LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University President Dr. Randy K. Avent has been named a 2015 Fellow by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity.
The IEEE Grade of Fellow is granted by the Board of Directors to individuals with an extraordinary record of accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest. Dr. Avent is recognized in the category of Technical Leaders for his impressive work in automatic target recognition technology.
“It’s an honor to be nominated as a Fellow by an organization as esteemed as the IEEE,” said Dr. Avent. “I look forward to working alongside other notable Fellows who are contributing to pioneering technology and improving global conditions – some of the very things we are focused on at Florida Polytechnic University.”
Prior to joining Florida Poly, Dr. Avent served as the Associate Vice Chancellor of Research and a Professor of Computer Science at North Carolina State University. He also served as the Chief Scientist in the Defense Department’s Office of Basic Research where he oversaw science programs and developed strategic plans for basic research investments. From 1986 to 2006, he held several positions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Laboratory where he was the Associate Chief Technology Officer and conducted research in diverse technology areas. Over the years, the majority of Dr. Avent’s work has centered on machine learning, signal processing and dynamic probabilistic systems analysis.
“Dr. Avent has made significant contributions in science and engineering. He is an innovative leader with great accomplishments,” said Florida Poly’s Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Ghazi Darkazalli, who is an American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Fellow. “This is a well-deserved honor and one that we’re all very proud of here at Florida Poly.”
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