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Students face off in epic Humans vs. Zombies Nerf battle

A “zombie infection” overtook Florida Polytechnic University during the week of Sept. 8, slowly spreading from three infected students to nearly all the players in a campuswide Humans vs. Zombies Nerf dart battle.

From NASA to startup: Alumna launches AI platform to bridge tech and policy

Payton Barnwell ’19 has dedicated her successful high-tech career to creating meaningful impact through innovation. She helped optimize space station crops as a NASA intern, worked in mission control at Virgin Galactic, and led geospatial product development at SkyFi, creating easy-to-use tools from complex data and imagery. Now, the Florida Polytechnic University alumna has embarked on a new adventure. Barnwell

NSF-funded study uses brain data to rethink engineering education

Fueled by a new National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, innovative research at Florida Polytechnic University aims to redefine the way professors approach engineering design education. Dr. Elisabeth Kames, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, received a $200,000 grant to study how students cognitively engage with engineering design challenges. The research will employ neurocognitive tools such as electroencephalography (EEG), as well as

Florida Poly student research uncovers laser light from peacock feathers

Undergraduate discovery sparks nationwide scientific attention Florida Polytechnic University senior Anthony Fiorito has captured national attention in the scientific community with groundbreaking research revealing that peacock feathers can emit precise laser light. Fiorito, an engineering physics major, is the first author of a study that has been spotlighted by leading publications including Science, Ars Technica, Interesting Engineering and MSN. The

New SGA president focuses on student voices, organizational strength

Connection, communication and advocacy are Colby Manrodt’s top goals as the new president of Florida Polytechnic University’s Student Government Association. “I think our University is in a period of transitioning and going through a lot of change, so we are going to focus this year on bringing better forms of communication to our student body,” said Manrodt, a senior majoring

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Compliance assessment for CFA law enforcement accreditation

LAKELAND, Fla. – The Florida Polytechnic University Police Department is scheduled for a compliance assessment as part of an effort to achieve law enforcement accreditation by verifying it meets professional standards administered by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA). The accreditation program requires agencies to comply with state-of-the-art standards in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations,

University ready to restart vibrant campus life

ORLANDO, Fla. – On Tuesday, the Florida Board of Governors approved Florida Polytechnic University’s plan for resuming its on-campus operations in the fall. The Blueprint for Returning to Campus details the steps the University is taking to provide a healthy environment for students, faculty, and staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while continuing to deliver a high-quality STEM education. The plan

Update for students on fall 2020 plans

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit this webpage for resources and additional information. Florida Poly Students, The Florida Poly Blueprint for Returning to Campus was delivered to all students last week. This message provides some key summary details. Fall 2020 courses will begin on Thursday, August 20. This is FIVE DAYS

Florida Poly and Rep. Burton donate thousands of masks to Lakeland nonprofits

Florida Polytechnic University partnered with State Rep. Colleen Burton to donate 10,000 face masks to multiple local nonprofit organizations to help them continue their essential work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The masks were donated to VISTE (Volunteers in Service to the Elderly), LVIM (Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine), Talbot House Ministries, and AFI (Alliance for Independence). Representatives of the organizations met

New University website experience keeps Florida Poly on the cutting edge

Florida Polytechnic University has launched a totally new website experience dedicated to offering all users an easy and effective way to get the information they need and want. “In addition to a brand-new design that showcases the spirit and culture of the Florida Poly community, the new website greatly improves the user experience,” said Laura Neff-Henderson, Florida Poly’s director of

Speaker series connects students with senior Microsoft leaders

Mentorship made all the difference to Microsoft senior consultant Adam McCullough when he underwent an abrupt career shift about 10 years ago. After his job at Kennedy Space Center ended and he found himself repairing computers for Lockheed Martin, McCullough befriended colleague Garrison Thompson and the two built a lasting mentor relationship. “Garrison changed my life,” McCullough said to a

COVID-19 calls mechanical engineering student to help with crucial testing

While her Florida Polytechnic University peers were studying for finals and adjusting to remote education this spring, mechanical engineering major Spc. Brooke Smith’s unit with the Florida Army National Guard was activated to help with COVID-19 testing in Jacksonville, Florida. “It was good to see how everyone came together,” Smith said, from Lakeland, Florida. “We got to our mission and

Scholarship named for departing Trustee creates opportunity for African American students

LAKELAND, Fla. – A new scholarship named for Florida Polytechnic University Trustee Frank T. Martin is designed to provide more opportunity to African American students and help them achieve their STEM career ambitions. The Frank T. Martin Single Year Scholarship was established through the American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF) to support African American students pursuing a degree in engineering, transportation,

Alum helps sustain restaurants amid COVID-19

When the emergence of COVID-19 led to overnight changes in the restaurant industry, Florida Polytechnic University alum Matthew Giallourakis and his family sprang into action. Giallourakis ’18, M. Eng. ’20 is head of logistics and process automation for mobile software company Loyal Cast. The Palm Harbor, Florida, business was co-founded by Giallourakis’ father, Anthony Giallourakis, and brother, Michael Giallourakis, to

Florida Poly working to move forward during COVID-19

Florida Polytechnic University is carefully and deliberately exploring the most effective strategies to move the University forward as our nation continues to grapple with a new normal in the face of COVID-19. Florida Poly has been steadily working on a plan to resume on-campus operations this fall. It will be presented during a June 23 meeting of the Florida Board

New SGA leadership working to support students through COVID-19 and beyond

The Florida Polytechnic University Student Government Association boasts a large number of first-time members and leaders as it heads into the fall 2020 semester. The new leadership is spending the summer months planning and working to improve student representation, support, and engagement. However, the circumstances they’re working under couldn’t be more different than typical years due to COVID-19. “The biggest

University leaders begin planning for students, employees to return to campus

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit this webpage for resources and additional information. All, I hope you’re doing well and are continuing to stay healthy during this time. As you know, several dedicated teams have begun conversations and the necessary work to determine the best way for Florida Poly to operate