Featured Articles

The Halal Shack brings new dining option to UCF

The Halal Shack celebrated its grand opening in the Student Union Tuesday afternoon, offering a new dining option that accommodates a variety of dietary preferences.The grand opening event ran from 2-6 p.m. and featured free samples of Halal Shack’s signature dishes, including rice bowls, salad bowls, fries bowls, pita wraps and naan. It also included a live DJ and giveaways.The Halal Shack combines Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors with an American twist using locally sourced ingredients...

Orlando prepares for traffic challenges as Epic Universe nears opening

As the countdown to the opening of Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe continues, excitement about the park’s potential impact on the region’s economy and tourism industry is undeniable.

However, alongside the promise of immersive attractions and economic growth, the new park is expected to bring significant challenges to Orlando’s already overburdened infrastructure, sparking concerns among residents and experts alike.

Scheduled to open May 22, 2025, Epic Universe is Universal Orlando Resort’s largest project to date.

From UCF graduate to Miss Florida USA and beyond

The cheers of a packed theater filled the air as a former UCF student took a deep breath, her heart racing under the dazzling stage lights.Standing center stage at the Miss Florida USA 2024 competition, Peyton Lewis heard her name echo across the room. In that instant, a bouquet of flowers was placed in her arms, a tiara crowned her head and confetti showered the stage. The Orlando native’s years of hard work, determination and dreams paid off and became reality.Lewis’ journey into pageantry beg...

UCF Knight Market celebrates alumni's small businesses with family-friendly festivities

A blend of community spirit and holiday cheer was brought to the UCF Knight Market Sunday at the UCF FAIRWINDS Alumni Center. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event was free to attend and invited students, faculty, alumni and families to explore and support a variety of UCF alumni-owned small businesses. 
Crystal Zavallo, owner of CrystalsCreativeShop, a custom-made goods business, shared what the event meant for her.“It’s just great to support local businesses, it's great that the university...

Hispanic Heritage Month launches with art, culture and community with UCF Connect

UCF Connect’s ConeXiones launched Hispanic Heritage Month on Wednesday with HIPS KICKOFF!, an afternoon filled with creativity, community and culture at Valencia Osceola Campus. Attendees were encouraged to tap into their creativity, painting vibrant, culturally inspired designs on canvases provided at the event, creating a colorful expression of heritage and identity. Edgar Carrasco Acosta, academic success coach, and Vanessa Delgado, co-chair academic success coach, said their mission is to he...

"The Book of Life" screening brings Día de los Muertos to life

Students gather in the Key West Ballroom watching "The Book of Life" on two large screens Friday.As soon as attendees walked into the Key West Ballroom on Friday at the Student Union, the sounds of Hispanic music filled the air and the smell of food soon followed. The Multicultural Student Center and the Mexican Student Association hosted a screening of “The Book of Life” from 6 to 9 p.m. to honor Día de los Muertos through the magical animation movie.Ashtmi Deo, culture and community director f...

Filo-fest celebrates Filipino American Heritage Month at UCF

The Multicultural Student Center and the Filipino Student Association at UCF came together Saturday to host the first Filo-fest.The event took place at Lake Claire Recreational Area in celebration of Filipino American Heritage Month from 2 to 7 p.m., providing an opportunity for students and community members to celebrate Filipinos culture.Filo-fest offered a variety of activities, including cultural performances, an art gallery, a fashion show event and traditional Filipino cuisine. The event h...

UCF Wind Ensemble premieres moving tribute to Ukraine’s resilience in concert

The UCF Wind Ensemble performs Tuesday night at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, led by conductor Dr. Scott Lubaroff. The UCF Wind Ensemble premiered a new piece during Thursday's concert, paying tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian people amid the ongoing Russian invasion.Australian-based and Ukrainian-born musician Catherine Likhuta composed the piece performed at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, UCF's Wind Ensemble's conductor said. The piece was deeply p...

Campus Activities Board’s ‘Price is Right’ surprises students with a twist

The iconic “Come on down!” phrase instantly brings to mind the classic game show “The Price is Right,” a popular program that has entertained people for years.Excitement filled the air as students arrived at the Live Oak Ballroom to participate in the Campus Activities Board's "The Price is Right" game Monday night.The evening featured a variety of activities attracting students ready to participate.  When Sarah Jordan, concert director for CAB, started explaining the rules, it became clear that...

Family Weekend Carnival brings joy indoors despite weather conditions

Late Knights, together with First Year Experience, hosted another Family Weekend Carnival on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Pegasus Ballroom at the Student Union.The event kicked off with a showcase by the UCF cheerleading team, giving the crowd a taste of the excitement they bring to game day and building anticipation for Saturday's match.The event was filled with live music, free drinks and numerous activities to do. The event was faced with an expected challenge this year: inclement weat...