Brevard Engineering College was founded by Dr. Jerome P. Keuper, who remained president until 1986. The college was granted a charter as a nonprofit corporation by the State of Florida Graduate courses in Space Technology, Electrical Engineering, and Mathematics were offered for the first time.

The college moved to its current Melbourne campus and construction began immediately on administration and classroom buildings to augment existing buildings that had been used by the former University of Melbourne.

Master’s program in Electrical Engineering was announced.

The name of the college was changed to Florida Institute of Technology.

The department of Oceanography was established to offer scientific courses in the largely unexplored frontier.

The School of Aeronautics, originally called Aerospace Technical Institute, was created to train pilots and people needed with expertise in the business affairs and electronic technology for the aviation industry.

The modern, 510-seat Gleason Auditorium was dedicated.

Construction began on the half-million-dollar student center.

The botanical garden area is created, which today is the site of one of the country's most impressive collection of palms.

The University Center for Pollution Research was established to concentrate research in several ecological areas, including purifying water with gamma rays.

The Medical Research Institute was established to develop biological agents for the detection, treatment, and immunological control of diseases in man and animals.

The departments of Computer Science and Mathematical Sciences was merged into a new department of Mathematical Sciences.

Ground was broken for the gymnasium.

The Stuart M. Campbell Residence Hall was dedicated.

Hydrospace Technical Institute was started as an affiliate of Florida Institute of technology. It offered a two-year program leading to the associate of science degree in Ocean Technology.

The Melbourne regional Jetport houses the School of Aeronautics.

Underwater Technology programs were started.

Electrical Engineering was accredited by the Engineer’s Council for Professional Development. This was the first program to receive separate professional accreditation.

The bachelor of science degree program in Science Education, with options in aviation/aeronautics, biology, chemistry, environmental science, general science, mathematics, and physics was initiated.

The university was classified as an organization that is not a private organization as defined in Section 509(A) of the I.R.C. and gifts to the Institution were tax deductible.

The Crawford Building was completed in time for fall occupancy.

Electrical engineering received approval to offer a doctoral degree.

The department of Biological Sciences was created to offer programs in general biology, marine biology, ecological/environmental biology, and optional programs in biology in which students could fulfill requirements for admission to professional school of medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry.

A master’s degree program was started in science education, with options in biology, chemistry, environmental science, physics, general science, mathematics, and aviation.

Hydrospace Technical Institute at Cocoa Beach instituted a four-year program offering the degree of bachelor of technology.

Medical Research Institute is founded.

The first off-campus program was launched in Maryland at the request of the U.S. Navy.

Florida Institute of Technology’s Hydrospace Technical Institute acquired an 84-acre campus in Jensen Beach, Florida, to educate technicians and technologists in the marine and environmental fields. It is the new home for the School of Marine and Environmental Technology.

Florida Institute of Technology’s Model United Nations Assembly team won  first prize as “Best Delegation” at the annual meeting held in New York City. The team, coached by Professor E.J. Harrell of the history department, included Gene Blaettler, Tom Shaw, Dave Rohrer, and Dale Thompson.

The seven-story high-rise dormitory known as Roberts Hall was dedicated.

Ocean Engineering became a part of the university’s commitment to exploring that frontier.

Mechanical Engineering and Biology Department was formed.

Three new degrees were offered—M.S. in biological sciences, B.S. in science education and B.S. in Ocean Engineering

Humanities Division formed.

The program was approved for Coastal Zone Studies. It offered studies that led to the doctor of philosophy in Oceanography or Biological Sciences.

Florida Institute of Technology purchased Southgate Apartments (76 units)  to provide apartment-style living for the growing number of students.

Students applied for and were granted a license to operate WFIT-FM by the FCC

Students were offered master’s studies in 14 diverse areas.

M.B.A. degree was offered in July 1974.

Ph.D. degree program in biology began.

The Mechanical Engineering program was accredited by the Engineers’ Council for Professional Development.

A doctoral degree program in Science Education began.

An evening degree program in Applied Sciences was begun. The bachelor of science degree can be achieved in six years through the evening program. Options for specialization are available in electrical and mechanical engineering, mathematics, computer science, physics and space sciences.

WFIT, student operated radio station, began broadcasting. It is Brevard’s first noncommercial, educational FM radio station.

A physics and space sciences observatory facility was started that will result in a complete space sciences facility for solar, stellar, atmospheric, and pollution measurement.

Student Health Center set up at the Denius Student Center.

Dedication of the William G. Selby and Marie Selby Marine Science Building took place the Jensen Beach Campus.

Evans Hall dedication. The new dormitory houses 84 women, a modern cafeteria, Rathskeller, game room facilities, central conference room and other student conveniences.

The Bronson Price Memorial Genetic Research Fund was established at the Medical Research Institute of Florida Institute of Technology.

Florida Institute of Technology, Southeast U.S. Crew Champions competed in the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in England.

Jerome Penn Keuper Year. In the short span of 20 years since the university began, Florida Institute of Technology has achieved the enviable status of being the second largest private university in Florida and the only private technological university in the Southeastern United States.

A program leading to specialist in education degree (Ed.S.) was added.

The new four-story Evans Library, a multimillion-dollar structure that includes a teaching auditorium and an innovative microcomputer center was completed.

The School of Psychology and the School of Management and Humanities were created.

The Indian River Marine Research Center was opened.

Cytogenetics Laboratory established to study genetic disorders.

Ocean Engineering was accredited by ABET.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Holzer Student Health Center were held.

Florida Institute of Technology’s varsity sports program was granted membership into the Sunshine State Conference.

Hawthorne College officially affiliated itself with Florida Institute of Technology with a $2.75 million loan.

The Computer-Aided Design Laboratory in the department of mechanical engineering was announced.

A new undergraduate programs leading to a bachelor’s degree in Humanities was announced.

The 16-foot clock tower made of Taiwan marble was dedicated. It was a gift from the Republic of China to the memory of Chairman Chao Tsu-yu, former chairman of Taiwan’s Vocational Assistance Commission for Retired Servicemen.

The School of Psychology building was opened.

The nation’s highest award for aviation and space education (the Frank G. Brewer Trophy) was presented to Florida Institute of Technology.

The executive master’s of Business Administration program was announced.

A bachelor’s degree program in Molecular Biology was started.

A new undergraduate program leading to a bachelor’s degree in Business Communication was announced.

A graduate-level program in Electrical Engineering was announced.

F.I.T.’s crew team won the national small college rowing championship in the Dad Vail Regatta.

Groundbreaking ceremony for the new John H. Evans Library was held.

A new master of business degree, with a concentration in accounting was announced.

A new Microwave Laboratory for the electrical and compute engineering departments has been added.

Off-Campus Programs opened a new site at the Headquarters, U.S. Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command in Alexandria, Virginia.

A regional center for the testing of genetic material to reveal human disorders will open at F.I.T.'s new Medical Genetics Laboratory.

F.I.T. opened the only state-authorized Microbiology Laboratory for the testing of hard-shelled clams to determine whether or not they are safe for human consumption.

F.I.T. completed construction on a state-funded Biomass Pilot Plant to produce and evaluate various gasoline extenders.

The School of Psychology opened its new Psychological Services facility

F.I.T. to offer an option in Aviation Management within the master of business administration degree program.

A bachelor’s degree in Airway Science was announced.

F.I.T. offers master’s degree program in Computer Education.

The official mascot of the F.I.T. intercollegiate athletic teams is the panther.

The Flying Falcons won top honors at the Southeast Regional Flight Meet.

Two new bachelor of science programs in aviation were announced—Aircraft Systems Management and Airway Science Management.

F.I.T. claims its first Olympic gold medal winner when Jeanne Flanagan, a member of the first American women’s crew team, won their event. Flanagan, an oceanography major, graduated from F.I.T. in 1979.

A new four-story Evans Library, a multimillion-dollar structure, opens.  It includes a teaching auditorium and an innovative microcomputer center.

The Percy L. Hedgecock gymnasium was dedicated.

F.I.T. Panthers won the national small college championship for men’s rowing from the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia.

The 95-foot coastal research vessel, R/V Ospry was acquired by F.I.T.

The 85-acre Jensen Beach campus was sold, and the academic programs were moved to the Melbourne campus

Dr. John E. Miller served as president until 1987.

Undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering is offered.

Dr. Lynn E. Weaver selected president of F.I.T. University announced $25 million, five-year capital campaign.

The formation of the Space Research Institute as a research arm of F.I.T. was announced.

Harris Computer Lab was dedicated.

Renovation of the bookstore and completion of the student plaza outside the student center was completed.

The Applied Research Laboratory, home of the Space Research Institute, was added just off the main Melbourne Campus.

The School of Psychology launched a national hot line and research project on food addiction.

The College of Science and Engineering was separated into two distinct units the College of Engineering and the College of Science and Liberal Arts. The humanities department, formally a part of the School of Management and Humanities, became an academic unit within the College of Science and Liberal Arts.

The Ray A Work Jr.  building was dedicated.

F.I.T. soccer team wins the Sunshine State Conference. They are ranked fifth in the nation.

F.I.T. Lady Panthers’ basketball team capture the Sunshine State Conference Classic Tournament title.

Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Aging established.

BCC and F.I.T. form partnership in Technology Transfer, a practice that may revolutionize the area of vocational training.

F.I.T. established the College of Science and Liberal Arts.

Claude Pepper Institute for Aging and Therapeutic Research was established.

The university was ruled tax-exempt under Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the U.S. Treasury Department.

George M. Skurla Hall, home of the School of Aeronautics, was dedicated.

The School of Management was renamed the School of Business.

F.I.T. opened the Spaceport Graduate Center in Tituscille, serbing the Kennedy Spce Center and Patrick Air Force Base.

The Space Research Institute has organized the Center for Geo-Space Environmental Research.

F.I.T. became a member of the Oak Ridge Associated Universities, a 57-member university consortium that explores opportunities and solves problems in science and technology.

Center for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, Computers, and Technology grant was awarded to F.I.T. by the state of Florida.

F.I.T. Falcons placed second overall in the 1991 National Intercollegiate Flying Association Safecon Regional competition.

Students are offered more than 50 areas of study in the graduate program.

Florida Tech Panther men's soccer team captures the NCAA Division II national championship - its second national title in four years.

Florida Tech's capital campaign surpasses the $25-million mark in June.  The $25,804,408 is the most money ever raised by the university in a single fundraising program.

The School of Business offers an undergraduate program in hospitality management

The School of Engineering redesigned its organization establishing four divisions: Division of Interdisciplinary Programs

                 Applied Mathematics

                 Engineering Management

                 Operations Research

Division of Electrical and Computer Science and Engineering

                  Computer Engineering

                  Computer Science

                  Electrical Engineering

Division of Marine and Environmental Systems

                  Oceanography

                  Ocean Engineering

                  Environmental Sciences

Division of Engineering Sciences

                   Aerospace Engineering

                   Chemical Engineering

                   Civil Engineering

                   Environmental Engineering

                   Mechanical Engineering

The School of Science and Liberal Arts under the Physics and Space Sciences department began offering an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Science and Preprofessional Physics.

Florida Tech Received SACS accreditation for another 10 years.

Off Campus Program was renamed the School of Extended Graduate Studies.

The Biology department in the College of Science and Liberal Arts began a master’s program in Biotechnology and a Premedical Chemistry.

The Off-Campus Programs name was changed to the School of Extended Graduate Studies, now giving us six schools and colleges at Florida Tech.

The College of Engineering’s Division of Marine and Environmental Systems began offering a bachelor’s degree in meteorology.

The School of Aeronautics began offering a master’s degree in Aviation with options in Airport Development Management and Aviation Science; and a master’s degree in Cognitive Human Factors.

Jensen Beach property was sold to Martin County and a private builder.

F.W. Olin Foundation presented a $50 million grant to Florida Tech, one of the largest single grants ever made by a foundation to a university in the United States. $21 million was to build the F.W. Olin Advanced Engineering Complex and the F.W. Olin Life Sciences Building. An additional $4 million is to the College of Engineering strategic plan. The other $25 million is a matching fund the university to establish an endowment. The university has five years to raise the funds that will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Foundation.

Applied Mathematics and Operations Research were moved from the College of Engineering to the College of Science and Liberal Arts and named the Department of Mathematical Sciences with programs in Applied Mathematics and Operations Research.

The School of Psychology added a master’s program in Applied Behavior Analysis.

The School of Aeronautics added a bachelor’s program in Aviation Meteorology with and Flight and Nonflight option, and a master’s program in Aviation Human Factors.

Charles and Ruth Clemente donate $3.3 million for a sports and recreation center.

F.W. Olin Engineering Complex and F.W. Olin Life Sciences Building are completed.

F.W. Olin Physical Sciences Center opens. 

Ruth Funk donation begins textiles collection and host of related programs.

Buehler Trust donates $1.5 million to fund training and research center at Melbourne International Airport. 

Ruth Funk donates $1.25 million to create a textiles museum. 

Hosted the 2 5th Anniversary Indian River Lagoon Symposium.