Every year on the first Wednesday of April, UCF marks Founders’ Day by honoring the outstanding accomplishments and contributions of its people. The College of Business is incredibly proud of the following students and faculty who will be recognized for their impact on the College and UCF.
FOUNDERS’ DAY AWARD
Jordan Nell is a senior finance major and member of the College of Business Ambassadors.
-
What does this award mean to you? I am truly grateful to be receiving the Founders’ Day award. It’s really special to receive an award that connects back to the people and values that built UCF. It motivates me to keep challenging myself and to proudly represent UCF beyond graduation. I look forward to staying connected and giving back as an alumna.
-
Why did you choose UCF? Back in high school, UCF was the only school I wanted to attend and the only one I applied to. Its strong connection to The Walt Disney Company really stood out to me and played a big role in my decision. I’m incredibly grateful for the Disney Aspire program for partnering with UCF and covering my college tuition.
-
What is your favorite memory from UCF? I’ve had many amazing experiences at UCF, but one that stands out the most is participating in the NYC Capital Markets Advisory Board trip. I had the opportunity to travel to New York City with faculty from the College of Business and seven other students. Visiting the New York Stock Exchange, engaging with leaders from the Big Four accounting firms, and connecting with UCF alums working in New York City were incredible experiences I’ll never forget.
-
How has the College of Business helped you? The College of Business has given me confidence in my skills and professionalism. By teaching what employers value and helping me develop those skills, they’ve prepared me to succeed in whatever opportunities come after graduation. Their guidance has helped me grow as a student and as a future professional ready to make an impact.
-
What knowledge would you pass on to students thinking about coming to UCF and the College of Business? My advice is to make the most out of the knowledge and guidance the faculty provide. UCF has an abundance of resources and opportunities, but I’ve learned that your experience is truly what you make of it. The more you put yourself out there and take initiative, the more you’ll gain from your time here.
-
Who were your biggest supporters in getting to where you are now? I’ve been fortunate to have incredible support from the College of Business faculty, including Tiffany Hughes, Dean Paul Jarley, and Professor Paul Gregg, as well as the Office of Professional Development team. I am also grateful to my family for supporting me in all of my pursuits and cheering me on along the way.
ORDER OF PEGASUS
Hannah Lovejoy is a senior accounting major and member of the UCF Women’s Rowing team.
- What does this award mean to you? This award is a representation of the village of people I have supporting and pushing me.
-
Why did you choose UCF? I chose UCF because it has such a large student population, which means there are so many opportunities, but at the same time, in my classes and around school, I don’t feel overwhelmed by the number of students, which I really like.
-
What is your favorite memory from UCF? Winning the Big 12 rowing championship was by far my favorite memory here.
-
How has the College of Business helped you? I have loved that my core classes are smaller so I am able to have a closer relationship with my professors and get more help from the TAs.
-
What knowledge would you pass on to students thinking about coming to UCF and the College of Business? There are so many resources available, just ask for help. I didn’t realize all the support offered in the college of business until a couple years in.
-
Who were your biggest supporters in getting to where you are now? Tanner O’Connor and my parents played a huge role in getting me here. Tim Allen and Mara Allen have played a huge role in getting me to where I am now.
Natalie Otero is a senior accounting major who is a member of the Honors Congress and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and previously served as the Vice President of the Health Awareness & Prevention Society, Director of Volunteering for Medlife at UCF and a Orlando Regional Medical Center volunteer.
- What does this award mean to you? This award means a lot to me because it represents the difference I’ve been able to make at UCF beyond the classroom. It reflects not just my work, but the people and communities that have shaped my experience. UCF has deeply impacted me and will forever be a part of my heart. I am so grateful to think that perhaps I have impacted UCF too.
-
Why did you choose UCF? I chose UCF because of the community. From my first day on campus, I knew that it was the place for me. UCF offered unparalleled support and opportunities. It was a place where I could explore different interests, get involved and challenge myself.
-
What is your favorite memory from UCF? I have so many incredible memories at UCF that it is honestly hard to pick just one. My college experience is made of thousands of happy moments that have come together to shape my journey. If I had to choose, I think I would say my first ever Honors Congress board meeting as a new director. It might not seem that exciting in comparison to all that I have done in my time here, but looking back, it was the beginning of so much for me. From the first moment, I knew I had found my community, and I made forever friends that day. Honors Congress has been at the center of so much of my time at UCF, and I believe it is where I have been able to make the biggest impact, starting with that first day.
-
How has the College of Business helped you? The College of Business has given me both the technical foundation and professional opportunities to succeed. Through coursework, mentorship and internship connections, I’ve been able to gain real-world experience and better understand what I want to do in my career.
-
What knowledge would you pass on to students thinking about coming to UCF and the College of Business? Get involved early and don’t be afraid to try new things. UCF has so much to offer that it can almost be a little overwhelming at times, but I promise that it is worth exploring and you will find the place you were meant to be. Some of the most impactful experiences I’ve had came from stepping outside my comfort zone. The UCF College of Business has so many resources and opportunities if you take the time to get involved.
-
Who were your biggest supporters in getting to where you are now? I have been incredibly lucky to have had an unbelievable amount of support during my time at UCF. The supportive community here is one of the things that stood out to me the most about UCF and is why I ultimately chose to attend. My family, my professors and my friends have offered me advice and mentorship that I truly would not be here without. I am so grateful for the sacrifices that my parents and my grandparents have made to provide for my education. I could not ask for better parents; I hope more than anything to follow in their footsteps and make them proud. My grandparents were (Operation) Pedro Pan kids (from Cuba) and they have always made it so clear to me how happy and proud they are of me and my success in America. During my time at UCF, I was fortunate to have professors who cared deeply about their students and what they were teaching. One professor in particular, Dr. Sean Dennis, was extremely impactful in guiding me toward choosing audit as a career path and actually wrote my letter of recommendation for this award. Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not mention the friends that I have made here. They have cheered me on every step of the way and made me part of a community that I will never forget. One of my friends actually insisted on flying back to Florida just for the Order of Pegasus Ceremony when she heard the news, so a special thank you to my best friend Alysha who believes in me more than I believe in myself.
FACULTY AWARDS
Reach for the Stars: John Bush – Assistant Professor, Department of Management
Excellence in Research: Kevin Mullally – Assistant Professor, Department of Finance
Excellence in Graduate Teaching: Dana Joseph – Professor, Department of Management
Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching: Sara Willox – Lecturer, Department of Integrated Business
Employee Leadership Excellence Award Nominee: Amy Perry – Director of Human Resources
FACULTY & STAFF EMPLOYMENT ANNIVERSARIES
10 Years: Summer Davis, Aaron Smart
20 Years: Richard Curcio, Kelley Dietrich, Sean Snaith
25 Years: Tarek Buhagiar, Mark Dickie, Steven Hornik, Stefanie Mayfield Garcia
30 Years: Lynn Becker
Emeritus: Richard Hofler, Robin Roberts