History of UCF's Instructional Technology Program

1960’s | 1970’s | 1980’s | 1990’s | 2000’s

1960's

When our university first opened, as Florida Technological University (FTU), in the autumn of 1968, Dean Calvin C. Miller headed the College of Education, Ms. Geri Snellings was the lone permanent faculty member in, Library Science and Educational Media, and Dr. Dick Cornell served as Teaching Associate for a basic audiovisual course.

1970's

During the 1970’s, the master’s degree program in Educational Media evolved. Dr. Gary Orwig arrived followed by Dr. Donna Baumbach. In 1974, Dr. Cornell relinquished his administrative position and became a full-time instructor in the program. Dr. Marilyn Garrett joined the Educational Media faculty, followed by Dr. Judy Lee and Dr. Glenda Gunter. Shortly after, Dr. Cornell collaborated with his colleagues to establish the Instructional Systems master’s program with Dr. Barbara Martin serving three years as a Visiting Professor.

1980's

Throughout the years, the Instructional Systems grew in size and reputation and its graduates were eagerly sought by business and industry across Central Florida and the nation. Following international recruitment efforts championed by Dick Cornell, the “face” of the program quickly became culturally diverse with many students coming to UCF from Taiwan and China. Others arrived from France, Russia, India, and Cyprus and this pattern continues.

1990's

The Educational Technology program was begun and the Educational Media program, headed by Dr. Judy Lee, moved to the department of Teaching and Learning Principles. A number of doctoral students enrolled in the College’s Curriculum and Instruction program, included Dr. Ann Barron, Dr. Denise Kiernan, Dr. Tom Weitzel, Dr. Lorna Kunnath, Dr. Esther Beatty, Dr. Michelle Rodriguez and others. After many years of lobbying, approval was finally given to launch a Ph.D. program in Education, with Instructional Technology chosen as one of its primary tracks.

2000's

In 2001 the first Instructional Technology Ph.D. candidates graduated – Dr. Thomas Bayston and Dr. Corey Lee. Dr. Joel Hartman and Dr. Tom Morris followed in 2002. Dr. Cheng-Chang “Sam” Pan and Dr. John Morrison graduated in 2003 and Dr. Ming-Hsiu “Michael” Tsai in 2004.In 2003, Dick Cornell became Professor Emeritus after serving 35 years and his replacement was named – Dr. Atsusi “2c” Hirumi. Under Dr. Hirumi’s leadership, two new professional certificates were established in e-Learning and the Instructional Design for Simulations and an umbrella master’s degree in Instructional Technology was created with professional tracks in Instructional Systems, Educational Technology and e-Learning.