Class of 2026
Andrew McDonnell ’26 has never stopped dreaming about the stars. As a child, he looked up at the sky and wondered about what was out there, and that curiosity followed him to Florida Polytechnic University, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, took aerospace courses, joined NASA’s L’SPACE Program, and worked on a senior capstone project centered on the lunar mobility. The project earned second place in its large team category at the University’s annual capstone showcase.
McDonnell, a graduate of Lake Gibson High School in Lakeland, Florida, will receive his degree on Saturday, May 9, at Florida Poly’s commencement ceremony at Lakeland’s RP Funding Center.
Why did you choose your major?
I like the design process and have been a big fan of Legos ever since I was a little kid. I also like playing Minecraft. I’ve always enjoyed building things and coming up with new ideas. If I can create something that helps people, even if it’s not in the aerospace industry but is something like designing hospitals, roadways or bridges, I just want to make the world a better place.
What was your greatest accomplishment at Florida Poly?
Getting accepted into graduate school has been my biggest accomplishment. Besides my dad, nobody else in my family has really done a master’s program, so being the first in my family to take that step after him is really special. It means a lot to me to continue that path and keep building on what I started here.
How well do you feel Florida Poly prepared you for life after graduation?
I’m coming back for my master’s degree, and Florida Poly has prepared me well, especially through capstone. Our sponsor, Florida Space Institute at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, gave us an idea, and we turned it into a directive, created our scope, narrowed it down and produced an actual product. It was the coolest and most hands-on thing I’ve done, and it taught me how to work through challenges and create something real from the ground up.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m staying here for graduate school because I think it will give me an extra boost in the job market, and the classes I’ll take are really cool and relevant to industry. I’m looking forward to continuing my growth here.
What advice do you have for an incoming student?
Don’t take the simpler classes lightly. I was guilty of thinking I could put off homework or skip studying for a quiz, but you should always be on top of your game and on top of your grades. I didn’t take that as seriously as I should have at first, but I learned quickly.
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of Q&As featuring Florida Poly Class of 2026 graduates.
Contact:
Lydia Guzmán
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
