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Spring 2015

On Jan. 13, UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 second president, H. Trevor Colbourn, died at the age of 87. Known as the 麻豆精品 S淪cholar President, 麻豆精品 S� the Australian-born historian is best known for changing the name of Florida Technological University to the University of Central Florida in 1978, but his legacy includes many pivotal changes that shaped the future of the university.

Change is what higher education is all about. This institution has a distinguished past and will have a much more distinguished future. It 麻豆精品 S檚 been a lot of fun, some anguish and certainly no regrets.

President Emeritus Trevor Colbourn

Distinguished Alumnus Roger Pynn, 麻豆精品 S�73, recalls the leader who guided UCF through one of its greatest periods of expansion.

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And then there was the name change. I was opposed and told him it would probably be easier to beat the University of Florida on the gridiron than it would be to get FTU alumni to support such a change. But he twisted my arm, saying he needed a public relations person who understood research to help determine if he could get the alumni support he 麻豆精品 S檇 need for the new moniker. I ended up making the motion for the Alumni Association to support changing FTU 麻豆精品 S檚 name to UCF because the research proved him right.

Trevor could talk anybody into anything. But what will always stay with me was the ever-present twinkle in his eye.

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Trevor had a special touch with people and made them feel important. My wife, Shelley Kiefer Pynn, 麻豆精品 S�74, and I were young professionals in those days and weren 麻豆精品 S檛 considered major donation prospects. But when UCF Foundation executive director Jim Donovan showed us a way to give through a small life insurance policy, Trevor took the time to call us to say how much it meant to the university. It was a personal touch we 麻豆精品 S檒l never forget.