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
Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has been recognized as one of Florida’s most influential business leaders for the third consecutive year by Florida Trend magazine. The publication released its annual Florida 500 list on Monday, Oct. 4, highlighting the state’s top leaders in several economic sectors. “I am honored to receive this distinction because it reflects
Florida Polytechnic University students will welcome their families to campus this Saturday, Sept. 25, at the annual Phoenix Family Day. The annual event is one of the University’s proudest traditions. In addition to offering students a chance to show their loved ones around campus, families will have an opportunity to learn about the resources available to Florida Poly students and
With the advanced technology of today’s rockets and jet engines, these powerful devices require metal parts that are stronger than ever. An engineering professor at Florida Polytechnic University has received a National Science Foundation grant to research the durability and longevity of the critical metals now used in these ever-changing machines.
Florida Polytechnic University has been ranked the number one public college in the Southern region of the United States by U.S. News and World Report. It is Florida Poly’s first appearance on that list. In its 2022 Best Colleges list, U.S. News and World Report ranks Florida Poly third among all top colleges in the Southern United States, including public
Mark Ellis was only in kindergarten when he picked up a Nintendo GameCube controller and discovered a technology that would shape his life. He embraced the world of Lego Star Wars and soon dove headfirst into new and exciting games every chance he could get. Sunday, Sept. 12, is Video Games Day, and Ellis will likely spend part of the
As hurricane season nears its peak on Sept. 10 and the National Hurricane Center continues monitoring potential storm systems in the Atlantic, it’s important for everyone at Florida Polytechnic University to make sure they are prepared. September is National Preparedness Month, and the annual campaign encourages all Americans to prepare for disasters and other emergencies through the end of hurricane
The Florida Board of Governors has given the green light to a public-private partnership between Florida Polytechnic University and Fortune 500 company International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) during its meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 1, at Florida International University. The Board’s approval of the affiliation agreement is an important milestone in a project that could potentially bring the first high-tech industry
An effort to shift chemistry lab practices and reduce the amount of hazardous waste produced during the completion of student lab experiments has won Florida Polytechnic University Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) a national award for innovation. Dr. Scott Wallen, chemistry lab staff in the Department of Environmental Engineering at the University, and the team received the 2021 Innovation –
With an agenda that includes strengthening student organizations, increasing student resources, and helping the University community move beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, Samantha Ashby has hit the ground running in her new position as Student Government Association president at Florida Polytechnic University. “Right now, the big focus is coming back after a year of being partially online because of COVID,” said
Phoenixes seeking to satisfy a craving for tasty, healthy food are finding a pleasant slate of updates across the Florida Polytechnic University campus. The most prominent of these is the Fire + Ash: Concepts Reborn, a new dining venue inside the Wellness Center that offers a specialized, in-demand menu for several weeks before transitioning to a different food concept. The
The fall 2021 class of incoming students is the largest in Florida Polytechnic University’s history with more than 625 new students joining the University from an applicant pool of almost 2,000. Dr. Ben Matthew Corpus, vice provost for enrollment at the University, said the robust student enrollment was the result of Florida Poly’s growing reputation in higher education as well
When Rikkote Benfele made his way across Florida Polytechnic University’s campus on the first day of class on Tuesday, Aug. 24, he said he knew he’d made the right decision when it came to choosing a college. “My first day has been amazing and people are so nice here,” said Benfele, a freshman majoring in computer engineering. Benfele stopped by
