Equipped with bright orange vests, litter pickers and a positive attitude, a group of Florida Polytechnic University students aims to give back to the community by keeping a two-mile stretch of highway near campus free from trash. The portion of State Road 33 near Interstate-4 is maintained by the Mu Omega chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Florida Polytechnic University is fueling Florida’s economy with more than $952 million in annual economic activity, according to a new study by distinguished economist Dr. Rick Harper. The analysis shows the University contributes over $523 million each year to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP), including more than $117 million directly within Polk County. The University’s economic activity stems from
Florida Polytechnic University celebrated a major milestone with the debut of its 40,000-square-foot Gary C. Wendt Engineering Center (GCW) on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The $15 million facility adds state-of-the-art laboratory space and equipment designed to elevate student learning, fuel innovation and solidify the University’s role as an economic driver for the state of Florida. The GCW features advanced research and
Dr. Steven Chisolm ’19 believes the future of medicine is being built layer by layer, literally. What may sound like science fiction, such as 3D printing functional hearts or kidneys for transplant, is quickly becoming possible, and he is among the innovators helping turn that vision into reality. A proud Florida Polytechnic University mechanical engineering graduate, Chisolm is now a
Florida Polytechnic University’s Dr. Malak Anshassi has earned national recognition for her research advancing recycling, solid waste management and sustainability. She was recently appointed to serve as a recycling expert on a prestigious committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to address the pressing problem of waste reduction. Anshassi, an assistant professor of environmental engineering, was selected
Celebrating Veterans Day Every Veterans Day, Florida Polytechnic University student Jonny Anderson can’t help but reflect on the journey that led him from serving in both the Marine Corps and Air Force Reserve to helping build rockets for space technology company Blue Origin. With determination squarely focused on earning a mechanical engineering degree, Anderson is living a dream many students
Florida Polytechnic University is adding to its engineering strength by launching two new bachelor’s degrees for students this fall: civil engineering and industrial engineering. The new degrees were approved by the University’s Board of Trustees at its meeting on Thursday, Feb. 16. Incoming freshmen soon will be able to enroll in the degree programs for the 2023 fall semester. “We
Hundreds of Florida Polytechnic University students gathered at the Applied Research Center to explore exciting career options and meet with representatives from some of Florida’s most well-known companies at the 2023 Spring Career and Internship Fair. Florida Poly attracted more than 60 employers to the event on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Among these were Saddle Creek Logistics Services; Accusoft; Disney Parks,
Four teams of Florida Polytechnic University students put their best foot forward at the eMerge Americas and Florida Poly Startup Pitch Night on Monday, Feb. 13. The event brought together student and community entrepreneurs, giving them the opportunity to present their business idea to a panel of judges. Winning teams received $2,500 and were given fast-tracked entrance to the eMerge
Former state senator and community advocate Kelli Stargel has joined Florida Polytechnic University in a new role designed to help the all-STEM institution broaden its statewide impact. As Florida Poly’s senior advisor for strategic relationships, Stargel will lead efforts to develop and manage statewide relationships and partnerships, leveraging them to further the University’s goals. This includes maximizing engagement opportunities for
The annual Florida Polytechnic University Spring Career and Internship Fair is just around the corner, but students still have plenty of opportunities to polish their skills and gain an edge as they seek positions with some of the state’s most sought-after tech employers. “A unique opportunity we have at Florida Poly is the focus on developing not only the tech
Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, was recognized as one of the most influential business executives by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. The publication revealed its annual Power 100 list today, acknowledging the business leaders who have generated the biggest impact in the Tampa Bay region. It is Avent’s third consecutive year on the prestigious list. “I’m
Injured turtles and tortoises throughout Florida now have a stronger chance of survival thanks to Florida Polytechnic University mechanical engineering student Matthew DeCicco. DeCicco stepped in to help nonprofit agency Swamp Girl Adventures when it reached out for technological assistance. The education and wildlife rehabilitation organization, led by reptile rehabilitator Kim Titterington, approached the University looking for help creating lifelike
Construction sites can be dangerous places, and Florida Polytechnic University capstone design students are working to make them safer. A group of four computer science seniors are creating virtual reality (VR) simulations for enhanced safety training at Whiting-Turner, a nationwide construction management company with locations in Florida, with the goal of reducing worksite incidents. “An employee can come on board
Nearly a dozen Student Government Association members from Florida Polytechnic University traveled to the State Capitol in Tallahassee this week to meet with legislators and discuss their priorities for both their University and the other universities in the State University System. “Our goal is to share our stories and experiences as Florida Poly students with legislators and demonstrate all the
The Florida Polytechnic University community had the opportunity to learn from Australian Fulbright Senior Scholar Dr. Alex Frino about the true financial costs of cyberattacks for large U.S. companies. Frino is collaborating on important research at Florida Poly investigating cyberattacks’ overall cost to securities companies from the time an attack occurs to the time it’s announced publicly. Dozens of students,
A recent analysis linking college majors to high-paying careers concluded that technology-driven and engineering positions are among the most immediately lucrative. As the only state institution with an all-STEM curriculum, Florida Polytechnic University is preparing its students to enter the top field on the list, as well as many other high-paying careers listed. The analysis released by CBS News showed
More than 100 members of the Florida Polytechnic University community cheered on the unveiling of Solaris as the name of the University’s Phoenix mascot. The energetic mascot hyped up the crowd throughout the event. “This is an exciting day to celebrate another milestone in the history of the University,” said Dr. Randy Avent, Florida Poly’s president. “Mascots are very important
