The Order of Pegasus stands as the pinnacle of recognition for students at UCF, celebrating extraordinary achievements that embody the core values and spirit of the university.

For undergraduate students, this esteemed honor recognizes exceptional academic excellence, leadership, active university involvement and meaningful community service. For master’s, doctoral, professional, and M.D. students, the Order of Pegasus highlights remarkable academic accomplishments, professional leadership, impactful community service, and innovative research or publications.

Recipients of this prestigious award represent the highest ideals of what it means to be a UCF Knight. Their dedication, passion, and contributions to both local and global communities showcase the remarkable talent and potential found at UCF.With a combined grade point average of 3.89, this year’s honorees are making impacts across various fields, including engineering, healthcare, hospitality, engineering and the humanities. Throughout the community they are enriching the human experience by meeting the challenges of our world. By engaging with hands-on research they are uncovering new knowledge and contributing to broad-based prosperity.

Celebrating Excellence on Founders’ Day

UCF’s annual Founders’ Day, held on the first Wednesday in April, is dedicated to honoring the outstanding achievements of UCF’s employees, faculty and students. This year’s Student Honors Celebration will take place at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 2, in the Student Union’s Pegasus Ballroom.

Order of Pegasus Inductees

  • Frances Aguayo, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Burnett Honors College
  • Zaima Aline, College of Medicine, Burnett Honors College
  • Gabryella Baldaci, College of Optics and Photonics
  • Austin Bennett ’24, College of Sciences
  • Nicholas Bruno, College of Sciences, Burnett Honors College
  • Hannah DeGraw, College of Sciences, Burnett Honors College
  • Melissa Deinys, College of Medicine
  • Jonae Edwards, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
  • Liana Alvarez Garcia, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Bedis Elkamel, College of Health Professions and Sciences, Burnett Honors College
  • Cooper Foxman, College of Medicine, Burnett Honors College
  • Julia Going, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Burnett Honors College
  • Nelson Jones, College of Science
  • Raj Khuperkar, College of Medicine, Burnett Honors College
  • Ayaka Kimura, College of Health Professions and Sciences, Burnett Honors College
  • Yuka Kimura, College of Health Professions and Sciences, Burnett Honors College
  • Jenna Koo, College of Nursing
  • Sun Latt, College of Medicine, Burnett Honors College
  • Chloe Milliron, College of Health Professions and Sciences
  • Aneesha Nayak, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Burnett Honors College
  • Apoorva Palled, College of Health Professions and Sciences, Burnett Honors College
  • Nicole Parker, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Burnett Honors College
  • Gabriela Polera, College of Sciences
  • Chloe Pinkston, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Burnett Honors College
  • Roshna Cherugail Ramadoss, College of Health Professions and Sciences, Burnett Honors College
  • Heidi Rivera, College of Arts and Humanities
  • Anderson Rosa, College of Sciences
  • Nicole Stevens, College of Medicine
  • Brielle Young, College of Business Administration, Burnett Honors College

Undergraduate Student Awards

College Founders’ Award

  • Chase Scholze, College of Arts and Humanities
  • Madelyn Francis, Burnett Honors College, College of Medicine
  • Jeffrey Linares, College of Business
  • Isabella Rojas, College of Community Innovation and Education
  • Mariana Sorroza Aguilar, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Samantha Migliore, College of Health Professions and Sciences
  • Arlette Morcelo, College of Medicine
  • Victoria Trautwein, College of Nursing
  • Alejandro Lopez Zelaya, College of Optics and Photonics
  • Jonae Edwards, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
  • Amanda Lindquist, College of Sciences

Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis

  • Aishwarya Rajakumar ’24, College of Medicine
  • Abdulrazak Kalae ’23, College of Sciences
  • Gregory DeCamillis ’24, College of Sciences
  • Maria Ocando Monaco ’24, College of Sciences
  • Hanna Mohammed ’23, College of Undergraduate Studies

Graduate Student Awards

Outstanding Dissertation

  • Furkan Luleci ’19MA ’24PhD, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Michael Johnstone ’17 ’19MS ’24PhD, College of Medicine

Outstanding Master’s Thesis

  • Aaditya Bhatia ’24MA, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Brandi Antonio ’24MS, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Outstanding Creative Work

  • Sylvia McMillon ’22 ’24MA, College of Sciences, College of Community Innovation and Education

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