The best and brightest students, faculty and staff at the University of Central Florida were honored today during the University of Central Florida’s annual Founders’ Day Honors Convocation.

Founders’ Day recognizes some of the outstanding achievements at UCF and is a time-honored tradition.

Recipients ranged from an avatar-creating engineer to an expert in Western European politics and labor unions.

Awards were given to recognize excellence in research, teaching, professional service, outstanding theses and additional categories, along with milestone anniversaries at the university.

The gathering was held in the Student Union, with employees, retirees, past honorees, family and friends in attendance. A reception was held afterward.

For more on today’s winners, go to these stories:

Pegasus Professors Praised

Stellar Researchers Honored

Faculty Excellence Earn Accolades

Students Honored

Emeritus Professors Recognized