Sunday, Aug. 17:

The Knighting
Addition Financial Arena
11 a.m. to Noon

UCF’s official welcome ceremony for all new Knights held in the Addition Financial Arena.

Opening Knight
Student Union
Noon – 4 p.m.

What’s the best way to get involved? Talking to people who are. See the amazing student organizations that you can join here at UCF. There will be DJs, free food and more.

Monday, Aug. 18:

Campus Locators
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons’ Seneff Plaza and Parramore Garage at UCF Downtown
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Coming to the downtown campus for the first time? Not sure where to go? Wondering what services the campus has to offer? Look for the downtown campus locator tents located in the DPAC Seneff Plaza and near the Parramore parking garage. There will be staff waiting to help you find what you are looking for and answer questions you may have.

Saving Secrets with Snap Tabling
Recreation and Wellness Center, Room 111
11 a.m. – noon

Have you heard about Saving Secrets? Come learn the basics of discount savings and grocery shopping tips on a budget. Learn about SNAP benefits and how to apply.

Well-Being Open House
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons’ East Lobby at UCF Downtown
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Stop by the DPAC East Lobby (the side with the campus store) to meet all the downtown resources available to support your well-being.

Valencia College International Student Services Global Welcome Event
UnionWest 2nd Floor Lobby at UCF Downtown
Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Valencia College International Student Services (ISS) is thrilled to invite all Valencia international students to this gathering. ISS is dedicated to ensuring your time at Valencia College is both enjoyable and successful.

Knight-Thon Karnival
Memory Mall
1 – 4 p.m.

Knight-Thon’s kickoff event for the new year. Held at Memory Mall, this event will allow all UCF students to attend a mini carnival with games, food, prizes, an inflatable attraction and more. Students can also learn more about Knight-Thon, their cause and how they can get involved with the organization.

Movie Knight
Memory Mall
7:30 p.m.

The Campus Activities Board will host a movie knight at Memory Mall for students to enjoy a showing of A Minecraft Movie with their friends.

Tuesday, Aug. 19:

Campus Locators
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons’ Seneff Plaza and Parramore Garage at UCF Downtown
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Coming to the downtown campus for the first time? Not sure where to go? Wondering what services the campus has to offer? Look for the downtown campus locator tents located in the DPAC Seneff Plaza and near the Parramore parking garage. There will be staff waiting to help you find what you are looking for and answer questions you may have.

Speed Friending
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, Room 107 at UCF Downtown
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Student Engagement presents to you Speed Friending. This event is an amazing networking opportunity where UCF Downtown students can get to know one another by answering fun questions. Food, snacks and drinks will be provided.

Welcome Back Popsicle Social
Reflecting Pond
Noon – 1 p.m.

Pop on by to enjoy complimentary popsicles from Pop Parlour and meet UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright and First Lady Melinda Cartwright. Enjoy mingling with members of the leadership team and a special appearance by Knightro. The event will also include representatives from several campus organizations with resources and information on the opportunities and services they provide. In the event of inclement weather, this outdoor meet and greet will be moved inside Millican Hall.

SNAP Coaching
UnionWest, First Floor at UCF Downtown
2 – 3 p.m.

SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This program is federally funded and provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of individuals who may not make enough money to eat healthy consistently. Learn more about SNAP at our monthly tabling event.

Taste of UCF
Addition Financial Arena
4 – 6 p.m.

This event will highlight cultural foods, free to the student and staff population.

Wednesday, Aug. 20:

Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
UCF Downtown Campus and downtown Orlando
All Day

Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21, to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28, to complete as many challenges as you can.

This is a single-player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends using the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your own account to be considered for one of the giveaways.

Search for Scavify in the App Store or Google Play, then create an account using your student email address. Starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, search “The Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando” and click “join.”

Enter password: “2019”

Welcome Expo
Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The Welcome Expo, hosted by the Knights Major Exploration and Transition Center, is the perfect place to discover what the UCF Main Campus has to offer. Stop by the event to meet with campus offices, departments and local businesses from the area. Enjoy connecting with others while collecting many free giveaways. This event is open to all UCF students, staff and faculty.

Homecoming Reveal
Student Union, Atrium
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Come out to find out the events and theme for UCF Homecoming 2025.

Internships: Who’s Hiring and Where Can I Find Them?
TBD
2 – 3 p.m.

Do you need experience? Find out how to obtain internships through experiential learning.

Fresh-U Market
Recreation and Wellness Center, Room 111
2 – 4 p.m.

Wellness and Health Promotion Services’ (WHPS) FreshU Market, located on the first floor of the wellness center, teaches healthy eating habits and making delicious treats — free of charge. Students should enter through the WHPS entrance, located next to Chick-fil-A.

Comedy Knight
Addition Financial Arena
Doors open at 7 p.m., event starts at 8 p.m.

The Campus Activities Board will be hosting a comedy show with a hilarious set by SNL star Ego Nwodim.

Thursday, Aug. 21:

Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
UCF Downtown Ìęand downtown Orlando
All Day

Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21, to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28, to complete as many challenges as you can.

This is a single-player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends using the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your own account to be considered for one of the giveaways.

Search for Scavify in the App Store or Google Play, then create an account using your student email address. Starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, search “The Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando” and click “join.”

Enter Password: “2019”

Welcome Back Fall 2025
Student Union, ÌęAtrium
11 a.m.

Join the Ginsberg Center as we welcome new and returning Knights for the Fall 2025 semester.

Taste of Downtown
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons at UCF Downtown
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

This event entails free food from food trucks for the UCF Downtown community.

Student Faculty Feud
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, Parramore Room (Room 107)
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Do you have what it takes to challenge your professor and win a prize? Join the UCF Downtown faculty for some fun and games!

Reunite with Your Orientation
Howard Phillips Hall, outside
5 – 8 p.m.

Reunite with some of the familiar faces from your orientation group.

Concert Knight
Addition Financial Arena
Doors open at 7 p.m., event starts at 8 p.m.

The Campus Activities Board will be hosting a concert featuring singer Daya with special guest Thomas Day.

Library Scavenger Hunt
John C. Hitt Library
Noon – 2 p.m.

The UCF Libraries are hosting a postcard-themed scavenger hunt to get you familiar with all the areas of the John C. Hitt Library. Take a world tour and learn about the services, resources, and spaces that support your academic journey. The first 150 students to complete the grand tour will earn an exclusive UCF Libraries Duck and commemorative postcard.

Friday, Aug. 22:

Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
UCF Downtown Ìęand downtown Orlando
All Day

Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2 p.m., Wednesday, August 21, to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28, to complete as many challenges as you can.

This is a single-player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends using the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your account to be considered for one of the giveaways.

Search for Scavify in the App Store or Google Play, then create an account using your student email address. Starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, search “The Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando” and click “join.”

Enter Password: “2019”

Welcome to the Majors
Addition Financial Arena
10 a.m. – noon.

The College of Business takes the main stage for its signature event, which introduces incoming business students to the culture of the college and sets them on the path to success. More than 1,200 business students are expected to attend UCF’s largest face-to-face class, where they’ll hear from college leadership, faculty and alumni. They’ll also get a chance to network with student organizations and community and corporate partners, including presenting sponsor Wells Fargo. Doors open at 9:15 a.m.

Movie Night:ÌęDeadpool & Wolverine
CMX Plaza Cinema Café 12, near UCF Downtown
7 p.m.

The Downtown Student Life team is thrilled to invite you to an exclusive screening of Deadpool & Wolverine at the CMX Cinema in downtown Orlando. Drinks and snacks will be provided, while supplies last. Student must bring their UCF or Valencia College Downtown ID. RSVP for your slotÌę. At 5:45 p.m., students will check in at UnionWest. At 6:15 p.m., moviegoers will leave for the cinema.

Neon Paint Rave
Memory Mall
8 – 11 p.m.

Join Late Knights for a neon paint rave.

Saturday, Aug. 23:

Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
UCF Downtown and downtown Orlando
All Day

Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21, to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28, to complete as many challenges as you can.

This is a single-player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends using the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your own account to be considered for one of the giveaways.

Search for Scavify in the App Store or Google Play, then create an account using your student email address. Starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, search “The Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando” and click “join.”

Enter Password: “2019”

Day of Service
Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom
8 a.m., check-in is between 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Volunteer UCF is hosting this event to give students an opportunity to get involved in their UCF and Orlando communities. RSVP for this event on Knight Connect. Sign-ups for volunteer sites will be first-come, first-served. Students will complete three hours of service and learn how to get involved in more service activities for the upcoming fall and spring semesters.

Wednesday, Aug. 27:

Speaker Knight
Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom
Doors open at 7 p.m., event starts at 8 p.m.

The Campus Activities Board is hosting a speaker panel with actor Karan Brar in the Pegasus Ballroom, where students can hear about his journey and take part in a Q&A with their friends.

Sunday, Aug. 18:

The Knighting
Addition Financial Arena
Noon – 1 p.m.

UCF’s official welcome ceremony for all new Knights held in the Addition Financial Arena.

Class Photo
FBC Mortgage Stadium
1 – 1:30 p.m.

All new Knights will walk over to the Bounce House to take the annual Class Photo right after The Knighting on the football field. Head to student gates 6 – 9 to enter FBC Mortgage Stadium.

Opening Knight
FBC Mortgage Stadium
1 – 4 p.m.

What’s the best way to get involved? Talking to people who are. Come join us at Bounce House to see the amazing student organizations that you can join here at UCF. There will be DJs, free food and more.

Monday, Aug. 19:

Campus Locators
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons’ Seneff Plaza and Parramore Garage at UCF Downtown
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Coming to the downtown campus for the first time? Not sure where to go? Wondering what services campus has to offer? Look for the downtown campus locator tents located in the DPAC Seneff Plaza and near the Parramore parking garage. There will be staff waiting to help you find what you are looking for and answer questions you may have.

Saving Secrets with Snap Tabling
Recreation and Wellness Center, Room 111
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Have you heard about Saving Secrets? Come lean the basic to discount savings and grocery shopping tips on budget. Learn about SNAP benefits and how to apply.

Well-Being Open House
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons’ East Lobby at UCF Downtown
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Stop by the DPAC East Lobby (the side with the campus store) to meet all the downtown resources available to support your well-being.

Welcome Back Popsicle Social
Reflecting Pond
Noon – 1 p.m.

Pop on by to enjoy complimentary popsicles from Pop Parlour and meet UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright and First Lady Melinda Cartwright. Enjoy mingling with members of the leadership team and a special appearance by Knightro. The event will also include representatives from several campus organizations with resources and information on the opportunities and services they provide. In the event of inclement weather, this outdoor meet and greet will be moved inside Millican Hall.

Valencia College International Student Services Global Welcome Event
UnionWest 2nd Floor Lobby at UCF Downtown
Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Valencia College ISS is thrilled to invite all Valencia international students to this gathering. ISS is dedicated to ensuring your time at Valencia College is both enjoyable and successful.

Knight-Thon Karnival
Memory Mall
1 – 4 p.m.

Knight-Thon’s kickoff event for the new year. Held at Memory Mall, this event will allow all UCF students to attend a mini carnival with games, food, prizes, an inflatable attraction and more. Students can also learn more about Knight-Thon, their cause and how they can get involved with the organization.

Movie Knight
Memory Mall
7 p.m.

The Campus Activities Board will host a movie knight at Memory Mall for students to enjoy a showing of a popular movie with their friends.

Tuesday, Aug. 20:

Campus Locators
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons’ Seneff Plaza and Parramore Garage at UCF Downtown

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Coming to the downtown campus for the first time? Not sure where to go? Wondering what services campus has to offer? Look for the downtown campus locator tents located in the DPAC Seneff Plaza and near the Parramore parking garage. There will be staff waiting to help you find what you are looking for and answer questions you may have.

Speed Friending
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, Room 107 at UCF Downtown
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Student Engagement presents to you Speed Friending. This event is an amazing networking opportunity where UCF Downtown students can get to know one another by answering fun questions. We will also provide food, snacks, and drinks.

SNAP Coaching
UnionWest, 1st Floor at UCF Downtown
2 – 3 p.m.

SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This program is federally funded and provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of individuals who may not make enough money to eat healthy consistently. Learn more about SNAP at our monthly tabling event.

Meet the Advocates
Trevor Colbourn Hall
4 – 5 p.m.

Student success is our top priority here at UCF. Come to this event to meet some of the people working to ensure your academic success.

Taste of UCF
Addition Financial Arena
4 – 6 p.m.

This event will highlight cultural foods free to the student and staff population.

Wednesday, Aug. 21:

Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
UCF Downtown Campus and downtown Orlando
All Day

Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21 to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28 to complete as many challenges as you can!

This is a single player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends with the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your own account to be considered for one of the giveaways.

Search for Scavify in the App Store or Google Play, then create an account using your student email address. Starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, search “The Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando” and click “join.”

Enter Password: “2019”

Welcome Expo
Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The Welcome Expo is hosted by the Knights Major Exploration and Transition Center and is the perfect place to find out what the UCF campus has to offer. Stop by the event to meet with campus offices, departments and local businesses from the area. Enjoy connecting with others while collecting many free giveaways. This event is open to all UCF students, staff and faculty.

Homecoming Reveal
Student Union, Atrium
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Come out to find out the events and theme for UCF Homecoming 2024.

Internships: Who’s Hiring and Where Can I Find Them?

TBD
2 – 3 p.m.

Do you need experience? Find out how to obtain internships from experiential learning.

Fresh-U Market
Recreation and Wellness Center, Room 111
2 – 4 p.m.

Wellness and Health Promotion Services’ FreshU Market, located on the first floor of the wellness center, teaches healthy eating habits and making delicious treats — free of charge. Students should enter through the WHPS entrance, located next to Chick-fil-A.

Comedy Knight
Addition Financial Arena
7 p.m.

The Campus Activities Board will be hosting a comedy show in Addition Financial Arena for students to enjoy a hilarious set with their friends!

Thursday, Aug. 22:

Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
UCF Downtown Ìęand downtown Orlando
All Day

Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21 to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28 to complete as many challenges as you can!

This is a single player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends with the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your own account to be considered for one of the giveaways.

Search for Scavify in the App Store or Google Play, then create an account using your student email address. Starting at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, Aug. 21, search “The Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando” and click “join.”

Enter Password: “2019”

Welcome Back Fall 2024
Student Union, ÌęAtrium
11 a.m.

Join the Ginsberg Center as we welcome new and returning Knights for the Fall 2024 semester.

Taste of Downtown
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons at UCF Downtown
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

This event entails free food from food trucks for the UCF DT community.

Student Faculty Feud
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, Parramore Room (Room 107)
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Do you have what it takes to challenge your professor and win a prize! Come join the UCF Downtown faculty for some fun and games!

Reunite with your Orientation
Howard Phillips Hall, outside
5 – 8 p.m.

Reunite with some of the familiar faces from your orientation group.

Concert Knight
Addition Financial Arena
7 p.m.

The Campus Activities Board will be hosting a concert in Addition Financial Arena for students to enjoy a night filled with music from a popular artist with their friends.

Library Scavenger Hunt
John C. Hitt Library
Noon – 2 p.m.

The UCF Libraries are hosting a postcard themed scavenger hunt to get you familiar with all the areas of the John C. Hitt Library. Take a world tour and learn about the services, resources, and spaces for your academic journey. ÌęThe first 150 students to complete the grand tour earn an exclusive UCF Libraries Duck and commemorative postcard.

Friday, Aug. 23:

Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
UCF Downtown Ìęand downtown Orlando
All Day

Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2:00 pm, Wednesday, August 21 to 2:00 pm, Wednesday, Aug. 28 to complete as many challenges as you can!

This is a single player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends with the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your own account to be considered for one of the giveaways.

Search for Scavify in the App Store or Google Play, then create an account using your student email address. Starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, search “The Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando” and click “join.”

Enter Password: “2019”

Welcome to the Majors
Addition Financial Arena
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

The College of Business takes the main stage for its signature event, which introduces incoming business students to the culture of the college and sets them on the path to success. More than 1,200 business students are expected to attend UCF’s largest face-to-face class, where they’ll hear from college leadership, faculty and alums. They’ll also get a chance to network with student organizations and community and corporate partners, including presenting sponsor Wells Fargo. Doors open at 9:15 a.m.

Movie Night: Deadpool & Wolverine
7 p.m.
CMX Plaza Cinema Café 12, near UCF Downtown

The Downtown Student Life team is thrilled to invite you to an exclusive screening of Deadpool & Wolverine at the CMX Cinema in downtown Orlando. Drinks and snacks will be provided, while supplies last. Student must bring their UCF or Valencia College Downtown ID. RSVP for your slot . At 5:45 p.m., students will check-In at UnionWest. At 6:15 p.m., moviegoers will leave for the cinema.

Neon Paint Rave
Memory Mall
8 – 11 p.m.

Join Late Knights for a neon paint rave.

Saturday, Aug. 24:

Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
UCF Downtown and downtown Orlando
All Day

Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2:00 pm, Wednesday, Aug. 21 to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28 to complete as many challenges as you can!

This is a single player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends with the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your own account to be considered for one of the giveaways.

Search for Scavify in the App Store or Google Play, then create an account using your student email address. Starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, search “The Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando” and click “join.”

Enter Password: “2019”

Day of Service
Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom
8 a.m., check-in is 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Volunteer UCF will host the event to give students an opportunity to get involved in their UCF and Orlando community. RSVP for this event on Knight Connect Sign up for volunteer sites will be first come, first serve. Students will complete three hours of service and learn how to get involved in more service activities for the upcoming fall and spring semesters.

Twin Day encouraged students to dress alike and share their photos on social media. Christina and Alexandra Adams, advertising/public relations and medical laboratory sciences majors, respectively, got creative by putting their own spin on a popular Spider-Man meme.

Dance group Ruckus performed during the Fireworks Festival on Memory Mall.

President Alexander N. Cartwright and First Lady Melinda Cartwright enjoyed their first Homecoming on campus and greeted attendees of the Fireworks Festival Friday night.

Students reserved their physically distanced spots on Memory Mall for optimal viewing of the show. Additional drive-in style viewing allowed alumni and community members to join the fun.

UCF Alumni organized a virtual panel featuring an inspiring group of alums who talked about their journeys to success.

“We loved having ⁊@UCF_Knightro, ⁊ @UCFCartwright and so many of our ⁊ @UCFALUMNI and friends join us to toast our 2020 class of 30 Under 30 recipients. Congratulations to an inspiring group of young alumni!” tweeted Heather Junod ’98, UCF Alumni’s associate vice president.

UCF Alumni recognized its Shining Knights — recipients of its highest distinctions: Distinguished Alumni, Honorary Alumni, Young Alumni and Distinguished Student — during a special virtual ceremony. Read more about this year’s honorees.

The UCF football team, which boasts the nation’s leading offense, squared off against the Tulane Green Wave.

This year’s Homecoming game also marked Mission IV (the fourth-straight year) of the fan favorite Space Game. The Knights wore special uniforms that gave a nod to the university’s past and current connection to space exploration.

More than 9,100 fans (limited stadium capacity due to COVID-19) watched the Knights roll to a 51-34 win Saturday afternoon.

The U Can Finish 5 Mile and 2 Mile race went virtual this year, and those who completed the race still walked away with their special finisher medal.

Although Spirit Splash has been postponed for the time being, UCF supporters snagged coveted ducks by donating to the Keep Charging On Fund. More than 300 donors contributed more than $16,000 during the limited-time fundraiser that featured the ducks as a token of appreciation.

The statistics were part of a new study of 51,151 UCF registered voters and other students at more than 1,000 U.S. universities and colleges, according to the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement conducted by researchers at Tufts șŁœÇֱȄ.

Haley G. Winston, assistant director of the UCF Office of Student Involvement, largely credited the increase to the university’s , which outlines a program to support registrations, voting events, social media campaigns and other outreach.

“We have both passive and active voter registration drives on campus,” Winston says. “We participate in the , Campus Election Engagement Project and the .ÌęAll of these national outlets give us ways to engage students.”

The campus also hosted a 2018 early voting location in the Live Oak Room on the main campus.

UCF says it pushes the election process because civic skills – like voting – are life-long skills.

As a result of all the efforts, at the most recent midterm election there were 30,223 UCF student voters.

The option of early voting helped drive the increase. While in-person election day voting and absentee voting both dipped in 2018, the early voting jumped from 25 percent of the total ballots cast in 2014 to 39.4 percent in 2018.

UCF says it pushes the election process because civic skills – like voting – are life-long skills.

“If students learn the voting process early they will be life-long active citizens,” Winston says. “We are very big on educating student about using their voice through their vote.”

Voting in presidential election years is typically higher than in midterm years. UCF had a 61 percent voting rate in the 2016 presidential election and has set a goal of achieving 70 percent student voting in next year’s election.

Already this year, UCF was recognized as one of the 123 Voter Friendly Campuses by NASPA, and Washington Monthly magazine ranked the university as one of the 80 best in the nation for student voting.

The program sends teams of students around the country and internationally to engage in community service and learn about a variety of social issues. Through these service-learning trips, students will be exposed to new cultural experiences while building leadership and teamwork skills as they network with fellow students.

An informational showcase for the program will be held 6:30-8 p.m. Jan. 24 in the Student Union’s Pegasus Ballroom.

Students will have the opportunity to register for one of five alternative break trips at Lottery Knight on Jan. 30. Students who attend this 6-9 p.m. event in the Student Union’s Cape Florida Ballroom can enter their name in a lottery to determine the order in which they can sign up for the experience of their choice. To RSVP for Jan. 30’s Lottery Knight, .

To sign up for the Alternative Break Program, you must be a UCF student enrolled in at least six credit hours in both Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 semesters. You must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 for undergraduates, or 3.0 for graduates. You also must be free of financial or disciplinary holds on university records, and you may not be on probation for academic or disciplinary reasons.

Domestic trips cost $250 and international trips requiring flight travel cost $550. Prices cover food, lodging and travel for the week.

More information about the program and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at .

Here is a look at this year’s spring break experiences, which will be March 10-16:

Environmental Awareness

West Jefferson, North Carolina
Students will work alongside community partner Woodland Harvest Mountain Farm. Examples of activities include construction of cabins and greenhouses, water and solar-energy installations, animal care and gardening.

International Children’s Outreach

Guyana
Students will work to uphold International Children’s Outreach’s ideals of providing food, clothing, and medical and educational supplies to underprivileged children.

Youth Education Outreach

New Orleans, Louisiana
Students will work with community partner Apex Youth Center, which serves children, teens and young adults with programs involving academic tutoring, mentoring, recreation, community service of their own and training to become leaders and active citizens.

Refugee Relations

Clarkson, Georgia
Students will work with local organizations offering various service-learning opportunities. In addition to learning from the stories and experiences shared by the refugee community, examples of activities include school programming, housing prep and assisting with local business construction.

Community Support

Sarapiqui,ÌęCosta Rica
Details of the trip are being finalized.

The week kicked offÌę Joel McHale as the headline act at Comedy Knight. He made a name for himself as the host of The Soup on E! and the star of NBC’sÌęCommunity and later The Joel McHale Show With Joel McHale on Netflix. During his set, McHale commented on UCF football’s winning streak and Spirit Splash.

Thanks to CFE Arena’s stage setup for Homecoming week, the men’s basketball team enjoyed a unique atmosphere for its highly anticipated season opener on Tuesday. Senior BJ Taylor led the way with 22 points as four Knights scored in double digits to lift UCF to a 84-70 victory against Rider, the defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion and 2017 NIT participant.

The weekend continued with Knights Got Talent.ÌęShivanie Sharma, who performed a traditional Indian dance, was one of 10 acts to compete in the show.

Kristen Ng’sÌęrhythmic gymnastics earned runner-up honors at Knights Got Talent. She was edged byÌęBrendan Pafford, who also won Rosen’s Got Talent, who was named champion after singing “I Want You Back” accompanied by his guitar skills.

Bellah stole the show when she sang her heart out to “How Far I’ll Go” from the 2016 Disney film Moana.ÌęShe was there to represent the “Miracle Children” who benefit from Knight-Thon, a 20-hour dance marathon and year-long fundraising effort that is organized annually by UCF students to support the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

In the middle of Homecoming week, UCF also took time to remember our military ahead of Veterans Day with Nov. 8’s seventh annual Veterans Commemoration Ceremony. The Veterans Academic Resource Center planted more than 1,400ÌęAmerican flags on Memory Mall in front of the Veterans Commemorative Site. Each flag represents one student veteran attending UCF for the fall semester.

Known for her singles “Boo’d Up” and “Trip” from her recently released self-titled album, British singer Ella Mai had fun with the packed crowd at CFE Arena on Concert Knight.

The crowd lights up Concert Knight.

A$AP Mob member and Harlem, New York rapper A$AP Ferg headlined Concert Knight. “Work,” “New Level,” and “Plain Jane” were among some of the hits he performed.

A tradition that’s 23 years strong, Spirit Splash once again drew hundreds of students — and UCF President Dale Whittaker — into the Reflecting Pond.

After more than 55,000 students packed Spectrum Stadium for the first five home football games this year, UCF President Dale Whittaker held up his promise to jump in the pond. Earlier this semester, Whittaker and UCF Athletics Director Danny White set a challenge for 50,000 students to attend UCF’s home games before Spirit Splash.

Apparently, Spirit Splash wasn’t just for humans this year.

These Spirit Splashers had the opportunity to get their hands on two ducks this year: the 2018-themed duck and a special edition President Whittaker duck.

Senior health science majors Alexus Williamson and Darrius McFadden were named Homecoming King and Queen.

Following the Knights’ 35-24 win over Navy, the football team and cheerleaders sang the alma mater.

The volleyball team capped the weekendÌęby capturing its second American Athletic Conference Championship in five years with a sweep of East Carolina. It appears winning streaks are contagious around UCF — the volleyball squad’s win on Sunday extended its streak to 21 matches, the fifth-longest active unbeaten stretch in the nation.

All sessions indicated onÌęSARC’sÌęStudy Union Fall 2017 Final Review ScheduleÌęwill be live streamed,Ìęand recordings of those sessions will also be available within 24-hours via the SARCÌęÌęChannel.

The center has severalÌęÌęand hand-outs geared toward test preparation and final exams on SARC’sÌęwebsite. If your students view these online workshops, we ask that they also complete the online assessment of our services.

UponÌęadvanced request, SARC will facilitate access and reasonable accommodations to ensure services, programs and activities sponsored by our office are accessible. ContactÌęsarc@ucf.eduÌęto discuss accessibility for this event.

Study Union is a partnership between SARC, the Student Union and Office of Student Involvement that brings programming to the Student Union throughout finals week.ÌęGood luck during Finals Week!

A collaboration with the UCF Music Department, Symphony stands as one of the Office of Student Involvement’s longest-standing traditions. Set to the theme of “Spring,” Chung Park, director for Orchestras and String Music Education, treated audience members to classics by Tchaikovsky, Schubert, Verdi and Sleeper. This year’s orchestra included students, Orlando community members, faculty and alumni.

“I am so proud of all the work that went into this incredible event,” said Lucy Sanchez, senior Biomedical Sciences student and CAB Fine Arts director. “Having the opportunity to bring campus and the Orlando community for such a beautiful evening is truly an honor.”

Symphony Under the Stars occurs every year on the third Thursday in April.

Study Union is a partnership between SARC, the Student Union and Office of Student Involvement. The Student Union remains open for 24 hours to provide a safe and collaborative space for students to study.

Study Union will operate from April 23 to May 2. It will feature coffee specials and 88 SARC study sessions, among others, that connect students with small-group study sessions on a particular topic or course. These sessions also will be streamed live on , and the recordings will be made available on the YouTube channel within 24 hours of the live session.

SARC’s year-round resource, , also are available to students as they prepare for finals.

Special accommodation requests relating to accessing a SARC session should be addressed to sarc@ucf.edu. For other questions, contact SARC at 407-823-5130.

The record number of $1,250,961 is $249,283 more than last year’s total and was raised by teams of students led by Knight-Thon’s 150 student members. Knight-Thon is the largest student-run philanthropy group at UCF.

Students collected for a year leading up to Knight-Thon, where more than 1,000 students danced in the CFE Arena for 20 hours this past weekend to “stand for those kids who can’t,” said Alex Diaz, Knight-Thon’s communications manager. “There are kids in the hospital fighting for their lives who can’t physically stand with us, but they know we’re standing for them.”

Knight-Thon for 21 years has given UCF students an outlet to give back, but also to showcase their creativity.

Paige Wilson, for instance, combined her photography skills with her passion of helping children in need. Her friends at the end of the fall 2016 semester asked if she would take their graduation and professional headshot photos, and that’s when the idea came: She could use photography as a means to raise money for Knight-Thon.

Wilson began charging $5 for professional headshot photos, often used for student’s LinkedIn profiles, but due to the demand she was able to up the price to $15 to benefit the charitable campaign. She also began charging $20 for a graduation photo session, but increased it to $30.

“It just really took off through my photography Instagram account and through word of mouth,” she said.

Previously, Wilson sought donations by approaching people around campus. People would donate spare change and a few dollars, but she quickly found photography was a more effective way to fundraise. She took 40 headshot photos, graduation photos for four people and raised $700 through photography alone. In total, she raised $1,000 for Knight-Thon.

Bianca Ungerman, a senior studying hospitality who has a love of supernatural stories, channeled her former screenwriting studies to create a fictional ghost tour around campus at Halloween. One of the stories she told was of a late student who haunts every Spirit Splash because she never caught a UCF Homecoming rubber duck.

“I love going on ghost tours when I visit new places, and so I thought this would be a fun way to raise money,” Ungerman said. “I went on my first ghost tour in Key West as a kid and I’ve been hooked ever since.”

Three ghost tours drew 130 attendees, raising about $150 for Ungerman’s Knight-Thon fundraising drive. She charged $1 for the tour, but some donated more.

Halloween wasn’t her only holiday-themed fundraising event. For Valentine’s Day, Ungerman offered $10 cakes and raised $100. These events helped her meet her personal fundraising goal of $1,000.

Freshman biomedical sciences student Eric Topolewski put his outgoing personality and hobby of performing to use for Knight-Thon. By wearing elaborate costumes like Marvel Comics’ Deadpool character, Topolewski raised $632 of his $1,532 total by simply asking for donations around campus.

“Costumes catch people’s eyes,” said Topolewski. “When you’re wearing a costume, people take the time to figure out what you’re doing. It shows people you’re really committed to whatever you’re advocating for.”

Plus, Topolewski is used to wearing costumes. He’s a Halloween Horror Nights scare actor at Universal Studios, and formerly was his high school’s mascot and participated in theater.

“All that experience just led to me wearing costumes again to benefit Knight-Thon,” he said.