged $5 million toward the��, which supports nursing internships, scholarships, and hiring, helping to address the state’s nursing shortage. In addition, Orlando Health and �鶹ӳ����ý collaborate on advanced technology projects��—��such as the AI for Medical Surgery system��—��jointly offer specialized residency programs and��collaborate in��many��additional��ways.

“Orlando Health has been an exceptional partner,��demonstrating��what is possible when industry and academia come together with shared��purpose. This next phase of co-location builds on that foundation,” says �鶹ӳ����ý President Alexander N. Cartwright. “By working side by side at SPRK, we are accelerating innovation and moving real-world healthcare solutions more quickly into the communities we serve.”

Healthcare Innovation at the Center of Campus

Located in��approximately��2,649��square feet��within SPRK, the��Strategic Innovations group��was intentionally placed, here,��to foster continuous collaboration with faculty and students across disciplines.

This co-location enables a new operating model. Orlando Health brings real health system��challenges��directly into the academic environment, and interdisciplinary teams of students, faculty,��and Orlando Health innovators rapidly design, test,��and refine solutions.

Early collaboration has already begun to generate impact in areas such as cancer research, digital health, creation of AI��models��and various orthopedic innovations.

“The opening of an Orlando Health Strategic Innovations space at �鶹ӳ����ý represents our shared commitment to advancing healthcare delivery through bold new ideas,” says Jamal Hakim, M.D., chief physician officer, Orlando Health. “Through this partnership, we are creating a collaborative environment where clinicians, researchers, students and industry leaders can generate real-world solutions and drive innovations that will shape the future of how we care for patients.”

Built to Go For Launch

The latest milestone in , this co-location represents �鶹ӳ����ý’s deep commitment to the ecosystem of support powering our vision for the future.

Through��a collective effort��—��combining philanthropy and transformational giving with corporate��partnerships, research��commercialization��and other revenue-generating endeavors��—���鶹ӳ����ý��is charting��a��bold��new path forward and building a future the world has only begun to imagine.

“This co-location with Orlando Health exemplifies the kind of partnership that powers Go for Launch, bringing industry and academia together to create real-world impact,” says Rod Grabowski, �鶹ӳ����ý vice president for Advancement and Partnership, and CEO of the �鶹ӳ����ý Foundation. “By aligning visionary partners with �鶹ӳ����ý’s innovation ecosystem, we are accelerating discovery, expanding opportunity and advancing solutions that improve lives.”

�鶹ӳ����ý Pegasus Partner Orlando Health has named , dean of �鶹ӳ����ý’s College of Nursing, the Orlando Health Endowed Chair in Nursing.

The prestigious endowed faculty position, which will support Tucker’s nursing research, teaching and scholarly activities, is just the latest example of how �鶹ӳ����ý is leveraging industry partnerships to drive real-world impact.

Tucker is a distinguished scholar in both psychiatric mental health nursing and evidence-based practice who has made sustained impacts on the field, for nurses and patients alike. She is nationally board certified as an adult psychiatric-mental health clinical nurse specialist and integrative nurse coach.

Her research, which has been published in more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and presented around the world, focuses on behavior change through mental health and wellness interventions and organizational change through evidence-based practice.

“With its partnership, Orlando Health is elevating excellence in education and research to support future Knight nurses and improve the health of our communities.” — Sharon Tucker

“I am incredibly honored to be named to this esteemed endowed position, and grateful for Orlando Health’s support of the college,” says Tucker. “Partnerships are powerful and with its partnership, Orlando Health is elevating excellence in education and research to support future Knight nurses and improve the health of our communities.”

In addition to the new endowed chair appointment, Tucker holds the prestigious distinctions of fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and fellow of the National Academies of Practice in Nursing.

Orlando Health has been a long-standing partner of �鶹ӳ����ý and the College of Nursing. The Orlando Health Endowed Chair in Nursing was established in 2009, and Tucker is the second faculty member to be named to the appointment. It was formerly held by Professor Emerita Mary Lou Sole, the previous dean and a renowned critical care researcher.

Kelly Edmondson, Orlando Health’s senior vice president of nursing and patient care services, says the partnership speaks to the organization’s mission to improve the health and quality of life of the individuals and communities they serve.

“Dr. Tucker’s research supports our efforts to empower nurses and elevate clinical excellence to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care,” Edmondson says. “It is an honor to continue to partner with �鶹ӳ����ý to strengthen the nursing workforce and create a healthier future for all.”

In 2023, Orlando Health became one of �鶹ӳ����ý’s inaugural Pegasus Partners with a $5 million commitment to support the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion as well as provide tuition assistance and additional paid internships for �鶹ӳ����ý nursing students.

to support the College of Nursing

Philanthropic support is critical to the creation of endowed faculty positions, helping �鶹ӳ����ý attract and retain nursing experts, and support groundbreaking research that impacts the profession and the health of communities. Help launch more faculty experts to lead nursing into the future by joining �鶹ӳ����ý’s Go for Launch campaign.

Miller was impressed by our reputation as an early leader in technology and STEM fields, our connection to the space program and our success expanding into other areas. In fact, �鶹ӳ����ý boasted one of the highest certified public accountant (CPA) pass rates of any public university — impressive to an aspiring accountant.

So Miller applied, was accepted and committed to �鶹ӳ����ý sight unseen. It was the beginning of a journey that would change his family’s trajectory, along with the university’s.

Today, he committed a transformational $50 million gift — the largest single philanthropic investment in the university’s history — to position �鶹ӳ����ý as a global leader in fintech, artificial intelligence (AI) and business innovation by establishing the Barry S. Miller College of Business.

First-Generation Student

Miller is president and co-founder of both Voloridge Investment Management and Voloridge Health. He also founded and sold another successful business in his entrepreneurial career.

But back when Miller was attending �鶹ӳ����ý, he was paving the way as the first in his family to go to college. His dad, a self-taught contractor and developer and a single father, saw the value of higher education for his son.

“My father had a deeply ingrained work ethic that he passed on to me,” Miller says. “In the summer, he would get me out of bed early and have me carrying lumber and working on roofs. I learned to work hard, but I also learned that [it] was a tough job to do for 50 years. I wanted to try a different path.”

Once he started on that path, there was no stopping him.

Building Foundations

At �鶹ӳ����ý, Miller became a star student. He excelled in accounting, learned numerical analysis and had a knack for understanding financial markets. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in finance.

“I learned how to really study and apply myself academically at �鶹ӳ����ý. Essentially, I was learning strategy and project management as I made my way through school,” Miller says. “I didn’t know how impactful those habits would be until later in life. I realize now that everything I learned at �鶹ӳ����ý has been foundational to my success.”

“I realize now that everything I learned at �鶹ӳ����ý has been foundational to my success.”

Outside of class, Miller became a student-athlete, playing football when he initially came to �鶹ӳ����ý. That’s where he met then-quarterback Darin Hinshaw ’90 ’94MBA, who encouraged him to join his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE), and became his big brother.

“Initially, I wasn’t interested in joining a fraternity. I had this idea that fraternities weren’t serious about school or life, and I was,” Miller says. “But my experience in PIKE ended up being formative. It’s where I learned about being a gentleman, dressing for success, networking and more.”

“To this day, so many of my friends are former fraternity brothers, including one of my best friends, Sean Hayes ’95, who has also been my business partner for nearly 30 years,” Miller continues. “As I look back, everything in my life has a connection to �鶹ӳ����ý — my friends, my business partners, my career and even my wife Rosie ’95, since we met in college.”

Leaving a Legacy

As he built his career and found success in the business and financial world, Miller wanted to give back to �鶹ӳ����ý. Over time, he has invested in first-generation and STEM student scholarships, �鶹ӳ����ý Athletics’ Knights Leadership Academy, the John T. Washington Center mural and more.

Each gift has been based on a personal connection or conviction.

“Being a first-generation student myself, having that opportunity to support students who are the first in their families to go to college is personal to me,” Miller says.

As his capacity to give grew, Miller wanted to make a transformative gift that would have an impact today and for generations to come. That led to conversations with university leaders about the opportunity to establish as a global leader in fintech, AI and business innovation.

To help bring that vision to life — and to build early momentum for , �鶹ӳ����ý’s comprehensive campaign to fuel bold ideas and build its future — Miller has committed to a $50 million gift, establishing the Barry S. Miller College of Business.

The investment will accelerate an innovative new model of business education��designed for a world��where technology, data and decision-making are inseparable, and it will prepare��students with the skills the marketplace demands.

“We are at a seminal moment in business, and AI and new technologies are creating fundamental shifts at a dramatically faster speed than ever before,” says Miller, who was inducted into the �鶹ӳ����ý College of Business Hall of Fame in 2022. “I want �鶹ӳ����ý to become the leader in business education, paving the way for everyone else.”

Inspiring Others

“Finding a way to have an impact is one of the most gratifying things you can do with your time and money.”

Until recently, Miller has made most of his gifts to �鶹ӳ����ý anonymously. But as �鶹ӳ����ý unveiled Go For Launch, he saw a powerful opportunity to step forward and encourage others to do the same. By sharing his commitment more openly, Miller hopes to help build momentum and invite broader participation in �鶹ӳ����ý’s vision.

“I hope this gift inspires people to be part of �鶹ӳ����ý’s mission to create a bold new future and give at whatever level they can. Maybe it’s $10, $100 or $1,000 — it all makes a difference,” Miller says.

“I want to tell people this: If it’s not your time to make a gift today, maybe it will be a year from now, or five years from now,” he continues. “Finding a way to have an impact is one of the most gratifying things you can do with your time and money.”

“�鶹ӳ����ý is being trusted to lead, and Barry’s investment reinforces that �鶹ӳ����ý is a place where talent is developed at scale, where opportunity is expanded, and where our graduates don’t just succeed in the world — they come back to help build what’s next.” — Alexander N. Cartwright, �鶹ӳ����ý President

The investment will accelerate a bold new model of business education designed for a world where technology, data and decision-making are inseparable, and it will position �鶹ӳ����ý as a national leader in emerging fields that prepare students to lead with the skills the marketplace demands.

“This is a defining moment for �鶹ӳ����ý and for the College of Business,” says Board of Trustees Chair Alex Martins ’01MBA. “As an alumnus, I have seen firsthand how �鶹ӳ����ý transforms lives by opening doors to opportunity, and this extraordinary gift takes that mission to an entirely new level, giving future generations of Knights access to a world-class business education and an opportunity to achieve their full potential.”

“We are deeply grateful to Barry for his extraordinary belief in this university and in the impact our students make. This is a defining moment for �鶹ӳ����ý and a powerful signal of who we are and where we are going,” says �鶹ӳ����ý President Alexander N. Cartwright. “�鶹ӳ����ý is being trusted to lead, and Barry’s investment reinforces that �鶹ӳ����ý is a place where talent is developed at scale, where opportunity is expanded, and where our graduates don’t just succeed in the world — they come back to help build what’s next.”

“�鶹ӳ����ý gave me the opportunity to build my future,” Miller says. “This investment is about creating that same opportunity for others — and ensuring students are prepared for a world where technology and business are constantly evolving.”

A Defining Moment for �鶹ӳ����ý

Few universities of �鶹ӳ����ý’s��young��age��have alumni giving back at this level.

At the center of this��milestone��is longtime��supporter and entrepreneur Barry S. Miller,��president of���ٳ�� Florida-based����and��Voloridge��Health.��Miller is��a first-generation��college��graduate whose early partnership and belief in the university helped accelerate �鶹ӳ����ý’s trajectory.

His leadership and commitment to widening��opportunity helped lay the groundwork for a future-focused strategy that will transform how students learn, innovate and launch their careers. Miller’s��latest��investment reflects �鶹ӳ����ý’s ability to��produce��talent that succeeds at the highest levels and inspires��that talent to return��not just with pride, but with capacity and conviction to shape��what’s��next.

Building the Future of Business Education

“�鶹ӳ����ý gave me the opportunity to build my future. This investment is about creating that same opportunity for others.” — Barry Miller ’95, ��Voloridge Investment Management and Voloridge Health president

will��operate��as a hub for technology-driven business leadership where students, faculty and industry collaborate in real time to solve complex challenges��in emerging fields like artificial intelligence,��fintech��and digital risk.

The focus is not simply on technical skills, but on empowering graduates to take action to address organizational obstacles and lead in fields fueled by rapid technological change.

This vision is grounded in the region �鶹ӳ����ý calls home.

Orlando has rapidly��emerged��as one of the nation’s fastest-growing technology hubs,��with��demand for talent in fintech and��AI continuing��to��evolve.��Across Florida, one of the largest clusters of banking and insurance firms in the country is fueling new opportunities in financial technology,��risk��and data-driven decision-making.

�鶹ӳ����ý sits at the center of this momentum,��uniquely positioned to develop the talent and ideas that will power���ٳ�� future.

The investment will support��a multi-phase strategy designed to position �鶹ӳ����ý as���ٳ����destination for business and technology education, including:

• Five endowed faculty chairs in fintech, AI strategy, cyber risk,��trust��and disinformation
• A new��master’s��in��technology��leadership and��innovation
• Expanded access to applied learning, including internships, simulations, Bloomberg��training��and industry-led projects
• Growth of �鶹ӳ����ý’s corporate partnership ecosystem.

Together, these investments will create a learning environment that mirrors modern workplaces — fast��moving, data��driven and deeply connected to industry.

“Technology is advancing rapidly, and the real opportunity is in how organizations use it to perform,” says��College of Business Dean��Paul��Jarley. “This investment allows us to build a business school focused on how the work actually gets done��—–��where students learn to apply judgment, navigate ambiguity, and lead in environments shaped by technology, data, and organizational complexity.”

Accelerating Momentum

Miller’s leadership gift��marks a milestone in����— a��$3.5 billion��campaign to��expand��opportunity,��advance��discovery,��and drive impact across the university.

It sets the tone��for what comes next,��accelerating the pride and vision that will inspire others to invest in �鶹ӳ����ý’s future.

“This is what momentum looks like,” says��Rodney Grabowski, senior vice president for advancement and partnerships and CEO of the �鶹ӳ����ý Foundation. “It reflects confidence in �鶹ӳ����ý’s vision and signals to partners, alumni and investors that this university is building something meaningful and worth being part of.”

Together, talent, opportunity and partnership are converging,��positioning���鶹ӳ����ý��to��be a leading force in shaping��what’s��next in business,��technology��and innovation.

“�鶹ӳ����ý is not waiting to be recognized. We are being chosen, invested in and trusted to lead,” Cartwright says. “This milestone gift reflects a growing sense of pride across the university and signals the momentum others will want to help build — and it is only the beginning.”

The Power of a 24-Hour Mission

In a single day, 5,187 donors from across the country and around the globe gifted more than $14.9 million in support of �鶹ӳ����ý’s bold vision for the future, setting a new record in dollars raised during . With contributions spanning across all 12 colleges and 200 programs and initiatives, participants included both longtime supporters and first-time donors, reflecting a growing community united by a shared belief in the power of education, discovery and opportunity.

From the moment the campaign launched at midnight, momentum built quickly — across campuses, communities and time zones. Hour by hour, participation grew as alumni, students, faculty, staff, partners and friends added their support, each gift contributing to something larger than any single moment.

Momentum Across Knight Nation

By mid‑morning, the energy of �鶹ӳ����ý Day of Giving was unmistakable. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Student Union buzzed with celebration as everyone gathered for photobooths, coffee and conversations that turned into meaningful contributions.

The celebration extended beyond main campus, with similar moments unfolding at �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown and the Health Sciences Campus, reinforcing �鶹ӳ����ý Day of Giving as a university‑wide movement.

“Every gift helps expand opportunity for our students, fuels discovery and sparks innovations that move our communities forward.” — President Alexander N. Cartwright

“�鶹ӳ����ý Day of Giving is a powerful reminder of what Knight Nation can accomplish together,” says �鶹ӳ����ý President Alexander N. Cartwright. “Every gift helps expand opportunity for our students, fuels discovery and sparks innovations that move our communities forward.”

�鶹ӳ����ý Day of Giving is a key moment within Go for Launch: The Campaign for �鶹ӳ����ý’s Next Mission and the university’s most ambitious revenue-generating effort to date.

Powered by Knight Nation

Through the Go For Launch campaign, �鶹ӳ����ý builds upon four priorities that will amplify our impact and create our future. They represent the pioneering spirit of �鶹ӳ����ý and speak to the unique needs of our dynamic community: , , and. Together, these priorities accelerate �鶹ӳ����ý’s continued rise as Florida’s Technological University and create opportunities that extend far beyond campus.

This campaign shares the same collaborative spirit that’s fueled record-breaking results for �鶹ӳ����ý Day of Giving year after year.

“We recognize the unique combination of philanthropy, partnership and collective drive needed to bring bold visions to life, and we’re proud to lean into that,” says Rod Grabowski, senior vice president for advancement and partnerships at �鶹ӳ����ý and CEO of the �鶹ӳ����ý Foundation, Inc. “At �鶹ӳ����ý, we’re building a future that others have only begun to imagine, and that pursuit is sustained not by any one individual or group, but by the power of many.”

For students like Ervin Xhemali the impact of these efforts is both immediate and life‑changing. A first‑generation student funding his education independently, Xhemali initially thought the scholarship credit in his account was a mistake, until he realized it came from the Katherine Crock Memorial Fund, established by Raymond Smithberger ’02MBA in honor of his mother.

The scholarship helps remove financial barriers so students can focus on learning and future goals. For Xhemali, an economics major balancing coursework with multiple jobs, the support was more than financial, it was a catalyst for what would come next.

Across campus and online, �鶹ӳ����ý Day of Giving spotlighted stories of impact — students discovering new opportunities, faculty advancing breakthroughs and alumni carrying the Knight spirit into industries and communities worldwide.

Transformational investments fueled that momentum, including a $500,000 grant from Bank of America to support the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion on �鶹ӳ����ý’s Academic Health Sciences Campus in Lake Nona. The gift closed a more than $30 million private fundraising effort for the facility, bringing �鶹ӳ����ý’s vision for its College of Nursing to life alongside $43 million in state support.

Fuel for the Mission

Over the past four years, 24,411 individuals have invested more than $49.5 million through �鶹ӳ����ý Day of Giving, strengthening the foundation for continued impact and growth.

Together, these moments reflect what has always defined �鶹ӳ����ý: a belief that bold ideas, supported by a committed community, create lasting change. In just 24 hours, Knights demonstrated how collective generosity can expand opportunity, accelerate innovation and move ideas forward.

Together, Knight Nation isn’t just imagining the future; through moments like �鶹ӳ����ý Day of Giving, we’re creating it.