7/31/2019 Faculty and Staff Kick Off Speech

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Faculty/Staff Campaign Kick Off Speech

Although it may seem cheesy to say, when describing UCF to others, I struggle to find a word better suited to describe

this university than opportunity. The opportunities I have experienced would not have been possible without the

generous donors and dedicated staff of this university. So, first and foremost, I want to thank you for being in both of

those categories.

So, where to start? Words can barely explain all that this university has given me. I could talk about studying art

history in Italy for a month, the wealth of experience Ive gained from hands on projects in the College of Business, or my

extracurricular involvement, which ranges from serving on the Presidents Leadership Council to marketing events for the

student alumni association to planning 16 hours worth of activities for students working to fight cancer at Relay for Life.

But, it seems appropriate to talk about the very opportunity that brought me to UCF in the first place the Burnett

Honors College. When I came to visit UCF, something about it made me feel at home. Everyone was so open and friendly

and the campus was immediately a comfortable environment. But it wasnt until after I visited the honors college that I

knew this was the school for me. The idea of small classes, extracurricular opportunities, and chances for professional

development were exactly what I wanted out of my university experience.

Small classes allow for discussion and opportunities that would not have been possible in other classeso In Astronomy, I threw dry ice against a wall and watched it explodeo In Cinema Survey, I was able to have in depth discussions over the costume choices in No Country for Old

Men

o In International Business, I defended a strategy for a micro insurance agency in Indonesia in anundergraduate class

Extracurricular opportunities in the Honors Collegeo Director of Volunteer Affairs for two yearso Faculty and staff care and encourage involvement

Professional Developmento Email mentorship programo Luncheon Speakers at the Honors College: John Morgan, Pamela Landwirth (President of Give Kids the

World), Billy Bell (Dancing with the Stars Contestant) and Kim Iseman (Director of Sales and Marketing for

LEGOLAND Florida)

o I even got to attend a conference in Phoenix this last fall as a representative from Honors. After ourpresentation on our university and organization, people stayed for an hour afterward to ask questions. They

were amazed at how much support we had and what we were able to accomplish. Thats one of the many

times Ive realized just how excellent our university is and how great the faculty and staff are who make all

of the opportunities possible.

This community we have of everyone working together to create and foster opportunity, growth, and learning is the

reason I am so proud to be a UCF Knight. I still have a year left to cherish and contribute to this university, but when I

graduate, I hope I can take a bit of this community with me. Your commitment to this community is what keeps it

going and, on behalf of many many UCF students, I want to thank you all. Go Knights!