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The return of students to Florida Tech is
always an exciting time. The arrival of the Class of 2008,
our new freshmen, is especially energizing. This week, we’ve
welcomed 750 of the world’s best and brightest students
to the south’s only private technological university.
The quality of this class is astounding, as the average SAT
score is about 1200, and the high school grade point average
is 3.6. About 60% of them are from many of the other 49 states,
and 15% are international students.
While we are delighted with this group,
as a long-time Florida resident, I am concerned that only
25% are from our state. Even more disturbing is the realization
that Floridians are not enrolling in the courses we have
for engineering, sciences, aviation, management, and psychology – all
are careers essential for our economic, social, and political
future.
During my two years as president, I have
often been told that while Florida Tech is a great school,
it is too expensive. Both of these statements may be true,
since building a high quality university comes with costs.
Since we are a technological university with a humanist approach
to education - - personal attention, small class sizes, new
facilities and equipment, and a traditional student-professor
relationship - - it is understandable that we must charge
a tuition that is much higher than publicly-funded universities.
Yet, this cost should not be a barrier for attendance by
Floridians and especially Space Coast residents. Thus, we
are launching an extensive effort to assist Floridians with
financial assistance to attend Florida Tech.
We are announcing the President’s
Scholarships for freshmen and transfer students to all Florida
residents. For those with SAT scores over 1200 and GPAs over
3.8, we can put together a package that will cover most if
not all tuition costs - - depending upon a student’s
financial need. For those who are admitted and do not quite
have those scores, but show extraordinary potential, we can
develop a very attractive financial aid package that nearly
equals public university tuition. To further encourage transfer
students who successfully complete their Associate’s
Degree at Brevard Community College, I am designating five
scholarships for deserving students to be awarded by my colleague
Dr. Tom Gamble.
In sum, Florida Tech wants more Florida
students. This is not because we need more students – we
receive over 10,000 inquiries for 750 slots – it is
because we believe that Florida needs more graduates in the
fields that we offer. We especially want to boost the supply
of engineers, scientists, and managers for the Space Coast’s
very bright high tech future. Florida Tech is not just in
the Space Coast, we are of the Space Coast.
Anthony James Catanese
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