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Loved ones share in the college experience at Phoenix Family Day

September 22, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University buzzed with energy on Saturday, Sept. 20, as more than 850 parents, siblings and friends joined students on campus for the annual Phoenix Family Day. Visitors explored the University, played games, tackled hands-on STEM challenges and experienced firsthand the vibrant spirit of the Florida Poly community alongside their favorite Phoenix student. Gladys Diaz, from Miramar, Florida, joined

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

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Florida Poly tops the state for value, earns national top 10 spot in new rankings

February 7, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University is the No. 1 best value college in the state and No. 2 best value college in the South, according to new rankings released by Research.com, an online higher education resource. The 2024-2025 Best Colleges in America rankings also list Florida Poly as a top 10 best value college in the United States. Research.com determined best value

New Electrochemical Society chapter to boost undergraduate research

February 6, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University launched a new Electrochemical Society (ECS) student chapter, empowering aspiring researchers with new opportunities to make a global impact. “Initiatives like this really solidify this institution, this university, as a catalyst for academic excellence and progress,” Dr. Devin Stephenson, Florida Poly’s president, said to the new organization’s members. “I encourage all of you to seize the moment,

Florida Poly and Catapult team up to ignite tech innovation and economic growth

February 3, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University has partnered with Catapult Lakeland, an entrepreneurial business incubator, to boost STEM education and drive innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development in Lakeland and the region. Leaders from the two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday, Jan. 31 at Catapult in Downtown Lakeland. The partnership seeks to empower students and faculty with hands-on STEM education and

Patent expert inspires hundreds of Florida Poly innovators

January 31, 2025

A standing-room-only crowd of aspiring inventors and innovators gained valuable insight on how to protect the rights to their one-of-a-kind inventions, designs, and processes during a presentation by Anton Hopen, a U.S. registered patent attorney and managing partner at the Law Office of Smith & Hopen. The Jan. 24 event at Florida Polytechnic University focused on the critical role of

Florida Poly Lego Society builds community, creativity

January 28, 2025

Brick by brick, members of the Lego Society at Florida Polytechnic University build a world where students can have fun, challenge themselves and create something new. “It’s something that is easy for people to work together on and practice some low-stakes teamwork,” said Colby Mullin, the club’s president. “You start to get certain skills while you’re bringing something amazing into

Pixel perfect: Florida Poly repeats statewide game jam win

January 27, 2025

A team of students from Florida Polytechnic University took home top honors this week at the second annual Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA) two-day Collegiate Game Jam, which challenged 34 teams from across the state to create a playable video game in under 48 hours. Computer science seniors Cecilia Merion and Mason Kazebeer won first place in the undergraduate division

Lakeland Police Department adopts high-tech Florida Poly body-cam trigger

January 16, 2025

Mechanical engineers at Florida Polytechnic University have put their skills to the test for the Lakeland Police Department, inventing a device to help make turning on their body cameras effortless in situations when they must draw their firearm. The patent-pending device is now worn on the holster of every Lakeland police officer. “I want to thank the incredible team at

Experienced officers join Florida Poly Police to mentor and protect

January 9, 2025

The Florida Polytechnic University Police Department’s commitment to a safe, unified campus community is at the heart of every officer’s action, beginning from the moment they submit their application. It’s something Chief Richard Holland kept top-of-mind as he considered each of the six new people who joined his team over the last two years. “When hiring, we look at experience,

Florida Poly professor uncovers secrets of water-walking insects’ survival

January 8, 2025

A Florida Polytechnic University professor’s groundbreaking study has revealed how tiny water-walking insects survive torrential rainstorms, potentially paving the way for advances in biomimetics and water pollution solutions. Dr. Daren Watson, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, published his findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), one of the world’s top scientific multidisciplinary journals. The research, which

Innovative 3D-printing research propels Florida Poly grad student to national win

January 2, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University graduate research assistant Sydney Wickett recently captured top honors at the American Standard for Testing Materials (ASTM) E08 Fatigue and Fracture Committee Dr. M.R. Mitchell Student Forum in Orlando, Florida. The forum is among the most significant for engineers and researcher experts in fatigue and fracture mechanics. Wickett’s presentation, based on research funded by a $150,000 National

2024 in review: Recapping Florida Poly’s momentous year

December 20, 2024

The end of 2024 marks a year filled with exciting changes, big developments and remarkable achievements at Florida Polytechnic University. With a new University president, new degrees, department chairs, national rankings and campus construction, the year had something to celebrate around every corner. As 2025 approaches, the University is looking forward to its best year yet. 1. Dr. G. Devin

Play it again, Dr. Stephenson: A melody of holiday tradition and leadership

December 18, 2024

The holiday season and its tradition of warm, uplifting music have a special meaning for Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Polytechnic University. They conjure good memories and give him a chance to reconnect with some of his favorite holiday songs. “My father’s favorite song was ‘Silver Bells,’ and I love that. I play it every year at Christmas with