[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 52 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING DR. JOHN HITT FOR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE AS PRESIDENT OF 
                   THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL WEBSTER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2012

  Mr. WEBSTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Dr. John Hitt 
on his tremendous record of accomplishment as President of the 
University of Central Florida (UCF). This month marks Dr. Hitt's 20th 
year of service to UCF, and it gives me great pleasure to recognize Dr. 
Hitt's contributions to UCF and the Central Florida community.
  Under Dr. Hitt's leadership, UCF has planned and won approval for a 
new college of medicine, doubled enrollment while enhancing the quality 
of academic offerings, exponentially increased the number of doctoral 
degrees awarded each year, and expanded research funding from $6.2 
million to more than $121 million per year.
  Before coming to UCF, Dr. Hitt held numerous posts as both faculty 
and executive leadership at academic institutions, including Assistant 
Professor of Psychology at Tulane University, Vice President of Texas 
Christian University Research Foundation, and Provost and Vice 
President for Academic Affairs at Bradley University.
  Dr. Hitt's passion for education led him to UCF, where he arrived in 
March 1992. Since that time, he has been honored with many awards and 
recognitions, including Junior Achievement's Spirit of Achievement 
Award in 2008, Orlando Business Journal's inaugural Legacy Award in 
2006, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission James B. Greene 
award in 2002, and the Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce's John Young 
Award in 2008.
  It was a personal honor to work with Dr. Hitt while serving as a 
member of the Board of Trustees for UCF. Dr. Hitt's attitude of servant 
leadership and his dedication to quality education for UCF's students 
has been a testimony to his personal modesty and humility. Dr. Hitt is 
not only a great president for UCF, but he is a model for the 
University's students.
  On behalf of the citizens of Central Florida, I congratulate and 
applaud Dr. Hitt on his 20th year of service as the president of the 
University of Central Florida. May his character, life, and efforts 
inspire others to follow in his footsteps.

                          ____________________