The largest gift in university history positions UCF to lead the future of technology-driven business education.
By UCF April 15, 2026
The University of Central Florida today announced a $50 million gift from finance alumnus Barry Miller ’95 — the largest single philanthropic investment in the university’s history — to establish the Barry S. Miller College of Business.
“UCF is being trusted to lead, and Barry’s investment reinforces that UCF is a place where talent is developed at scale, where opportunity is expanded, and where our graduates don’t just succeed in the world — they come back to help build what’s next.” — Alexander N. Cartwright, UCF President
The investment will accelerate a bold new model of business education designed for a world where technology, data and decision-making are inseparable, and it will position UCF as a national leader in emerging fields that prepare students to lead with the skills the marketplace demands.
“This is a defining moment for UCF and for the College of Business,” says Board of Trustees Chair Alex Martins ’01MBA. “As an alumnus, I have seen firsthand how UCF transforms lives by opening doors to opportunity, and this extraordinary gift takes that mission to an entirely new level, giving future generations of Knights access to a world-class business education and an opportunity to achieve their full potential.”
“We are deeply grateful to Barry for his extraordinary belief in this university and in the impact our students make. This is a defining moment for UCF and a powerful signal of who we are and where we are going,” says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. “UCF is being trusted to lead, and Barry’s investment reinforces that UCF is a place where talent is developed at scale, where opportunity is expanded, and where our graduates don’t just succeed in the world — they come back to help build what’s next.”
“UCF gave me the opportunity to build my future,” Miller says. “This investment is about creating that same opportunity for others — and ensuring students are prepared for a world where technology and business are constantly evolving.”
Few universities of UCF’s young age have alumni giving back at this level.
At the center of this milestone is longtime supporter and entrepreneur Barry S. Miller, president of the Florida-based Voloridge Investment Management and Voloridge Health. Miller is a first-generation college graduate whose early partnership and belief in the university helped accelerate UCF’s trajectory.
His leadership and commitment to widening opportunity helped lay the groundwork for a future-focused strategy that will transform how students learn, innovate and launch their careers. Miller’s latest investment reflects UCF’s ability to produce talent that succeeds at the highest levels and inspires that talent to return not just with pride, but with capacity and conviction to shape what’s next.
“UCF gave me the opportunity to build my future. This investment is about creating that same opportunity for others.” — Barry Miller ’95, Voloridge Investment Management and Voloridge Health president
The Barry S. Miller College of Business will operate as a hub for technology-driven business leadership where students, faculty and industry collaborate in real time to solve complex challenges in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, fintech and digital risk.
The focus is not simply on technical skills, but on empowering graduates to take action to address organizational obstacles and lead in fields fueled by rapid technological change.
This vision is grounded in the region UCF calls home.
Orlando has rapidly emerged as one of the nation’s fastest-growing technology hubs, with demand for talent in fintech and AI continuing to evolve. Across Florida, one of the largest clusters of banking and insurance firms in the country is fueling new opportunities in financial technology, risk and data-driven decision-making.
UCF sits at the center of this momentum, uniquely positioned to develop the talent and ideas that will power the future.
The investment will support a multi-phase strategy designed to position UCF as the destination for business and technology education, including:
Together, these investments will create a learning environment that mirrors modern workplaces — fast moving, data driven and deeply connected to industry.
“Technology is advancing rapidly, and the real opportunity is in how organizations use it to perform,” says College of Business Dean Paul Jarley. “This investment allows us to build a business school focused on how the work actually gets done —– where students learn to apply judgment, navigate ambiguity, and lead in environments shaped by technology, data, and organizational complexity.”
Miller’s leadership gift marks a milestone in Go For Launch — a $3.5 billion campaign to expand opportunity, advance discovery, and drive impact across the university.
It sets the tone for what comes next, accelerating the pride and vision that will inspire others to invest in UCF’s future.
“This is what momentum looks like,” says Rodney Grabowski, senior vice president for advancement and partnerships and CEO of the UCF Foundation. “It reflects confidence in UCF’s vision and signals to partners, alumni and investors that this university is building something meaningful and worth being part of.”
Together, talent, opportunity and partnership are converging, positioning UCF to be a leading force in shaping what’s next in business, technology and innovation.
“UCF is not waiting to be recognized. We are being chosen, invested in and trusted to lead,” Cartwright says. “This milestone gift reflects a growing sense of pride across the university and signals the momentum others will want to help build — and it is only the beginning.”
As relentless disasters test communities nationwide, UCF leads the way in shaping strategies and preparing a workforce to keep people safe and systems strong.
4000 Central Florida Blvd. Orlando, Florida, 32816 | 407.823.2000
© University of Central Florida
