[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 52 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S2237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DR. JOHN HITT

 Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a 
great Floridian, Dr. John Hitt, who earlier this month celebrated his 
20th anniversary as the president of the University of Central Florida.
  First and foremost, I would like to congratulate him on reaching this 
milestone, and thank him and his wife Martha for everything they have 
done for Central Florida over the past 20 years. When they arrived at 
UCF in 1992, Dr. Hitt outlined five goals for UCF that have held 
steadfast for two decades.
  He wanted the school to offer the best undergraduate education 
available in Florida and achieve international prominence in key 
programs of graduate study and research. He wanted the school to 
provide international focus to UCF's curricula and research programs, 
become more inclusive and diverse, and to be America's leading 
partnership university.
  This innovative vision and entrepreneurial spirit have led to UCF 
becoming our nation's 2nd largest university and a place among 
America's premier metropolitan research universities.
  When Dr. Hitt arrived in Orlando, he knew that the key to making UCF 
a world-class university and a vital force in Central Florida was going 
to be through the power of partnerships.
  It would be through partnerships with our community and State 
colleges where UCF accepts 29 percent of all Florida community and 
State college transfer students, making it the No. 1 destination for 
transfer students in the State university system and among the top 
universities in the United States for community college transfer 
students.
  It would be through partnerships with industry and government that 
led to the growth of the Central Florida Research Park--one of the top 
five research parks in the country--and to the founding of the Florida 
High Tech Corridor Council, which links the resources and talent of 
UCF, the University of South Florida, and the University of Florida 
with high-tech companies.
  And, it would be through partnerships that are profoundly 
transforming Central Florida, such as those that led to the creation of 
the UCF College of Medicine which has become the cornerstone for a 
growing medical sciences cluster of facilities known as the ``Medical 
City at Lake Nona.''
  A few weeks ago, Dr. Hitt told the UCF community that if he had 
learned anything in 20 years, it was that our greatest danger is not to 
dream too large, but to dream too small. In the years that he has led 
UCF--and in the 50 years that he has had Martha at his side--John Hitt 
has stayed true to his ideals, his vision, and his heart.
  Mr. President, Dr. Hitt is fond of saying that UCF ``stands for 
opportunity.'' That is in no small part because of his strength of 
character, bold vision and steady leadership. As UCF celebrates its 
50th anniversary next year, Dr. Hitt's unique approach to tackling 
challenges and creating opportunities has taken UCF from promise to 
prominence. On this special anniversary, I thank Dr. Hitt for not 
straying from the five visionary goals that he outlined in his 
inaugural address two decades ago--and for showing us what is possible 
through passion and partnership.
  Thank you, Dr. Hitt.

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