Behind the Scenes at UCF: A Day in the Life of Dale Lance, Director of Utilities
As you walk across the sprawling campus of the University of Central Florida, you might not think about the intricate systems that keep the lights on, the air cool, and the water flowing. But for Dale Lance, Director of Utilities, those systems are not just essential--they're his life’s work and his passion.
From Groundskeeper to Director
Dale’s journey at UCF began 26 years ago--just two weeks after graduating from high school. What was supposed to be a temporary job as a groundskeeper quickly evolved into a lifelong career. “I planned on staying six months to a year,” Dale recalls. “Now at 44, I oversee all campus utilities.”
He rose up through the ranks thanks to his dedication, skill, and a deep understanding of the university’s infrastructure. “Every time I turned around, another department kind of fell underneath me,” he says with a laugh.
Running a Small City
UCF’s utilities system is massive—more like a small city than a college campus. Under the leadership of Dale and his dedicated team, this complex infrastructure ensures the campus runs smoothly across several key areas:
- Drinking water: Over 250 million gallons produced annually.
- Sewage: Up to 800,000 gallons transported daily.
- Electricity: Between 20% and 60% of campus power is generated on-site.
- Chilled water: Used for HVAC for 73% of the campus.
- Stormwater and reclaimed water systems: Essential for sustainability and flood prevention.
Together, these systems form the unseen yet indispensable framework that keeps UCF running like a well-oiled machine. “If our systems go down, the campus will shut down,” Dale explains. “No water means no fire suppression, no bathrooms, and no safety.” The UCF Utilities team and their processes are an essential backbone supporting the daily life of tens of thousands of students, faculty, and staff.
Prepared for Anything
Dale thrives in high-pressure situations--and in Florida, there aren't many challenges more demanding than hurrican season. He’s been on campus for every hurricane since 1999, including Hurricane Floyd, which he weathered out from inside the library to safeguard its collections. “I thrive in chaos,” he admits. “The higher the stakes, the more I love it.”
Thanks to meticulous planning and dilligent infrastructure maintenance, UCF has never lost power during a storm under Dale’s leadership. Even during historic flooding, the campus remained operational while surrounding neighborhoods were submerged.
Technology and Teamwork
With a lean team of just 13–14 people, Dale relies heavily on automation and remote monitoring. “We’ve built internal systems that allow us to do more with less,” he says. “I’ve diagnosed issues from my phone while standing in line at Epcot.”
But he’s not just a behind-the-scenes operator. Dale regularly works alongside his staff in the field, turning wrenches and mentoring the next generation of utility professionals, some of whom he coached in high school.
A Legacy of Impact
Dale’s story is one of loyalty, leadership, and legacy. He’s watched UCF grow from a commuter school to one of the largest universities in the country. “We went from 34,000 students to over 70,000,” he says. “And I’ve been part of every step.”
As he looks toward retirement in the next decade, Dale is focused on training his successors and ensuring the systems he helped build continue to thrive. “This place is a destination, not a steppingstone,” he says. “If you’re willing to put in the work, UCF offers so much.”
