High level donors to UCF were honored last night at the annual President’s Appreciation Reception at the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center. Attendees were recognized for their annual giving levels of $25,000 or more, or lifetime giving levels of $100,000 or more.
Dr. Hitt thanked supporters for sharing their time, talent and personal resources to ensure that UCF continues to stand for opportunity. “Your philanthropy supports our students, faculty, programs and facilities. Your vision helps us to provide real-world experiences to our students. Your support strengthens our commitment to creating new facilities to meet student and community needs.”
Two special awards ─ the President’s Award and the Partnership Award ─ were also given. The recipient of the 2012 President’s Award was Dr. Neil Euliano, a long time supporter of UCF who led the way for the creation of the Veterans Commemorative Site on Memory Mall. “We thank you not only tonight, but always. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to honor your service and the sacrifices of all American veterans,” said Hitt.
The 2012 Partnership Award was given to The Wayne M. Densch Charitable Trust, whose decades-long partnership with UCF has resulted in the renaming of two athletics buildings and the creation of the Wayne Densch Sports Center, home to the UCF football program. A new partnership between the two will become a student-academic center on campus that will provide classroom space, career advisement and tutoring services for UCF’s student-athletes.
Senior engineering major Tatiana Viecco thanked the donors who have made her studies at UCF possible. “UCF’s ability to stand for opportunity is made so much stronger because of donors like you. You give much more than money ─ you give hope and encouragement too. None of what I’ve accomplished would be possible without your generous contributions.”
(Photo: Santiago Rodriguez, Santiago Studios)