UCF Honors Faculty Excellence at 2026 Founders’ Day Celebration

Original: Founders’ Day 2026 Faculty Awards

University Of Central Florida•Apr 1, 202611 min

In a Nutshell

The University of Central Florida (UCF) celebrated approximately 280 faculty members for their academic achievements and service during the Founders’ Day Faculty Honors Celebration. Notable awards included the Pegasus Professor Award and the Medal of Societal Impact, with Chuck Dziuban recognized for his 55-year career and the introduction of the Chuck D. Dziuban Award for Excellence in Online Teaching.

Key Points

01UCF honored around 280 faculty members for their contributions at the Founders’ Day event.
02Key awards included the Pegasus Professor Award and the Medal of Societal Impact.
03Chuck Dziuban was recognized for his 55 years of service and pioneering contributions.
04The Chuck D. Dziuban Award for Excellence in Online Teaching was introduced this year.
05Numerous faculty members received awards in various categories, highlighting excellence in teaching and research.

In-Article Ad

Full Summary

The University of Central Florida (UCF) held its annual Founders’ Day Faculty Honors Celebration, recognizing approximately 280 faculty members for their outstanding contributions to academia and service. Among the prestigious awards presented were the Pegasus Professor Award, which was awarded to Hassan Foroosh, Carmen Giurgescu, Annette R. Khaled, and Matthew Marino, and the Medal of Societal Impact, awarded to Zhihua Qu. The event also honored Chuck Dziuban, a trailblazing faculty member with a remarkable 55-year career, who was recognized for his role as UCF’s inaugural Pegasus Professor and founding director of the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning. In his honor, the Chuck D. Dziuban Award for Excellence in Online Teaching was introduced to celebrate faculty excellence in online education. Other awards included the Reach for the Stars Award and various excellence awards for undergraduate and graduate teaching, research, and professional service, showcasing the university's commitment to academic excellence.

Key Figures

280

Total number of faculty members honored

55 years

Length of Chuck Dziuban's career at UCF

In-Article Ad

Why It Matters

The recognition of faculty excellence enhances UCF's reputation and encourages a culture of high academic standards, benefiting students and the wider community.

Who is affected

students, faculty, and the academic community at UCF

What to know

Students and faculty should engage with award-winning programs and initiatives to enhance their educational experience.

FAQ

The celebration highlights the contributions of faculty members at UCF, recognizing their academic excellence and service.

Chuck Dziuban is a long-serving faculty member recognized for his pioneering work in online education and his role as UCF's inaugural Pegasus Professor.

Read the original article →