From the President’s Desk

It is very hard to believe that I have been president of Florida Tech for 10 years. The time has passed swiftly, yet I have been a part of so many changes since I came here in 2002. I don’t think in this instance it can be said that “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Our campus has undergone dramatic growth in the past 10 years and we have all been a part of creating a much more prominent university—a major force in higher education.

You probably know that I believe in setting big goals and working hard to achieve them. We have worked toward major objectives the past 10 years and we have accomplished a great deal. We have the accolades to prove it from U.S. News & World Report, Payscale.com, Bloomberg Businessweek and I could go on. Our honors confirm that our success continues.

We have assembled fine faculty, staff members and administrators. We have worked together in good economic situations and in more frugal times. We completed a successful capital campaign, bringing in $60 million when our goal was $50 million. We have built as need and opportunities have arisen—Columbia Village and Harris Village residence halls, Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training and Research, Scott Center for Autism Treatment, Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts, Harris Institute for Information Assurance and Panther Dining Hall. We added the Foosaner Art Museum to promote a “whole brain” educational experience and recently, in the new Florida Tech Commons, consolidated student services into the Center for Student Success and gave the School of Psychology and other offices room to grow.

We’ve expanded athletics with new programs and the Panther Aquatics Center. Our reward has been some remarkable achievements by our athletes this spring and three of our baseball players being selected for the pros. And, here comes football!

We’ve come a very long way. I don’t think I’m overstating it when I say that we are poised for greatness.