The University of Central Florida was originally named Florida Technological University when it was established in 1963 as part of the state university system. The university received its name and identity from its first president, Dr. Charles Millican, who chose the Pegasus as the official school emblem, and black and gold as the official school colors. Dr. Millican's first major goal was achieved when classes began at FTU in 1968.

Dr. Trevor Colbourn was announced as the next president of the university in 1978. Dr. Colbourn built upon the ideals of his predecessor to further expand the university and to embrace new developments and change.

As a result of Dr. Colbourn's efforts, FTU changed its mission and name to better reflect its growth into a full service institution offering a wide range of academic programs. Florida Technological University became the University of Central Florida and the next era of excellence began.

Dr. Colbourn's hard work and diligence can also be seen today through the successful establishment of the UCF football program, the UCF marching band and the Central Florida Research Park.

UCF's third president, Dr. Steven Altman, joined the campus in 1989. He contributed to hiring strong deans, raising research dollars and making clear growth plans to boost the university's profile. Dr. Altman developed a strategic plan to help guide UCF in becoming a major metropolitan university and boosting its profile.

The growth of UCF still continues under the leadership of UCF's current president, Dr. John Hitt, whose tenure began in 1992. He expanded on Dr. Altman's strategic plan to create five major goals to ensure the future success of UCF. These goals are:

* Offer the best undergraduate education in Florida

* Achieve international prominence in key programs of graduate and research study

* Provide international focus to the curricula and research programs

* Become more inclusive and diverse

* Become America's leading "Partnership University"