Recognizing the Life of Dr. Daniel Holsenbeck
Floor Speech
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Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding life and legacy of Dr. Daniel Holsenbeck, age 80, who passed away on December 5, 2022. Dr. Holsenbeck, who was widely known as ``Dr. Dan'' was senior vice oresident emeritus at the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he worked for over 35 years. Dr. Dan touched the lives of countless individuals and left a lasting impression on the Central Florida community.
Dr. Holsenbeck helped to foster deep relationships across the Central Florida community and across the State of Florida that propelled the university's rise in quality and reputation. He helped shape many of the big ideas that have transformed UCF into the place it is today, including championing the region's modeling and simulation industry and UCF's partnerships with the military. He was instrumental in securing state funding for UCF's main campus, the establishment of the College of Medicine, and the creation of the downtown Orlando UCF campus. As an instructor, he loved being in the classroom with students, helping to shape future public relations and government relations professionals.
Dr. Holsenbeck reported to five UCF presidents before retiring in December 2019. His impact on UCF and throughout Central Florida will be felt for generations. In 1985, he was hired as associate vice president of government relations. He was promoted to vice president in 1993 and senior vice president in 2014. He served as senior counsel to the president in 2018 and 2019 and then was honored with the title of senior vice president emeritus.
Dr. Holsenbeck is credited for establishing the UCF Legislative Scholars program, which has been described as the ``best program'' of its kind in Florida's State Capitol. Created 19 years ago, the program enables students to augment their academic learning by working full time in legislators' offices during the annual Florida legislative session. Since the program's inception, 220 scholars have learned the ``ins and outs'' of Florida's legislative and public policy-making arena, learning directly from legislative staff, governmental agencies, and lobbying groups while gaining valuable governmental experience.
Dr. Holsenbeck also served UCF presidents in numerous public relations and advisory capacities, including managing University Economic Development and Defense Transition Services. A former captain in the U.S. Naval Reserve, the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division named a Navy jet in his honor, in recognition of his dedication to growing the Modeling, Simulation and Training community.
Dr. Holsenbeck was director of basic enlisted mathematics for the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power School from 1967 through 1969. He served as the principal civilian advisor on college and university teaching and testing for the Chief of Naval Education and Training in Pensacola, Florida. In that capacity, he conducted teaching seminars for all NROTC Navy and Marine instructors from 1971 to 1998. As a drilling reservist, he held four commands in Orlando and Montgomery, Alabama.
Dr. Holsenbeck earned a Bachelor's in mathematics, with honors, from Auburn University, a Master's in education from Johns Hopkins University, and a Doctorate in higher education management systems from Florida State University. UCF awarded Dr. Holsenbeck an honorary Doctorate degree in 2019 in recognition of his distinguished service to the university and Central Florida, as well as the military.
Before coming to UCF, Dr. Holsenbeck was associate vice president for development and alumni affairs at the University of South Florida, the director of university relations at Auburn University, and vice chancellor for development at Auburn University at Montgomery.
Dr. Holsenbeck greatly appreciated the important role nonprofit organizations play in the community and volunteered his time generously on several boards. The Kids House of Seminole County was especially important to him for its dedication to prevent child abuse and provide support for child abuse victims and their families.
He was active in local and national civic and professional organizations, including the Central Florida Partnership, the Economic Development Commission of Mid-Florida, the board of directors of Visit Orlando, the Orange County R&D Authority (chairman, 1999 to 2000) and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Dr. Dan served on the CASE National Board of Trustees and was chairman of CASE's National Commission on Government Relations. He was chairman of the CASE National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges and American Association of State Colleges and Universities Task Force on State Relations from 1996 to 1997. In 1999, Dr. Holsenbeck received the highest national recognition for his state relations activities, the Swede Johnson Award sponsored by CASE, NASULGC and AASCU. He has served on the Boards of Kids House of Seminole, Work Force Central Florida, the UCF Foundation, the National Center for Simulation, the UCF Alumni Association, and the Board of Visitors for the FAMU College of Law.
Dr. Holsenbeck was blessed with a loving family whom he adored and admired. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Joyce Clampitt, a former UCF administrator, and his daughter, Amy Clampitt-Holsenbeck, a board- certified physician assistant and pediatric health specialist. He was preceded in death by his son Alan Clampitt-Holsenbeck.
Dr. Holsenbeck leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, and inspiration. Dr. Dan's positive outlook on life touched the lives of so many and made our community a better place. I am saddened by the loss of such a valuable member of the community and extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
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