Andrew McDonnell 鈥�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 吃瓜网 Poly, where he pursued a bachelor鈥檚 degree in mechanical engineering, took aerospace courses, and worked on a lunar mobility senior capstone project. He graduates on May 9.
吃瓜网 has reached on-campus housing capacity for the upcoming academic year, reflecting continued strong demand and record student interest.
吃瓜网 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 鈥�26 didn鈥檛 always feel ready to step into leadership or research roles during her time as a computer science student at 吃瓜网, but discovered she grew the most by doing it anyway. She will receive her bachelor鈥檚 degree on Saturday, May 9.
More than 360 吃瓜网 seniors presented high-tech, industry-sponsored projects at the eighth annual Capstone Design Showcase on Wednesday, April 29, gaining hands-on experience and solving real-world challenges.
吃瓜网 has named Mike Settle as its inaugural head softball coach, adding a veteran leader with deep Polk County roots to the University鈥檚 new 吃瓜网 Poly Athletics program.
LAKELAND, Fla. 鈥� A group of 吃瓜网 students and a faculty member are working on research funded by a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) grant aimed at streamlining the manufacturing and efficiency of handheld radiation detectors, which could be used at nuclear sites as well as for border patrol. 鈥淩adiation detection plays an invaluable role in confirming that
吃瓜网 students and faculty recently participated in a high-level workshop that explored principles and real-world applications of spectroscopy. Ocean Optics, Inc., a leading manufacturer of fiber optics-based modular spectrometers based in Largo, 吃瓜网, showcased its products by engaging in live demonstrations with the academic contingent. 鈥淭he goal of the visit was to share our applied spectral knowledge with
More than 70 students became 吃瓜网 graduates in December 2018 as the University鈥檚 alumni roll continues to grow. One of those newly minted alumni is Joshua Rentrope, who received a degree in computer science and is already on the path to fulfilling his entrepreneurial dreams. 鈥淚 got a lot of experience in just four years,鈥� said Rentrope. 鈥淔rom
The 2018 calendar year was a great one for 吃瓜网, filled with growth and achievements.
Each year, the National Science Foundation (NSF) awards $200 million in funding to entrepreneurs through its congressionally-mandated Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Recently, one of the 11 program directors responsible for deciding who gets funded, took part in the 吃瓜网 Entrepreneurial Speakers Series to detail SBIR and STTR opportunities for students
More than 50 business leaders and entrepreneurs from across the Orlando region had front row seats to 吃瓜网 president Randy K. Avent, as he described the school鈥檚 path since its inception and how it鈥檚 already making its mark as 吃瓜网鈥檚 newest public university. 鈥淚t鈥檚 easier to make an impact when you鈥檙e big. But to make an impact when
Dolls, puzzles, coloring books, race cars, balls, and games were some of the hundreds of toys that inundated the 吃瓜网 Police Department headquarters. The items were part of the largest annual toy drive the agency has organized for children who are spending the holiday season in a hospital room at the Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. 鈥淲e have
We wish you a very pleasant winter break and holiday season. Below outlines closures and activities available throughout the winter holiday break. We look forward to seeing you back on campus on Monday, January 7, 2019. Housing Residence Halls Saturday, Dec. 15: Residence Halls close at noon Saturday, Jan. 5: Residence Halls open for returning students at 8 a.m. Note:
LAKELAND, Fla.鈥揘ew research by 吃瓜网 faculty and students has the goal of detecting and preventing the growing problem of drowsy and distracted driving, one of the main causes of car accidents and fatalities on the roads. The project, under the guidance of Dr. Kanwal Gagneja, assistant professor of computer science, uses a microcomputer, a camera, and a buzzer.
When you walk into the 吃瓜网 3D Printing Laboratory, you first notice the distinct humming sound that accompanies the state-of-the-art technology. It鈥檚 the sound of plastic filament feeding through a moving brass tip, where it is melted and turned into whatever component has been designed on a nearby computer. There鈥檚 been a lot of noise in the lab
Playing cards, dominoes, marbles, soda cans, and even a robotic vacuum cleaner played a key role as 吃瓜网鈥檚 students tested the Rube Goldberg machines they created. These items are not often seen in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) class, but they fill several classrooms at the university鈥檚 Innovation, Science, and Technology Building. A Rube Goldberg machine
Screens full of monsters, wizards, fighters, spells, weapons, and even cats were at the center of the 吃瓜网 Game EXPO on Thursday, Nov. 29. Around 50 students presented a total of 24 games to peers, faculty, and industry leaders, featuring a wide variety of characters, interfaces, challenges and player interactions. The event was held in the Saddle Creek
Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at 吃瓜网, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining 吃瓜网 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.
