UCF Honors Walt Disney World President
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Nov. 7, 2013 — The University of Central Florida (UCF) Alumni Association recently recognized George A. Kalogridis, president of Walt Disney World Resort with the university’s 2013 Distinguished Alumnus Award. As the university’s highest honor to its graduates, the award is designed to acknowledge alumni for their professional achievement, volunteer work with the university and community service.
“Through his leadership at one of our region’s largest and most influential companies, George Kalogridis has become integral to the success of our community,” said John C. Hitt, Ph.D., president of the University of Central Florida.
A 42-year veteran of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Kalogridis oversees a workforce of nearly 70,000 Cast Members at four theme parks and 25 resort hotels at WaltDisney World Resort. He graduated from UCF in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, while still working at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Despite the years since his last college class, Kalogridis still values his college experience and is proud of his alma mater, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
“It’s really important for a community to have an institution like UCF to educate and train tomorrow’s professionals who are key to growing local businesses,” said Kalogridis.
U.S. News & World Report recently rated UCF as the nation’s No. 5 “up and coming” university.
