President Alexander Cartwright responds to applause after announcing that the University of Central Florida has been designated a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. Cartwright made the announcement during a UCF Board of Trustees meeting on campus at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

President Alexander Cartwright arrives to announce that the University of Central Florida has been designated a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. Cartwright made the announcement during a UCF Board of Trustees meeting on campus at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

President Alexander Cartwright arrives to announce that the University of Central Florida has been designated a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. Cartwright made the announcement during a UCF Board of Trustees meeting on campus at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

President Alexander Cartwright arrives to announce that the University of Central Florida has been designated a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. Cartwright made the announcement during a UCF Board of Trustees meeting on campus at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

President Alexander Cartwright and University of Central Florida Board of Trustees chair Alex Martins respond following the announcement that UCF has been designated a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. Cartwright made the announcement during the UCF Board of Trustees meeting on campus at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

University of Central Florida Board of Trustees chair Alex Martins addresses the meeting following the announcement that UCF has been designated a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. UCF President Alexander Cartwright made the announcement during the meeting on campus at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

President Alexander Cartwright greets Trustee Rick Cardenas before announcing that the University of Central Florida has been designated a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. Cartwright made the announcement during a UCF Board of Trustees meeting on campus at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

President Alexander Cartwright arrives to announce that the University of Central Florida has been designated a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. Cartwright made the announcement during a UCF Board of Trustees meeting on campus at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

President Alexander Cartwright announces that the University of Central Florida has been designated a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. Cartwright made the announcement during a UCF Board of Trustees meeting on campus at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

President Alexander Cartwright announces that the University of Central Florida has been designated a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. Cartwright made the announcement during a UCF Board of Trustees meeting on campus at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

President Alexander Cartwright thanks students and faculty after announcing that the University of Central Florida has been designated a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. Cartwright made the announcement during a UCF Board of Trustees meeting on campus at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Dr. Ryan Goodwin, assistant vice president for Strategic Initiatives at the University of Central Florida, talks to media following the announcement that UCF has been designated a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. UCF President Alexander Cartwright made the announcement during the meeting on campus at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)