At a Fall 2024 commencement ceremony, Ken Robinson, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Inc. and The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation, received one of UCF’s highest accolades, an honorary doctoral degree for public service.

“It’s an honor to receive this recognition from UCF, a cornerstone of education and development in our community,” Robinson says. “This distinction represents not just personal pride, but also the shared successes and partnerships that have made a lasting impact in our region.”

“It’s an honor to receive this recognition from UCF, a cornerstone of education and development in our community.”  — Ken Robinson, honorary degree recipient

Robinson, who grew up in the Pine Hills area and graduated from Evans High School, began his college journey at UCF.“It feels like UCF has officially brought me back full circle, and what a special way to graduate from the university where it all started,” Robinson said in his commencement speech.

While at UCF, he also recalled receiving invaluable advice and guidance from Professor Emeritus Robert Bledsoe, a political science teacher whose extraordinary grace helped a young Robinson complete his studies, and with whom he credits his path in life.

“That lesson in seeking guidance and perseverance stayed with me, shaping not just my time in college but even influenc[ing] how I approached giving back, which became a significant part of my journey.”

Since Robinson’s appointment in 2013 to one of Orlando’s most active charitable organizations, his leadership and vision have improved education and healthcare for the most vulnerable in the community. Through his work with UCF Downtown, he also has had a direct impact on UCF’s efforts to stem the nation’s nursing shortage and to transform lives and the region for decades to come.

“Ken Robinson’s commitment to leveraging the legacy of the Phillips family to invest in higher education has been the cornerstone of making UCF Downtown and the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion in Lake Nona a reality,” Michael Kilbride ’12, UCF’s executive chief of staff to the president, stated in his nomination letter.

Robinson, who graduated from Florida State University in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in business, was selected to head Dr. Phillips Charities in 2013. Before his current role, he served as a senior insurance executive and had worked in the industry for more than 30 years, building a successful insurance agency.

Robinson is using the same skills honed by years of working in the community to guide his decision-making process when it comes to allocating the Dr. Phillips Charities’ resources. He often considers where would it make the most sense — not just economically, but also philanthropically — to invest and to have real change.

Since its inception, Dr. Phillips Charities has distributed more than $257 million in funding, almost all of which has remained in the Central Florida area.

“[Dr. Phillips Charities is] our largest philanthropic organization and have given out more grants by far than any other [in the region],” Orlando Mayor Dyer stated in a 2021 Florida Trend article.

Each grant request is carefully considered by Robinson and other members of Dr. Phillips Charities to ensure that it has met their criteria before its disbursement.

In Robinson’s nomination for the honorary degree, it was noted that, in addition to providing philanthropic support to UCF’s project and programs, Robinson’s leadership ensured that charitable investments were aligned with the needs of our students and the broader community, fostering an atmosphere where education, business and civic life intersect.

“As we support the next generation of leaders, I am filled with enthusiasm for the impact you will make,” Robinson said in his commencement speech. “Each of you has the power to drive change, and with commitment and a sense of purpose, you can contribute to the betterment of our community in meaningful ways.”

A list of Robinson’s involvement in the Greater Orlando community includes his service as President of the Committee of 100 of Orange County Inc.; member-at-large to the AdventHealth Foundation Central Florida; a director of 4Roots Foundation; member of the Central Florida YMCA Metro Board; a member of the Florida Council of 100. Robinson also served as a director and executive committee member of the Florida Citrus Bowl, where he was President for the 2019-20 Season and Chairman for the 2020-22 Seasons. He formerly served as director and executive committee member for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, cochair of the Dr. Phillips Center Phase II Construction Committee, and was selected to serve on the presidential search committee for UCF.

“At Dr. Phillips Charities, we strive to uphold the legacy of the Phillips family by creating meaningful change,” Robinson says. “Through our support of educational, healthcare and community development programs at UCF, we are helping to transform lives, prepare future leaders, and ensure that UCF continues to play a pivotal role in the growth and prosperity of our community for generations to come. To put this in the simplest form, I am grateful for the opportunity and privilege to do this work every day. Being honored by UCF for doing what I love is truly humbling.”