[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E33]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF DR. DANIEL HOLSENBECK
______
HON. DARREN SOTO
of florida
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
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.
____________________