University of Central Florida – College of Engineering and Computer Science

50 Years Reaching for the Stars

Welcome to the University of Central Florida’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. This academic year starting in Fall 2018, our college has reached a significant historical milestone: the 50th anniversary of our first classes held.

In 1968, we started small but our dreams were big.

Our college was made possible through the bold determination and vision of our founders, who believed in the vast potential of establishing a university here in Orlando and the central Florida region. With the groundwork in place and the right people to do the job, we were able to grow from a couple hundred students in 1968 to more than 11,500 students today.

UCF is now recognized as the nation’s #1 workforce supplier to the aerospace and defense industry.

WATCH CECS 50th Video. Enjoy our college’s 50th anniversary video in which our founding Dean Robert Kersten and our third Dean Marty Wanielista join me as we reflect on the significance of our college’s 50 years of growth, progress and achievements.

From our first research grant – $12,500 from NASA – to more than $50 million in grants this year, our decades of discoveries are changing the world and improving lives. For example, in September at an international conference hosted by the largest medical imaging society, UCF computer science researchers presented their artificial intelligence system that can detect tiny specks of early-stage lung cancer with nearly 100 percent accuracy. This work has the potential to help doctors extend and save thousands of lives in the future.

Our college now has more than 37,000 alumni, and many have gone on to do amazing things to advance society and solve the world’s toughest challenges.

Thank you to all of our faculty, students, alumni and staff for inspiring us to Reach for the Stars for 50 years. It is my hope that everyone, together with our industry and academic partners, will join me in setting the stage for another great 50 years of achieving big dreams and changing the world.