Florida Institute of Technology

FIT_Seal

Florida_Tech_wordmark_w_tagline

FlTechMillerBldgCLOSE

School_House_at_FIT

Florida_Tech_F-610

FlTechOPS

Florida_Tech_entrance_signage

Florida Institute of Technology

Motto	Ad Astra Per Scientiam
Motto in English	To the Stars Through Science
Type	Private
Established	1958
President	T. Dwayne McCay
Provost	Marco Carvalho
Location	Melbourne , Florida , United States
Campus	Suburban, 130 acres
Colors	Crimson and Gray
Nickname	Panthers
Mascot	Pete the Panther
Website	fit.edu

The Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) is a private research university in Melbourne, Florida. It was founded in 1958 as Brevard Engineering College to support the growing space program at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The university has five academic divisions with strong emphases on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

History

Florida Tech was founded in 1958 by Dr. Jerome P. Keuper, who envisioned a university that would provide advanced education for professionals working in the space industry. The institution initially offered night classes at the Melbourne Municipal Airport.

Academics

Florida Tech is organized into five colleges:

• College of Engineering and Science
• Nathan M. Bisk College of Business
• College of Aeronautics
• College of Psychology and Liberal Arts
• College of Computing

The university offers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees in a variety of fields. It is particularly known for its programs in aerospace engineering, oceanography, and aviation.

Research

Florida Tech is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". The university's research efforts are supported by various centers and institutes, including the Harris Institute for Assured Information, the Institute for Marine Research, and the Center for Advanced Coatings.

Campus

The main campus is located in Melbourne, Florida, and spans 130 acres. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including the F.W. Olin Physical Sciences Center, the F.W. Olin Life Sciences Building, and the Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training and Research.

Athletics

Florida Tech's athletic teams are known as the Florida Tech Panthers. The university is a member of the NCAA Division II and competes in the Sunshine State Conference. The Panthers field teams in various sports, including basketball, soccer, rowing, and swimming.

Notable Alumni

• David King (NASA), former Director of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
• Ann Dunwoody, first woman in U.S. military history to achieve a four-star officer rank
• Sunita Williams, NASA astronaut

Related Pages

• List of universities in Florida
• Space Coast
• Kennedy Space Center
• Melbourne, Florida
• Private university

See Also

• List of Florida Institute of Technology alumni
• List of Florida Institute of Technology faculty
• List of Florida Institute of Technology presidents

External Links

• Official website