Whether you 鶹Ʒ Sre earning a degree or you 鶹Ʒ Srethe parent of a graduate, anyone knowshaving access to support and meaningfulextracurriculars can make a majordifference in the college experience.During 2022, donorsrecognized this by making nearly 780 giftsto the Student Success and Well Beingfund, which funnels resources to areasthat facilitate engagement opportunities,community building, and mental andphysical wellness.
For environmental studies gradAdri-Anna Harris 鶹Ʒ S22, the UCFArboretum was a major outlet thathelped her maintain balance and developskills that benefited her professionally.As a first-year student she startedvolunteering in the gardens for theArboretum, which was established to allow Knights to learn about the naturalwonders of campus. By her senior yearshe served as an ambassador for thedepartment, assisting with outreach andmaking sure programming ran smoothly.
鶹Ʒ S[When you 鶹Ʒ Sre studying, working or]living on such a busy campus, it 鶹Ʒ Ss nice tohave a space to get a break and just gosit in nature, surrounded by plants andwildlife. 鶹Ʒ S
鶹Ʒ S[When you 鶹Ʒ Sre studying, working or]living on such a busy campus, it 鶹Ʒ Ss nice tohave a space to get a break and just gosit in nature, surrounded by plants andwildlife, 鶹Ʒ S Harris says. 鶹Ʒ SVolunteering orworking at the Arboretum also gives youa chance to learn valuable skills. 鶹Ʒ S
Part of those skills include developinga commitment to service, working asa team and giving back to your peers.One of the major ways the Arboretumemphasizes this is by growing producefor another campus unit dedicated tosupporting students, the KnightsHelping Knights Pantry.
Launched in 2009, Knights Pantryprovides five free food items a day tostudents in need, as well as toiletries,clothing and other necessities. Withthe flagship location on the maincampus, as well as pantries at otherUCF campuses, Knights Pantry hasserved thousands of students overthe year.
鶹Ʒ SWe neverwant food to be the reason why a studentcan 鶹Ʒ St finish their degree. 鶹Ʒ S
鶹Ʒ SStudents who come to UCF areintelligent, capable and hardworking, andsometimes they just need a little bit ofhelp, 鶹Ʒ S says Jeannie Kiriwas 鶹Ʒ S05 鶹Ʒ S07MA,associate director of Knights Pantry,who has worked there since 2015. 鶹Ʒ SEating a variety of wholesome foodscan help students get enough nutrientsto maintain focus 鶹Ʒ S that could be thedifference between students getting aC or an A in organic chemistry. We neverwant food to be the reason why a studentcan 鶹Ʒ St finish their degree. 鶹Ʒ S
While Knights Pantry acceptsdonations year-round, Day of Givingfunds 鶹Ʒ S which amounted to more than$13,000 this year 鶹Ʒ S help supply specialtyitems, such as allergy-friendly products,vegan and vegetarian foods, and meats.
鶹Ʒ S[Day of Giving gifts] are incrediblymeaningful to us, 鶹Ʒ S says Kiriwas. 鶹Ʒ SDonations for the pantry have stayedvery strong since it 鶹Ʒ Ss opening, butneed has increased quite a bit. And sothose financial contributions help ussupplement what we don 鶹Ʒ St get enough of. 鶹Ʒ S
The Arboretum and Knights Pantryare two areas that are also supportedby another UCF Day of Giving cause 鶹Ʒ S the Parent and Family Fund, whichaids initiatives that foster communityand well-being and received more than$8,000 this year. These include Wellnessand Health Promotion Services 鶹Ʒ S annualGather Luncheon, which provides afree three-course meal to hundreds ofstudents, and FreshU cooking coursesand mobile kitchen, which offer educationon nutrition through demonstrations.
鶹Ʒ SThe university provides so much,but we try to think of some of the littleextras that may just make the difference… justthat touch the parents can bring. 鶹Ʒ S
鶹Ʒ SThe university provides so much,but we try to think of some of the littleextras that may just make the differencein either retention or just the experienceof fellowship with other students, justthat touch the parents can bring, 鶹Ʒ S saysMichelle Engle 鶹Ʒ S88, chair of the Parentand Family Philanthropy Council anda mother of a recent UCF alumna. 鶹Ʒ SWewant to make sure the UCF experienceis the best it can be for all Knights. 鶹Ʒ S