Editing Florida Institute of Technology

{{Short description|Private university in Melbourne, Florida, US}}
{{Redirect|Florida Tech}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Florida Institute of Technology
 | former_name            = Brevard Engineering College (1958-1966)
 | image                  = FIT Seal.svg
 | image_upright          = .7
 | motto                  = ''Ad Astra Per Scientiam'' ([[Latin]])
 | mottoeng               = "To the stars through science"
 | established            = {{start date and age|1958|9|22}}
 | accreditation          = [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools|SACS]]
 | type                   = [[Private university|Private]] [[research university]]
 | endowment              = $106 million (2024)<ref>As of June 30, 2024. {{cite report |url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_audit/2024-06-GSAFAC-0000059702|title=Florida Institute of Technology Inc. Audit for Period Ending June 2024 |publisher=ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref>
 | president              = John Nicklow
 | provost                = [[John Z. Kiss]]
 | faculty                = 433<ref name="IPEDS" />
 | undergrad              = 4,152<ref name="ocr">As of Fall 2024. {{cite report |url=https://www.fit.edu/media/site-specific/wwwfitedu/oir/documents/Fall-2024-OCR-Report.pdf|title=Florida Institute of Technology Institutional Data Reports |publisher=FIT Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness |access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref>
 | postgrad               = 5,711<ref name="ocr" />
 | city                   = [[Melbourne, Florida|Melbourne]]
 | state                  = [[Florida]]
 | country                = United States
 | coordinates            = {{coord|28|03|57|N|80|37|28|W|region:US-FL_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
 | campus                 = Small city<ref name=IPEDS>{{cite web |url=http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Florida+Institute+of+Technology&s=all&id=133881 |title=College Navigator|publisher=U.S. Department of Education. Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref>
 | campus_size            = {{cvt|174|acre}}<ref name="usnews" />
 | colors                 = {{college color list|team=Florida Tech Panthers}}
 | sports_nickname        = {{hlist|[[Florida Tech Panthers|Panthers]]}}
 | mascot                 = Pete the Panther
 | sporting_affiliations  = {{hlist|[[NCAA Division II]] - [[Sunshine State Conference|Sunshine State]]|[[Gulf South Conference|GSC]]}}
 | academic_affiliations  = {{hlist|[[Association of Independent Technological Universities|AITU]]|[[Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida|ICUF]]|[[Oak Ridge Associated Universities|ORAU]]|[[National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program|Space-grant]]}}
 | website                = {{url|https://fit.edu/|fit.edu}}
 | logo                   = Florida tech star wordmark.png 
 | logo_size              = 200
 | free_label2            = Newspaper
 | free2                  = ''The Crimson''
}}

'''Florida Institute of Technology''' ('''Florida Tech''' or '''FIT''') is a [[Private university|private]] [[research university]] in [[Melbourne, Florida]]. The university comprises four academic colleges: Engineering & Science, Aeronautics, Psychology & Liberal Arts, and Business.<ref name="academics">{{cite web |url=https://www.fit.edu/academics/colleges-schools-departments/| title=Colleges, Schools & Departments|publisher=Florida Institute of Technology|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref> Approximately half of Florida Tech's students are enrolled in the College of Engineering & Science.<ref name="colleges">{{cite web|url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/florida-tech-1469|title=Florida Institute of Technology|publisher=U.S. News & World Report|access-date=March 14, 2017|archive-date=August 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817045114/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/florida-tech-1469|url-status=dead}}</ref> The university's 130-acre primary residential campus is near the [[Melbourne Orlando International Airport]] and 16 miles from 
[[Patrick Space Force Base]].<ref name="Florida Tech Research Park Overview">{{cite web |url=http://www.fit.edu/researchpark/|title=Florida Tech Research Park|publisher=Florida Institute of Technology|access-date=November 5, 2012}}</ref> The university was founded in 1958 as '''Brevard Engineering College''' to provide advanced education for professionals working in the [[NASA|U.S. space program]] at the [[Kennedy Space Center]] and [[Space Launch Delta 45]] at [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station]]. Florida Tech has been known by its present name since 1966.<ref name=Historical>{{cite journal|last=Patterson |first=Gordon |title=Countdown to College: Launching Florida Institute of Technology|journal=The Florida Historical Quarterly|publisher=Florida Historical Society |jstor=30152246 |pages=163–180|date=Fall 1998|volume=77|issue=2}}</ref> In 2024, Florida Tech had an on-campus student body of 5,101 between its Melbourne Campus and Off-Campus Sites, as well as 4,762 students enrolled in their online programs, almost equally divided between graduate and undergraduate students with the majority focusing their studies on engineering and the sciences.<ref name="FactCard">{{cite web |date=27 September 2021 |title=Fall 2024 Official Count Report - Enrollment Headcount |url=https://www.fit.edu/media/site-specific/wwwfitedu/oir/documents/Fall-2021-OCR-Report.pdf |access-date= |publisher=Florida Institute of Technology |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Florida Tech is [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|classified]] among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Carnegie Classifications Institution Lookup |url=https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=133881 |publisher=Center for Postsecondary Education |website=carnegieclassifications.iu.edu |access-date=12 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/classification_descriptions/basic.php |title=Basic Classification Description |publisher=Center for Postsecondary Education |website=carnegieclassifications.iu.edu |access-date=June 10, 2021 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009071130/https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/classification_descriptions/basic.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:FlTechMillerBldgCLOSE.jpg|right|thumb|Miller Building]]
[[File:School House at FIT.jpg|thumb|One of the oldest buildings on campus: a schoolhouse built in 1883.]]
Florida Institute of Technology was founded in 1958 as Brevard Engineering College to support [[NASA]] by Dr. [[Jerome P. Keuper]], who became the first president.<ref name=Historical /> The first concept for the school was developed under the name Brevard Engineering Institute. Classes were originally held at the [[Melbourne Orlando International Airport|Melbourne Municipal Airport]] in buildings formerly used by the [[Naval Air Station Melbourne]].<ref>Stone, Elaine Murray. ''Brevard County: From Cape of the Canes to Space Coast'', 1st edition (United States: Windsor Publications, Inc., 1988), page 51.</ref> In 1961, the university moved to its current location in [[Melbourne, Florida]].<ref name="spacecoastdaily">{{cite web|url=http://spacecoastdaily.com/sub-page/florida-tech-history/|title=Florida Tech History|date=March 12, 2013|access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref> During the 1960s additional classroom and laboratory buildings, a library (formally dedicated on 23 January 1965), the Denius Student Center, Hedgecock Gymnasium, Gleason Auditorium and several dormitories were constructed.<ref name=spacecoastdaily /><ref name="fithistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.fit.edu/about/history.php|title=Florida Tech History|access-date=November 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203114538/http://www.fit.edu/about/history.php|archive-date=December 3, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 1961, the first graduate received an associate degree. The university was accredited by the [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]] in 1964<ref name=SACS>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacscoc.org/details.asp?instid=30640|title=Commission on Colleges|publisher=Southern Association of Colleges and Schools|access-date=August 20, 2015}}</ref> and officially changed its name to Florida Institute of Technology in 1966. Also in 1966, Dr. Jack Morelock founded the Department of Oceanography. In 1967, the School of Aeronautics was created. Defense scientists and NASA would meet with students recruiting for the space program. In 1969, the Panther Battalion Army ROTC program was formed.<ref name=Historical/> In 1970, the college merged with Aerospace Technical Institute to form the School of Aeronautics.

[[File:Florida Tech F-610.jpg|left|thumb|Historic sign from Florida Tech Alumni Association and Florida Department of State.]]
In 1972, the university launched its first off-campus program at the request of the United States Navy.<ref name=fithistory /><ref name="edumaritime">{{cite web |url=http://www.edumaritime.com/florida-fl/florida-institute-of-technology-at-melbourne-florida-logistics-transport-ocean-engineering-education|title=Florida Institute of Technology at Melbourne, Florida |access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref>

The Evans Library was completed in early 1984.<ref name="fitlib">{{cite web|url=http://lib.fit.edu/library-displays/200901.php|title=History of the Evans Library (1984 - 2009)|access-date=November 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906142802/http://lib.fit.edu/library-displays/200901.php|archive-date=September 6, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The following year the original library was renovated and dedicated as the Jerome P. Keuper Administration Building.<ref name=fithistory /> In 1988, the Homer R. Denius Student Center was renovated, the student plaza completed, and the applied research laboratory building acquired.<ref name=spacecoastdaily /> The [[Claude Pepper]] Institute for Aging and Therapeutic Research and Skurla Hall, home of the School of Aeronautics, opened in 1990. In 1997, the university received a $50 million grant from the [[F. W. Olin Foundation]].<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/06/us/largest-gift-ever-endows-a-new-college.html|title=Largest Gift Ever Endows a New College|author=William H. Honan|author-link=William H. Honan|date=June 6, 1997|access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref> An engineering building and life sciences building were opened in 1999 in result of the grant.<ref name="orlandosentinel1">{{cite web |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1999/10/15/florida-tech-gets-ready-to-show-off-2-new-high-tech-buildings/|title=Florida Tech Gets Ready To Show Off 2 New High-tech Buildings |date=October 15, 1999|author=Lynne Bumpus-Hoope|access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name="orlandosentinel2">{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1997/06/04/50-million-gift-is-big-vote-on-future-of-florida-tech/|title=$50 Million Gift Is Big Vote On Future Of Florida Tech|date=June 4, 1997|author=Lynne Bumpus-Hooper |access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref>

[[File:FlTechOPS.jpg|thumb|Olin Physical Sciences building home Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences Department. The building includes the Ortega Observatory & Telescope]]

Seven new residence halls were completed in 2003.<ref name=fithistory /> Each resident hall was named after one of the seven fallen astronauts of the [[Shuttle Columbia disaster]] and dedicated to their memory.<ref name=fithistory /> In 2004, Florida Tech obtained [[National Science Foundation]] (NSF) funding to build a 24-inch telescope atop the newly completed F.W. Olin Physical Sciences Center. However, Melbourne Beach resident Jim Ortega, who had retired from the University of Virginia to Florida in 1998, stepped forward with the additional funds needed to secure a 32-inch telescope and its associated observatory. In gratitude to this donation, the telescope was named the Ortega Telescope as part of the Ortega Observatory.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://research.fit.edu/ortegatelescope/|title=Ortega Observatory|access-date=May 17, 2023}}</ref> In 2005, the F.W. Olin Physical Sciences Center opened.<ref name=fithistory />

Construction on the Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training and Research at Melbourne International Airport began in 2008.<ref name="hometownnews">{{cite web|url=http://myhometownnews.net/index.php?id=55300|title=Florida Tech's Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training now open|author=David Kearns|date=March 5, 2009|access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref> The following year, the College of Business became the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business, and the [[Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts]], the Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training and Research at the Melbourne International Airport, the Scott Center for Autism Treatment, the Harris Center for Science and Engineering and the Harris Institute for Information Assurance were opened.<ref name=fithistory />

In 2009, the college began offering online degrees. November 20, 2015, marked the unveiling of the Harris Student Design Center, an 11,500 square foot building on the south side of campus.<ref>{{cite news|title=Harris Design Center opening|first=Wayne T.|last=Price|url=http://www.floridatoday.com/story/money/2015/11/20/harris-design-center-opening/75992898/|newspaper=Florida Today|date=November 20, 2015|access-date=April 17, 2016}}</ref> This facility provides space for students completing design projects. In 2016, the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovative Design (CAMID) and the Larsen Motorsports High Performance Vehicles & Research Development Center opened at the Research and Development Center on Palm Bay Road.

The university established its football program in 2010.<ref name="gscsports">{{cite web|url=http://www.gscsports.org/news/2011/8/19/FB_0819113313.aspx|title=GSC Adds Florida Tech To Its Football Membership|access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref> The Panther Aquatic Center was opened a year later.<ref name=fithistory /> In 2011, the university partnered with the Brevard Art Museum and established it as the [[Foosaner Art Museum]].<ref name="foosanerartmuseum">{{cite web|url=http://www.foosanerartmuseum.org/museum-history.php|title=Foosaner Art Museum History|access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name=rename>[[Brevard Business News]]. ''Florida Tech announces $1 million gift, renames Brevard Art Museum the Foosaner Art Museum'' (Melbourne, Florida: Brevard Business News, August 8, 2011), page 15.</ref>

In October 2020, the university broke ground at the Olin Quad for the new Health Sciences Research Center, a 61,000 square foot three story facility with 22,300 square feet for classrooms, training and labs.

===College archives===
The Harry P. Weber University Archives opened in 2014. It was named after professor emeritus Harry Weber, who first joined the college in 1966 and was instrumental in establishing the archives. The archive collection serves to preserve the history of the institution and it is located in the Evans Library.<ref>''Florida Institute of Technology website''. [https://repository.lib.fit.edu/handle/11141/1081 "Harry P. Weber University Archives"], 2015. Accessed 9 December 2018.</ref>

===Jensen Beach Campus===
Florida Institute of Technology's Jensen Beach Campus, also known as School of Marine and Environmental Technology or (SOMET), was a specialized branch campus located on the former campus of [[Saint Joseph College of Florida]] on the [[Indian River Lagoon]] in [[Jensen Beach, Florida]], approximately 50 miles south of the university's main campus.<ref name="nacubo.org">{{cite web | title = U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change* in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 | work = 2020 NACUBO-TIAA Study of Endowments (NTSE) Results | publisher = National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA | url = https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Documents/Research/2020-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--FINAL-FEBRUARY-19-2021.ashx | format = PDF | date = February 19, 2021 | access-date = February 20, 2021 }}</ref> The campus attracted oceanography, underwater technology and other assorted marine biology students. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had more officers that are graduates of Florida Tech in Jensen Beach than from any other campus or college in the country. The SOMET was transferred to the main campus and became the Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences (DMES). The campus closed after the transition in 1986. In 2016, DMES was renamed Department of Ocean Engineering and Sciences (DOES) to communicate the department's focus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://coe.fit.edu/dmes/|title=Ocean Engineering and Sciences|publisher=Florida Institute of Technology|access-date=March 14, 2017}}</ref>

===Presidents===
Presidents of the institution have included:

* John Nicklow, 2023–present
* Robert King (Interim), 2022–2023
* T. Dwayne McCay, 2016–2022
* [[Anthony Catanese|Anthony J. Catanese]], 2002–2016
* Lynn E. Weaver, 1987–2002
* John E. Miller, 1986–1987
* [[Jerome P. Keuper]], 1958–1986

==Campus==
[[File:Florida Tech entrance signage.jpg|thumb|Florida Tech entrance signage]]
[[File:Shelf cloud over Florida Insitute of Technology (26035731565).jpg|thumb|500px|Florida Institute of Technology main campus]]
The university's 130-acre main campus is located in [[Melbourne, Florida]], on what is known as the [[Space Coast]] region along the Atlantic Ocean.<ref name=colleges /> The university offers many student services including tutoring, health services, health insurance, and campus safety.<ref name=colleges /> Florida Tech has six residence halls and three apartment style accommodations for on-campus living.<ref name="fitlife">{{cite web|url=http://www.fit.edu/life/|title=Campus Life|access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref>

===Off-campus sites===
Florida Tech offers specialized graduate degree programs through sites in Titusville, Florida near [[Kennedy Space Center]] and Orlando, Florida.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fit.edu/education-centers/ |title=Education Centers |publisher=Florida Institute of Technology |access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref> The university also operates the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovative Design (CAMID) in [[Palm Bay, Florida]] to solve manufacturing and engineering design challenges for corporate partners.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eda.gov/impact/success-stories/disaster-recovery/fits-center-advanced-manufacturing-and-innovation-design|title=FIT's Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Design  |publisher=U.S. Economic Development Administration|date=February 6, 2017|access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref> The [[Ralph Evinrude|Ralph S. Evinrude]] Marine Operations Center and Mertens Marine Center are located on [[Crane Creek (Melbourne, Florida)|Crane Creek]] at Melbourne Harbor.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2021/09/01/florida-tech-building-1-25-m-marine-research-center-crane-creek-melbourne-harbor/5585718001/|first=Rick|last=Neale|title=Florida Tech building $1.25M marine research center on Crane Creek at Melbourne Harbor|newspaper=Florida Today|date=September 1, 2021|access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref> The [[Emil Buehler]] Center for Aviation Training and Research near [[Melbourne Orlando International Airport]] opened in 2009.<ref>{{cite news|title=Florida Tech’s Aviation Center offers fun-filled visit|url=https://www.vieravoice.com/florida-tech-s-aviation-center-offers-fun-filled-visit/article_b3d61c18-103f-526d-a4c4-370545dfca40.html|newspaper=Viera Voice|first=John|last=Trieste|date=November 9, 2020|access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref>

==Academics==
[[File:Fl tech sign.jpg|thumb|Florida Tech sign from Babcock entrance]]

===Student demographics===
In fall 2024, Florida Tech enrolled 4,727 students at the main campus; 374 at off-campus locations; and 4,762 online for a total of 9,863 students.<ref name=enrollment>{{cite web|url=https://www.fit.edu/media/site-specific/wwwfitedu/oir/documents/Fall-2024-OCR-Report.pdf|title=Fall 2024 Official Count Report|publisher=Florida Institute of Technology|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref> The male to female ratio in the student body was 68:32.<ref name="IPEDS" /> 91% of all students came from the United States, 38% of students were from Florida and 7% of all students came from other countries. In 2024, the average combined Critical Reading and Math [[SAT]] score of incoming freshmen at the undergraduate level of Florida Tech was 1220.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.petersons.com/college-search/florida-institute-of-technology-000_10000430.aspx |title=Florida Institute of Technology |publisher=Peterson's |access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref>

===Colleges and academic divisions===
The university offers degrees in a variety of science and engineering disciplines and is one of the few universities to offer aviation degrees. The university is divided into four academic colleges: College of Aeronautics, College of Engineering and Science, Nathan M. Bisk College of Business, College of Psychology and Liberal Arts.<ref name="academics" />

===Accreditation===
Florida Institute of Technology is accredited by the [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]] Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).<ref name=SACS /> The Engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the [[ABET|Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology]] (ABET).<ref name=ABET>{{cite web|title=Find an ABET-Accredited Program |publisher=ABET |url=http://main.abet.org/aps/AccreditedProgramsDetails.aspx?OrganizationID=381&ProgramIDs=|access-date=August 20, 2015}}</ref> The Computer Science program is accredited by the Computer Science Accreditation Commission of the [[Computing Sciences Accreditation Board]]. Florida Tech's chemistry program is accredited by the Committee on Professional Training of the [[American Chemical Society]]. Aeronautical Science and Aviation Management programs are accredited by the Council on Aviation Accreditation. The Clinical Psychology PsyD program is accredited by the American Psychological Association and the graduate Behavior Analysis programs by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).

===Rankings===
{{Infobox US university ranking
<!-- U.S. rankings -->
| USNWR_NU = 231
| WSJ_NU = 498
| Wamo_NU = 426
<!-- Global rankings -->| QS_W = 
| THES_W = 801–1000
| USNWR_W = 1189
}}
Times Higher Education ranks Florida Tech as one of the top 1,000 universities in the world.<ref name="worldrankings">{{cite web|title=Florida Institute of Technology World University Rankings|publisher=Times Higher Education |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/florida-institute-technology|access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref> Florida Tech was also listed as a top 800 world university in the 2017 [[Academic Ranking of World Universities]].<ref>{{cite web|title=ShanghaiRanking Universities|publisher=ShanghaiRanking Consultancy|url=https://www.shanghairanking.com/institution?name=Florida%20Institute%20of%20Technology|access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref> U.S. News & World Report ranks Florida Tech 231 among national universities in the U.S., 156 for undergraduate engineering programs, and 328 in [[social mobility]].<ref name="usnews">{{cite web|publisher=U.S. News & World Report |title=Florida Institute of Technology - Profile, Rankings and Data |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/florida-institute-of-technology-1469/overall-rankings|access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref>

[[PayScale]] ranks Florida Tech 117 in the U.S. based on return on investment (ROI) earnings.<ref name ="PayScale ROI">{{cite web|title=Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) Salary|publisher=PayScale|year=2024|url=https://www.payscale.com/research/US/School=Florida_Institute_of_Technology_(Florida_Tech)/Salary|access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref> In 2012, Bloomberg rated Florida Tech as the best Florida college in ROI, using their own methodology and data from PayScale.<ref name ="Bloomberg ROI">{{cite web|title=Best Colleges for Return on Investment|publisher=Bloomberg Businessweek|year=2012|url=http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/2012-04-09/best-colleges-for-return-on-investment#slide11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410002908/http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/2012-04-09/best-colleges-for-return-on-investment#slide11|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 10, 2012|access-date=August 15, 2015}}</ref> The [[Brookings Institution]] ranked Florida Tech first in Florida and 94th nationally for alumni earnings in 2015, also using data from PayScale.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Brookings Institution|title=Beyond college rankings: A value-added approach to assessing two- and four-year schools|year=2015|access-date=August 15, 2015|url=http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports2/2015/04/29-beyond-college-rankings-rothwell-kulkarni}}</ref> [[CollegeNET]] ranked Florida Tech 1,012 out of 1,205 colleges for enabling social mobility in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://socialmobilityindex.org/ |title=Social Mobility Index 2024|publisher=CollegeNET|year=2024|access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref>

In 2024, [[Niche (company)|Niche]] ranked Florida Tech 221 out of 2,650 colleges in America after surveying students and recent alumni about their experiences on and off campus.<ref>{{cite web|title=2025 Best Colleges in America|publisher=Niche|url=https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges/?page=9|access-date=December 2, 2024}}</ref> The university received A's in the areas of academics, diversity, professors, and campus food.<ref>{{cite web|title=Overall Niche Grade|publisher=Niche|url=https://www.niche.com/colleges/florida-institute-of-technology/|access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref>

[[Barron's Educational Series|Barron's]] ranks Florida Tech a "best buy" in college education.<ref>{{cite book|last=Solorzano|first=Lucia|title=Best Buys in College Education|pages=67–70|date=2010 |publisher=Barron's Educational Series|edition=11th}}</ref> Florida Tech is also listed as a top technical institution in the Fiske Guide to Colleges.<ref>{{cite book|title=Fiske Guide to Colleges 2025|last=Fiske|first=Edward|date=2024|page=xxxv|edition=41st|publisher=Sourcebooks}}</ref> Florida Tech was named by Times Higher Education as one of the top universities in the United States for graduate employability in 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-universities-graduate-jobs-global-university-employability-ranking|title=Best universities for graduate jobs: Global Employability University Ranking 2025|publisher=Times Higher Education|first=Carly|last=Minsky|date=November 14, 2024|access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref>

===Research===
Florida Tech is classified as a Doctoral University: Higher Research Activity. In 2022, Florida Tech was awarded $17.7 million in external research funding.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/profiles/site?method=rankingBySource&ds=herd|title=Rankings by total R&D expenditures|series=Academic Institution Profiles|publisher=U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)|year=2022|access-date=December 5, 2024}}</ref> From 2009 to 2012, the number of Florida Tech faculty who serve as principal investigators increased by 100% including four recipients of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Career Awards.<ref name="FloridaTechResearch">{{cite web |url=http://www.fit.edu/research/|title=Florida Tech Research|access-date=November 27, 2012}}</ref> During this time period, five new interdisciplinary research institutes were initiated that are the focal point for Florida Tech undergraduate and graduate research. These new research university institutes include:

*Indian River Lagoon Research Institute
*Human-Centered Design Institute
*Institute for Energy Systems
*Institute for Marine Research
*Institute for Materials Science & Nanotechnology
*Institute for Research on Global Climate Change

Other research facilities include:

*Harris Institute for Assured Information
*Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovative Design (CAMID)
*Institute for Computing and Information Systems
*Center for Advanced Coatings (formerly the National Center for Hydrogen Research)
:*Plasma Spray Thermal Laboratory
:*High Heat Flux Laser Test Laboratory
:*Material Science Analysis Laboratory
*Institute for Biological and Biomedical Sciences
*National Center for Small Business Information
*Institute for Culture, Collaboration & Management

In the College of Science and Engineering, some of the research laboratories and research groups include:

*BioComplex Laboratory<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cs.fit.edu/~rmenezes/BioComplexSite/BioComplex_Laboratory/Home.html|title=BioComplex Laboratory|access-date=November 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905034818/http://cs.fit.edu/~rmenezes/BioComplexSite/BioComplex_Laboratory/Home.html|archive-date=September 5, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*Information Characterization and Exploitation Laboratory<ref>{{cite web|url=http://research2.fit.edu/ice/|title=Information Characterization and Exploitation (ICE) Laboratory|access-date=November 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130109055158/http://research2.fit.edu/ice/|archive-date=January 9, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*Center for Software Testing Research<ref>{{cite web|url=http://testingeducation.org/wordpress/|title=Center for Software Testing Research|access-date=November 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121229191551/http://testingeducation.org/wordpress/|archive-date=December 29, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*Computer Vision Group<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cs.fit.edu/Research/|title=Computer Vision Group|access-date=November 27, 2012}}</ref>
*Laboratory for Learning Research<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cs.fit.edu/Research/|title=Laboratory for Learning Research|access-date=November 27, 2012}}</ref>
*Laser, Optics, and Instrumentation Laboratory<ref>{{cite web |url=http://research.fit.edu/loil/|title=Laser, Optics, and Instrumentation Laboratory|access-date=November 27, 2012}}</ref>
*Ortega Observatory<ref>{{cite web |url=https://research.fit.edu/ortegatelescope/|title=Ortega Observatory|access-date=May 17, 2023}}</ref>
*Robotics and Spatial Systems<ref>{{cite web |url=http://research.fit.edu/rassl/|title=Robotics and Spatial Systems Lab|access-date=November 27, 2012}}</ref>
*Software Evolution Laboratory<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cs.fit.edu/Research/|title=Software Evolution Lab|access-date=November 27, 2012}}</ref>
*Wind and Hurricane Impact Research Laboratory<ref>{{cite web |url=http://research.fit.edu/whirl/|title=Wind and Hurricane Impact Research Laboratory |access-date=November 27, 2012}}</ref>
*Wireless Center of Excellence<ref>{{cite web |url=http://research.fit.edu/wice/|title=Wireless Center of Excellence|access-date=November 27, 2012}}</ref>

Faculty and students in the Physics/Space Science department conduct research in Astronomy and Astrophysics, Planetary Sciences, High Energy Physics (experimental particle physics), Lightning, Solid State and Condensed Matter Physics, and Space and Magnetospheric Physics.

The [[Florida Academy of Sciences]] is headquartered at Florida Tech.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flacademyofsciences.org/|title=Florida Academy of Sciences|access-date=November 25, 2019}}</ref> The academy is the Florida affiliate of the [[American Association for the Advancement of Science]]. The academy also sponsors the Florida Junior Academy of Science and publishes the Florida Scientist journal.

On April 23, 2019, Florida Tech was elected to the [[Universities Space Research Association]].

===Evans Library===
The Evans Library at Florida Tech was opened in 1984.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of the Evans Library (1984 - 2009) |url=http://lib.fit.edu/library-displays/200901.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906142802/http://lib.fit.edu/library-displays/200901.php |access-date=30 November 2020|archive-date=September 6, 2015 }}</ref> Prior to the opening of the Evans Library, the university had a library in what is now the Keuper building.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of the Evans Library (1984 - 2009) |url=http://lib.fit.edu/library-displays/200901.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906142802/http://lib.fit.edu/library-displays/200901.php |access-date=30 November 2020|archive-date=September 6, 2015 }}</ref> One of the features of the Evans Library is its Applied Computing Center (ACC). The ACC has 70 computers for student use which have high speed internet connection and access to software programs including word-processing, statistical analysis, programming, and presentation development software.<ref>{{cite web |title=Applied Computing Center |url=https://it.fit.edu/information-and-policies/computing/applied-computing-center/ |website=Florida Institute of Technology Office of Information Technology |access-date=30 November 2020}}</ref> The Special Collections Department at the Evans Library is home to the Radiation, Inc. Archives which houses documents such as manuals, photographs, correspondence, physical objects, and other memorabilia from Radiation, Inc.<ref name="Radiation Inc. holds final reunion">{{cite news |last1=Sonnenberg |first1=Maria |title=Radiation Inc. holds final reunion |url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2017/06/01/radiation-inc-holds-final-reunion/102412582/ |access-date=30 November 2020 |publisher=Florida Today |date=2 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="Radiation Inc. Archives">{{cite web |title=Radiation Inc. Archives |url=https://digcollections.lib.fit.edu/collections/show/5 |website=John H. Evans Digital Library Collections |publisher=Florida Institute of Technology |access-date=30 November 2020}}</ref> Radiation Inc., which later became Harris Corporation and then L3Harris Technologies, was an advanced radio communications company located in Melbourne, FL which had a large impact on the city as well as on Florida Tech.<ref name="Radiation Inc. holds final reunion"/> Radiation Inc.'s cofounder Homer Denius helped to finance Florida Tech in its early years while cofounder George Shaw served as the first chairman of Florida Tech's board of trustees.<ref name="Radiation Inc. holds final reunion"/> The Denius Student Center and Shaw Hall at Florida Tech are named in their honor.<ref name="Radiation Inc. holds final reunion"/> The Evans Library Special Collections Department collaborated with retired Radiation, Inc. employees in collecting materials for the Radiation, Inc. Archives.<ref name="Radiation Inc. holds final reunion"/><ref name="Radiation Inc. Archives"/>

==Athletics==
[[File:FIT Clemente-1.jpg|thumb|Florida Tech [[Clemente Center]]]]

{{Main|Florida Tech Panthers}}
Florida Tech's athletic teams are known as the Panthers.<ref name="ncaa">{{cite web|url=https://www.ncaa.com/schools/florida-tech|title=Florida Tech|access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref> The school fields teams in 18 sports, 9 each for men and women, at the [[NCAA Division II]] level and is a member of the [[Sunshine State Conference]].<ref name=ncaa /> The sports include: baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's crew, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's swimming & diving, men's and women's tennis, and women's volleyball.<ref name="sunshinestateconference">{{cite web |url=http://www.sunshinestateconference.com/article.asp?articleID=764|title=Florida Tech Athletics Grows with Addition of Six Teams|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> The men's and women's swimming & diving teams were added in fall 2011 and men's lacrosse in Spring 2012.<ref>{{cite web|work=LaxPower.com|url=http://www.laxpower.com/laxnews/news.php?story=20751|title=Florida Tech Adding Men's Lacrosse for 2011–2012|date=August 3, 2010 |access-date=June 24, 2011}}</ref> In 2015, Florida Tech Track joined the Peach Belt Conference as associate members.

The university had a [[Florida Tech Panthers football|football program]] from 2013 to 2019.<ref name="Football cut">{{cite web |last1=Rogers |first1=Eric |last2=Neale |first2=Rick |title=Florida Tech cuts football program, announces layoffs due to COVID-19 impacts |url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/05/11/florida-tech-cuts-football-program-announces-layoffs-due-covid-19/3108721001/ |website=Florida Today |access-date=October 17, 2022 |location=Melbourne, Florida |date=May 11, 2020}}</ref> The football team played in the NCAA Division II [[Gulf South Conference]] as an affiliate member.<ref>{{cite news | last=DeCotis | first=Mark | work=[[Florida Today]] | url=http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110616/SPORTS/106160312/Englehart-Florida-Tech-Panthers-first-football-coach | title=Englehart Florida Tech Panthers' first football coach | date=June 16, 2011 | access-date=October 17, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110621000653/http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110616/SPORTS/106160312/Englehart-Florida-Tech-Panthers-first-football-coach | archive-date=June 21, 2011}}</ref> It won its first game, its first homecoming game, and its first bowl game.<ref name="spacecoastdailyfootball">{{cite web|url=http://spacecoastdaily.com/2014/03/florida-tech-football-2014-season-tickets-now-on-sale/|title=Florida Tech Football 2014 Season Tickets Now On Sale|date=March 20, 2014|access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref> In May 2020, Florida Tech shut down its football program due to budget cuts that followed the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="Football cut" />

[[Boston Red Sox]] pitcher [[Tim Wakefield]] attended Florida Tech and set the home run record in 1987 as a first baseman.<ref name="baseballalmanac">{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/college/florida_institute_of_technology_baseball_players.shtml|title=Florida Institute of Technology Baseball Players Who Made it to the Major Leagues|access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name="hardballtalk">{{cite web|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/17/tim-wakefield-ranks-with-red-sox-legends/|title=Tim Wakefield ranks with Red Sox legends |date=February 17, 2012|author=Matthew Pouliot|access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref> His number (3) was retired in 2006.<ref name="fenwayparkdiaries">{{cite web |url=http://fenwayparkdiaries.com/best%20players/tim%20wakefield.htm|title=Fenway's Best Players|access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref>

Florida Tech teams and individuals have won several national championships. The men's soccer team won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 1988 and 1991.<ref name="ncaa2">{{cite web|url=https://www.ncaa.com/history/soccer-men/d2|title=Championship history|access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref> [[Daniela Iacobelli]] won the National NCAA Division II Woman's Golf Championship in 2007.<ref>{{cite book|author=Parsons, Mike|title=Iacobelli's eagles land NCAA title |publisher=Florida Today |date=May 13, 2007}}</ref> Florida Tech's Men's swimming 200-yard freestyle relay team won their event in the NCAA Division II National Swim Championship in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Panthers Men's Swimming Team Win School's First National Championship In 200 Freestyle | first=Daniel | last=Supraner | date=March 10, 2017 | work=Space Coast Daily | url=https://spacecoastdaily.com/2017/03/panthers-mens-swimming-team-win-schools-first-national-championship-in-200-freestyle/ | access-date=October 17, 2022}}</ref>

==Student life==

[[File:EUTELSAT Launch by SpaceX seen from Florida Tech (27661889476).jpg|thumb|Part of Florida Tech campus]]

===On-campus housing===
Florida Institute of Technology has six traditional residence halls, an eight-building Southgate Apartments complex, a seven-building Columbia Village set of suites and a three-building Harris Village set of suites.

===Off-campus housing===
Florida Tech runs apartment-style housing options located near campus at Mary Star of the Sea - Newman Hall and Panther Bay Apartments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fit.edu/housing/|title=Housing|publisher=Florida Institute of Technology|access-date=March 14, 2017}}</ref>

===Student organizations===
[[File:FlTechSUB.jpg|right|thumb|Student Union Building]]
[[File:FlTechPanther.jpg|right|thumb|Florida Tech Panther]]
Florida Institute of Technology has 132 active student organizations on campus.<ref name="studentactiv">{{cite web|url=http://www.fit.edu/activities/|title=Student Activities|access-date=June 24, 2011}}</ref> The university-sponsored student organizations, such as Student Government Association, Campus Activities Board, the Homecoming Committee, FITV (CCTV Channel 99 on campus), and The Crimson (student-run university newspaper) operate in primary university funding.<ref name=studentactiv /> Some organizations are run by membership dues, such as the many fraternities and sororities on campus, as well as certain professional organizations like American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), IEEE and AIAA. Other organizations are operated via Student Activities Funding Committee funding, overseen by the Student Government Association Treasurer. Organizations like Residence Hall Association, ACM, Anime Club, and others are operated by SAFC funding. Arts, media, and performance organizations include: Amateur Radio Club, Belletrist, College Players, Dance Association, Film Society, FITV, Florida Tech Pep Band, The Crimson and [[WFIT]].<ref name=studentactiv />

Students at Florida Tech have the opportunity to participate in a number of club and intramural sports in addition to the varsity athletics programs.<ref name="fitorg">{{cite web |url=http://www.fit.edu/activities/organizations.php|title=Student organizations|access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref> The university offers intramural sports Flag Football, Ultimate Frisbee, martial arts, paintball, Disc Golf and Judo.<ref name=fitorg /> Sport clubs include ice hockey, soccer, table tennis, Collegiate wrestling and baseball.<ref name=studentactiv /> The Florida Tech ice hockey program is a member of the American Collegiate Hockey Association, playing at that organization's Division 3 level.<ref name="floridatoday">{{cite web|url=http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20130201/SPORTS04/302010019/Hockey-sticks-Florida-Tech|title=Hockey sticks with Florida Tech|date=January 31, 2013|access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref>

===Greek life===
Florida Tech has a number of Greek life opportunities for students.<ref name="fitgreek">{{cite web|url=http://www.fit.edu/greeklife/chapters.php|title=Chapters at Florida Tech|access-date=November 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141127194718/http://www.fit.edu/greeklife/chapters.php|archive-date=November 27, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

===Honor societies===
The university offers a number of national and international Honor Societies including the [[Beta Beta Beta]] Biological Honor Society, [[Chi Epsilon]] a Civil Engineering Students honor society, [[Delta Mu Delta]] business honor society, [[Phi Eta Sigma]] National Honor Society for freshman class academic achievement, [[Phi Kappa Phi]] general academic honor society, [[Psi Chi]] honor society of psychology, [[Tau Beta Pi]] national engineering honor society and [[Upsilon Pi Epsilon]] computing and information systems honor society.<ref>{{cite web|work=Florida Institute of Technology |url=http://www.fit.edu/honors-societies/ |title=Honors Societies|access-date=June 24, 2011}}</ref>

==Publications==
The university publishes the ''Florida Tech Crimson'', a student published newspaper.<ref>{{cite web|title=Florida Tech Crimson|publisher=Florida Institute of Technology|url=http://ftcrimson.com/|access-date=April 29, 2017}}</ref> The ''Crimson'' won a [[Society of Professional Journalists]] Regional Mark of Excellence Award in 2014 for best in-depth reporting at a small school (fewer than 9,999 students).<ref>{{cite web|title=Region 3 Mark of Excellence Awards winners announced|website=Society of Professional Journalists|url=http://www.spj.org/news.asp?ref=1236|date=March 31, 2014|access-date=April 29, 2017}}</ref> In 2016, the College of Aeronautics launched an on-line publication, the ''International Journal of Aviation Sciences''.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us|website=International Journal of Aviation Sciences|url=https://www.ijas.us/index.php/about-ijas/about/about-us|access-date=April 29, 2017}}</ref> The university also publishes the ''Florida Tech Magazine''.

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of Florida Institute of Technology people}}
Florida Tech alumni include six NASA astronauts and have graduates  that served across as military, government, and executive leaders.

<gallery class="center" caption="Notable Florida Institute of Technology alumni include:" widths="150px" heights="150px">
Frank J Canova.jpg|[[Frank J. Canova]]
Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody.jpg|[[Ann E. Dunwoody]]
Joan Higginbotham.jpg|[[Joan Higginbotham]]
Kathryn P. Hire.jpg|[[Kathryn P. Hire]]
Christopher Loria.jpg|[[Christopher Loria|Christopher "Gus" Loria]]
RADM David Score, NOAA.jpg|[[David A. Score]]
S117E09435 - STS-117 - Sturckow wears LES in the FD on STS-117 Space Shuttle Atlantis - DPLA - 05a7215715a095d66dcf587cabd420c6.jpg|[[Frederick W. Sturckow|Rick Sturckow]]
File:Sunita Williams.jpg|[[Sunita Williams]]
Zamka G NASA.jpg|[[George D. Zamka]]
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* "Countdown to College: Launching Florida Institute of Technology" by Gordon Patterson. ''Florida Historical Quarterly'' Volume 77, Issue 2, Fall 1998
* "Space University: Lift-Off of Florida Institute of Technology". ''Florida Historical Quarterly'' Volume 79, Issue 1, Summer 2000.

==External links==
{{commons cat}}
* {{official website}}
*[https://floridatechsports.com/ Athletics website]

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