The Singer Family: Three Generations (and counting!) of UCF Knights
When UCF (then Florida Technological University) opened its doors on October 7, 1968, Linda Singer was there.
Linda had recently graduated from Winter Park High School and was determined to make her mark on the new school. Whatever she would do, she would be the first at the new college to do it. Theatre? Check. Student Government? Check. Band? Golf? Extra classes? Check, check, check.
Not surprisingly, Linda graduated in three years, with her brothers, Randy ’72 and Ivor ’75, close behind.
In 2022, Linda was profiled as a UCF Trailblazer. However, the Singers were not finished with their beloved Knights.
Over the past half-century, 13 Singers – at last count! – have chosen the ever-growing campus as the best place to launch the next chapter of their lives.
Ivor and Dorothy Singer had moved to the Orlando area from Miami in 1967 for Ivor’s growing business, a manufacturer’s rep agency that sold construction products. They were seeking the opportunities of a growing Orlando, and the city was more centralized for their business.
The Singers reared their children with the same principles that had made their company successful, exhorting their children to be hardworking, studious and philanthropic.
Please enjoy these photos and glimpses into the lives of three generations of Knights.
Linda Singer Black ’71
College of Community Innovation and Education
“Amazingly, I was at FTU on the very first day it opened in October 1968. I trudged through the sand and palmettos to the Library to attend classes. Going summers and graduating in 3 years, August 1971, I am the first graduate as a true freshman of FTU.
To get accepted, I took my application to a small office on the second floor of downtown Orlando. In the elevator, a distinguished gentleman asked if he could be of assistance. Turned out to be the first FTU President Charles Millican… he set the university standard of personal service.
Sometimes you had to dig your car out when it got buried in the sand by the Library. The bookstore was in the basement, classes were on the first floor, professors on the third, and the library was on the fourth floor. Because it was totally new, I was not intimidated by any old traditions. We started all traditions at this new university. It gave me the confidence to try anything and everything!
I helped build the Theatre Tent on east side of campus and was in the first four productions: First, Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus and then later years in a starring role in Tennessee Williams’, The Glass Menagerie.
As the first Governor of the College of Education, I was part of the first student government effort. Played clarinet in the first orchestra and enjoyed being on the Golf Team with ten guys and me, practicing several days a week at Rocket City.
Enjoyed the best education at FTU with full professors teaching basic classes like English 101. I graduated with a BA in education, with minors in theatre and economics. All of this happened while I also worked at JC Penneys parttime to pay for my tuition at $125 a quarter, books, gas and food.
Because of FTU, I was able to have a fabulous working career of 53 years, that included Communications Director for two Florida governors, 25 years teaching, a National Park Ranger in Acadia National Park, an Academic Advisor at FSU, publisher of 4 monthly magazines in 3 states, and even moved back to Orlando to help open the UCF Rosen College Library, and a graphic designer developing innovative marketing strategies for small businesses. I am also an entrepreneur, inventing new businesses on the side. Currently, I am also a sheep farmer on 14 acres in Upstate South Carolina.
So incredibly grateful to FTU/UCF for giving me the confidence to try new experiences. Even more, is that 2 of my brothers, and extended family graduated or even now attending UCF, to continue the legacy as the First Graduate and one of the First Families of FTU/UCF!!”
Hugo R. Briceno ’99
College of Engineering and Computer Science
Ever since graduating from UCF with my engineering degree in 1999, the university has profoundly shaped both my career and personal life. My professional journey began at a defense contractor as a cooperative education student, where I honed the skills I gained during my time at UCF. I progressed to a permanent position with that employer. Currently, I work for Lake Mary based FARO Technologies as a Software Technical Architect. Throughout my career the time at UCF has equipped me with the knowledge and expertise required to excel in my chosen profession.
UCF remains a constant presence in my life. Former classmates have become lifelong friends and luckily, I married into a family with deep UCF roots. Together we enjoy time on campus throughout the year. The excitement of a UCF Game Day with our children is something we all enjoy. They love attending games on campus; football, basketball, or baseball, we have spent time in the stands cheering on the Knights to Victory! Light Up UCF is an annual tradition that our children look forward to every year. Being on campus with my extended family, including the next generation of UCF graduates is a wonderful experience. I am fortunate that the education I received at UCF allowed me to build a life in the backdrop of this amazing city. I realize having UCF in our back yard gives my elementary-aged children the chance to see how important education and community can be in their own lives. Ultimately, I feel like a bridge between UCF’s engineering legacy and the bright future of educational excellence that the university continues to uphold.
Mary Scott Wickham Singer ’75
College of Business
“I graduated in May 1975, with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. I continued in grad school and completed one quarter toward my MBA before being recruited for a position in a division of the Federated Retail organization, located in Miami. I started as an assistant buyer and eventually reached a level of Operations/Human Resource Divisional. At that stage of my career, I can say that the classes and relationships with my business professors added to my ability to achieve that level in my professional life. Many of my business professors were former vice presidents of corporate America. They came from Avon, JC Penney and General Electric. Our classes were small and I never felt like a number in an enormous system. Later, when I became an entrepreneur and owned my own business, the interpersonal skills training from both my UCF education and my corporate experience added to the value of my company when it was sold. I will forever be a UCF Knight-Charge On!”
Randy Singer ’72
College of Business
“In the early fall of 1968, I continued my education to FTU as a junior. As I first drove out, you had to drive on Aloma Avenue all the way out to Oviedo and turn right down Alafaya Trail to go to a school that had four buildings. You parked under any pine tree you wanted. University Blvd wasn’t built yet. I questioned who would build way out here in the middle of nowhere! You took a leap of faith that it would work out. Our university was built on a leap of faith in all aspects of higher education. We all could see how the first professors had a spirit of faith that this brand new university was going to provide a good education and more importantly, a qualified opportunity to take risks to trust in yourself that you can succeed if you apply what you have learned. That spirit continues to this day in the university that I am so grateful that I graduated from 52 years ago.”
Randon Singer ’10MEd
College of Community Innovation and Education
‘My time at UCF began as a graduate student in the school counseling program. It was here that I had the privilege of working with outstanding professors who were and remain, leaders in their fields. I was able to grow as an educator and individual as my coursework challenged me to understand my strengths, weaknesses, and direction for my career. My degree in Counselor Education has allowed me to serve thousands of students in a variety of ways. I will always look back on my time at UCF as a touchpoint where the course of my life was changed for the better.’
Carol Hale ’96
College of Community Innovation and Education
‘In one of my early semesters at UCF, I walked into one of my first business classes with Dr. Bill Callarman. I knew I had heard his name before from my dad and my other family members, but I was excited to have my own experience in his class. I remember walking into his classroom and found a seat on the first day of classes. As he began the class, Dr. Callarman started to take roll. He was calling each student’s name and he came to mine. “Carol Singer” was read and I raised my hand. He paused and looked at me for a few seconds. He asked if I was related to Randy Singer. I replied that yes, he is my dad. He asked if I was related to Ivor and Mary Scott Singer. I again replied yes, they are my aunt and uncle. He smiled that sweet smile of his, and exclaimed “You are it. You are the one.” Of course, I was nervous about what he was talking about. He continued that I was his first student of the next generation of students. He taught my dad, my aunt, and my uncle and now it’s my turn. I never forgot that moment and the proud legacy that I realized.
Dr. Callarman continued to care about our family and keep in touch. We were there for him when his wife passed away. He followed my journey with my husband and children and was always one of the first to wish a ‘happy birthday’ or ‘congratulations.’ Always sending positive messages throughout the last 30+ years. Several months ago, I was honored to attend his funeral with my family. It was one of the most positive and celebratory funerals that I have ever been a part of. It was incredible to hear and see how many lives he touched and had a positive impact on. He always offered a listening ear and sound guidance. And he was ALWAYS a UCF Knight through and through! Dr. Callarman (and many other professors) had such a positive influence on me and I value the strong personal relationships that I developed during my years at UCF!’
Ivor Singer Jr. ’75
College of Business
“I started FTU, a new commuter university with a strong engineering and technology background as a 17 year old freshman. I decided to double major in Marketing and Management and worked part time earning $1.65/hour to pay for tuition. Small classes and meaningful discussions from respected professors hailing from corporations such as Avon, GE, and JC Penny furthered my interest in business. Ultimately I saw my professors as mentors and even kept up communication with them through my career.
In my sophomore year I joined the inaugural class of Air Force ROTC. While the U. S. Involvement in the Vietnam War drew a lot of hostility across our country, I gained a deep appreciation for free speech and our military’s role in defending the right to do so. I turned down scholarship opportunities and a career in the Air Force, and went back into the draft with a draft number 13. Having taken my physical and receiving papers of potential deployment, I then received a letter from the Department of Defense saying my military service had been fulfilled. The war ended.
In my Junior year I became President of the Marketing Club. We initiated a seminar called MOVE (Multiple Opportunities for Vocational Enrichment) designed to benefit both FTU students and our community. It was so successful we repeated it 6 months later. Ultimately we awarded $2,000 I scholarships to club members. It was the first time in the College of Business where, Deans, Department Heads, students, and the community collaborated to benefit the community at large. Later the Marketing Club won “Best Float” award in the Homecoming Parade- a first for a non-Greek Organization.
After graduation I joined a newly formed family business, my girlfriend Mary Scott Wickham (class of ‘75) and I married. Our small rep business grew, ultimately opening a manufacturing company in the central Florida area. As family and companies grew we stayed connected to UCF. The principles of mentorship, civic engagement, and community service we gained as students of FTU continued as we shared those values in our personal and professional lives. Now in retirement, my wife and I enjoy traveling, volunteering, and attending seminars, concerts, and UCF athletics.”
