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UCF’s 27 Best Photos of 2024

Here’s a look at some of the most unforgettable photos of the year.

Student configures wires in a lab
(Jan. 5 | Photo by Antoine Hart)

Electrical engineering doctoral student Ganesh Marasini tests real-life grid control operations in UCF’s Microgrid Control Lab — a training ground for rising engineers to collaborate, learn and help reimagine the energy grid of the future.

UCF fans celebrate the Knights on the basketball court at Addition Financial Arena
(Jan. 10 | Photo by Kadeem Stewart ’17)

Hundreds of fans celebrated UCF men’s basketball’s upset win over No. 3 Kansas at Addition Financial Arena.

Glass jars filled with dirt surround a shovel
(Jan. 12 | Photo by Kadeem Stewart ’17)

UCF broke ground on the transformational Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion at Lake Nona, which is anticipated to open in 2025-26. The new 90,000 square-foot home of the College of Nursing will help UCF graduate more highly qualified, compassionate nurses for the future.

A UCF College of Nursing student working on a hand manikin in a lab
(Jan. 31 | Photo by Kadeem Stewart ’17)

A student practices with a manikin hand at UCF’s state-of-the-art Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling Center in the College of Nursing, which is equipped with advanced medical devices and technology to train nursing students for clinical practice.

A member of the UCF women's track and field team runs on a track
(March 15 | Photo by Kadeem Stewart ’17)

Since kicking off the outdoor season with a top 10 national ranking, the UCF women’s track and field team has clocked some of the world’s fastest times this year.

Two people draw artwork on a canvas with markers during UCF's Celebrates the Arts Creative Clash event
(April 6 | Photo by Kadeem Stewart ’17)

During the 10th anniversary of UCF Celebrates the Arts — a multi-day festival honoring creative expressions — artists competed in Creative Clash, a live art event where they raced against the clock to create large-format artwork with markers in front of spectators at Seneff Arts Plaza.

A graduate holds up their diploma while walking across the stage during UCF's Spring 2024 commencement ceremony at Addition Financial Arena
(May 4 | Photo by Kadeem Stewart ’17)

A graduate walks across the stage during a Spring 2024 commencement ceremony that took place in Addition Financial Arena.

Three students study on their laptops while sitting in a dorm room at UCF's Rosen College of Hospitality Management
(May 30 | Photo by Kadeem Stewart ’17)

Three students dove into their studies while hanging out in their dorm room at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

A graduate walks across the stage holding his diploma during UCF's Summer 2024 commencement ceremony at Addition Financial Arena
(Aug. 2 | Photo by Jordan Smith)

A Summer 2024 graduate beams with pride, holding his diploma as he walks across the commencement stage.

Knightro emerges from smoke holding a UCF speciality license plate
(Aug. 30 | Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

Knightro shows off a UCF specialty license plate while filming a new Knight Your Ride campaign video at Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy’s Studio 500. To Knight Your Ride, click here.

Student wearing a white lab coat works on equipment in a lab
(Sept. 6 | Photo by Antoine Hart)

UCF students are conducting groundbreaking research at Florida Space Institute labs, paving the way for the future of space exploration and innovation.

Two fighter jets fly over a crowd of fans in FBC Mortgage Stadium during the UCF versus Sam Houston football game
(Sept. 7 | Photo by Mark Godin)

Two fighter aircrafts flew over FBC Mortgage Stadium during the pregame ceremony for the Family Weekend football game, where the Knights defeated the Sam Houston State University Bearkats, 45-14.

UCF running g back RJ Harvey crossing into the end zone for a touchdown during the UCF versus Sam Houston football game
(Sept. 7 | Photo by Mark Godin)

Running back RJ Harvey crossed into the end zone for a touchdown during the Knight’s second home game of the season against Sam Houston.

A student guides a dog-like robot up the steps of John C. Hitt Library located at UCF's main campus
(Sept. 17 | Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

A student guides TapeMeasure, UCF’s semiautonomous dog-like robot, up the steps of the John C. Hitt Library, demonstrating its advanced navigation capabilities for innovative research by students and faculty.

A UCF Air Force ROTC student in uniform salutes
(Sept. 17 | Photo by Kadeem Stewart ’17)

A member of UCF Air Force ROTC Detachment 159 salutes while being filmed on campus for the university’s new commercial, showcasing UCF as a place for those who dare to invent the future.

Health science student Annika Emmett tries on a bionic arm at the Limbitless Solutions office
(Sept. 19 | Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

Annika Emmett, a health sciences student, and Limbitless Solutions intern and past bionic arm recipient, tries on a bionic arm, showcasing its advanced technology that empowers children with limb differences.

A student sits at a table working on her tablet at the UCF Downtown campus
(Sept. 24 | Photo by Kadeem Stewart ’17)

This year, UCF Downtown, in partnership with Valencia College, celebrates five years of educational excellence. The campus has welcomed more than 7,000 students and awarded 10,300 degrees since opening in 2019.

Two people wearing Hazmat suits operate a rover in the regolith bin at UCF's Exolith Lab
(Sept. 25 | Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

Two space scientists operate a rover on the world’s largest simulated lunar surface, located in UCF’s Exolith Lab. The lab’s Lunar Highland Regolith Test Bin was developed in partnership with the Florida Space Institute to support space exploration research.

Two cheerleaders interact with a young UCF fan
(Sept. 28 | Photo by Kadeem Stewart ’17)

Before the UCF Knights took on the Colorado Buffaloes, two cheerleaders interacted with a young UCF fan during Knight Walk at IOA Plaza, the lively pregame tradition where fans, the marching band, and the cheer and dance teams rally together to welcome the football team before kickoff.

Two UCF cheerleaders performing on the sidelines at FBC Mortgage Stadium
(Oct. 12 | Photo by Kadeem Stewart ’17)

UCF’s cheer team amped up the crowd as the Knights took on the University of Cincinnati Bearcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

Rapper NLE Choppa performing at Concert Knight during UCF's Homecoming Week
(Oct. 24 | Photo by Kadeem Stewart ’17)

Rapper NLE Choppa performed at Concert Knight presented by UCF Homecoming at Addition Financial Arena.

UCF cheerleaders perform stunt routine during Spirit Splash at UCF's main campus
(Oct. 25 | Photo by Paige Wilson ’17)

The cheer team hyped up the crowd with a high-energy stunt routine before students charged into the Reflecting Pond to catch homecoming rubber ducks at Spirit Splash.

Knightro surfs over a crowd of students during Spirit Splash held at UCF's Reflecting Pond
(Oct. 25 | Photo by Paige Wilson ’17)

Knightro surfed over a crowd of students at Spirit Splash, UCF’s biggest homecoming tradition.

Knightro holding a cowboy-themed Spirit Splash duck
(Oct. 25 | Photo by Kadeem Stewart ’17)

During Spirit Splash, Knightro even secured a cowboy-themed rubber duck, celebrating this year’s theme: Cowboys vs. Aliens.

Knightro poses in front of a giant moon backdrop while wearing a blue, constellation-themed SpaceU cape
(Nov. 1 | Photo by Mark Godin)

Knightro posed with a constellation-themed SpaceU cape in front of a giant moon backdrop at UCF’s 2024 SpaceU Luncheon, honoring the university’s ties to space exploration and innovation.

UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright stands next to rocket engines in a facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center
(Nov. 8 | Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright stands next to rocket engines while touring facilities during a visit to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.