Prime is a quantity.
Unique, a product unachievable by any two other numbers. 2, 3, 7 …
Prime is a quality.
Excellent, of the highest caliber. Outstanding, Choice, Top-Notch…
In both quantity and quality, this column features Prime Examples of what makes us Florida Tech.
To be influential is to make an impact. To have an effect on something or someone. To inspire. Strong enough influence can leave impressions, convictions that outlast individuals. It is not about prestige or control, but leadership and value. Opinions, behavior, relationships, community—intentional or not, our influence shapes them. At Florida Tech, influence matters. It is our power to guide, cultivate, make a difference.
Here are a few prime examples.
3 New Leaders
SAMBANDAMURTHY “MURTHY” GANAPATHY
Dean, College of Engineering and Science
An internationally recognized scientist working at the intersection of material science, quantum physics and interdisciplinary research, Ganapathy comes to Florida Tech from the University at Buffalo, where he served as associate dean for research in the College of Arts and Sciences and as interim director of the Quantum Institute.
LESLIE MATUSZEWICH
Dean, College of Psychology and Liberal Arts
Matuszewich comes to Florida Tech from Northern Illinois University (NIU), where she served as senior associate dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. As a faculty member in NIU’s Psychology Department, she focused her research on the effect of stress on motivated behavior and dopaminergic systems in the brain.
AMY L. ADAMSON
Associate Provost for Research and Chief Research Officer
With over 25 years of experience in higher education, Adamson has dedicated her career to fostering academic excellence, promoting research and enhancing student success and access. Most recently, she served as associate dean for research in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, where her scholarly work has focused on the molecular interactions between Epstein-Barr virus and human cells, particularly how the virus initiates intracellular changes that can trigger metastasis.
3 Events with Impact
FREE SPEECH WEEK
Sarah McLaughlin, a senior staffer at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), delivered the keynote address for Florida Tech’s 15th annual Free Speech Week in February. Hosted by Panther Media Group’s student-run media organizations, Free Speech Week featured themed events, such as a “free speech wall” demonstration outside of Denius Student Center and the week’s signature “Live Free or Eat Free: You can’t do both,” offering free pizza to participants willing to give up their First Amendment rights.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COMMEMORATION
On Jan. 20, the campus community reflected on the transformative power of courage and community at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration, which featured a keynote address from Ramone Hemphill Sr. ’22 MBA, an engineer and advocate for connecting young people to opportunities in aviation and aerospace through his nonprofit, The 99th Squadron. The event also included presentation of the Dr. Julius Montgomery Pioneer Award to Benjamin Cain, founder, owner and publisher of Ebony News Today, Investing in Your Health Today and the Ebony News Today TV Streaming Network Expansion; and the Rev. Harvey L. Riley Bridge Builder Award to Rodney Greene, a U.S. Army combat veteran and president of Brevard Veterans Coalition.
AN EVENING OF HOPE
Themed “Hope Blooms,” the 18th annual An Evening of Hope event benefiting The Scott Center for Autism Treatment brought together supporters from across the Space Coast April 11. Proceeds from The Scott Center’s most meaningful event of the year support its mission to provide early intervention services for children on the autism spectrum, assist families in need and offer experiential learning opportunities for Florida Tech graduate students in applied behavior analysis programs.
3 Motivational Musings
“What makes Florida Tech particularly well-suited for this space is our ability to operate at the intersections that matter most. We bring together engineering, autonomy, aviation, policy awareness and workforce development in one single environment.”
— President John Nicklow at February’s Florida Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Pitch Day event, a remarkable gathering of visionary state and education leaders, entrepreneurs and stakeholders at Vertex Applied Innovation Hub. The event featured presentations from 10 high-growth companies advancing AAM, drones, uncrewed aerial systems and dual-use aviation technologies, such as platforms, software and enabling infrastructure.
“I want you to remember that as you pursue the third wave of innovation, what might sound crazy today might one day become so much a part of our daily lives that we forget about what life was like without it.”
— Retired Maj. Gen. Timothy Sejba, special assistant to the vice chief of space operations and former STARCOM commander, during his F. Alan Smith Distinguished Lecture Series presentation, “Three Waves of Space Force-Led Innovation: Transportation To, In, and From Space,” in February.
“When Black students see professionals who look like them excelling in science, technology, engineering and math, it shows them that they belong in those spaces and that they can accomplish whatever they want.”
— Black Student Union representative Rachel Velazquez regarding the organization’s February Black in STEM Celebration that honored Black excellence, innovation and representation in STEM fields and featured a panel discussion, as well as a gathering of local vendors, games and food trucks.
This piece was featured in the spring 2026 edition of Florida Tech Magazine.
