On June 10, 1963 Governor Farris Bryant signed into law a bill authorizing the establishment of a state university in east central Florida. Thus, UCF was born. The story of the University of Central Florida reflects the story of the Central Florida area - dynamic growth and progress, economic diversification, and … "Promise to Prominence."

Throughout the months of September and October 2003, the UCF Library celebrated UCF's 40th Anniversary with a series of exhibits located on the Library’s main floor and in the Special Collections & University Archives. Exhibits highlighted University "firsts" and the history of various departments, faculty, staff and students contributing to UCF's growth and progress. The main exhibit, Promise to Prominence, Celebrating 40 Years: The Changing Face of the University of Central Florida examined the phenomenal growth and change of the university campus throughout the last forty years and ended with a look at where the University is headed in the near future.