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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

Florida Poly president expands global reach on Florida trade mission to Asia

October 30, 2025

Florida Poly President Devin Stephenson joined the state’s Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly and Secretary of State Cord Byrd on a two-week international trade and business development leadership mission to Taiwan and Japan, advancing Florida’s global economic trade strategy. The mission included Florida business, tech, space and academic fields and took place from Oct. 19-29. It was organized by

Florida Poly ranks in nation’s Top 20 for best return on investment

October 28, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University has been ranked among the Top 20 universities in the nation for return on investment (ROI), outperforming some of the country’s most prestigious institutions, according to a new analysis by EDsmart, a publisher of data-driven college ratings. The ranking evaluated 1,755 four-year colleges nationwide and found that Florida Poly offers one of the highest value degrees for

Congressman Franklin hosts cybersecurity face-off at Florida Poly

October 22, 2025

About 200 middle and high school students from Florida’s 18th Congressional District vied for bragging rights as the region’s best cybersecurity team during Congressman Scott Franklin’s third annual Capture the Flag Competition, held at Florida Polytechnic University on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

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2019 Florida Poly look back

December 31, 2019

The Florida Polytechnic University community celebrated many milestones and achievements in 2019. New accreditation, degrees, partnerships, grants, and victories marked 12 successful months in the University’s history. Florida Poly generates $289 million in annual economic impact The results of an economic impact assessment showed just how much Florida Poly contributes to the local and state economies each year. In all,

Phoenixes fly home for winter break relaxation

December 23, 2019

Florida Polytechnic University students were eager to begin their winter break from classwork, projects, and testing this December. With plans ranging from quiet nights with family to martial arts training, Phoenixes are making the most of their winter break. Classes resume Jan. 6. McKenzie Lewis Mechanical Engineering Sophomore St. Petersburg, Florida “I like art a lot and I haven’t been

Alum’s creativity combines art and tech

December 18, 2019

The marriage of art and technology is shown in vivid detail in the work created by Florida Polytechnic University alumnus Austin Lubetkin ’19. His enthusiasm for both disciplines is evident in many of the projects he tackled during his final semester at the University this fall. These include stunning digital art on display in the president’s office, an app developed

Improv comedy troupe finds its quirky niche

December 16, 2019

The stress of classwork and the rules of everyday life are quickly replaced by zany unpredictability when the Baked Bean Bois settle in to begin their warm-up. The Florida Polytechnic University improv troupe is finding comedic release while building friendships and gaining important life skills. “I think this really helps people be able to present and know that after you

Florida Poly bands together to spread joy to Lakeland pediatric patients

December 15, 2019

A table overflowing with toy robots, dragons, princess dolls, and building blocks took center stage inside the Wellness Center on Dec. 13 at the culmination of the fourth annual holiday toy drive benefitting pediatric patients at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. A table overflowing with toy robots, dragons, princess dolls, and building blocks took center stage inside the Wellness Center

Winter break campus services and closures

December 13, 2019

We wish you a very pleasant winter break and holiday season. We look forward to seeing you back on campus on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. The list below outlines the closures and services available at Florida Polytechnic University through the winter break. Housing Residence Halls Sunday, Dec. 15: Residence Halls close at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 3: Residence Halls open

Florida Poly’s FIPR Institute to donate megalodon and other fossils to local schools

December 12, 2019

BARTOW, Fla. – Children at schools and libraries in Polk and Hillsborough counties soon will be able to uncover real, prehistoric megalodon teeth, whale vertebrae, seashells, and mollusks – all between 5 million and 24 million years old. The experience of getting to know these creatures that existed alongside mammoths, mastodons, and sabre tooth cats is thanks to a donation

Florida Poly becomes an Engineering University of Distinction

December 11, 2019

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University is on a path toward excellence by producing a highly skilled STEM workforce, fostering an innovation economy, and providing a return on investment to the state. This makes it an Engineering University of Distinction. Universities of Distinction is an initiative by the Florida Board of Governors to recognize and invest in universities that show

Florida Poly Foundation Board brings student and alumni to the table

December 11, 2019

LAKELAND, Fla. – For the first time, students and alumni will have representation on the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation Board of Directors. Travis Hills ’19 and senior Ryan Perez are the new members of the Foundation Board after the University’s Board of Trustees confirmed the appointments on Wednesday, Dec. 11. “It is important that we have a closer touch with

Computer science team works to improve surgeries at Lakeland hospital

December 9, 2019

A team of computer science students is working to improve the way Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center keeps tabs on critical surgical equipment. Their actions will help keep costs down while making surgery safer. “We are making a vision-tracking system for surgical tray equipment so that we can take a tray of equipment, scan it, and categorize everything on the

Florida Polytechnic University senior expands horizons with Canadian Fulbright fellowship

December 5, 2019

The road to a career in video game design and programming winds through snowy Canada for one Florida Polytechnic University senior. Celeste Ramirez is studying at the University of Western Ontario this semester through the Killam Fellowship Program, which is administered by Fulbright Canada. “One of the best things about the Fulbright Program is the opportunity to connect with people

Curriculum manager spreads joy through art at Florida Polytechnic University

December 4, 2019

Superheroes, Muppets, bitmojis, and Disney characters recently started appearing on the windows of the Innovation, Science, and Technology (IST) Building. At the end of the workday, Jake Morrow can often be seen quietly adding new dry-erase artwork to the windows of many faculty and staff offices. “Somebody said to me it’s like the elves and the shoemaker – they go