Florida Polytechnic University will welcome renowned astronaut Dr. Koichi Wakata as its 2026 commencement speaker. Wakata made history as the first Japanese commander of the International Space Station (ISS) and the first from his country to spend more than 500 days in space.
At 17, Adrian Hernandez Vega is already making his mark in the world of mathematics. The dual-enrolled Florida Polytechnic University student recently earned top honors at the 71st Florida State Science and Engineering Fair, an accomplishment he said reflects hard work and support from his mentors at Florida Poly. Hernandez Vega won the Best in Fair Grand Award for mathematics
As Florida Polytechnic University prepares to debut its inaugural collegiate athletics program this fall, featuring eight sports, new coaches, and a roster of high-achieving STEM-focused student athletes, Derek Lower has been selected as the University’s first athletic director.
Class of 2026: The laboratory became like a second home to Sabrina Roggero ’26 as she pursued an environmental engineering degree at Florida Polytechnic University. She worked alongside faculty on research to help improve a municipal water supply, gather insight on insects, and connect with public school students.
The nation’s skies have grown busier each year, with a surge in the number of drones taking flight. With this in mind, a panel of experts discussed how this rise in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology is reshaping public space, privacy and regulation.
Class of 2026: For Florida Polytechnic University electrical engineering major Josh Alletto ’26, earning his bachelor’s degree on May 9 will mark the culmination of four years of hard work and determination.
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
New and returning Florida Polytechnic University students took part in busy move-in and orientation activities on campus on Aug. 21-23 just before classes begin on Tuesday, Aug. 24. “I’m a little nervous, but I’m also excited,” said Zoe McClanahan, a freshman mechanical engineering major from Covington, Virginia, who moved into the residence halls over the weekend. “I chose Florida Poly for the
Presidential Ambassadors, orientation leaders, peer health educators, education assistants, and other student leaders at Florida Polytechnic University are gaining a deep understanding of leadership skills and techniques during the inaugural Florida Poly U Lead student leadership initiative. U Lead works to help guide, educate, and support students in leadership roles across campus. The weeklong initiative began on Monday, Aug. 16
LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University has been ranked as No. 25 in the United States among the 100 most affordable computer engineering programs by University HQ, an independent educational organization. With low in-state tuition and a robust program, Florida Poly’s computer engineering program ranks ahead of institutions such as the University of Central Florida, Tennessee State University, and the
Ricardo Kenzo Ota’s summer internship at one of the world’s largest tech companies is opening his eyes to a world of possibilities. The Florida Polytechnic University senior is spending his summer working as a software developer intern at Amazon’s world headquarters in Seattle, Washington. “When I found out that I was selected, I felt like I was dreaming,” said Ota,
Florida Polytechnic University’s Data Science and Business Analytics Department has been named to an international list of the 10 Most Prominent Analytics Institutes 2021 by Analytics Insight Magazine.
Florida Polytechnic University senior Skylar Rupert is making the most of every educational and professional opportunity available to her this summer as a mechanical intern at TLC Engineering Solutions in Fort Myers, Florida. “At Florida Poly, we work in teams for projects,” said Rupert, from Port Charlotte, Florida. “Working at TLC has made me feel like part of a team
State University System Students: We are excited to welcome you to our campuses next month! To help us provide high-quality classes, student services, extracurricular activities, and athletic programs in a healthy environment, we strongly recommend that all students get vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus before arriving on campus. Since the onset of the pandemic, our successes are a result of
Thick Florida wildland with steep, muddy slopes and rough, rocky terrain is the perfect setting for Dr. Randy K. Avent to strap on his helmet and indulge in his lifelong passion. The Florida Polytechnic University president often meets up with alumni, students, and friends to conquer the woods and tracks of Florida from the perch of his high-powered dirt bike,
A summer research internship experience is allowing Florida Polytechnic University senior Andre Archer to gain close-up, real-world insight into the field of computational mechanics, a specialized area that he would like to pursue as a career. “It is the overlap between mechanical engineering, computer science, materials science, and even chemistry,” Archer said. “It’s really interesting and exactly what I want
A team of Florida Polytechnic University students is working to transform the common hobby drone into a solar-powered craft that can remain continuously aloft throughout the daylight hours. “On a bright, sunny day, it should gather enough energy from its solar panels that it can be charging up the battery while it’s gliding through the air.” said Spencer Bishop, a
