Charles N Millican

A Celebration of the Life of Charles Norman Millican, Ph.D., founding President of the University of Central Florida, will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, December 13, in the Pegasus Ballroom of the Student Union on the UCF Campus. Dr. Millican, who died on December 1, age 94, was born in the small plantation town of Wilson, Arkansas on October 9, 1916.

When he completed six years of junior and senior high school in five years, his father, who had to quit school in the 4th grade in order to work, said, “I’m proud of your graduation, for you are the first one in my family, or your mother’s, to finish high school.”

His first job was collecting delinquent accounts for the Memphis Press Scimitar, while riding his bicycle ten miles a day. He worked as a file clerk and credit report writer for Dun & Bradstreet, earning a Certificate in Advanced Accounting at night school.

Accepting a call to the ministry in 1937, he entered Union University, graduating with a B.S. Degree in Business and Religion. He was head cheer leader, Student Body President, and a member of a nationally recognized debate team, winning first place in oratory at the Grand Eastern Forensic Tournament. He was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1938.

During World War II, he was college coordinator of the 44th College Training Detachment of the USAAF. After the tour of duty, he met and married FRANCES HILLIARD in 1945. He and Frances were married for 64 years, until she died on December 28, 2009.

He earned an M.A. Degree in Economics at George Peabody College and a Ph.D. Degree in Business Finance and Economics at the University of Florida.

He held academic positions as administrator and professor at Union University, the University of Florida, Hardin-Simmons University, and the University of South Florida. He was named President of what was then called Florida Technological University in 1965. He opened the new university to its first classes in 1968 and served as its chief executive for another decade. After stepping down as president, he continued to work for the University of Central Florida in many capacities, including teaching in the College of Business and as President Emeritus for the UCF Foundation.

He is survived by a sister, Billie Louise Pipkin of Texas; nephews and nieces: John and Donna Stitch, Robert and Linda Richardson, Charles and Tina Richardson, Debbie Van Meter, Robert and Lee Van Meter, Nick and Kristi Slack; an extended family, including: Doshie Wright, a devoted friend, and Jeff, Gina, Madison, Haley and William Grasty; dear friends, as well as thousands of UCF Alumni who knew and loved him as the father of their alma mater.

Private burial services are scheduled at a later time for family members. Those who wish may make contributions in Dr. Millican’s memory to the UCF Women’s Club First Ladies’ Graduate Scholarship Fund c/o Kelly Dowling, UCF Foundation, Inc., 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 250, Orlando, FL 32826.