The Spirits of the University of Central Florida

Posted: 03.26.2025 | Updated: 03.26.2025

While the University of Central Florida (UCF) is commonly known for its impressive campus, innovative programs, and active student life, just below the surface lies a number of dark and chilling tales. From countless stories of eerie sounds to mysterious apparitions, UCF has earned a top place among the haunted places in Central Florida. 

UCF is one of the largest universities in the country, and is home to several buildings with a dark reputation. It is thanks to these buildings that UCF built a reputation as one of the most haunted places in Florida. If you are curious to uncover these mysteries yourself, don’t miss the chance to tour this haunted university with an Orlando ghost tour with Orlando Haunts. 

Which Buildings on the University of Central Florida Campus are Haunted? 

UCF has several buildings throughout its campus that are rumored to be haunted. Each of these buildings has its own unique and intriguing story. These buildings include: Beaty Towers, Carey Hand Building, Thomas Hall, and Nelson Hall. 

History of the University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida was originally founded in 1963 as Florida Technological University (FTU). FTU, built at the height of space exploration, embodied the mission to support space-age careers. Located along the Alafaya Trail in northeast Orlando, UCF quickly grew from its original focus to become one of the most diverse academic universities in the nation. 

Despite its reputation as a university offering rigorous academic programs, its short but rich history includes tales that add to the air of mystery for campus life. Unsurprisingly, the campus’s oldest buildings are those that carry a blend of historical significance with unexplained phenomena reported by both students and staff.  

Beaty Towers

One of the largest dormitories at 13 stories, Beaty Towers has a long-standing reputation for being one of the most haunted places on campus. The towers, which opened in 1967, are rumored to be haunted by the spirit of a female student who took her own life in the late 1960s. 

According to campus legends, the student leaped to her death from her room in a tower after becoming distraught over a pregnancy. To further devastate the girl, her boyfriend reportedly just abandoned her. In addition to the pregnancy and breakup, some students reported she was under the influence of LSD, making her believe she could fly. 

There have been numerous ghostly encounters over the years in Beaty Towers: 

• Many students claimed to have seen the apparition of a young woman, dressed in 1960s clothing. These claims state she is walking the corridors, usually appearing sorrowful or even sobbing uncontrollably. 
• In addition to the apparitions in the corridors, others have reported seeing the young girls reflection in the mirrors briefly. 
• Objects in the dorm rooms have been known to be moved or knocked over throughout the night. 
• Many have reported cold spots and the sensation of being watched, particularly on the upper floors between the 8th and 12th stories. 
• Some students have even claimed to hear faint crying or pleading from empty rooms or hallways. 

Each of these experiences has firmly established Beaty Towers as a focal point for ghost hunters and students. The towers have created its reputation as one of UCF’s most haunted locations. 

Carey Hand Building

The Carey Hand Building was added to the campus during the expansion at UCF and has since become known for its supernatural activity. Originally, the building was a part of the Carey Hand Funeral Home. This facility was the first in Florida to have a chapel and the first crematorium south of Cincinnati and Washington, D.C. 

This building is rumored to be haunted by a former faculty member who passed away unexpectedly while working late one evening. Ghost encounters here include: 

• Both students and staff have reported phantom footsteps echoing through empty hallways.
• Doors have been known to open and close on their own, even slamming shut with no cause.
• Electronics within the building malfunction for no reason, with computers turning on by themselves or flickering lights. 
• Many have reported a cold presence brushing past them, even in empty corridors
• The late-night workers described an oppressive atmosphere as if they were being watched by an unseen presence. 

One of the most chilling accounts comes from a janitor who claimed to have seen a shadowy figure moving between offices after hours. After investigating, he found all of the offices empty and locked, and he continued to have the feeling of being watched after leaving the area. 

These experiences have led many to believe that the spirit of the deceased faculty member still roams the halls of the Carey Hand Building, perhaps unable to leave their work behind even in death.

Thomas Hall

Thomas Hall was a part of FTU’s original campus, built in 1906, and is home to one of the university’s most colorful ghostly residents. This building is reportedly haunted by the spirit of “Old Steve”, the former head chef who worked in the kitchen decades ago. 

Steve was known for his fiery temper and loud outbursts, much like a majority of chefs in general. After his passing, his presence seems to have stayed: 

• Students have claimed to hear strange clunking noises from the kitchen area at sunset.
• Whispers have been heard at night, sometimes even sounding like cooking instructions or angry grumbling. 
• Kitchen staff have reported cookware and utensils have been moved or rearranged overnight when no staff was assigned.
• Students also claimed to have smelled phantom aromas of cooking food through the halls. 

Despite many skeptics attributing these phenomena to old pipes, settling foundations, or even overactive imaginations, many firmly believe Old Steve haunts his former domain to this day. 

Nelson Hall

Nelson Hall is another dormitory on the University of Central Florida campus, which is rumored to be haunted by the spirit of a former resident. While the details of the death are scarce, the building has become a focal point for unexplained occurrences. 

Students in Nelson Hall have claimed to hear faint cries for help late at night, usually coming from empty rooms or common areas. Others have seen shadowy figures darting across hallways, always vanishing when approaching. 

Despite Florida’s heat, residents have reported feeling sudden cold spots. Some students have woken up with their belongings moved, electronic devices malfunctioning, and even alarm clocks being reset to strange times. 

One story stands out in particular, with a group of friends studying late into the night. The group claims their door suddenly opened on its own, and after investigating, they found an empty hallway. After returning to their room, they discovered their textbooks had been rearranged on their desks. 

Haunted Orlando

The multiple reports of hauntings at the University of Central Florida add an intriguing layer to its vibrant campus life and rich history. From the tragedy at Beaty Towers to the spirit of an angry chef at Thomas Hall, the tales at UCF help it stand out as one of the most haunted universities in Florida – arguably the most haunted place in Florida overall. 

For those ready for the challenge to experience these chilling stories firsthand, join an Orlando ghost tour with Orlando Haunts today! 

Our guides will take you through UCF’s campus and sites nearby while recounting captivating stories, leaving you questioning what lies beyond. Book your ghost tour with Orlando Haunts for an unforgettable journey into Central Florida’s spine-chilling locations! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more real Florida hauntings.

Sources:

• https://orlandohaunts.com/

• https://www.ucf.edu/news/much-has-improved-in-50-years-but-early-ucf-had-own-charm/

• https://www.ucf.edu/

• https://ucfalumni.com/blog/ucfs-haunting-history/

• https://archives.falsc.lyrtech.org/repositories/ucf_special_collections/resources/carey_hand_funeral_home_records