Holmes played a pivotal role in enabling UCF to complete its first capital campaign with a total of $366 million raised, well above the $250 million goal. He is currently overseeing the university’s second campaign, which has a $500 million target.

Among the many initiatives that have benefited from donor support during Holmes’ tenure are the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, College of Medicine, Burnett Honors College and Bright House Networks Stadium.

“Bob’s commitment and leadership have made the UCF Foundation a valuable partner in helping the university achieve its goals,� UCF President John C. Hitt said in an email announcement to faculty and staff members. “Please join me in thanking Bob for his outstanding service to our UCF community.�

UCF has retained a national search firm to assist with efforts in finding Holmes’ successor. That search will begin immediately, and Hitt said he expects the search committee to be small and nimble and represent the perspectives of faculty, staff, alumni, donors and the community.

At President Hitt’s request, Holmes will remain in his current role until his successor is hired. Holmes will then transition to a part-time role as special assistant to the president for principal gifts.

“As we approach the mid-way point in UCF’s second comprehensive campaign, I feel confident that the timing is right to pass the leadership of the Foundation to a new CEO, one who will surely build on the strong support of our current donor and alumni base,â€� said Holmes, whose career in higher education fundraising spans 41 years.

“The UCF Foundation is powered by a dedicated team of professionals and an engaged board.  The campaign momentum is strong and growing stronger.  The Alumni Association Board is also engaged and filled with passion for UCF which will further fuel the success of the campaign.   I am very proud of that legacy and enormously grateful to the donors, advocates, and volunteer leaders who have made my time at UCF a great privilege.�

Holmes served as vice president of development at the º£½ÇÖ±²¥ of Maine before coming to UCF. A U.S. Army veteran, he holds two mathematics degrees: a bachelor of arts from Norwich º£½ÇÖ±²¥ and a master of arts from the º£½ÇÖ±²¥ of Maine.

This week our nation celebrates National Philanthropy Week. With the upcoming holidays, it’s a popular time of year to give back, but for all of us, philanthropy is something that speaks to the human quality of generosity and informs and inspires our work every day. How fortunate we are to work in a field where lives are impacted because others choose to step up and make a difference. I urge each and every one of you to celebrate philanthropy on a daily basis instead of just once a year, because need has no season.

The generosity of others can be seen every day at UCF. The Knights Helping Knights Pantry provides food, clothes and toiletries to students in need. The UCF Community Volunteers Alumni Chapter regularly participates in local community projects, like stocking school supplies, painting homes for the elderly and cleaning up local beaches. And, there are countless other student groups making a difference every day.

Philanthropy at UCF can be seen through our many donors who give what they can. Their gifts help in so many ways, including providing scholarships to students – students like graduating senior Catherine Davies, who escaped civil war in Sierra Leone and plans to give back by creating jobs for women in her homeland.

Philanthropy at UCF can also be seen in the many buildings that were made possible through donor dollars – like the new Morgridge International Reading Center, funded by John and Carrie Morgridge. The state-of-the-art center will find solutions to worldwide illiteracy issues through partnership and shared research.

Giving back is so powerful and inspiring because it is voluntary. Through the goodness of our hearts, through our desire to see a better world, through our need to connect with others, we come together to improve the quality of life for as many people as we can. But even making an impact on just one life could mean the world to that person.

Join me in celebrating this national week of philanthropy every day, and let’s make our world and our university a better place for everyone. Thank you for all that you do.

Warm regards,

Robert J. Holmes, Jr.

Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations

The campaign kicked off with a breakfast at the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center where the deans, directors, VP’s and the campaign volunteers enjoyed entertainment by the UCF Jazz Workshop led by Per Danielsson and selections from the UCF Conservatory Theatre’s recent production of Rent. Provost Terry Hickey and VP of Alumni Relations and Development, Bob Holmes, gave the volunteers words of encouragement and thanked them for their support in the campaign.

The campaign ran from March 16 through April 6 and ended with a celebration event at the Millican Statue in front of Millican Hall prior to the Symphony Under the Stars concert on April 15.

For more visit the .