The gift will help fund construction of a new academic building that will be the centerpiece of the UCF Downtown campus serving about 7,700 UCF and Valencia College students.

Dr. Phillips’ gift comes just one day before university leaders will present plans for the campus Wednesday at UCF to the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the State şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą System.

Dr. Phillips’ $3 million contribution also brings the total community support for UCF Downtown to $16 million.

“When our Board first heard about UCF Downtown and the compelling vision of President Hitt and his team, we knew we wanted to help make this campus a reality,” said Dr. Phillips’ President and CEO Kenneth D. Robinson. “Our mission as an organization is to help transform lives, and in doing so, lift our entire community. We believe this gift to downtown is an investment in our children’s future.”

Dr. Phillips Charities have a long-standing partnership with UCF, contributing toward the College of Medicine, College of Business Administration and the Dr. P. Phillips School of Real Estate.

“These gifts have produced life-changing opportunities for so many of our students,” said UCF President John C. Hitt. “We are so grateful for Dr. Phillips Charities’ support of the UCF Downtown campus and the lasting impact it will have on our community.”

One-third of the new $60 million downtown academic building will be funded through community support. The university also is contributing $20 million from its resources and asking the state for an additional $20 million.

The Orlando Magic, CFE Federal Credit Union and Florida Hospital each pledged $1.5 million toward the construction of the new academic building that UCF would share with Valencia College. şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą leaders and board members have made personal contributions totaling more than $1 million. Orange County commissioners voted unanimously to contribute $3 million, and Valencia College will contribute $2 million.

Other contributors to the campus include Creative Village Development, Orlando philanthropist Alan Ginsburg, Orlando City Soccer Club, CNL Financial Group, Universal Orlando Foundation and Universal Orlando Resort, Dr. Bruce Douglas of Winter Park, and Coca-Cola.

Additionally, the value of in-kind contributions of land and infrastructure by the City of Orlando and the developers of Creative Village is approximately $75 million.

Pending approvals, the campus will open in fall 2018. UCF Downtown will offer students an innovative learning environment within walking distance of a wide array of internship and job opportunities in fields such as digital media, communication, public service and health-related programs.

UCF will share the campus with Valencia College, which will offer programs in digital media, health information technology and culinary and hospitality, including workforce training and other certificates to increase access to education in the immediate downtown area.

The new academic building at UCF Downtown will complement a renovated Center for Emerging Media building where UCF’s nationally ranked graduate video gaming school, the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, is located.

Joseph A. Melbourne, Jr., president of CFE, said the credit union is the key sponsor of the event because “we believe in people helping people.” The credit union provides $50,000 worth of scholarships a year. “We believe it’s very important to support Jazz On A Green because we want to raise some funds for the community,” he said.

Lewis, one of eight children born in Haines City, grew up singing in the choir at her father’s church. She started her career with Grammy and Oscar Award winner Peabo Bryson, who invited her to tour the world with him as a backing vocalist and his new duet partner. Her acquaintance with Bryson led to a worldwide tour with Grammy and Oscar Award winner Celine Dion. Lewis spent several years working with Dion as her backing vocalist, vocal director and choreographer.

She blew away all four judges on this season’s The Voice and chose Coach Blake Shelton who told her, “You’re One In A Trillion.” Coach Usher told Lewis he was “blown away” at her voice, saying, “You are our teacher, even as experienced as we are.” Fellow coach Shakira said “Sisaundra is one of the most amazing vocalists I’ve ever heard.”

So bring your picnic basket, a blanket and a friend and enjoy a night of jazz with a Central Florida superstar – all for a good cause.

Porter is a management lecturer and the executive academic director of the Executive Development Center at the UCF College of Business Administration. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Business Administration from UCF (management – entrepreneurship/strategy concentration) and an executive MBA from Rollins College’s Crummer School of Business.

The agenda for the Dean’s Speaker Series is as follows:

Registration is $20 and includes breakfast and parking costs.

The CFE Dean’s Speaker Series is a monthly opportunity from the UCF College of Business Administration to learn about the provocative and new programs that our world class faculty are spearheading, researching, and teaching. This is an opportunity to be out on the edge of new business ideas and network with other business leaders in our community. Seating is limited and the program is sure to sell out.

Established in 1968, the UCF College of Business Administration offers degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and executive levels. All programs, as well as the Kenneth G. Dixon School of Accounting are accredited by AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

The college provides high-quality academic programs designed to give students a competitive advantage in the world of business now and in the future. As such, the college establishes partnerships with some of the nation’s most innovative leaders to model new and best practices that harness evolving technology. In addition, the college promotes a unique culture of engagement, risk-taking, cross-disciplinary collaboration and data-driven decision making in an effort to ensure students are well prepared to enter a dynamic marketplace.

The CFE Arena branch features a modern design that will soon be accompanied by large UCF-themed murals. In addition to a lounge area, the branch also has laptop and cell phone charging stations for students who want to relax or do homework.

The branch employs a number of current and former UCF students and will be open during non-traditional hours, including during basketball and football games. The space also will be used to provide money management coaching and training for students as part of CFE’s goal of helping members manage their finances responsibly.

The branch’s upcoming events include:

CFE Federal Credit Union was founded by teachers in 1937 and has 19 branches, including another on-campus location at the John T. Washington Center and one across the street from UCF at şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą Commons along Alafaya Trail.

UCF student-members can sign up for a free checking account and are eligible for exclusive discounts to UCF events, free ticket drawings for concerts and athletic events, and more.

To learn more about CFE, visit .

The credit union has acquired the naming rights to the UCF Arena, and the 10,000-seat facility will now be known as the CFE Arena. UCF President John C. Hitt announced the agreement today at the university’s Board of Trustees meeting.

“We are pleased to strengthen our relationship with an outstanding organization that has served our campus and our community so well,” Hitt said. “We can’t think of a better partner for the naming rights for one of our campus’ most prominent facilities.”

The CFE Arena, which opened in 2007, hosts UCF men’s and women’s basketball games, concerts, UCF and high school commencement ceremonies and other events. Men’s basketball alone has attracted 538,457 fans since the Arena opened. Next year, UCF’s basketball teams will enjoy even more national exposure when they move into the American Athletic Conference. Additionally, the Arena has hosted artists such as Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Elton John and Dolly Parton, as well as performances by Cirque du Soleil and the annual Light Up UCF holiday event. Twenty high schools will hold their graduation ceremonies at the CFE Arena this year. 

“We are pleased to be named the official sponsor of the CFE Arena on the UCF campus. We have been a consistent supporter of education in Central Florida since our founding in 1937 and recognize UCF’s unique presence as an ever-expanding community of students, staff and alumni,” said Joseph A. Melbourne Jr., president and chief executive officer of CFE Federal Credit Union. “Our partnership with UCF offers us an even greater opportunity to provide the next generation with lifelong financial management skills and the products and services they will need throughout their lives.”

UCF will receive $3.95 million over seven years as part of the naming rights agreement for the Arena. 

CFE’s naming of the Arena is the latest initiative of the credit union’s focus on becoming more recognized and accessible on the UCF campus. In November 2011, CFE acquired UCF Federal Credit Union with an on-campus location in the John T. Washington Center and a location across from campus on Alafaya Trail. Through its merger with UCF Federal Credit Union, CFE now boasts more than 40 years’ experience serving the students, faculty and staff on the UCF campus. 

The credit union will open a branch inside the CFE Arena, its fourth on or near UCF’s main campus. The branch will offer flexible operating hours, especially during events hosted at the Arena. ATMs also will be installed in and near the CFE Arena.  CFE’s indoor space will include a lounge for Arena visitors to sit, study and charge their electronic devices. 

“Our branch in the CFE Arena will be more than a place to conduct financial business,” said Katie Thomason, director of UCF development for CFE. “We want to create a café vibe with a comfortable lounge area and a self-service coffee bar. Visitors will be invited to enjoy a cup of coffee while they relax or study, individually or in the company of others. The space will also be used to provide money management coaching and training for students. Helping our members manage their finances responsibly is a priority for CFE.” 

“Working closely with our partners ensures that UCF will have the added resources to meet the future needs of our students, faculty, programs and facilities,” said Bob Holmes, chief executive officer of the UCF Foundation, Inc. “Partnerships with CFE Federal Credit Union, like the naming of the arena, are vital to achieving the university’s mission of educating our future workforce, fostering innovation and strengthening Florida’s economy.”