The Recreation and Wellness Center continues to keep up with the enrollment growth at UCF, the second-largest university in the country. In the fall, the Recreation and Wellness Center plans to begin offering services at a center in Knights Plaza on the north end of campus.

The creation of the facility coincides with the new 10-year contract signed by Matthew McCann, former Student Government Association president, and James Wilkening, director of the RWC. Wilkening says the expansion is part of the RWC’s continuing mission, “We are thrilled to be able to expand opportunities for the students to engage in healthy lifestyles.”

RWC at Knights Plaza will occupy 8,700 square-feet of space at the corner of the West Plaza Drive and Gemini Boulevard and is scheduled to open in fall 2012. It will offer students living in the North Towers near the arena the convenience of nearby recreation and exercise capabilities and serves as an alternative for the entire campus. The facility will feature strength and cardio equipment and a mind and body studio for less intense group exercise like yoga.

UCF’s Recreation and Wellness Center is funded by SGA. Its continuing mission is to enrich campus life through programs that foster healthy lifestyles. RWC is a department in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.

The Knights remembered at this year’s ceremony included Stephan Gomez, Christopher Beck, Kyle Urbanik, Andres Bermudez, Anwar Rashid, Anna Adams, John Phillips, Ann Hefferin, Mathew Paul, Taylor Wynn, Jack Beard and Sean McLeod.

The ceremony began when a single bagpipe player led a processional of speakers toward the stage.

Maribeth Ehasz, vice president of Student Development and Enrollment Services, welcomed the guests, then led them through the campus-wide moment of silence. When the intercom announced the moment throughout the Student Union, the building’s normal hustle and bustle was humbly silenced for 30 seconds.

The moment of silence was followed by the presentation of colors and the singing of the National Anthem, as well as a prayer by Brad Crawford of Campus Faiths and Ministries.

Though Crawford expressed thanks for many gifts, he ended his prayer on the theme of strength.

UCF President John C. Hitt followed by telling a story of a man in a Nazi Germany prison who questioned what individuals must do in the face of loss.

“Thank you for coming today, even at the cost of pain, to honor your loved ones among these UCF students, who are now Eternal Knights,” Hitt said.

Hitt was followed by Student Body President Matthew McCann.

“Together, as we remember the students we have lost this year, we uphold and embrace the third tenet of our creed: community,” McCann said. “Our campus is more than a school or a collection of buildings: UCF is a community and a family.”

The UCF Gospel and Cultural Choir followed McCann with the singing of the traditional gospel tune, “Total Praise.”

Eulogist Dr. Carolyn Hopp introduced each Eternal Knight by name, college of study and major. After each introduction, a single yellow rose was placed in a vase dedicated to an individual student. After the placement of the rose, a bell was rung and the student was declared an Eternal Knight.

A moment of quiet reflection was held for the audience as a time to observe the honor their friend or family member had just received, and then Contemporary A Cappella stood and sang “Stand By Me.”

The event ended with a poem, We Will Remember, which was written for the ceremony.

Students from around campus attended the event, many of whom came straight from class. Those who did not know any of the honored students still found the ceremony a touching and rewarding experience.

“A lot of people think that because we’re 58,000 that students can get lost in the fray, but that’s really not the case,” said Abu Ngauja, a sophomore advertising/public relations major.

Also in attendance were numerous Delta Delta Delta sorority members, coming to remember and give respects to freshman Hefferin, who died during the first week of the fall semester.

“I met Ann this past fall and only got to know her for a week,” sophomore advertising/public relations major Araima Caballero-Contini said. “But she is an inspiration to all of us and taught us all a really great lesson in community.”

In respect for the Eternal Knights, the UCF emblem in the middle of the Student Union was covered with yellow roses for the day.

Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. A reception will be held following the three presentations.

For those who are unable to attend, the Student Government Association will provide live video coverage of the presentations.

The şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą Board of Trustees approved the creation of a new College of Dental Medicine that will expand opportunities for local students, create jobs and help Central Floridians lead healthier lives. Trustees voted unanimously to move ahead with plans to build the college at the university’s Health Sciences Campus at the “medical city” in Lake Nona. UCF is not seeking state funding for the project.

The college is expected to create at least 110 permanent local jobs as well as an initial economic impact of $73 million from construction. Additional economic impacts will flow from the research opportunities available to the college. Some of that research will explore the links between dental and medical health.

The college also will benefit the community by providing services at its dental clinic to those who can least afford care.

The project still needs the state Board of Governors’ approval to move forward. UCF is striving to open the school in 2014 with a charter class of 60 students. There are currently only two fully accredited schools with students in Florida.

In other action Thursday, the Board of Trustees:

Approved a partnership agreement with Brevard Community College that would make WUCF-TV the primary PBS affiliate in Central Florida. Pending PBS’ approval, which could come next week, UCF and Brevard Community College will work together to begin offering PBS’ flagship programming on WUCF-TV on July 1.

Approved tuition rates that will take effect in the fall. For undergraduates, the tuition increase will include an 8 percent increase set by the state and a 7 percent increase in “differential tuition” approved by UCF’s trustees. Differential tuition revenues are spent on need-based financial aid and on directly enhancing undergraduate student learning. The tuition increase for graduate students will be 8 percent. UCF has been named one of the nation’s best values by Kiplinger and the Princeton Review, and tuition costs at Florida’s public universities rank 48th in the country.

Approved trustee ermeritus status for charter trustees Judy Albertson and Phyllis Klock. President Hitt presented Albertson and Klock with plaques recognizing their many years of dedicated service to the university. Hitt also recognized outgoing trustee Joe Mantilla for his service to the university.

Welcomed to the board newly appointed trustees Richard T. Crotty, Alan S. Florez and John R. Sprouls and new student body president Matthew McCann.

Recognized two Conference USA championship teams: women’s track and men’s golf. Trustees also praised the football team for posting a record 2.844 GPA during the spring semester. Fifty-five players posted a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Honored Pegasus Professors Kevin Belfield of Chemistry and Ranganathan Kumar of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering.

Praised Professor Henry Daniell for earning a $761,302 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a polio vaccine.

Recognized retiring College of Sciences Dean Peter Panousis and College of Business Administration Dean Thomas Keon, who will become chancellor of Purdue şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą Calumet on July 1.

Recognized several UCF students who served as legislative scholars interning in Central Florida state representatives’ and senators’ offices this spring.