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.
LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University’s bookless library was at the center of an international discussion in Mexico focused on the creation and development of university libraries around the world. Dr. Kathryn Miller, vice provost of academic support services at Florida Poly, was a guest speaker at the first International Colloquium on Library Architecture and Environments, hosted by the National
Valinteshley Pierre knows how important undergraduate research is. Since coming to Florida Polytechnic University in 2015, he has taken advantage of every opportunity available to collaborate with professors on research projects. Now a senior, all of that experience in the lab is paying off. Pierre is headed to the Johns Hopkins University Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences this summer, where
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 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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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,
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.
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.
