THE BILL ITSELF
SR 1776
UCF Day
Florida Senate - 2026 (NP) SR 1776 By Senator Smith 17-02154-26 20261776__
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Senate Resolution
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A resolution designating January 27, 2026, as “UCF
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Day” in Florida.
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WHEREAS, the University of Central Florida (UCF) is a
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public research university in Orlando which was founded in 1963
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as Florida Technological University, and
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WHEREAS, Florida Technological University was created to
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meet the technical and engineering workforce needs of the
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state’s growing aerospace and defense industries and the
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expansion of the nation’s space program along Florida’s Space
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Coast, and
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WHEREAS, in 1978, Florida Technological University was
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renamed the University of Central Florida to reflect its
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expanded academic mission, growing student enrollment, and
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broader service to the Central Florida region and the entire
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state, and
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WHEREAS, UCF has now grown into one of the largest
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universities in the United States, enrolling more than 70,600
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students, and is the largest university in this state by
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enrollment, and
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WHEREAS, UCF’s 12 colleges offer more than 250 academic
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degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and
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professional levels, and
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WHEREAS, under the leadership of President Alexander N.
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Cartwright, UCF has expanded enrollment in engineering and
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technology-related programs to more than 21,000 students since
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2020, representing an increase of approximately 25 percent and
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strengthening this state’s pipeline of talent in high-demand
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fields, and
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WHEREAS, UCF is classified as a Carnegie Research 1
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institution, recognizing very high research activity, doctorate
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production, and significant contributions to innovation and
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discovery, and
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WHEREAS, UCF is closely connected with the Central Florida
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Research Park, one of the largest research parks in the United
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States, allowing for collaboration among industry, government,
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and academia, support from hundreds of companies, and growth in
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high-wage jobs aligned with defense, aerospace, modeling, and
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advanced technology sectors, and
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WHEREAS, UCF is recognized as a national leader in
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modeling, simulation, and training technologies, an industry
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cluster that generates billions of dollars in economic activity
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for Central Florida and the entire state, and maintains
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longstanding partnerships with federal agencies, including the
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National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of
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War, and the United States Space Force to support research,
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education, and workforce development in space-related
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disciplines, and
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WHEREAS, the Princeton Review and PC Gamer have recognized
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UCF’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy graduate game
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design program as one of the top two programs of its kind in the
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world 5 of the past 6 years, from 2019 to 2025, and
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WHEREAS, according to U.S. News & World Report, UCF has had
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the No. 1 emergency and crisis management graduate program and
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the No. 9 best online undergraduate programs in the nation two
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years in a row, 2024 and 2025, and its computer science programs
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are ranked among the nation’s top 25 for 2025, according to
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cyberdegreesedu.org, and
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WHEREAS, UCF established the Pegasus Partnership Program in
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2019 to create structured, long-term collaborations with leading
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private-sector employers which align academic programs,
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research, and workforce development with industry needs, and
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WHEREAS, UCF has developed strategic partnerships with
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major global employers through the Pegasus Partnership Program,
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including BNY, Lockheed Martin, and Siemens, which have expanded
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student internship opportunities, applied research
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collaborations, and corporate investments in Central Florida,
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strengthening the region’s innovation-driven economy, and
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WHEREAS, UCF is nationally recognized for expanding access
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to higher education and promoting economic mobility among its
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graduates, and
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WHEREAS, UCF has produced more than 400,000 alumni
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worldwide, many of whom contribute to this state’s workforce,
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economy, and civic life, and
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WHEREAS, designating a day in recognition of UCF also
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provides an opportunity to honor the legacy of Florida
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Technological University, NOW, THEREFORE,
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Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
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That January 27, 2026, is designated as “UCF Day” in
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Florida in recognition of the University of Central Florida’s
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contributions to higher education, research, innovation,
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workforce development, and economic growth.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with
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the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to President
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Alexander N. Cartwright, Ph.D., President of the University of
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Central Florida, as a tangible token of the sentiments of the
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Florida Senate.