By Jessica Greene
This year, the UCF College of Business Administration (#UCFBusiness) is proud to honor Dwayne Houston, marketing senior, and Elizabeth Connor, management senior, for being selected for Order of Pegasus.
Only a handful of students from the university receive the honor of Order of Pegasus, the most prestigious award a student can attain at the University of Central Florida. Order of Pegasus recognizes undergraduate students who exemplify excellence in academics, university involvement, leadership and community service.
Houston is a LEAD Scholar and a member of the UCF Research and Mentoring Program (RAMP), where he studies student engagement in the College of Business Administration. He is also an active member of the Society for Marketing Professionals (SMPS) and is vice-chair for the President’s Leadership Council.
“#UCFBusiness has specifically equipped me with the tools to successfully transcend the barriers of society to serve my community, while achieving professional success,” Houston remarked.
“My experience in the college has served as a cornerstone in my life.”
Connor came to UCF as a transfer student and quickly became involved in helping other students make the transition to UCF. She became a peer mentor for Transfer and Transition Services and president of Transfer Knights. In her short time at UCF, she has become involved with Student Development and Enrollment Services Advisory Council, President’s Leadership Council and serves on numerous committees and advisory councils.
“Finding my place in the UCF community has changed my life forever,” said Connor. “UCF has made a significant difference in my life and I hope to continue to leave a positive lasting impression in the lives of others as a proud member of this community.”
Both students already have plans and goals following graduation. Houston will be joining Proctor & Gamble as a marketing professional. His future goals include earning an MBA and becoming CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Connor will pursue a master’s degree in Educational Leadership at UCF with the hopes to one day become a university vice-president.
The application process for Order of Pegasus is competitive, extensive and rigorous. Students are nominated by individuals who broadly represent the university community including the president, provost and executive vice president, vice provosts, vice presidents and deans, student body president and the director of athletics. Nominees complete a formal application, provide an essay, separate recommendations and interview with the selection committee.
To learn more about the Order of Pegasus, visit http://order.sdes.ucf.edu/.
About the UCF College of Business Administration:
Established in 1968, the UCF College of Business Administration offers degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and executive levels. All programs, as well as the Kenneth G. Dixon School of Accounting are accredited by AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
The college provides high-quality academic programs designed to give students a competitive advantage in the world of business now and in the future. As such, the college establishes partnerships with some of the nation’s most innovative leaders to model new and best practices that harness evolving technology. In addition, the college promotes a unique culture of engagement, risk-taking, cross-disciplinary collaboration and data-driven decision making in an effort to ensure students are well prepared to enter a dynamic marketplace.
America’s Partnership University:
The University of Central Florida, the nation’s second-largest university with nearly 60,000 students, has grown in size, quality, diversity and reputation in its first 50 years. Today, the university offers more than 200 degree programs at its main campus in Orlando and more than a dozen other locations. UCF is an economic engine attracting and supporting industries vital to the region’s future while providing students with real-world experiences that help them succeed after graduation. For more information, visit http://today.ucf.edu.