5 UCF Grad Programs Reach Top 100

Often I feel that UCF is being disregarded because of its admission standards. Occasionally I hear my friends speaking amongst themselves saying how easy it is to get in so it isn’t a good school like Florida State University or University of Florida. First I would like to mention that the University was only founded 47 years ago and it has already reached huge milestones.

U.S News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools guide ranks five UCF programs among the top 100 in Engineering, Education, Speech-Language Pathology, Public Administration and Computer Science. They analyzed over 12,000 graduate programs and UCF stole 5 spots in the top 100! UCF was also recognized as one of the top 5 national universities to be watched. It was the only school in Florida listed in the category “Top Up-and-Coming Schools.” They also received a special acknowledgment in the category “Great Schools, Great Prices” for being a top 20 national university for students graduating with the least amount of debt.

Keep in mind that every athletic team plays on the D-1 level too. UCF will continue to be recognized for their excellence as they continue to grow as a new university. I am so proud to be called a knight and I wouldn’t pick anywhere else to spend the next six years of my life. GO KNIGHTS!!!

The History of Delta Delta Delta

Nickname: Tri Delta
Chapter Name: Beta Lambda
National Founding Date: November 27th 1888
National Founding Place: Boston University
UCF Founding Date: 1976
Motto: “Let us Steadfastly Love One Another”
Flower: Pansy
Colors: Silver, Gold, Cerulean Blue
Symbols: Dolphin
Philanthropy: Children’s Cancer Research
Chapter Website: www.tridelta.org

In spirit of going to University of Central Florida in about one month I thought I should write about the one thing I truly cannot wait for. I have always dreamed about being in a sorority from the time I watched the film Legally Blonde. It has also been an important tradition in my family as my mother was an Alpha Omicron Pi and my Aunt was a Kappa Kappa Gamma, just to name a few. One particular sorority that stood out to me was Delta Delta Delta a.k.a Tri Delta. The Beta Lambda Chapter of Delta Delta Delta consists of a diverse group of women who excel in academics, enjoy serving others, and continue to develop amazing memories with their sisters.

Delta Delta Delta was founded in 1888 at Boston University. Sarah Ida Shaw, along with the help of her friends created this organization that was different from the others. More than 200,000 women have joined the sisterhood and pledged to “steadfastly love one another,” which continues to serve as their motto. Their purpose is to establish a long-lasting bond amongst its members, develop a stronger and more womanly character, and to enrich the moral and intellectual life.

Almost Explosive

Law enforcement officials have now released a more detailed description of what happened Saturday night In Time Square. Surveillance showed a white man circa his 40s walking away from the scene as he peeked over his shoulder and removed a layer of his clothing. He is a possible suspect during the investigation being made.

Raymond W. Kelly, the New York City police commissioner stated that a Nissan Pathfinder was discovered with gasoline, eight bags of fertilizer, propane, firecrackers and simple alarm clocks inside the car. He even noted that the bomb could have potentially killed quite a few people.

No other threat was being mad at the time so there was no significant increase in the city’s police force. Broadway shows continued on its normal schedule.

They investigation will continue as they are still trying to understand and solve how the culprit was able to get a hold of the license plate. Officials have no discussed and increase the security outside of the airports.

Just what we needed right another terrorist victory. Although the bomb did not detonate it still shows how weak our security is. When American lives are at stake police needs to be on top of their game especially in the busiest city in the world. We always feel so safe in America but with all of the terrorist acts taking place in major cities and airports really frightens me to travel.

Sinkhole Consumes a Family of Four

May 13, 2010 A Canadian family of four was found dead in their basement of their house. The home was completely plunged into a massive sinkhole, which completely consumed their house.

Michel C. Doré, Quebec's associate deputy public security minister, who was on the scene, told CNN that “they were found very close to one another, some of them lying on the couch in the family room in the basement, where we were told that they'd be."

The only member found alive was the family’s dog who was concealed in mud from head to paw.

The whole was about 500 yards long forcing several other homes to quickly evacuate.

Geologist Judith Patterson told CNN that it looks like a type of landslide but there is still no official word on the origin of the sinkhole.

Don't Become Another Statistic...

With prom and graduation just around the corner I though I would inform you on a few statistics about drunk driving. You’ll find these both surprising and quixotic but they’re not, it’s simply the truth. Pay close attention for you could be another statistic. Be sure to assign a designated driver if you choose to drink and keep a close eye on your peers.

--According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2000, 58% of traffic fatalities occurred circa prom/graduation period not to mention alcohol-related. 36% of those fatalities were between the ages of 15 and 20.

--There were 11,773 drunk driving fatalities in 2008.

--1,347 children ages 14 and younger died as inhabitant in car accidents in 2008. Approximately 26% of those deaths were a direct result of drunk drivers. It’s not just the driver at risk, think about the people around you and the effect you can have on their lives.

--You are four times as likely to die in a drunk driving accident during the night rather than during the day. Stay off the roads late at night!

--In 2008, nearly 75% of all drunk drivers were killed were not wearing seatbelts. Click it or ticket or even worse death!

--In 2008, 6,316 of the fatalities were over the legal drinking limit at the time of the crash.

Teenagers often feel that they are invincible and will live a long, healthy life but that is not necessarily the case. It is important that you take all safety precautions to ensure that life will not be at risk.


All statistics are provided by the United States Drunk Driving Car Accident Statistics (2008).

Another Miner Tragedy

April 5, 2010 was the date of the deadliest mining accident in the United States has seen in four decades. An extensive four-day wait came to a tragic end when 29 miners were pronounced dead after a monumental explosion earlier that week.

This explosion was the most detrimental accident since the 1970 explosion killed 38 at Finley Coal Company, in Hyden, Kentucky.

After the explosion the rescue crews worked over a 100 hours in aggravation searching for the four missing miners. Due to the high levels of methane and carbon monoxide the crews had to slowly inch their way through the debris.

The mining company and state officials has been resistant to release any names of the dead and missing which had left many families in exasperation.

“We remained hopeful the four missing miners would have been found alive,” Don Blankenship the chief executive of Massey Energy, said in his statement. “I personally met with many of the families throughout the week and share their grief at this very painful time.”

In 2008, the Aracoma Coal Company, a subdivision of Massey, pleaded guilty to various safety violations related to a fire. They agreed to pay $4.2 million in criminal fines and civil penalties, which put a huge tamper on the company.

President Obama spoke out to the country and expressed his compassion towards the families of the killed or injured miners. He announced “it’s clear that more needs to be done” speaking about mine safety. The President is requesting a full report on what went wrong and believes that there will need improvement in this industry.

I feel like this story is being played over and over and over again. Why is safety not a top priority? It seems like every year there is a tragedy involving in a death of another miner. Something needs to be done and fast.

For more on the story click here.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Universal Studios is now making headlines with their new brilliant idea. Warner Bros. has collaborated with Universal Studios in order to create a Harry Potter “Theme Park within a Theme Park”. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” is located inside Universal Studio’s Islands of Adventure and is scheduled to open June 18, 2010 around the same time as the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movie.

The main attraction will be called “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.” Universal claims it will be unlike anything ever ridden before and will feature popular scenes from the books and movies.

Two existing attractions will be renamed. The kid friendly Flying Unicorn will become “”Flight of the Hippogriff” and Dueling Dragons will become “Dragon Challenge”. Dueling Dragons is Islands of Adventure’s most popular ride so I’m sure they are working hard to make this attraction even better. Dragon Challenge is based on the Tri-wizarding Tournament, which features dragons, so that makes sense.


And now to satisfy your tummy there will be three new dining locations which include Three Broomsticks, Magic Neep, and Butterbeer. You can’t just walk into a new world without retail stores. The park will include Zonko’s, Owl Post, Ollivanders, Honeydukes, and Dervish and Banges. Inside Hogwarts you will come across a store called “Fitch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods” where you can purchase remote controlled golden snitches and other magical gifts.

To catch a sneak peak of the Wizarding world click here.