Meet UCF’s 2025 Astronaut Scholars

It may sound modest when Kyle Coutray says, “I don’t absorb complex topics instantly.” Yet this is a senior pursuing two demanding majors, devoting his time at UCF to understanding the most complex system ever discovered — the brain —and turning that knowledge into tools that help people. Managing material at that level requires discipline,…

Born to Coach: Donald Widener

Not everyone knows what they want to do with their life as a young teen, but Donald Widener did – with a little help from his sister and a perceptive coach. Donald almost didn’t make it out of the hospital – he was a premature baby and the doctors discussed euthanizing him. Coming from a…

Startup Stories Podcast: Richard Spurling

In this episode of Startup Stories, host Sri Kakarla sits down with Richard Spurling, Founder and Executive Director of ACEing Autism. Since its launch in 2008, ACEing Autism has expanded to over 200 programs across 31 states, serving thousands of children with autism and their families through the sport of tennis. Richard shares the challenges…

Growing the Game in Buffalo

There are two things to know about Buffalo, N.Y.’s Kathy Connelly. One is that she is a bonafide tennis aficionado. She picked up a racquet when she was around eight years old, and she still hasn’t put it down. She’s played her whole life: in high school, at Williams College in Massachusetts and on USTA…