Charles N. Millican
Charles N. Millican | |
|---|---|
| 1st President of the University of Central Florida | |
| In office December 1, 1965 – January 31, 1978 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Trevor Colbourn |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 9, 1916 Ph.D.) |
| Profession | Professor |
Charles Norman Millican (October 9, 1916 – December 1, 2010) was an American
Family and Education
Millican was born in Wilson, Arkansas. As a young man, he worked as a part-time reporter for Dun & Bradstreet while earning a Bachelor of Science degree in business and religion from Union University. He graduated in 1941 and was named pastor of Olive Branch Baptist Church in Mississippi.
Millican later entered the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky. But, he returned to Jackson, Mississippi, to serve as a coordinator for the 44th College Training Detachment of the United States Army Air Forces from 1943 to 1945.
He married Frances Hilliard on May 15, 1945 in Jackson, Tennessee.
Before focusing on his work as an educator, he served as a pastor at a dozen congregations in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Florida.[2]
Millican returned to school, and in 1946 earned his
In 1959 he moved to Tampa, Florida, to become dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of South Florida.
University of Central Florida presidency
![[icon]](/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2011) |
On October 19, 1965, Millican was appointed as the founding president of a new state university in Florida, then without a name or even a campus. Millican, with the advice of a citizen advisory group, selected the name "Florida Technological University," though it is now known as the University of Central Florida.[1] The campus site he selected was just east of Orlando, Florida.[3] He is also credited with establishing twin tenets for the university, "Accent on the Individual" and "Accent on Excellence." Millican also chose the new university's motto: "Reach for the Stars." And, he was a co-designer of its distinctive "Pegasus" seal. The highlight of Millican's presidency was at his new university's commencement ceremonies in 1973, when he played host to President Richard Nixon.
Millican stepped-down as university president on January 31, 1978, but remained on the faculty. He was given the title of "President Emeritus," and taught classes in finance. Due to his role in shaping the university, Millican is considered by many to be the "Father of UCF."[4]
Later years
After leaving UCF, Millican served as the president of nearby
See also
References
- ^ a b Sheinkopf, Kenneth. "Accent on the Individual: The First Twelve Years of Florida Technological University". Florida Heritage Collection. Retrieved 2010-12-05.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Charles Millican, UCF's founding president, dies at age 94". Orlando Sentinel. 2010-12-01. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
- ^ "Charles Millican, UCF's First President, Dies at 94". KnightNews.com. 2010-12-01. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
- ^ a b "Charles N. Millican, the 'Father of UCF,' Dies at Age 94". University of Central Florida. 2010-12-01. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
External links
- President Millican's papers at the UCF Library
- Charles Millican