UCF Pegasus Logo

 

UCF Libraries

Office of Library Development

University of Central Florida                                 Volume I, Issue 7   October 2005

In Development

If your e-mail does not support html, please visit us online at http://library.ucf.edu/Administration/LibraryDevelopment
 

Alumni Spotlight

Congratulations to UCF Alumnus Mark Strain for publishing his first book, Cosmic Entity: A Timeless Perception of the Universe. Mark presented the UCF Libraries with a copy of his book on September 13.

Image of Mark Strain and his book, "Cosmic Entity: A Timeless Perception of the Universe"
Mark Strain, UCF Alumnus, Author of
Cosmic Entity: A Timeless Perception of the Universe
 

I graduated from UCF in December 1992 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. I have been working as an embedded systems engineer ever since I graduated UCF. I live in Tampa with my wife, Melissa. I received my master's degree from the University of South Florida in electrical engineering in 1996.

UCF's motto is "reach for the stars." Well, I have always looked to the stars. I have been a pupil of cosmology and physics for most of my life. When I was a boy I spent time wondering about those little points of light in the night sky. The universe is something that has always fascinated me, and I have always considered it a gift to be a miniscule part of it. Reading and studying cosmology through the years, I have accumulated some knowledge of the subject, and I wanted to give something back, so I decided to write a book on the subject. It was an exciting experience.

Cosmic Entity describes how space and time—the universe—came from nothing—a perfect balance of positive and negative energy. All matter that exists today, from the rings of Saturn to the dirt beneath your feet, was created from the seething fireball when the infant universe was less than one second old. This raw material existed in the form of protons (or hydrogen). Cosmic Entity explains how the elements were formed, how matter is synthesized within the core of stars, and how supernovae (exploding stars) serve to create even heavier elements and seed the galaxies with this raw material.

If you would like to purchase your own copy, please visit http://www.Amazon.com; http://www.Borders.com; http://www.BarnesandNoble.com: or http://www.iuniverse.com.

Are you a UCF Alumnus who has recently published a book?  If so, please contact the UCF Libraries at dteague@mail.ucf.edu to share your news.
 

Exhibiting in the UCF Libraries

The University of Central Florida has a 72 foot long display wall and five locked display cases in high traffic areas available for potential exhibits. We are looking for displays of artistic, educational and cultural interest that will inform our campus community abut timely and timeless topics and pique their curiosity. If you have a display idea, we would be happy to talk to you about it.

For more specific information about our exhibits, please go to the UCF Libraries Homepage at http://library.ucf.edu and then click on the Exhibits link on the left of the screen.  Or go to http://library.ucf.edu/Exhibits/ExhibitsProcedure.asp for general information or to http://library.ucf.edu/Exhibits/ExhibitApplication.asp for the application form. We look forward to hearing from you.
 

"You must live feverishly in a library. Colleges are not going to do any good unless you are raised and live in a library everyday of your life." Ray Douglas Bradbury
 

Library Exhibits

October

    Theatre Exhibit by Kristina Tollefson from the UCF Theatre Department
     A display demonstrating the design process and evolution of a costume from the initial inspiration to the finished design.

    The Cypress Dome Exhibit
    A s    howcase of student visual and literary artwork featured in the UCF student publication, The Cypress Dome.

November

    Flying Horse Exhibit
     Flying Horse Editions, the Fine Arts Press of the University of Central Florida  specializing in high quality, limited edition books and prints by contemporary artists will be presenting samples from their book arts.

    Enhancing African Art
    UCF artist Anschion E. Maiden will be exhibiting a collection of exquisite African artifacts, masks, bowls, fabric and beadwork.

For more information on exhibits, please call (407) 823-2756 or visit http://library.ucf.edu/Exhibits.
 

Do You Want Your Legacy to Live on at UCF?

Planned gifts can help you support UCF in a much greater way than you might have imagined possible. Outright gifts or pledges of cash or other assets represent only one of many ways to give. By also committing to a planned or deferred gift, you can help achieve the university's goals and objectives in a way that could increase your gift to a level considerably higher than you ever anticipated.  

In fact, planned gifts are often large enough when ultimately received to establish an endowed fund in the names of the donors to provide scholarships, professorships or assist the college or program of your choice on a perpetual basis. Imagine the benefit UCF students will receive for many generations to come from your thoughtfulness and generosity.

Several ways you can make a planned or deferred gift to the UCF Libraries may include:

    ·        Bequests
    ·        Charitable Lead Trusts
    ·            Gifts of Life Insurance
    ·            Revocable Living Trusts 

The Office of Planned Giving is prepared to assist you in ensuring that your legacy lives on at UCF. Please contact Hal Reed, Director of Planned Giving, at (407) 882-1266 of at hreed@mail.ucf.edu.

 

Dedication Event at Brevard Community College/UCF Joint-Use Library

Did you mark October 19 on your calendar after receiving last month's In Development newsletter? We hope you did, because you are invited to attend the dedication of the Brevard Education Scholarship and Teaching (BEST) Center at the BCC/UCF Joint-Use Library in Cocoa. The center will provide resources that will benefit current educators, UCF and BCC Colleges of Education students, as well as families, children, and students in the Brevard County area.

The Center will be open for tours on October 19 form 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with the official dedication taking place at 6 p.m. Speakers will include:

    ·        Barry Baker, Director of Libraries, University of Central Florida

    ·        Dr. James Drake, Director, Associate Vice President, UCF Regional Campuses

    ·        Dr. Tom Gamble, BCC President

    ·      Dr. David Harrison, Vice Provost, UCF Regional Campuses

Please RSVP by October 14 to (321) 433-7879 or to aking@mail.ucf.edu. Directions to the BCC/UCF Joint-Use Library may be obtained via the following link: http://library.ucf.edu/BranchCampuses/Brevard/directions.asp. 
 

For confidential inquiries regarding ways you can become a part of the UCF Libraries circle of support or to unsubscribe from this newsletter, please contact Dwain Teague at (407) 823-5982 or at dteague@mail.ucf.edu.