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Colombian National Team coach brings World Cup experience to Florida Poly soccer players

September 19, 2025

Legendary Colombian soccer coach Nelson Abadía brought his expertise and inspiration to Florida Polytechnic University on Thursday, Sept. 18, as he observed the men’s and women’s soccer teams in training and shared advice to strengthen their game. “It was unforgettable. Coach Abadía brought so much knowledge, and his presence alone elevated the atmosphere,” said Sebastian Anzola, captain of Florida Poly’s

Florida Poly professor’s powerful new tool brings higher accuracy to nuclear physics

September 15, 2025

Dr. Ian Bentley, chair of the Department of Physics at Florida Polytechnic University, developed a new machine learning model to improve predictions of nuclear binding energies.

Students face off in epic Humans vs. Zombies Nerf battle

September 12, 2025

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.

Expert panel explores phosphate mining and its impacts

September 10, 2025

A panel discussion at Florida Polytechnic University on Monday, Sept. 8, examined the history, benefits and future of phosphate mining.

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

September 5, 2025

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

September 3, 2025

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

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Big research on tiny technology takes Florida Polytechnic University crew to global symposium

September 6, 2019

In the cutting-edge field of nanotechnology, there is an ever-present need for the next generation of energy-efficient, high-performance components to advance the limits of possibility. Two Florida Polytechnic University faculty members and their student research assistant focused their study on this area and presented it at a global symposium of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) held August

Building businesses through international partnerships

September 5, 2019

A stop at Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland, Florida, capped off a week of intense business education for a group of executives from Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Uruguay. The nearly 50 business leaders were participants in Experiencia Set, an educational initiative that partnered with The Walt Disney Company to provide a close-up look at how the company operates, while

Hurricane Dorian Updates

September 4, 2019

Student support and Bahamian relief efforts Updated September 4, 2:30 p.m. As we consider how fortunate we are that Hurricane Dorian did not have a direct impact on our immediate area, we must also remember that this storm has devastated the Bahamas and is currently moving north along the Eastern United States. This fall, Florida Poly has 11 students studying

Florida Polytechnic University engineering and computer science degrees achieve ABET accreditation

August 28, 2019

Four Florida Polytechnic University bachelor’s degrees have been accredited by the Computing and Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. The degree programs are Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. ABET accreditation assures that programs meet standards to produce graduates ready

Purple Fire Week kicks off the fall 2019 semester

August 26, 2019

The annual celebration included events across campus to help students connect, have fun, and get fired up about the new academic year. This year’s events included intramural sports and a fun glow party. Contact: Lydia Guzman Director of Communications 863-874-8557

Students urged to embrace innovation at speaker series

August 23, 2019

Technology is changing so dramatically and so rapidly that students need to be prepared to shift with it or risk getting left behind. That was the message Joe Viscuso, senior vice president and director of strategic growth at engineering and construction services firm Pennoni, delivered to a roomful of Florida Polytechnic University students at the first Innovation Speaker Series lecture

Orientation welcomes new Phoenixes to Florida Polytechnic University

August 20, 2019

Freshmen and new transfer students began getting to know the Florida Polytechnic University way of life during new student orientation held August 19-20. The two-day event introduced new students to the many resources available to them during their time at the University. It included a welcome from Dr. Randy Avent, Florida Poly’s president, as well as discussions about academic support

Florida Polytechnic University addresses state needs with new engineering degrees

August 19, 2019

The state of Florida will be closer to meeting its need for qualified engineers in high-demand fields when Florida Polytechnic University begins the 2019-20 academic year offering three new degrees: Environmental Engineering, Engineering Mathematics, and Engineering Physics. These programs expand the academic offerings for students as they seek to pursue a high-demand STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) degree. Classes

Purple Fire Week to heat up the fall semester

August 16, 2019

The Florida Polytechnic University campus will be awash in tie-dye, casino-style games, and fun competition when Purple Fire Week welcomes students back to the fall semester on Wednesday, Aug. 21. “It’s a fun time to come out and experience something different,” said Tonya Chestnut, director of student development at Florida Poly. Chestnut said the welcome-back events, which extend through Saturday,

Freshmen start on right foot with tips from experienced Phoenixes

August 14, 2019

The first day of the fall semester is just around the corner. The start of a new academic year can be a time of uncertainty for new students. That is why those who have been around Florida Polytechnic University for a few years provide some help to ease the transition. Florida Poly juniors, seniors, and alumni offer their best advice

New SGA president fired up for upcoming academic year

August 12, 2019

Ryan Perez has a vision for the perfect student experience at Florida Polytechnic University. He wants to make sure every student feels connected, supported, and part of the vibrant university community. And he wants them to have a great time while they’re at it. “My goal is to get students more involved in student government and student life in general

Fulbright Scholar aims to improve Iraqi agriculture

August 5, 2019

Zubaidah Sabah is beginning a journey at Florida Polytechnic University that she hopes will one day transform the agricultural future of her home country of Iraq. “I just want people in my country to see how automation and using technology – robotics, aerial vehicles and drones in agriculture – will change our situation,” said Sabah, who received a bachelor’s degree