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Florida Poly opens new hub for innovation: the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Center

November 18, 2025

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

Florida Poly alum at the heart of bioprinting innovation

November 17, 2025

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 Poly faculty joins national committee on recycling innovation

November 14, 2025

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

From boot camp to Blue Origin: Engineering student builds future at Florida Poly

November 10, 2025

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 Poly and South Korean university GIST team up to drive global STEM research

November 6, 2025

A new partnership between Florida Polytechnic University and South Korea’s Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) is set to boost academic and research collaboration at both institutions, widely recognized for advancing STEM education. The partnership facilitates student and faculty exchanges as well as research initiatives, with the goal of elevating the quality and impact of each university’s scholarship and

New podcast spotlights Florida Poly alumni lessons and achievements

November 4, 2025

Graduation marks a major milestone in a student’s life, but learning doesn’t stop there. A new podcast showcases how Florida Polytechnic University alumni continue to grow, adapt and lead in their fields. Now working in high-tech careers across industries, Florida Poly alumni are sharing their personal journeys, insights and lessons they’ve learned on the “The Legacy Podcast,” presented by the

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Alum turns entrepreneur with new video game design studio

November 21, 2022

Florida Polytechnic University alum Chris Didier ’18 is living out his childhood dreams. His professional life since graduation ushered him into the world of software engineering and development, and he has used this experience to launch his own video game studio. “Growing up, I had a Super Nintendo and loved playing video games like Super Mario, Donkey Kong, Super Smash

Visiting Fulbright scientist from Spain advances research at Florida Poly

November 16, 2022

Dr. Fernando González Fermoso, head scientist of the Spanish Research Council in Spain, is spending nine months at Florida Polytechnic University collaborating on environmental engineering research at the campus. “This is my first time really getting deep into American universities,” he said. “The relationship with industry is much stronger here. I know how the American university works and its connection

Tabletop Club brings fun, fantasy to Florida Poly students

November 14, 2022

In a world of magic, dragons, and giants, students at Florida Polytechnic University immerse themselves in a fantasy adventure and band together to reach a common goal. The Tabletop Club invites all Phoenixes with a taste for fun, storytelling, battle, and friendship to join them. “Anyone who is interested in making friends and learning more about a cool way to

AdvancementJohnson ScholarshipScholarships

November 8, 2022

With the Johnson Scholarship Foundation’s financial support and a fervent belief that he can succeed, Florida Polytechnic University senior Graham Gilbert is determined to reach his educational goals. Gilbert, from West Palm Beach, Florida, is working toward a bachelor’s degree in data science with a concentration in quantitative economics and econometrics. “As college students, we probably all don’t have amazing

Electrical engineering alumna helps create next-generation medical devices

November 3, 2022

Chelsea Reeves ’19 always had dual passions for engineering and biology. Today, she fulfills both in her position as a product development engineer at Arthrex, a global orthopedic medical device company based in Naples, Florida. Reeves works on Orthobiologics and Vet systems at the company. “Orthobiologics is the new regenerative medicine of the world and as a team, we are

IFF launches Florida Poly partnership with $125K scholarship and research fund

November 2, 2022

IFF (NYSE:IFF) announced a $125,000 gift to Florida Polytechnic University, as both entities laid the foundation for a first-of-its-kind partnership between the University and the Fortune 500 company. IFF officials said the donation will be divided in two important areas: $25,000 for student scholarships and $100,000 for a new research fund to support faculty projects. The announcement was made during

Florida Poly team on way to fully autonomous golf cart

November 1, 2022

A project to turn a standard golf cart into an autonomous vehicle has made a huge leap forward at Florida Polytechnic University. The students and faculty have successfully transformed the golf cart into a drive-by-wire vehicle – one that can be controlled by remote control. The Florida Poly community can often see the solar-powered golf cart zipping around campus with

Industry partnership advances cybersecurity, high-tech career opportunities

October 28, 2022

Florida Polytechnic University students are gaining insider industry knowledge, improving career readiness, and finding valuable employment opportunities thanks to a partnership with KnowBe4, a global security awareness training and simulated phishing provider based in Clearwater, Florida. KnowBe4 has hired multiple University alumni and interns. Alyssa Nichols, global talent outreach manager at the company, said she has been impressed by their

Florida Poly president selected to prominent list of top influential leaders

October 27, 2022

For the fourth consecutive year, Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has been recognized as one of Florida’s most influential leaders by Florida Trend magazine. The publication’s annual Florida 500 list features the state’s top leaders and executives across major industries. “It is an honor to be included in the Florida 500 list among so many remarkable

IFF and Florida Poly celebrate construction of state-of-the-art Global Citrus Innovation Center

October 25, 2022

Today in a ceremonial presentation, IFF (NYSE:IFF) and Florida Polytechnic University laid the foundation for the new Citrus Innovation Center, located on the University’s campus in Lakeland, Florida. The nearly 30,000-square-foot, standalone building will support global citrus research and development, and will include sensory and experience venues, research labs, processing, analytical departments, a fully equipped citrus garden and amenities for

Avent appointed to Orlando Economic Partnership board

October 20, 2022

Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, recently was appointed to the board of Orlando Economic Partnership. The board works to unify community strategies to build a stronger, more prosperous economy for the Central Florida region. The partnership is a public-private, not-for-profit economic and community development organization. In addition to Avent, its board includes members from organizations like

Transfer students reach for personal success at Florida Poly

October 19, 2022

Gabriel Pinson’s fascination with energy has taken him from a student at Pasco-Hernando State College to an oil and gas employee in Wyoming to his current role as a mechanical engineering student at Florida Polytechnic University. Pinson, now a junior, said Florida Poly is offering him the best education to launch him into a career in energy or defense. He