Pictures: UCF president John Hitt through the years

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

University of Central Florida president John Hitt, at the Burnett Honors College on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005. Hitt was selected the Orlando Sentinel's Central Floridian of the Year, 2005.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

William S. Cohen, former U.S. Secretary of Defense under the Clinton administration, is greeted by University of Central Florida president John Hitt after Cohen talked about the Iraq war during a speech at UCF, Wednesday, March 24, 2004, in Orlando, Fla.

Joshua C. Cruey / Orlando Sentinel

UCF President John Hitt walks next to State house speaker Larry Cretul during summer graduation ceremonies on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010 at the UCF arena. Hitt awarded the 150,000th degree of his 18-year UCF tenure during the ceremonies.

Joshua C. Cruey / Orlando Sentinel

UCF President John Hitt walks in the faculty precession at the close of summer graduation ceremonies Saturday, Aug. 7 at the UCF arena. Hitt will award the 150,000th degree of his 18-year UCF tenure during one of the two ceremonies held today. (Joshua C. Cruey / Orlando Sentinel)

Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel

UCF president John Hitt gets asked questions by vice-president for Communications and Public Affairs during the State of the University address, on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel)

Gary W. Green / Orlando Sentinel

UCF President John Hitt addresses the media regarding recent NCAA allegations against the basketball program on the UCF campus in Orlando, Fla. Wednesday, November 9, 2011.

Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel

The UCF football team led by head coach George O'Leary, President John Hitt and Athletic Director Todd Stansbury make their way down Main Street, USA inside of the Magic Kingdom on January 12, 2014.

George Skene / Orlando Sentinel

University president John Hitt addresses graduates. University of Central Florida held a morning graduation ceremony for the colleges of Arts & Humanities, College of Engineering & Computer Science College of Optics & Photonics. The event at the arena was the first of several to come in the next few days. B584607272Z.1 May 7, 2015 George Skene/Orlando Sentinel

Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel

UCF President Dr. John Hitt, hands bottled water to fans at the entrance to the UCF Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2007.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

Dr. John Hitt, president of the University of Central Florida, eulogizes Charles Millican, UCF's founding president, during a funeral service at the university, Monday, Dec. 13, 2010.

Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel

University of Central Florida President John Hitt and the Board of Trustees will officially open the new 10,000-seat arena with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, on Saturday, September 8, 2007.

Erik Castro / Orlando Sentinel

University of Central Florida's President John Hitt, 65, (C) said that he would be returning to his regular work schedule at the university during a press conference he held with cardiologists Dr. Mark Mulinski (R, foreground) and Dr. Jose Arias (L, background) at the Florida Hospital. Orlando, Monday, August 28, 2006. (Erik Castro/Orlando Sentinel)

JOE BURBANK / ORLANDO SENTINEL

University of Central Florida (UCF) President John Hitt pictured in March 2001.

Gary W. Green / Orlando Sentinel

UCF President John Hitt addressses the media regarding recent NCAA allegations against the basketball program on the UCF campus in Orlando, Fla. Wednesday, November 9, 2011. Al Harms UCF's Vice President for Strategy, Marketing, Communications, and Admissions, at left, will serve as interim Athletic Director. (Gary W. Green/Staff Photographer) ORG XMIT: B581681381Z.1

ALICIA J. WAGNER / ORLANDO SENTINEL

Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood talks with UCF president John Hitt and U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum at the Cattle Barons Ball on Friday, March 5, 1999.

Kitt Lively / Orlando Sentinel

UCF president John Hitt speaks in his office at the University of Maine on Feb. 4, 1992. Hitt took over as UCF president on March 1, 1992.

Joshua C. Cruey/Orlando Sentinel

New UCF football coach Scott Frost is flanked by school president John Hitt, left, and athletic director Danny White during his introductory news conference Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015.

Mindy Schauer / Orlando Sentinel

UCF president John Hitt and his wife Martha Hitt talk to student Shaka Cooper during a reception at the President's Dining Room on Hitt's first day on the job on March 1, 1992. (Orlando Sentinel file)

Charles King / Orlando Sentinel

UCF President John Hitt gives the annual State of the University address in the Pegasus Ball Room on September 20, 2016.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

UCF President John Hitt speaks during a press conference to announce an agreement between EA Sports and UCF at the UCF Center for Emerging Media on Friday, June 22, 2012. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

University of Central Florida president John Hitt shows Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp a map of the the university and the planned location of the new medical school, during a presentation for the Executive Office of the Governor on the status of the medical school development. Kottkamp was in Orlando for a series of meetings to be briefed by officials from UCF, Nemours Foundation, Burnham Institute of Medical Research, and Tavistock Group on development plans of numerous high-profile projects. Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) trax 00092053A FOR STANDALONE LOCAL/STATE 3 OR STATE PAGE

JOE BURBANK / ORLANDO SENTINEL

University of Central Florida president John Hitt pictured in the living room at the presidential house on campus on Friday, March 28, 2003.

Gary W. Green / Orlando Sentinel

UCF President John Hitt discusses their impending move to the Big East before the Knights home football game against Tulsa, Thursday, November 3, 2011 in Orlando, Fla. (Gary W. Green/Staff Photographer) ORG XMIT: B581656835Z.1

Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel

UCF president John Hitt gets asked questions by vice-president for Communications and Public Affairs during the State of the University address, on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel)

Phelan M. Ebenhack / Orlando Sentinel

UCF president John Hitt addresses attendees of the Orlando Sentinel's Central Floridian of the Year event at University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/For The Orlando Sentinel)

Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel

UCF president John Hitt gets asked questions by vice-president for Communications and Public Affairs during the State of the University address, on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel)

Charles King / Orlando Sentinel

UCF President John Hitt gives the annual State of the University address in the Pegasus Ball Room on September 20, 2016. (Charles King/Orlando Sentinel)

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

UCF President John Hitt speaks during a press conference to announce an agreement between EA Sports and UCF at the UCF Center for Emerging Media on Friday, June 22, 2012.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

UCF president Dr. John Hitt speaks during the Florida Forward sports forum at The Ballroom at Church Street, in downtown Orlando, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. Listening are (from background left): Orlando City Soccer Club owner Phil Rawlins; Olympic softball player Dot Richardson; Disney executive and former NFL player Reggie Williams and Orlando Magic chief executive Alex Martins.

Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel

UCF president John Hitt gets asked questions by vice-president for Communications and Public Affairs during the State of the University address, on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel)

George Skene / Orlando Sentinel

UCF president John Hitt in court for a wrongful death suit against UCFAA in Orange County Court. Ereck Plancher died in 2008 during a football practice at the University of Central Florida.

Phelan M. Ebenhack / Orlando Sentinel

UCF president John Hitt addresses attendees of the Orlando Sentinel's Central Floridian of the Year event at University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/For The Orlando Sentinel)

Gary W. Green / Orlando Sentinel

The University of Central Florida's Admiral Al Harms, a UCF vice president, left, and President Dr. John Hitt, far right, name Oregon State University Executive Associate Athletic Director Todd Stansbury as UCF vice president and director of Athletics in Orlando, Fla. Tuesday, January 10, 2012.

Gary W. Green / Orlando Sentinel

UCF's Marching Knights and cheerleaders lead the Fox 35 Good Day Orlando morning show, Friday morning, September 27, 2013 with UCF President John Hitt as the Knights prepared to host the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel

UCF President John Hitt smiles at a press conference after the The Florida Board of Governors approved the downtown Orlando UCF campus on Wednesday, March 2, 2016.

Orlando Sentinel

Former president Bill Clinton stands with University of Central Florida president Dr. John Hitt during the commencement ceremony for the College of Health and Public Affairs and the College of Medicine's Burnett School of Biomedical Science, at UCF in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, May 2, 2013.

JOHN RAOUX / ORLANDO SENTINEL

From left Orlando mayor Glenda Hood, UCF President John Hitt, Athletic Director Steve Sloan and coach Gene McDowell tour the Citrus Bowl in 1997.

Orlando Sentinel

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi greets University of Central Florida president John Hitt during a meeting of the Florida Cabinet at the Nemours Children's Hospital at Lake Nona, Wednesday, May 8, 2013.

Jacob Langston, Orlando Sentinel

University of Central Florida President John Hitt (left) and Athletic Director Keith Tribble (right) introduce new UCF basketball coach Donnie Jones at the school on Tuesday, March 30, 2010.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

University of Central Florida president Dr. John Hitt answers a question during a Q & A with UCF's Vice President for Communications and Marketing, Grant Heston, during the annual State of the University address, Tuesday, October 17, 2017.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

University of Central Florida president John Hitt (left) shows Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp a map of the the university and the planned location of the new medical school, during a presentation for the Executive Office of the Governor on the status of the medical school development on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007.

ROBERTO GONZALEZ / ORLANDO SENTINEL

University of Central Florida president John Hitt pictured on Tuesday, October 8, 2002 after losing more than 87 pounds in eight months.

FRANK RIVERA / ORLANDO SENTINEL

John and Martha Hitt pictured in the living room at Burnett House at the University of Central Florida in May of 1998.

Gary W. Green / Orlando Sentinel

UCF President John Hitt discusses the university's move to the Big East Conference before the Knights home football game against Tulsa, Thursday, November 3, 2011 in Orlando, Fla.

Charles King / Orlando Sentinel

UCF President John Hitt gives the annual State of the University address in the Pegasus Ball Room on September 20, 2016. (Charles King/Orlando Sentinel)

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

University of Central Florida president John Hitt (left) and Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer tour the new House of Moves Motion Capture Studio, at UCF's Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, in downtown Orlando, Monday, Jan. 7, 2007.

Kitt Lively / Orlando Sentinel

New UCF president John Hitt in his office at the University of Maine on Feb. 4, 1992. Hitt took over as UCF president on March 1, 1992.

Gary Bogdon / Orlando Sentinel

John Hitt, the newly appointed president of the University of Central Florida, is interviewed on Dec. 9, 1991. Hitt took over as UCF president on March 1, 1992.

Charles King / Orlando Sentinel

UCF President John Hitt is interviewed by Grant Heston, Associate Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs, for the annual State of the University address in the Pegasus Ball Room on September 20, 2016. (Charles King/Orlando Sentinel)

Phelan M. Ebenhack / Orlando Sentinel

University of Central Florida president John Hitt, right, and his wife Martha pose during the Orlando Sentinel's Central Floridian of the Year event at University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

UCF President John Hitt listens during a vigil at the Student Union on the campus of the University of Central Florida in Orlando on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. The vigil was to honor the slain victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando.

Joshua C. Cruey / Orlando Sentinel

UCF president John C. Hitt is interviewed as the team arrives for the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl media day at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, AZ. on Monday, December 30, 2013.

Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel

UCF president John Hitt gets asked questions by vice-president for Communications and Public Affairs during the State of the University address, on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel)

Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel

Dr. John Hitt addresses the crowd during the unveiling ceremony of "The Charging Knight" statue by Sanford-based artist Don Reynolds before the UCF homecoming football against Marshall, on Saturday, November 3, 2007.

George Skene / Orlando Sentinel

UCF President John Hitt arrives to leave with the team for the Liberty Bowl in Memphis against the University of Georgia on December 27, 2010.

Joe Kaleita / Orlando Sentinel

University of Central Florida President John Hitt speaks outside the emergency room at Orlando Regional Medical Center after a UCF police officer was shot dead outside the Citrus Bowl before the UCF-Marshall game Saturday, September 24, 2005, in Orlando. (Joe Kaleita/Orlando Sentinel)

GEORGE SKENE / ORLANDO SENTINEL

Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood (right) gives a proclamation to UCF athletic Directory Steve Sloan (2nd from left) in August 1996. Watching were UCF President John Hitt (left) and Knights booster Micky Grindstaff (2nd from right).

Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel

UCF president John Hitt gets asked questions by vice-president for Communications and Public Affairs during the State of the University address, on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel)

Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel

UCF Athletic Director Danny white, left, and school President John Hitt, right, introduce Johnny Dawkins as the Knights' new men's head basketball coach at the school on Thursday, March 24, 2016.

Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel

Dr. John Hitt & Mrs. Hitt wave to the crowd as the Homecoming Parade returns to the UCF campus, on Saturday, November 3, 2007.