With more than 200 participating funds and so many opportunities for inspiration, activation and growth — we’re counting down to liftoff by highlighting unique areas to consider supporting with your gift this �鶹ӳ����ý Day of Giving.

As Knights, we challenge status quo. We charge boldly ahead toward industry evolutions and technological advancements. We dare to build a future the world has only begun to imagine. And it’s all driven through moments like this and individuals like you.

Together,��we’re launching Knights to new heights.

When the unexpected arises,��help sometimes comes in the form of . Created to support Knights facing hardship that may hinder their education,��this fund provides financial support for textbooks,��fees�����Ի� other education-related expenses for qualifying students.

Your gift ensures that when life’s trials test our Knights,��they pass with flying colors,��securing the education�����Ի� future they deserve.

The  provides services, programming and resources for thousands of military-connected students currently enrolled at �鶹ӳ����ý.

helps ensure that those who have served and their connected students are fully supported as they pursue their educational and career goals.

�鶹ӳ����ý has been recognized with a Gold Award on the Military Friendly Schools list, as a Florida Collegiate Purple Star Campus, a Best Military-Friendly Online College and on the Military Times’  2025 Best for Vets Colleges List. Help us continue that legacy of serving those who’ve served.

offers an intensive, comprehensive therapy program to those navigating Aphasia, a language disorder that can arise from health challenges such as stroke,��brain cancer�����Ի� brain injury,�����Ի���affects an individual’s ability to read, write,��speak�����Ի���comprehend language.

Through the program,��individuals are empowered to make progress on their long-held goals, like talking with their grandchildren or ordering their favorite restaurant meal.

 on �鶹ӳ����ý Day of Giving supports the continuation of this important service for our community, as well as the hands-on experience �鶹ӳ����ý student clinicians receive.

Support �鶹ӳ����ý College of Medicine researchers as they break into new realms of understanding around the country’s second leading cause of death — cancer. Through innovative science,��they’re exploring key avenues of discovery including the role that genes play in determining a person’s cancer risk, what causes cancer to spread�����Ի� how to harness the body’s immune system to kill cancer cells.

The goal: to prevent cancer and find new therapies that improve quality of life for patients.  brings us one step closer to lives saved,��families unburdened�����Ի� a cure realized.

Did you know that �鶹ӳ����ý has one of the top Moot Court teams in the nation, ranking among the top 15 overall by the American Moot Court Association? Supervised by the , these student advocates are challenged with arguing mock supreme court cases on constitutional amendments.

and national leadership by making a gift on �鶹ӳ����ý Day of Giving. Help cover competition travel expenses, as well as the cost of the annual tournament hosted at �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown each fall.

It’s time for launch, Knight Nation! Join us as we rally around our favorite causes, and maybe even uncover some new ones, during �鶹ӳ����ý Day of Giving. Find more areas of support by ������ǰ����Բ����ٳ����, and save the date to  on Thursday, April 9.  

�鶹ӳ����ý has earned a  signaling the university’s growing support for military and veteran students. This is the first year �鶹ӳ����ý has earned the Gold designation, following many years as a Silver awardee.

“This recognition reflects years of intentional work across the university to better support military-connected students,” says Andrea Guzmán, �鶹ӳ����ý vice president for access and community engagement. “We’ve focused on building stronger support systems, removing barriers, and ensuring students have clear pathways from enrollment through career.”

In addition to our Gold Award and recognition as a Military Friendly Spouse School, �鶹ӳ����ý has been previously designated as a Purple Heart Institution, Florida Purple Star Campus, Best Military-Friendly Online College and Military Times’  2025 Best for Vets Colleges List.

Today about 4,000 military-connected students are enrolled at �鶹ӳ����ý, and there are a range of services coordinated through the Office of Military and Veteran Student Success (MVSS) to support them:

Holistic Programming

• An orientation dedicated for military-connected students and their families

• Expanded student engagement and social activities, which include families and military veterans within our community

• Collaboration with  affiliates, most notably Valencia College, to streamline transition for transfer students

Academic Resources

• Peer-to-peer tutoring in courses with high drop or fail rates

• VA Work Study and university academic coaching programs prepare and train military-connected students to provide academic coaching to their peers

Career Readiness

• Industry partnerships — including Amazon, JE Technology and Disney — that provide opportunity and engagement through mentorships,��internships�����Ի� career fairs

• Range of workshops, lunch and learns and professional development opportunities

Access to Financial Support 

• Established an endowed scholarship to provide assistance to military-connected students

• Potential for “meal plan” grants, emergency relief funds, tuition and fee waivers, and housing subsidies as part of co-curricular and academic support programs

• Participates in the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ Yellow Ribbon Program, a tuition assistance initiative for veterans and eligible dependents

Additionally, MVSS empowers �鶹ӳ����ý’s faculty and staff through professional development opportunities with strategies and tips on how to best serve and engage with military-connected students.

A new liaison program has been piloted in the last year, placing an MVSS staff member with VA work study students at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management�����Ի����鶹ӳ����ý Downtown to increase support services for military-connected students at those campus locations. In Fall 2026, the program is expected to expand to the College of Business, College of Sciences�����Ի� College of Arts and Humanities.

“The support the office provides is some of the most efficient and effective support I have encountered at �鶹ӳ����ý,” says �ھ��Բ��Գ�����������ǰ� Abigail Kost. “I have scored interviews from career fairs and connections from lunch and learns. The office is also a pillar of emotional wellbeing and has helped me navigate VA benefits and scholarship opportunities. I would not have come as far as I have without the office’s resources.”

�鶹ӳ����ý: Committed to Serving Veterans

�鶹ӳ����ý’s commitment to serving veterans is not singularly confined to our Office of Military and Veteran Student Success.

In January, U.S. News & World Report r���԰������鶹ӳ����ý No. 6 for online bachelor’s programs for veterans.

�鶹ӳ����ý is home to , a nonprofit clinical research center and treatment clinic established to change the way post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related concerns are understood, diagnosed, and treated.

Led by �鶹ӳ����ý Trustee Chair and Pegasus Professor Deborah Beidel, who is currently , the organization employs a unique and effective approach to treatment. A combination of exposure therapy, emerging technology and individual and group therapy sessions resulted in 66% of participants with combat-related trauma and 76% of first responders no longer meeting the diagnostic criteria for PTSD following three weeks of intensive treatment.

Last year,���鶹ӳ����ý became one of 12 universities nationwide — and the only school in Florida and the southeast — to participate in a new Service to Service initiative. The national pilot program is dedicated to connecting veterans and their families with graduate educational pathways in public service and helping them find impactful long-term careers in public leadership.

A partnership between �鶹ӳ����ý College of Medicine and Orlando VA Medical Center  — located next door to each other in Lake Nona’s Medical City — ensures every medical student receives training in specialties including surgery, internal medicine,��neurology�����Ի� psychiatry at the Orlando VA Medical Center.

�鶹ӳ����ý’s history department has been documenting veterans’ stories as part of the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project since 2010. �鶹ӳ����ý’s Veterans Legacy Program, which was founded in 2017 as a partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration, focuses on documenting the lives of those buried in Florida’s nine national cemeteries.

About Military Friendly

Founded in 2003, Military Friendly is an organization that measures organizations’ commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.

Military Friendly Schools strive toward and succeed in the areas that matter most in helping veterans make the transition from the military to school and, ultimately, satisfying careers in the civilian world. Earning the designation shows a school meets the minimum criteria.

Military Friendly’s final ratings for its Schools list were determined by combining each institution’s survey responses, government/agency public data sources, and measurements across retention, graduation, job placement, repayment, persistence, and loan default rates for all students and specifically, for student-veterans.

A well-regarded civic leader who has helped propel Orlando’s trajectory as the fastest major metro area in the United States, Martins has spent 30 of his nearly 40 years in professional sports management as part of the Orlando Magic organization. For his many years of dedicated service and leadership, Martins became the 14th person inducted to the NBA franchise’s Hall of Fame.

The �鶹ӳ����ý grad, who earned his master’s in business administration in 2001,��joins the likes of fellow Hall of Famers Shaquille O’Neil, Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway and Dwight Howard.

“His decades of work with the Orlando Magic and his continued investment in our university reflect the character and commitment that define �鶹ӳ����ý.” — �鶹ӳ����ý President Alexander N. Cartwright

“Chair Martins leads with humility,��generosity�����Ի� a deep sense of responsibility to this community,” says �鶹ӳ����ý President Alexander N. Cartwright. “His decades of work with the Orlando Magic and his continued investment in our university reflect the character and commitment that define �鶹ӳ����ý. As chair of our Board of Trustees, I see every day how deeply he believes in this institution and the opportunities we create for Central Florida. His induction into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame is a well-deserved recognition of a remarkable career�����Ի���all of us at �鶹ӳ����ý are proud to celebrate this moment with him.”

Man of the Hour

Martins was inducted on Monday, March 23,��at Kia Center, near the Orlando Magic Fan Experience.

“We are excited to welcome Alex Martins into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame,” says Orlando Magic chairman Dan DeVos. “His innovative business acumen has transformed our organization, while working tirelessly to make the Magic an invested community partner. For his efforts that spanned three decades, this is truly a worthy recognition for Alex and his family, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in his role as vice chair.”

Ties that Bind

Martins was named  in 2021 and also serves on the dean’s executive council for the . Martins served on the developmental board of the globally acclaimed  at �鶹ӳ����ý, which is funded through a $9 million endowment by Rich and Helen DeVos and awards dual master’s degrees in sport management�����Ի� business administration. Under Martins’ leadership, the Magic contributed $1.5 million to the construction of �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown in 2015, the first major private donation for the campus.

He is a member of the College of Business’ Hall of Fame and recipient of the university’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Magic Career

Martins serves as vice chair of the Orlando Magic. In this position, he acts as a senior advisor to the Magic Board of Directors to advance long-term strategic initiatives and serve as a resource to Magic executives.

Martins also represents the Magic as the team’s alternate governor to the NBA Board of Governors, and oversees all operations of the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL and the Osceola Magic of the NBA G League.

Martins served as the Orlando Magic’s CEO for 14 seasons (2011-25). He has held various senior-level management capacities with the Magic between 1989-98 and upon his return to the organization in 2005, including director of media relations, executive vice president of marketing and franchise relations,��president�����Ի� chief operating officer.

During his tenure as CEO, the Sports Business Journal named the Magic as one of the “Best Places to Work in Sports,” the only franchise in the four major professional sports leagues to receive the recognition in 2024.

His effort and collaboration with local business and political leaders helped to secure the Kia Center as a sports and entertainment home, which opened in October 2010. The Kia Center was named the Sports Business Journal’s Sports Facility of the Year in 2012.

Martins has also held senior executive positions with the New Orleans Hornets, the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and Tavistock Group. He started his career as a student assistant in the Villanova sports information department,��assisted in the Philadelphia 76ers public relations department and was also the assistant sports information director at Georgetown University.

Tomorrow’s leading video game developers are being built today at �鶹ӳ����ý.

The university’s graduate video gaming program, , and undergraduate program continue to develop a pipeline of talent to fuel Florida’s economy at a standard of excellence few can match, affirmed by The Princeton Review and PC Gamer’s Top Video Game Design Schools 2026 rankings.

The Princeton Review and PC Gamer has recognized FIEA as one of the top two programs of its kind in the world six of the past seven years.

GaIM improved two spots from last year to its highest ranking, rising to No. 3 in the world. Both programs continue to hold the title of No. 1 in the South.

Strategy for Success

Since their inception, FIEA and GaIM have modeled their classrooms as close to a real-world, studio-like environment as possible, led by faculty with industry experience. That real-world perspective shapes every course, every project and every student who graduates.

“Our program intentionally emulates a collaborative ecosystem with a range of diverse talent in artists, designers and programmers, which is crucial to developing products and intellectual property,” says Nicholas Zuccarello, a 3D art instructor at FIEA who has previously worked for Sony Online Entertainment and Electronic Arts Tiburon. “We even structure projects to emulate real-world development pipelines as closely as possible within an educational setting.”

Orlando: A Leading Tech Hub

With Electronic Arts (EA) and Iron Galaxy Studios located less than a mile from the programs’ home base in downtown’s , Orlando is the perfect setting to transition from college to career and now mentioned in the same breath alongside traditional tech-giant territories San Francisco, Seattle�����Ի� Los Angeles.

Many alums go directly into the game industry including Epic, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony and more.

FIEA has graduated 1,160 students since its first class in 2006 — about 100 of whom worked on several of the most popular games sold in the U.S. in 2025, including EA SPORTS College Football 26, EA SPORTS Madden NFL 26 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.

But it’s not just the gaming companies that eagerly hire FIEA and GaIM graduates. The skills taught in the two programs align perfectly with some of Orlando’s top industries.

Graduates land roles in the modeling, simulation and training sector. Others find their footing in medical technology, where interactive systems and game-based design are transforming how clinicians train and how patients heal. Knights can be found at many of the region’s big-name employers, including Disney, EA, Lockheed Martin, and Universal Destinations & Experiences, among others.

“Our students don’t just make games, they develop the creative and technical fluency to work wherever those skills are needed.” — Associate Professor Peter Smith ’05MS ’12PhD

“Our students don’t just make games, they develop the creative and technical fluency to work wherever those skills are needed,” says Associate Professor Peter Smith ’05MS ’12PhD, who serves as the associate director of GaIM. “That’s what makes GaIM graduates competitive across industries. It is a true honor to see The Princeton Review recognizing this accomplishment of our students and faculty.”

Nitin Bakshi ’21, who joined FIEA’s faculty as a technical art instructor after graduating with his master’s in interactive entertainment, says the program takes great pride that many of our alumni continue to live and work in Florida, contributing directly to the local economy.

“These companies rely on artists, designers and programmers who understand real-time production,” he says. “That is exactly the kind of training our program is built around.”

Serious Business

Interest in the program has risen in the past year. FIEA recently drew its largest applicant pool with more than 200 applicants resulting in 90 new enrollees, the largest cohort to date.

For good reason.

The average starting salary for a FIEA graduate is $83,000, and 80% of graduates are in their desired fields at over 400 companies around the world.

The global market size for gaming, hardware and software sales is more than $189 billion (NewZoo’s 2025 Global Games Market Report), overshadowing music and movie industries combined.

“Adapting to the needs of the industry has always been one of our strengths,” Bakshi says. “Whether it is new real-time technologies, new platforms, or new ways of collaboration, we work hard to make sure the program grows along with the field. Seeing the program attract more talented students each year, while continuing to evolve with the industry, is what makes me most excited about the future and about the impact these programs will continue to have.”

Climbing the Leaderboard

�鶹ӳ����ý’s GaIM improved two spots from last year to its highest ranking, rising to No. 3 in the world and continues to hold the title of the No. 1 program in the South.

The bachelor’s in digital media with a track in game degree design blends theory and practice with a sharp focus on industry readiness. The program stands out as one of the few programs that combine a strong emphasis on both art and technology.

Students develop skills in programming, game design, game programming, as well as 2D and 3D art and visual effects.

The GaIM Maker Space lab, located on the �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown campus, reflects that commitment in concrete terms: nearly $500,000 in mixed-reality technology including augmented and virtual reality, motion capture, physical computing, 3D printing, and web and mobile development equipment, alongside dedicated research space for applied work.

The impact on the quality of the students’ education and training is undeniable.

“The tools the maker space provides are integrated deeply into virtually every class in GaIM,” Smith says. “Students in early classes are printing board games and 3D printing game pieces, seniors are recording audio and motion capture sequences that are integrated directly into their capstone projects.”

The Rankings’ Methodology

The Princeton Review and PC Gamer’s game design school rankings are based on more than 40 data points derived from the company’s survey of administrators at 150 schools offering game design courses and/or degrees. Most of the institutions are in the U.S., with two in Canada and four abroad. The 50-question survey covered four areas: academics, faculty, technology and career topics.

For more than three decades, Ross Wolf ’88 ’91MPA ’98EdD has lived a double life. By day, he shapes the minds of criminal justice students and serves as a faculty administrator at �鶹ӳ����ý. By night and on weekends, he has patrolled Orange County as a sworn deputy sheriff entirely as a volunteer, dedicating about 500 hours per year to the agency.

In March, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) will present him with both the Reserve Deputy of the Year award for 2025 and a Distinguished Service Medal as he retires from the agency after 34 years of service. As reserve chief deputy, Wolf modernized the unit by rewriting OCSO’s reserve policy and establishing international exchange programs with agencies in London and Singapore.

As Wolf approaches this milestone he remains focused on sharing his wealth of knowledge and expertise and his industry connections as interim dean of the �鶹ӳ����ý College of Community Innovation and Education, professor of criminal justice and associate provost of �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown.

Taking the Risk

Wolf’s unconventional path began in 1991 when he started as an auxiliary deputy with OCSO. In 1995, he made a bold decision: he took a 50% pay cut to leave his “day job” and become a full-time deputy sheriff. For five years, he served as a patrol officer, field training officer and detective.

In 1999, he made another pivot — joining �鶹ӳ����ý as a full-time faculty member while remaining a reserve deputy. For the next 25 years, Wolf would maintain both roles simultaneously, eventually rising to reserve chief deputy, the highest-ranking volunteer position in the agency, overseeing more than 70 sworn personnel, while also becoming a tenured professor, department chair, associate dean and associate provost for �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown.

“Staying current with law enforcement practices made me an effective deputy and allowed me to share accurate, real-world information with students.” — Ross Wolf

“These commitments required significant time, but staying current with law enforcement practices made me an effective deputy and allowed me to share accurate, real-world information with students,” Wolf says.

It also allowed him to identify and address the gap in research on volunteer policing, which has existed longer than professional police departments. For decades, Wolf built a network of international scholars to develop comparative research. He’s also helped develop a framework that is part of an International Association of Chiefs of Police model policy now used by many agencies nationwide.

Training the Next Generation

While leading the reserve unit and conducting groundbreaking research into volunteer policing programs across the United States and internationally, Wolf applied his dual expertise to classroom lectures and created programs that continue to provide students with real-world law enforcement experience.

In 1996, he launched the Law Enforcement Officer Training Corps (LEOTC). Through this initiative, 10 to 15 students each year completed two-semester internships at the OCSO, rotating through specialized units before spending a full semester in their area of greatest interest.

He organized study abroad programs in the United Kingdom that brought 54 �鶹ӳ����ý students over three years to examine international policing models in a reciprocal exchange. In 2016, 18 British students came to Orlando to ride along with Orange County reserve deputies. Their shifts were underway when the Pulse nightclub shooting occurred. For Zoe Williamson ’21MPA, witnessing officers’ courage and dedication during the tragedy inspired her to complete her master’s degree at �鶹ӳ����ý and pursue a career in law enforcement.

Wolf’s programs created a pipeline of well-trained officers for agencies across Central Florida, with multiple LEOTC graduates joining the OCSO.

“While everyone knew him as ‘Dr. Wolf,’ I always called him ‘Chief,’” says Stephen Fickey ’11, a criminal justice grad who is now a training deputy with the OCSO. “Having the leader of my reserve unit also be my professor was a unique experience I felt privileged to have.”

Fickey recalled Wolf joking with him about uniform inspections during final exam week.

“Moments like that showed me the most valuable quality in a leader is remembering where you came from,” Fickey says.

Earning Recognition in Service and Scholarship

Wolf’s dual contributions have been recognized with national honors, including the American Police Hall of Fame’s J. Edgar Hoover Memorial Gold Medal, the National Sheriffs’ Association Medal of Merit, and a Presidential Daily Point of Light Award, along with multiple �鶹ӳ����ý teaching and service awards.

“As reserve chief deputy, [Ross Wolf has] built our unit into one of the best in the nation and agencies from around the world now look to us as a model,” says Orange County Sheriff John Mina. “Ross has provided thousands of volunteer hours, but his impact goes even further,” Mina continues. “Through his work at �鶹ӳ����ý, he’s trained hundreds of students who’ve gone on to serve in law enforcement, including here at OCSO. He’s represented our agency with professionalism and integrity at every turn, and we’re grateful for his service to the residents and visitors of Orange County.”

As Wolf focuses on academic leadership at �鶹ӳ����ý, he leaves a lasting legacy out in the field — one that has shaped national standards, hundreds of mentored officers serving across the profession, and proof that bridging practice and scholarship creates lasting impact.

Standing before a room of business leaders, community partners and fellow students, �鶹ӳ����ý junior Mariana Guerrero introduced herself not only as an accounting major in the and a student, but as someone shaped by a lifetime of seeing what meaningful engagement can do.

Born and raised in Orlando, Guerrero grew up with �鶹ӳ����ý woven into her life. Her parents, both proud Knights, spent their early careers working full time while attending school part time. Her mother’s two decades in government and community relations meant that childhood weekends were often spent at university events long before she understood what it meant to belong to a campus community.

So when it came time to apply to college, she submitted only one application.

“I have always been a Knight,” she said.

Her parents’ work ethic allowed her to fully immerse herself at �鶹ӳ����ý. She joined the College of Business Ambassadors, now serving as vice chair, became active in the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA), mentors two students, and chairs the President’s Leadership Council. Each role, she says, has deepened her sense of community and purpose.

Her interest in accounting began at age 13, when her parents enrolled her in a financial literacy summer camp she initially resisted.

“I just wanted to be a normal teenager,” she said.

Instead, she discovered how engaging personal finance could be, especially through the board game Cash Flow, which she played so often her cousins eventually called her for help.

That curiosity grew in high school, where she researched teen financial literacy and realized how few young people had access to the conversations her parents encouraged at home. When she took her first financial accounting class at �鶹ӳ����ý, her interests aligned, and she began envisioning a future where her love of numbers could translate into meaningful work.

Her professional world expanded quickly. She represented �鶹ӳ����ý in competitions, including the KPMG-sponsored HSI Battle of the Brains Case Competition, where �鶹ӳ����ý won first place. She attended leadership programs at the KPMG Lakehouse and joined the firm’s Global Advantage Program in Lisbon, Portugal. Next summer, she will return to KPMG as an audit intern, with plans to earn her CPA and begin her career in public accounting.

Guerrero closed her remarks with gratitude for her family, for �鶹ӳ����ý and for partnerships like the one between the university and KPMG.

“I am excited to make the leap from being an involved �鶹ӳ����ý student to being an engaged �鶹ӳ����ý alumna,” she says.

Her introduction set the tone for an evening focused on shared purpose.

Impact of Partnership

�鶹ӳ����ý President Alexander N. Cartwright followed by highlighting the significance of the Crossroads Speaker Series and its partnership with Dr. Phillips Charities. The series, he said, is designed to explore how business, philanthropy and values-based leadership can work together to create positive change.

Cartwright emphasized KPMG’s engagement across the university, from supporting the Professional Selling Program to mentoring students at the KPMG Lakehouse. Their recent support of �鶹ӳ����ý Space Week reflects a partnership committed to innovation across disciplines.

He also spoke about �鶹ӳ����ý’s continued momentum, including achieving the final metric required for Florida’s Preeminent University designation.

“That is what makes �鶹ӳ����ý remarkable,” he said. “We open doors, spark possibility and empower students to make a lasting difference.”

“That is what makes �鶹ӳ����ý remarkable. We open doors, spark possibility and empower students to make a lasting difference.” — �鶹ӳ����ý President Alexander N. Cartwright

Remarks from Ken Robinson, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Charities, reinforced the importance of investing in people and partnerships. From there, the evening shifted to its featured conversation.

Sherry Magee ’92, senior director of community relations at the KPMG Lakehouse and a �鶹ӳ����ý graduate, moderated a fireside chat with Jennifer Flynn Dear, managing director of corporate affairs for KPMG US—offering the audience a close look at leadership, service and purpose through Dear’s experience.

“We are so lucky to have �鶹ӳ����ý in our community,” Dear began. “They are wonderful community partners as well as a stellar business school thanks to the excellent Kenneth Dixon School of Accounting, KPMG accepts 70% of �鶹ӳ����ý applicants.”

Her career with the company began more than 25 years ago when she moved to New York City hoping for an advertising career. Feeling overwhelmed on her first day, she called her mother to say she would not last. Instead, she built a career across 12 areas of the organization, learning continuously.

One of her most memorable projects involved partnering with the late Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s, to raise awareness for adoption issues. That work sparked a passion for connecting business with causes that matter.

“I like pairing business and industry to raise awareness of an issue,” she said.

Dear shared that KPMG employees have donated more than $67 million and logged 130,000 volunteer hours. She takes special pride in the firm’s work in education and mental well-being, noting that KPMG Family for Literacy has provided more than 7 million new books to children in low-income communities since 2008.

The more employees get involved, she said, the more fulfilled they feel.

“Even before Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, KPMG had a match set up for hurricane assistance, and participation was incredible.”

Philanthropy, she added, is considered an obligation as employees advance.

She also described the KPMG Lakehouse, a learning and innovation center where employees and clients engage with emerging technologies and leadership training.

“We train every day on AI,” she said. “We invested $2 billion in Microsoft to keep our data safe and to be more efficient and effective.”

The evening closed with remarks from Rodney M. Grabowski, �鶹ӳ����ý’s senior vice president for Advancement and Partnerships and CEO of the �鶹ӳ����ý Foundation.

“This is our fifth year for Crossroads,” he said. “We are grateful to Dr. Phillips Charities, to Mariana Guerrero, and to KPMG and Jennifer Flynn Dear for sharing their stories. Thank you for joining us. Go Knights and Charge On!”

Sunday, Aug. 17:

The Knighting
Addition Financial Arena
11 a.m. to Noon

�鶹ӳ����ý’s official welcome ceremony for all new Knights held in the Addition Financial Arena.

Opening Knight
Student Union
Noon – 4 p.m.

What’s the best way to get involved? Talking to people who are. See the amazing student organizations that you can join here at �鶹ӳ����ý. There will be DJs, free food and more.

Monday, Aug. 18:

Campus Locators
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons’ Seneff Plaza and Parramore Garage at �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Coming to the downtown campus for the first time? Not sure where to go? Wondering what services the campus has to offer? Look for the downtown campus locator tents located in the DPAC Seneff Plaza and near the Parramore parking garage. There will be staff waiting to help you find what you are looking for and answer questions you may have.

Saving Secrets with Snap Tabling
Recreation and Wellness Center, Room 111
11 a.m. – noon

Have you heard about Saving Secrets? Come learn the basics of discount savings and grocery shopping tips on a budget. Learn about SNAP benefits and how to apply.

Well-Being Open House
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons’ East Lobby at �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Stop by the DPAC East Lobby (the side with the campus store) to meet all the downtown resources available to support your well-being.

Valencia College International Student Services Global Welcome Event
UnionWest 2nd Floor Lobby at �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown
Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Valencia College International Student Services (ISS) is thrilled to invite all Valencia international students to this gathering. ISS is dedicated to ensuring your time at Valencia College is both enjoyable and successful.

Knight-Thon Karnival
Memory Mall
1 – 4 p.m.

Knight-Thon’s kickoff event for the new year. Held at Memory Mall, this event will allow all �鶹ӳ����ý students to attend a mini carnival with games, food, prizes, an inflatable attraction and more. Students can also learn more about Knight-Thon, their cause and how they can get involved with the organization.

Movie Knight
Memory Mall
7:30 p.m.

The Campus Activities Board will host a movie knight at Memory Mall for students to enjoy a showing of A Minecraft Movie with their friends.

Tuesday, Aug. 19:

Campus Locators
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons’ Seneff Plaza and Parramore Garage at �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Coming to the downtown campus for the first time? Not sure where to go? Wondering what services the campus has to offer? Look for the downtown campus locator tents located in the DPAC Seneff Plaza and near the Parramore parking garage. There will be staff waiting to help you find what you are looking for and answer questions you may have.

Speed Friending
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, Room 107 at �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Student Engagement presents to you Speed Friending. This event is an amazing networking opportunity where �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown students can get to know one another by answering fun questions. Food, snacks and drinks will be provided.

Welcome Back Popsicle Social
Reflecting Pond
Noon – 1 p.m.

Pop on by to enjoy complimentary popsicles from Pop Parlour and meet �鶹ӳ����ý President Alexander N. Cartwright and First Lady Melinda Cartwright. Enjoy mingling with members of the leadership team and a special appearance by Knightro. The event will also include representatives from several campus organizations with resources and information on the opportunities and services they provide. In the event of inclement weather, this outdoor meet and greet will be moved inside Millican Hall.

SNAP Coaching
UnionWest, First Floor at �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown
2 – 3 p.m.

SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This program is federally funded and provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of individuals who may not make enough money to eat healthy consistently. Learn more about SNAP at our monthly tabling event.

Taste of �鶹ӳ����ý
Addition Financial Arena
4 – 6 p.m.

This event will highlight cultural foods, free to the student and staff population.

Wednesday, Aug. 20:

Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
�鶹ӳ����ý Downtown Campus and downtown Orlando
All Day

Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21, to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28, to complete as many challenges as you can.

This is a single-player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends using the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your own account to be considered for one of the giveaways.

Search for Scavify in the App Store or Google Play, then create an account using your student email address. Starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, search “The Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando” and click “join.”

Enter password: “2019”

Welcome Expo
Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The Welcome Expo, hosted by the Knights Major Exploration and Transition Center, is the perfect place to discover what the �鶹ӳ����ý Main Campus has to offer. Stop by the event to meet with campus offices, departments and local businesses from the area. Enjoy connecting with others while collecting many free giveaways. This event is open to all �鶹ӳ����ý students, staff and faculty.

Homecoming Reveal
Student Union, Atrium
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Come out to find out the events and theme for �鶹ӳ����ý Homecoming 2025.

Internships: Who’s Hiring and Where Can I Find Them?
TBD
2 – 3 p.m.

Do you need experience? Find out how to obtain internships through experiential learning.

Fresh-U Market
Recreation and Wellness Center, Room 111
2 – 4 p.m.

Wellness and Health Promotion Services’ (WHPS) FreshU Market, located on the first floor of the wellness center, teaches healthy eating habits and making delicious treats — free of charge. Students should enter through the WHPS entrance, located next to Chick-fil-A.

Comedy Knight
Addition Financial Arena
Doors open at 7 p.m., event starts at 8 p.m.

The Campus Activities Board will be hosting a comedy show with a hilarious set by SNL star Ego Nwodim.

Thursday, Aug. 21:

Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
�鶹ӳ����ý Downtown �����Ի� downtown Orlando
All Day

Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21, to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28, to complete as many challenges as you can.

This is a single-player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends using the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your own account to be considered for one of the giveaways.

Search for Scavify in the App Store or Google Play, then create an account using your student email address. Starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, search “The Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando” and click “join.”

Enter Password: “2019”

Welcome Back Fall 2025
Student Union,  Atrium
11 a.m.

Join the Ginsberg Center as we welcome new and returning Knights for the Fall 2025 semester.

Taste of Downtown
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons at �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

This event entails free food from food trucks for the �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown community.

Student Faculty Feud
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, Parramore Room (Room 107)
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Do you have what it takes to challenge your professor and win a prize? Join the �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown faculty for some fun and games!

Reunite with Your Orientation
Howard Phillips Hall, outside
5 – 8 p.m.

Reunite with some of the familiar faces from your orientation group.

Concert Knight
Addition Financial Arena
Doors open at 7 p.m., event starts at 8 p.m.

The Campus Activities Board will be hosting a concert featuring singer Daya with special guest Thomas Day.

Library Scavenger Hunt
John C. Hitt Library
Noon – 2 p.m.

The �鶹ӳ����ý Libraries are hosting a postcard-themed scavenger hunt to get you familiar with all the areas of the John C. Hitt Library. Take a world tour and learn about the services, resources, and spaces that support your academic journey. The first 150 students to complete the grand tour will earn an exclusive �鶹ӳ����ý Libraries Duck and commemorative postcard.

Friday, Aug. 22:

Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
�鶹ӳ����ý Downtown �����Ի� downtown Orlando
All Day

Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2 p.m., Wednesday, August 21, to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28, to complete as many challenges as you can.

This is a single-player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends using the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your account to be considered for one of the giveaways.

Search for Scavify in the App Store or Google Play, then create an account using your student email address. Starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, search “The Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando” and click “join.”

Enter Password: “2019”

Welcome to the Majors
Addition Financial Arena
10 a.m. – noon.

The College of Business takes the main stage for its signature event, which introduces incoming business students to the culture of the college and sets them on the path to success. More than 1,200 business students are expected to attend �鶹ӳ����ý’s largest face-to-face class, where they’ll hear from college leadership, faculty and alumni. They’ll also get a chance to network with student organizations and community and corporate partners, including presenting sponsor Wells Fargo. Doors open at 9:15 a.m.

Movie Night: Deadpool & Wolverine
CMX Plaza Cinema Café 12, near �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown
7 p.m.

The Downtown Student Life team is thrilled to invite you to an exclusive screening of Deadpool & Wolverine at the CMX Cinema in downtown Orlando. Drinks and snacks will be provided, while supplies last. Student must bring their �鶹ӳ����ý or Valencia College Downtown ID. RSVP for your slot . At 5:45 p.m., students will check in at UnionWest. At 6:15 p.m., moviegoers will leave for the cinema.

Neon Paint Rave
Memory Mall
8 – 11 p.m.

Join Late Knights for a neon paint rave.

Saturday, Aug. 23:

Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
�鶹ӳ����ý Downtown and downtown Orlando
All Day

Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21, to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28, to complete as many challenges as you can.

This is a single-player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends using the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your own account to be considered for one of the giveaways.

Search for Scavify in the App Store or Google Play, then create an account using your student email address. Starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, search “The Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando” and click “join.”

Enter Password: “2019”

Day of Service
Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom
8 a.m., check-in is between 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Volunteer �鶹ӳ����ý is hosting this event to give students an opportunity to get involved in their �鶹ӳ����ý and Orlando communities. RSVP for this event on Knight Connect. Sign-ups for volunteer sites will be first-come, first-served. Students will complete three hours of service and learn how to get involved in more service activities for the upcoming fall and spring semesters.

Wednesday, Aug. 27:

Speaker Knight
Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom
Doors open at 7 p.m., event starts at 8 p.m.

The Campus Activities Board is hosting a speaker panel with actor Karan Brar in the Pegasus Ballroom, where students can hear about his journey and take part in a Q&A with their friends.

Since 2017, the KB Foundation has supported Philadelphia’s youth through educational experiences and mentorship. This immersive Orlando trip combined two of the organization’s programs to advance learning for its KB Foundation mentees, including youth from 20 high schools who have participated in college prep or lunch and learn programs since middle school. Founder and CEO Kirk Berry says that he wants the students who participate in the program to learn about careers through immersive experiences and make the right choices for their future.

“At the KB Foundation Inc., our approach to career exploration activities is about exposing our youth to what it is like for a day in the life of any given career,” Berry says. “Hearing about a career is one way to learn, but spending time doing a small part of the career is a more impactful way to learn about it.”

College Possible, an organization working to broaden educational opportunities for youths, also attended this exploratory Orlando field trip for KB Foundation mentees.

Tyler Cholminski, a high school junior and mentee, says the KB Foundation and College Possible programs are helping him prepare for his future.

“I just started with the program a month ago,” Cholminski says. “They have already taught me so much. More than just preparing for college, I’ve learned about life.”

The KB Foundation recognizes �鶹ӳ����ý’s strong ties to the gaming industry through its successful FIEA alumni, which inspired them to visit the university.

“This partnership came about because our vice president of operations and programming, Justin Fishman,” Berry says. “He saw it as an opportunity to give our youth an opportunity to experience an extremely specialized career field. Since the �鶹ӳ����ý has a direct career path to the gaming industry, it will show our youth what is required to pursue such a skilled profession.”

Berry says the trip will give students a fresh perspective on gaming, which already plays a significant part in many of their lives.

“This trip will have a tremendous impact on our youth because many of them play games and only participate as consumers,” Berry says.  “The opportunity to learn about the pathway into this specific industry will be life-changing for the students.”

During the students’ trip to FIEA, they had the opportunity to listen to executive director Ben Noel speak about what their future could look like with a career in gaming.

“FIEA has one of the top graduate programs in gaming for the past six years,” Noel says. “Electronic Arts, Microsoft, and Iron Galaxy are all up the street from us. Twenty years ago, game development was not prevalent in Downtown Orlando. Today, there are 2,500 developers working in Orlando. Things like this happen in cities when they really focus on doing things.”

After Noel finished his talk with the students, they had the opportunity to tour FIEA to immerse themselves in the technology utilized for game development and education.

Students learned about the technology and work that goes into creating virtual reality games and, through a demo, stepped onto the sets of popular shows, movies, and games such as Mario Kart, Harry Potter, and Stranger Things.

Students went behind the scenes to learn more about the magic behind motion capture and try it for themselves. They geared up in motion capture suits and showcased their basketball skills on the court and the big screen.

Rahim Gardner, a sophomore attending high school in South Philadelphia, shares why this trip means so much to him.

“This experience means the world to me because I was granted the opportunity to come here,” he says. “I’m learning a lot, and I get to see what is outside of Philadelphia in the world.”

“My late father, Thaddeus Seymour Sr., devoted his career to higher education as both a teacher and administrator, including serving for 12 years as president of Rollins College in Winter Park,” Seymour said during his commencement speech. “Throughout my life I have worked to embrace and act upon the values that he and my late mother Polly shared with their children.”

“The bestowing of degrees at commencement was always my favorite part of the year at �鶹ӳ����ý, so to be recognized in this way, by the university that Katie, [my wife], and I so deeply love, is truly an honor.” — Thad Seymour Jr., honorary degree recipient

Thaddeus Seymour Sr. also served as the dean of Dartmouth College and president of Wabash College. With this upbringing on college campuses, Seymour says education was a logical path.

Seymour has contributed to �鶹ӳ����ý in varying roles since 2015. Prior to serving as �鶹ӳ����ý interim president from February 2019 to April 2020, he led the development of the university’s previous strategic plan and was named vice president for partnerships and chief innovation officer.

“His strategic insight and leadership were instrumental in shaping our previous roadmap, which served as a guiding force for the university’s academic and operational growth,” Provost Michael D. Johnson wrote in his recommendation letter. “By uniting university leadership, faculty and community stakeholders, Thad ensured the plan aligned with the needs of both �鶹ӳ����ý and the broader Central Florida region, positioning �鶹ӳ����ý as a leader in innovation and economic development.”

Seymour also played an instrumental role in making �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown — which celebrates its five-year anniversary this year — a reality. As the intellectual anchor to Orlando’s Creative Village, �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown has awarded over 10,300 degrees to Knights in select majors across the university’s College of Business, College of Community Innovation and Education, and College of Sciences, as well as students at Valencia College.

“In my DNA is this belief that education is the single most important thing that can improve a person’s opportunities, their quality of life, their livelihood and their impact on the world,” Seymour said in an interview in 2019. “And education should not be a privilege, but rather widely available to expand opportunity and strengthen our society.”

“Thad was also a key architect in the creation of �鶹ӳ����ý’s Downtown Campus, a transformative project that has redefined urban education in Central Florida,” Johnson continued in his letter. “His efforts to bring together [various] partners — including the City of Orlando, Valencia College and private industry — were critical to the success of this ambitious initiative. Today, �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown serves more than 8,000 students and has become a hub for experiential learning, community engagement, and economic revitalization, thanks to Thad’s leadership and vision.”

Seymour earned a bachelor’s in history from Dartmouth College, and a master’s and doctoral degree in history, from the University of Wisconsin. He also graduated from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University with an MBA.

For three decades, Seymour worked as a business executive in technology and healthcare industries, including his work as vice president of marketing and strategy at Curascript, a subsidiary of Express Scripts, which had acquired Priority Healthcare where he had quarterbacked the $1.3 billion transaction as vice president of corporate development.

Leveraging this expertise and a skill for fostering partnerships, Seymour has contributed to the growth of Central Florida. He helped bring more than $3 billion to Lake Nona Medical City by leading strategy and business development for the area in his role as senior vice president of Tavistock Development Company. He created and served as founding president of the Lake Nona Institute, which hosts the widely acclaimed annual Lake Nona Impact Forum focused on health innovation. Seymour also led efforts to bring the United States Tennis Association to Lake Nona — resulting in the nation’s largest tennis complex.

He has served on the board of the Orlando Economic Partnership, Visit Orlando, BioFlorida, and Innovate Orlando. Seymour is a past chair of the statewide Florida Research Consortium, StarterStudio, an entrepreneurial support nonprofit organization in downtown Orlando, and Shepherd’s Hope, which provides free medical care to more than 20,000 uninsured patients annually throughout Central Florida.

Now retired, Seymour and his wife, Katie, remain active community volunteers, including training puppies for Canine Companions, a national nonprofit that provides services dogs for free to those needing assistance.

“For his exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment to �鶹ӳ����ý, and his visionary approach to higher education, I can think of no one more deserving of the honorary degree of Doctor of Public Service than Thad Seymour,” Johnson stated in his letter. “His contributions have left a lasting legacy at �鶹ӳ����ý and within the Central Florida community.”

Honorary degrees require a detailed nomination process, a recommendation from the university president, and ultimately, approval from the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees’ vote, which occurred on Sept. 27, 2024, for one to awarded to Seymour was unanimous.

“The bestowing of degrees at commencement was always my favorite part of the year at �鶹ӳ����ý, so to be recognized in this way, by the university that Katie, [my wife], and I so deeply love, is truly an honor,” Seymour says.

As Seymour joined Knights who were awarded nearly 6,500 degrees this semester, he encouraged them to do three things: honor this special place and take it with them, celebrate the “crooked path” that lies ahead, and be the best leader they could be.

“Ultimately, I found my way back to academia, having the honor and pleasure to work with incredible leaders at �鶹ӳ����ý who were redefining the future of higher education. I couldn’t have planned or predicted my ‘crooked path’ any better than you will be able to,” Seymour said during his commencement speech. “But by celebrating it you are always ready to pivot when a new and unexpected opportunity appears before you. Armed with what �鶹ӳ����ý has provided to you, I’m confident that your path will be rewarding and impactful in ways you can’t even imagine today.”

Electrical engineering doctoral student Ganesh Marasini tests real-life grid control operations in �鶹ӳ����ý’s — a training ground for rising engineers to collaborate, learn and help reimagine the energy grid of the future.

Hundreds of fans celebrated �鶹ӳ����ý men’s basketball’s upset win over No. 3 Kansas at Addition Financial Arena.

�鶹ӳ����ý broke ground on the transformational Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion at Lake Nona, which is anticipated to open in 2025-26. The new 90,000 square-foot home of the College of Nursing will help �鶹ӳ����ý graduate more highly qualified, compassionate nurses for the future.

A student practices with a manikin hand at �鶹ӳ����ý’s state-of-the-art in the College of Nursing, which is equipped with advanced medical devices and technology to train nursing students for clinical practice.

Since kicking off the outdoor season with a top 10 national ranking, the �鶹ӳ����ý women’s track and field team has clocked some of the world’s fastest times this year.

During the 10th anniversary of �鶹ӳ����ý Celebrates the Arts — a multi-day festival honoring creative expressions — artists competed in Creative Clash, a live art event where they raced against the clock to create large-format artwork with markers in front of spectators at Seneff Arts Plaza.

A graduate walks across the stage during a Spring 2024 commencement ceremony that took place in Addition Financial Arena.

Three students dove into their studies while hanging out in their dorm room at the .

A Summer 2024 graduate beams with pride, holding his diploma as he walks across the commencement stage.

Knightro shows off a �鶹ӳ����ý specialty license plate while filming a new at Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy’s Studio 500. To Knight Your Ride, click here.

�鶹ӳ����ý students are conducting groundbreaking research at labs, paving the way for the future of space exploration and innovation.

Two fighter aircrafts flew over FBC Mortgage Stadium during the pregame ceremony for the Family Weekend football game, where the Knights defeated the Sam Houston State University Bearkats, 45-14.

Running back RJ Harvey crossed into the end zone for a touchdown during the Knight’s second home game of the season against Sam Houston.

A student guides TapeMeasure, �鶹ӳ����ý’s semiautonomous dog-like robot, up the steps of the John C. Hitt Library, demonstrating its advanced navigation capabilities for innovative research by students and faculty.

A member of �鶹ӳ����ý Air Force ROTC Detachment 159 salutes while being filmed on campus for , showcasing �鶹ӳ����ý as a place for those who dare to invent the future.

Annika Emmett, a health sciences student, and Limbitless Solutions intern and past bionic arm recipient, tries on a bionic arm, showcasing its advanced technology that empowers children with limb differences.

This year, �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown, in partnership with Valencia College, celebrates five years of educational excellence. The campus has welcomed more than 7,000 students and awarded 10,300 degrees since opening in 2019.

Two space scientists operate a rover on the world’s largest simulated lunar surface, located in �鶹ӳ����ý’s Exolith Lab. The lab’s Lunar Highland Regolith Test Bin was developed in partnership with the Florida Space Institute to support space exploration research.

Before the �鶹ӳ����ý Knights took on the Colorado Buffaloes, two cheerleaders interacted with a young �鶹ӳ����ý fan during Knight Walk at IOA Plaza, the lively pregame tradition where fans, the marching band, and the cheer and dance teams rally together to welcome the football team before kickoff.

�鶹ӳ����ý’s cheer team amped up the crowd as the Knights took on the University of Cincinnati Bearcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

Rapper NLE Choppa performed at Concert Knight presented by �鶹ӳ����ý Homecoming at Addition Financial Arena.

The cheer team hyped up the crowd with a high-energy stunt routine before students charged into the Reflecting Pond to catch homecoming rubber ducks at Spirit Splash.

Knightro surfed over a crowd of students at Spirit Splash, �鶹ӳ����ý’s biggest homecoming tradition.

During Spirit Splash, Knightro even secured a cowboy-themed rubber duck, celebrating this year’s theme: Cowboys vs. Aliens.

Knightro posed with a constellation-themed SpaceU cape in front of a giant moon backdrop at �鶹ӳ����ý’s 2024 SpaceU Luncheon, honoring the university’s ties to space exploration and innovation.

�鶹ӳ����ý President Alexander N. Cartwright stands next to rocket engines while touring facilities during a visit to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.