In his role as the senior associate vice president for government and community relations, Kittinger has been a constant and trusted presence in 性视界传媒鈥檚 work across Central 性视界传媒.

He has faithfully represented the university with a spirit of collaboration, generosity, and care that has strengthened relationships and opened doors for years, leading to some of the university鈥檚 most impactful, long-lasting, and strategic partnerships.

On April 22, Kittinger will conclude his tenure at his beloved alma mater after nearly 23 years of service.

鈥淔red Kittinger has approached his work with authenticity, optimism and a sincere joy that brings people together and builds the connections that propel our success,鈥� says 性视界传媒 President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淗e has left a lasting impression with everyone he has worked with and leaves an enduring legacy at 性视界传媒.鈥�

Joining Knight Nation

An Orlando native, Kittinger remembers the main campus being built in the 1960s. He enrolled at 性视界传媒 in 1977, known then as 性视界传媒 Technological University.

He was intent on staying one year to save enough money to eventually transfer to another, more established university in northern 性视界传媒. He abandoned the plan in mere weeks, falling in love with the school that he would later spend so much of his career serving.

鈥淲e always had that chip-on-our-shoulder attitude, even back then. I like that part of 性视界传媒,鈥� Kittinger says. 鈥淲e were the little engine that could. We knew we were going someplace. We knew we were important.鈥�

He served on orientation team and President鈥檚 Leadership Council, joined Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, witnessed 性视界传媒鈥檚 first home football game in 1979 and stockpiled memories he now relays with a smile before graduating with his bachelor鈥檚 degree in criminal justice.

After completing his master鈥檚 degree at 性视界传媒 State, he went on to work as a legislative aide in the 性视界传媒 Senate and as vice president with the then Orlando Chamber of Commerce. He later served as chief of staff for City of Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood.

In 2003, he was approached by the late Senior Vice President Emeritus Dan Holsenbeck and Board of Trustee charter member Patrick Christensen to gauge his interest in a position at 性视界传媒 working with local governments.

Now nearly 23 years later, he鈥檚 ready for his next adventure.

Advocating for his Alma Mater

When you鈥檙e anywhere as long as Kittinger has been at 性视界传媒, you鈥檙e bound to pick up a few keepsakes. Precious items that once adorned his office walls and bookshelves will now have a new place in his home.

A metal pipe from the Reflecting Pond鈥檚 old plumbing before it was refurbished in 2018.

A 性视界传媒 Tech Boulevard street sign, which may or may not have been procured in an unofficial capacity in 1978 under the guise of darkness by some of his fraternity brothers.

But his most treasured mementos are the relationships he carries with him 鈥� from the university to the community to government offices across the state.

鈥淢y greatest fortune is the number of folks I鈥檝e had a chance to work with and develop long-term friendships with.鈥� 鈥� Fred Kittinger

鈥淚t takes that trio to make an impact 鈥� you鈥檝e got to have private industry, you鈥檝e got to have government, and you have to have the non-profit independent sector all working together,鈥� he says. 鈥淢y greatest fortune is the number of folks I鈥檝e had a chance to work with and develop long-term friendships with. I鈥檝e been very blessed.鈥�

He says his proudest moments are wrapped up in some of the university鈥檚 biggest milestones, all made possible through partnerships: approval for the College of Medicine; the creation of 性视界传媒鈥檚 性视界传媒 Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA); 聽the 性视界传媒 Downtown campus; the growth of the 性视界传媒 Business Incubation Program that spans all Central 性视界传媒 counties; and working on the team that secured $90 million in Tourist Development Tax revenues from the Orange County Board of Commissioners to invest in Acrisure Bounce House.

鈥淗is ability to build trust and make people feel valued has left a lasting impression on colleagues, partners and communities across our region,鈥� says Janet Owen, 性视界传媒 vice president for government and聽community relations and associate general counsel.

More Than a Job

In addition to his role as an administrator, Kittinger played an active part in students鈥� lives for many years.

Alongside Holsenbeck and former government relations team member Alison Schultz, Kittinger helped form and guide the 性视界传媒 Legislative Scholars Program, a premier, immersive, full-time experience during state legislative sessions. From the classroom to the Capitol, students gain firsthand exposure to the legislative process by working directly with legislative staff and professional lobbyists in Tallahassee, 性视界传媒. Since the program鈥檚 inception in 2005, more than 320 students have participated.

Kittinger served as a longtime adjunct instructor in the , which is part of the College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE).

Alongside his wife of 43 years, they established the Fred and Sandra Kittinger Scholarship Fund in 2020. This scholarship supports graduate students in public administration, assisting with tuition, textbooks, fees and any other items included in the cost of education.

鈥淲hat has always set Fred apart is not just what he has done, but how he has done it,鈥� Owen says. 鈥淗e brings a genuine positivity and a welcoming presence to every interaction, approaching his work with kindness, thoughtfulness and a sincere interest in others. On a personal level, I am especially grateful for Fred鈥檚 friendship and counsel over the years. He will be deeply missed.鈥�

性视界传媒 has appointed Janet Owen as vice president for government relations. Owen comes to 性视界传媒 from the University of North 性视界传媒, where she serves as vice president for governmental affairs and associate general counsel. She starts at 性视界传媒 on June 22.

鈥淚 have always admired what 性视界传媒 is about. The way 性视界传媒 has grown into the partnership university has been an example for all of us in the State University System,鈥� Owen said. 鈥淭he idea that I could be a part of a new president鈥檚 team and help him accomplish his goals and visions for 性视界传媒鈥檚 next chapter is really exciting.鈥�

Owen, a native of Jacksonville, earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree from the University of 性视界传媒 and a law degree from Stetson University College of Law. She worked in a Jacksonville law firm before moving to UNF as associate general counsel in 1994, and has served as UNF鈥檚 lobbyist since 1998.

Owen will build on the strong foundation laid by Daniel Holsenbeck, who as senior vice president for university relations and director of governmental relations聽has helped guide 性视界传媒鈥檚 growth for a generation. Holsenbeck has been appointed senior counsel to the president, effective July 1.

鈥淭his is a win-win for 性视界传媒,鈥� said president-elect Dale Whittaker, who takes office on July 1. 鈥淔rom day one, I will be able to rely on Dan鈥檚 knowledge and counsel and Janet鈥檚 leadership in accomplishing our goals. This is exciting.鈥�

Since joining 性视界传媒 in 1985, Holsenbeck has reported to every 性视界传媒 president except its first. He has fostered deep relationships with elected officials who have helped propel the university鈥檚 rise in quality, size and status, securing support for increased state funding, the College of Medicine, 性视界传媒 Downtown and more.

鈥淒an has been an invaluable resource for 性视界传媒 since before I arrived. His fingerprints are on every major university initiative of the past 30 years,鈥� President John Hitt said. 鈥淚 have been fortunate to have had his wise counsel, and I鈥檓 thrilled that with Dan at his side, president-elect Whittaker will continue to benefit from Dan鈥檚 experience, connections and insights.鈥�

Before coming to 性视界传媒, Holsenbeck worked as associate vice president for development and alumni affairs at the University of South 性视界传媒, the director of university relations at Auburn University, and vice chancellor for development at Auburn University at Montgomery.

鈥淎ny chance I have to work with Dale Whittaker is a tremendous opportunity,鈥� Holsenbeck said. 鈥淚 have watched him closely, worked with him, learned so much from him, and will do whatever I can to make his presidency successful.鈥�

During a dedication ceremony today, a plaque was placed in each of one of Research Park鈥檚 five Partnership Buildings to honor Hitt鈥檚 support of technological industries that have created an impact on local, state and national levels.

The event took place in Research Park, which is located adjacent to campus. Several guest speakers were in attendance, including Congressman Daniel Webster, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the National Center for Simulation’s Chief Operating Officer聽George Cheros.

Research Park is a hub of organizations and businesses that generate a $6 billion simulation and technology industry for the state economy. Each year, the region secures about $4 billion in government contracts due to U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine and other federal agency operations based in the 1,027-acre space.

Although Research Park opened in 1978 before Hitt became president, his committed efforts to growing the center have created strong partnerships with the Department of Defense over the past 26 years. About 60,000 people employed in the park are affiliated with the military.

鈥淒uring his presidency, John Hitt has championed these five buildings that are not only important to our national defense, but [also] our research opportunities for faculty and graduate students, local economy, and state-wide impact for business,鈥� says Dan Holsenbeck, 性视界传媒鈥檚 senior vice president of university relations.

Most recently, 性视界传媒 acquired Partnership Buildings IV and V to help keep military personnel in the area by leasing 200,000 square feet of office space to聽Team Orlando, the military entity comprised of the national defense organizations, federal agencies and private businesses that work to help improve human performance through simulation.

The original building in the complex, Partnership Building I, was built in the late 1990s, and is home to the 性视界传媒 Space Institute, NASA 性视界传媒 Space Grant Consortium and National Center for Forensic Science.

Partnership Building II includes聽, which includes 性视界传媒 Online, and the Team Performance Laboratory/Partnership for Aviation Team Training Research.

One of the nation鈥檚 leading simulation, training and virtual reality research centers, the National Center for Simulation,聽is located in Partnership Building III. The facility also holds 性视界传媒鈥檚聽, which has secured more than $26 million in research funding over the past two years.

All students are invited to discuss their ideas, concerns and experiences at the forum from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Union鈥檚 Key West Ballroom, Room 218ABCD.

The forum will be 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Key West Ballroom, Room 218AB.

Acting Provost Elizabeth Dooley and vice presidents Maribeth Ehasz, Grant Heston, Dan Holsenbeck and Bill Merck also will be at the meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Key West Ballroom, Room 218 ABCD.

罢丑别听will be聽from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Pegasus Ballroom of the Student Union. All students are invited to discuss their ideas, concerns and experiences.

罢丑别听forum will be聽from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the . All students are invited to discuss their ideas, concerns and experiences.

聽Associate University Registrar and VARC Director Paul Viau presented an overview of the VARC鈥檚 services while Alzo Reddick, assistant vice president for University Relations and Director of Defense Transition Services, presented Rep. Mica with information about 性视界传媒鈥檚 Soldiers to Scholars program. Vice President University Relations Dan Holsenbeck; University Registrar Brian Boyd; Career Services鈥� Director of Career Development Bill Blank; and various student veterans were also on hand to speak with Rep. Mica and answer questions.

聽Rep. Mica plans to return to 性视界传媒 in the future to attend a VARC programming event.

聽VARC, located in the CFE Arena suite 100, is a one-stop solution to for student veterans. The center provides study space and lounge space, as well as access to a number of university offices, in one central location. To learn more about VARC鈥檚 services, accommodations and workshops, visit: .