The University of Central Florida recognized approximately 580 staff members for their service and achievements during its annual Founders’ Day event, according to an April 1 announcement. The ceremony honored employees reaching milestone years of service, recent and upcoming retirees, as well as those who have made significant contributions to the campus community.
Founders’ Day is an important occasion for UCF, celebrating the dedication and commitment of employees who contribute to the university’s excellence. The event also included recognition ceremonies for faculty and students, with more than 900 honorees celebrated across three events this year.
This year, UCF introduced a new category of Employee Leadership Excellence Awards that recognize non-faculty administrative leaders at the director level and above. These awards joined the expanded Employee Excellence Awards, which highlight outstanding full-time employees up to associate director level in areas such as operational excellence, student success, community well-being, and service.
During the ceremony, President Alexander N. Cartwright said: “We celebrate your service, your dedication, and the impact you make across this university. But behind that recognition is something even more powerful: the daily commitment, the steady work, and the consistency that build momentum over time. The future we talk about at UCF is not something that begins someday. It is already taking shape in the work you do, in the systems you support, and in the experiences you create for our students. Thank you.”
Awards presented included Employee Excellence Awards for individuals such as Arijeta Kavaja (Public Safety), Cecily McCoy-Fisher (Office of Research), Anna Nye (Office of Risk and Safety), Cindy Prophitt (Facilities), Cynthia Almanzar (Student Success), Laura Czerkies (Burnett Honors College), Michael McKee (College of Optics & Photonics), Donna Mercado (College of Nursing) among others. Rosemarie Mendoza received this year’s Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award.
In addition to individual recognitions for leadership or operational achievement, dozens were honored for milestone years ranging from five to forty-five years of service—including President Cartwright himself—and many retirees were acknowledged for their careers at UCF.
The Founders’ Day celebrations underscore UCF’s ongoing appreciation for those whose efforts help shape its present accomplishments while building toward its future.
