Florida Polytechnic University has named Jack Paris as the first head coach of its women’s soccer program as the University continues building its new athletics department.
Florida Polytechnic University marked a significant milestone on Saturday, May 9, celebrating its largest graduating class to date as more than 430 students crossed the stage at the University’s 2026 commencement.
Andrew McDonnell ’26 never stopped dreaming about the stars. As a child, he looked up at the sky, wondering what was out there, and that curiosity followed him to Florida Poly, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, took aerospace courses, and worked on a lunar mobility senior capstone project. He graduates on May 9.
Florida Polytechnic University has reached on-campus housing capacity for the upcoming academic year, reflecting continued strong demand and record student interest.
Florida Polytechnic University inducted 12 students into its highly selective Presidential Ambassadors program, where they will serve as official student representatives at key University events and engage with campus and community leaders.
Samantha Bentley ’26 didn’t always feel ready to step into leadership or research roles during her time as a computer science student at Florida Polytechnic University, but discovered she grew the most by doing it anyway. She will receive her bachelor’s degree on Saturday, May 9.
House Bill 7087 A state bill in the Florida House of Representatives that proposed to merge Florida Polytechnic University and New College of Florida into the University of Florida. The bill was abandoned on March 6, 2020. Editorials/Statements Lawmakers, put brakes on university merger plan (The Ledger, Mar. 6, 2020) Florida House Republicans are trying to merge three state universities,
Florida Polytechnic University has been ranked number two in the nation for delivering quality, affordable mechanical engineering education by Affordable Schools. The website provides resources to help college-bound students find high-quality, affordable programs. The site’s list of the best affordable mechanical engineering degree programs ranked Florida Poly second only to University of the District of Columbia. “Florida Poly is incredibly
The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit this webpage for resources and additional information. March 4, 3:30 p.m. Dear Florida Poly community, We continue to closely monitor the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and are taking steps to help keep our students, faculty, and staff healthy. There have been no confirmed cases of
The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees approved a resolution honoring former Trustee Richard “Dick” Hallion for his dedication and service to the board and the University during its meeting on Feb. 26. “When the Board of Trustees of Florida Polytechnic University had its first meeting back in 2012, we met in city hall using the city commission chambers and
As metropolitan areas continue transitioning to the “smart cities” of tomorrow, Florida Polytechnic University alum Mitchell Mefford ’18 is working with community and industry leaders to help ensure their organizations are wise when it comes to energy. Mefford is a graduate engineer at Pennoni, a multidisciplinary engineering firm based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He works in the company’s offices in Winter
For the first time, the Purple Fire Robotics Club got to enjoy the sweet taste of victory. The Florida Polytechnic University team not only grabbed its first win in a statewide combat tournament, but they crushed their competitors on their way to becoming undeniable battle champions. The Purple Fire team competed in the 15-pound category at the Robot Battles Tournament
Renowned Florida entrepreneur Tom E. Wallace has been named commencement speaker for Florida Polytechnic University’s spring 2020 graduation on May 3. Wallace said he’s excited with this new role because the University is exactly what the state was lacking to elevate its tech potential to the likes of Silicon Valley. “I’ve been involved in building the technology ecosystem of the
A student-led effort to express support for Florida Polytechnic University and opposition to a proposed merger with the University of Florida transformed the serene Oak Grove into a setting of boisterous unity on Tuesday, Feb. 25. “We are making a stand today to show that Florida Poly is unique and has a great education system with hands-on, project-based learning and
Freshman Timothy Honeycutt strode up to a kiosk in the center of the Saddle Creek Logistics Commons on Feb. 24 to grab a cupcake and officially declare electrical engineering as his major during Florida Polytechnic University’s first Degree Declaration Day. For Honeycutt, the declaration was a long time coming. “I studied a bunch of circuit stuff on my own time
Fifty companies gathered at the Innovation, Science, and Technology building in Lakeland this week for the annual spring career fair, looking to fill countless positions with the high-tech, high-skilled talent Florida Polytechnic University produces. “We have many employers who started with us back in 2016, when we had only 13 companies here, and many return to campus yearly seeking more
CEOs, owners, and other business leaders from five Latin American countries explored the Florida Polytechnic University campus and learned tools to improve their corporate operations on Feb. 14 as part of Experiencia Set. The initiative partners with The Walt Disney Company to provide a close-up look at how the company operates effectively while providing exceptional service to its customers. The
Pruning Florida’s towering palm trees is a tough, dangerous job, but a team of Florida Polytechnic University seniors is working to make the task faster, safer, and more cost effective. “From the ground, you have to be careful that the palm fronds don’t fall on you, and some have spines that can puncture you on the way down,” said James
Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at Florida Polytechnic University, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining Florida Poly in 2025, she spent 11 years at SUNY Potsdam, where she advanced to Full Professor and developed a 3-2 Engineering dual-degree program with Clarkson University. Her work emphasizes experiential learning and research-driven education to prepare students for careers in STEM fields.
