University of Central Florida
12/05/2024 | Press release | Archived content
Nation’s Second highest Ranking Military Officer Visits UCF to Explore Cutting edge Research and Innovation
Admiral Christopher Grady, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the nation's second highest-ranking military officer, visited the University of Central Florida Tuesday to learn more about its innovative research and alignment with U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) priorities.
The tour included visits with key UCF research centers, such as the Institute for Simulation and Training (IST), CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics, and the Center of Excellence in Hypersonic and Space Propulsion (HyperSpace Center).
While Grady toured UCF's defense-related research, his wife, Christine Grady, visited UCF's Office of Military and Veteran Student Success; UCF RESTORES, a clinic dedicated to treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and met with UCF Army and Air Force ROTC cadets.
"The visit from Admiral and Mrs. Grady underscores the vital role UCF plays in advancing national security and defense research, supporting critical DOD needs, and preparing the next generation of military leaders," says Winston V. Schoenfeld, UCF's vice president for research and innovation. "Over 30% of UCF's federal funding has come from the DOD for more than a decade, positioning UCF as a national leader in delivering key innovations to the DOD."
The Tour
Admiral Christopher Grady, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright (Photo by Antoine Hart)Grady began his visit with a meeting alongside UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright, where they discussed UCF's longstanding commitment to supporting the nation's defense through cutting-edge research and workforce development.
While with CREOL, Admiral Grady received a briefing on directed energy research and its applications for DOD missions, particularly the capabilities of the Townes Institute for Science and Technology Experimentation Facility. The institute, located at Kennedy Space Center, supports multidisciplinary research with a focus on space science, optics and other advanced technologies.
CREOL Interim Associate Dean for Research, Professor and Florida Photonics Center of Excellence Nanophotonics Chair Eric Johnson provides an overview of the college's research capabilities and their applications to DOD priorities. (Photo by Antoine Hart)At IST, UCF showcased the latest advancements in digital twin technology, such as real-time 3D digital twins of structures and areas, and artificial intelligence for DOD-decision making tools.
Grady's visit to the HyperSpace Center focused on the integration of students into the research process and the timeline for the hypersonic technology, which would allow air travel at speeds of up to 13,000 miles per hour (Mach 17).
Commitment to National Defense and Military Success
UCF is a national leader in supporting military and defense initiatives through education, research and industry partnerships.
UCF's Office of Military and Veteran Student Success supports more than 3,200 military-connected students, including veterans, active-duty and dependents, by providing academic advising, transition assistance and tailored guidance.
UCF RESTORES offers innovative, no-cost PTSD treatment for veterans and first responders, with clinical trials achieving a 100% success rate in just 14 days for participants completing VR-assisted exposure therapy. The program has treated more than 500 veterans and 950 first responders, with the majority no longer meeting PTSD criteria.
UCF also boasts top-ranked ROTC programs, with the Army ROTC Fighting Knights Battalion and Air Force Detachment 159 preparing leaders for military and civilian careers. UCF's AFROTC program, which has been developing officers for the Air Force and Space Force for more than 50 years, has earned the DOD's ROTC and Educational Institutional Partnership Excellence Award for multiple areas of excellence.
In research, UCF's close ties to the defense industry are amplified through Central Florida Research Park, a $7 billion hub for modeling and simulation adjacent to UCF's main campus, which is also home to six DOD headquarters. UCF also ranks No. 1 in Florida for VA certifications, is leading the nation in the number of cybersecurity championships, and is the top supplier of graduates to the aerospace and defense industries.