The President’s Partnership Reception, an annual event to honor the philanthropic support provided by UCF’s corporate partners, was held Wednesday evening at The Burnett House, the President’s home on campus. Key donors to the university were recognized and a special partnership award was presented to the Orlando Magic, represented by its President and CEO, Alex Martins, ’01.
“UCF and the Orlando Magic have been partners for more than 20 years, dating back to their first donation to the Golden Knights Club,” said President John C. Hitt. “Most recently, they were the first to step forward to help us secure the new UCF Downtown campus.” The Orlando Magic’s $1.5 million pledge will support a new academic building that will be the centerpiece of the downtown campus.
Caryn Grant, a student in the DeVos Sport Business Management program, spoke of her academic journey beginning as a sports journalist and now serving local sports-based organizations through the DeVos program. “On a daily basis, I am moved by the mosaic of backgrounds and career goals expressed by my classmates, with the common factor being our desire to make a difference through the power of sport,” she said.
She thanked the Orlando Magic for giving annually to help fund many of the initiatives within the program. “Donors like the Orlando Magic give more than just dollars to the university,” she said. “They give time, experience, opportunity and inspiration.”