University of Central Florida

University of Central Florida

Former names	Florida Technological University
Motto	Reach for the Stars
Type	Public state university Space-grant university
Established	June 10, 1963 (1963-06-10)
Endowment	US$155.5 million
President	John C. Hitt
Provost	Dale Whittaker
Academic staff	2,256(Spring 2016)
Administrative staff	9,386 (Spring 2016)
Students	63,016 (Spring 2016)
Undergraduates	54,527 (Spring 2016)
Postgraduates	8,489 (Spring 2016)
Location	Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Campus	Suburban Main: 1,415 acres (5.73 km2) Total: 1,893 acres (7.66 km2)
Colors	Black and Gold
Athletics	NCAA Division I, FBS The American
Nickname	Knights
Mascot	Knightro, Pegasus, Citronaut (retired)
Affiliations	SURA, SUSF
Website	www.ucf.edu

The University of Central Florida, or UCF, is an American metropolitan public research university in Orlando, Florida. It is the largest university in the United States by undergraduate enrollment, as well as the largest by total enrollment.

Founded in 1963 by the Florida Legislature, UCF opened in 1968 as Florida Technological University, with the mission of providing personnel to support the growing U.S. space program at the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Florida's Space Coast. As the academic scope expanded beyond its original focus on engineering and technology, "Florida Tech" was renamed The University of Central Florida in 1978. UCF's space roots continue as the university currently leads the NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium. While initial enrollment was only 1,948 students, enrollment today amounts to some 60,821 students from 140 countries and all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

The majority of the student population is located on the university's main campus just 13 miles (21 km) east-northeast of downtown Orlando, and 55 miles (89 km) southwest of Daytona Beach. The university offers over 200 degrees through thirteen colleges and twelve satellite campuses in Central Florida. Since its founding, UCF has awarded more than 290,000 degrees, including 55,000 graduate and professional degrees, to over 250,000 alumni worldwide.

UCF is a space-grant university, and has made significant research contributions to engineering, optics, simulation, digital media, business administration, education, hospitality management, and the arts. Its official colors are black and gold, and the university logo is a Pegasus, which "symbolizes the university's vision of limitless possibilities." The university's intercollegiate sports teams, commonly known as the "UCF Knights" and represented by mascot Knightro, compete in NCAA Division I and the American Athletic Conference.