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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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Peter Moran: A dream realized

May 3, 2018

Take Your Child to Work Day can be an exciting and eye-opening experience for any kid. For Florida Polytechnic University senior Peter Moran, it was also the day he discovered what he wanted to be when he grew up. After spending a day with his father learning about container shipping for the marine industry, Moran set his sights toward a

Lindsey Schwemmin: Chasing unexpected dreams

May 2, 2018

Lindsey Schwemmin never planned to bring 200 of her Florida Polytechnic University classmates together in a weeklong tag battle between the living and the dead, but as a member of the inaugural graduating class at Florida Poly, she learned that sometimes the best moments are unexpected. It was the game of Humans vs. Zombies, a highly imaginative version of tag

Robotics team impresses judges at international VEX competition

May 2, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic’s robotics team, Purple Fire, impressed the judges during their recent debut at the prestigious VEX Robotics World Championship, held April 25-28 in Louisville, Kentucky. The team of eight students received the Judges Award, which is presented to the team that the judges decide is deserving of special recognition. The judges consider a number of criteria

Florida Polytechnic University to graduate its 1st four-year class

May 2, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – More than 200 Florida Polytechnic University undergraduate and graduate students will be receiving degrees, as Florida’s newest public university graduates its inaugural class. Florida Poly’s Spring 2018 Commencement will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4 at the RP Funding Center (Youkey Theater), located at 701 W Lime St., Lakeland. Established in 2012 as an

Laura Wemple: Going back to get ahead

May 1, 2018

Laura Wemple came to Florida Polytechnic University as a non-traditional student. She already had two associate degrees – one in business and the other in chemical engineering and biology. After working for a few years, Wemple, 35, says she realized that a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degree would go a long way. Once she knew about the STEM-focused

Andre Goode: The magic of a STEM education

April 26, 2018

Earning a Florida Polytechnic University degree in computer science and information technology has added some magic to senior Andre Goode’s life. Disney magic, that is. On May 4, Goode is graduating from Florida Poly cum laude, as part of the university’s first four-year class. After graduation, the Weston, Florida native will begin working in a full-time position with The Walt

2018-19 Presidential Ambassadors announced

April 25, 2018

One of the most distinguished student programs at Florida Poly welcomed 10 new members, Monday, April 23, at its annual induction ceremony held in the Innovation, Science and Technology Building’s Aula Magna auditorium. The Presidential Ambassadors are made up of 16 students who are selected based on their academic standing, leadership, skills, citizenship and service citations. “You get a lot

VEX robotics team to compete at world championship

April 23, 2018

Florida Polytechnic University has qualified for the first time to compete at the prestigious VEX Robotics World Championship, which is being held April 25-28 in Louisville, Kentucky. A total of 87 robotics teams from all over the world will compete at the college level. Florida Poly’s Purple Fire robotics team is one of only two Florida teams that qualified. The

Florida Polytechnic University employees honored with inaugural faculty and staff awards

April 20, 2018

Nearly a dozen Florida Polytechnic University employees are being recognized for their commitment and dedication in a variety of areas including teaching, research, and service to others. Ablaze, as the awards program is known, was launched this year to acknowledge and celebrate the efforts of the university’s 300 faculties and staff in making Florida Poly a world-class leader in science,

Michelle Holzemer: Engineering an excellent educational experience

April 19, 2018

Senior Michelle Holzemer knew she was taking a risk when she joined the inaugural class at Florida Poly and committed to attend a university that hadn’t yet finished construction on its signature academic building and wasn’t yet accredited. In the four years since then, Holzemer has come a long way – and says the risk has been well worth it.

Florida Polytechnic University students making Winter Haven a smart city

April 17, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – A group of Florida Polytechnic University students have taken on the mission of making the City of Winter Haven a “smart community” to better prepare it for the challenges of the future. The Winter Haven Economic Development Council (WHEDC) partnered with the City of Winter Haven and Florida Polytechnic University to take the first steps into making

Florida Polytechnic University students take 3rd place in statewide Shark Tank style competition

April 17, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – A team of students from Florida Polytechnic University impressed the judges at the 2018 Governor’s Cup and won third place and $1,000 with their innovative scanning device. The “Shark Tank” style competition featured teams from nine state universities. Andre Ripley, a junior computer engineering major from the U.S. Virgin Islands, John Sarnecky, a junior mechanical engineering major