Collage of photos forming the University Seal

Your Impact

Let's Stand For Greatness, Together

At Florida Tech, the impact of our donors is profound and transformative. Your generosity fuels groundbreaking research, enhances student experiences, and supports faculty excellence. By investing in Florida Tech, donors play a crucial role in shaping the future of innovation and education. Their contributions help us attract top talent, advance cutting-edge projects, and maintain a dynamic learning environment.

Together, we’re building a legacy of excellence that extends far beyond the campus, empowering students and faculty to make a meaningful difference in the world.

"We are deeply grateful to all our donors whose generous support throughout this past year has been instrumental in advancing Florida Tech’s mission. Your investment directly enables our students and faculty to pursue groundbreaking research, access stateof- the-art resources and engage in transformative educational experiences that define excellence in higher education. When our community invests in Florida Tech, they’re investing in the future of innovation and empowering the next generation of leaders to solve the world’s most pressing challenges."

—John Nicklow, Ph.D., Florida Tech president

Empowering Faculty Innovation Through Strategic Grant Support

Florida Institute of Technology’s successful $50,000 Educating Character Initiative grant exemplifies how external funding empowers faculty to pursue transformative educational initiatives. This competitive
award enables Andrew Aberdein, Ph.D., and Heidi Hatfield Edwards, Ph.D., to lead the “Building Core Character” project, an innovative e¢ ort to integrate intellectual virtues and civil discourse skills throughout the general education core curriculum. By providing the resources necessary for sustained faculty collaboration, curriculum development and comprehensive assessment, this grant demonstrates the critical role that funding plays in translating visionary educational concepts into measurable outcomes. The project’s focus on embedding character education within existing core requirements ensures broad student impact while maintaining a distinctive STEM-focused mission, demonstrating how strategic grant support empowers Florida Tech to advance both academic excellence and character development.

Community Support Powers Economic Impact

Gitlin Beth Gitlin, Ph.D., a Florida Institute of Technology alumna and former executive director of weVENTURE Women’s Business Center, is making a transformational $100,000 investment to establish the weVENTURE Business Center Endowment. The goal of this endowment is to provide sustainable funding for weVENTURE WBC’s essential programs, including business coaching, low- and no-cost business education, mentorship and leadership development services for small businesses across the Space and Treasure Coasts.

Gitlin’s generous investment reflects her deep commitment to the organization she once led. It represents a crucial step toward making weVENTURE WBC self-sustaining, reducing its reliance on federal SBA grants while ensuring consistent program delivery for the entrepreneurial community it serves.

2024–2025 By the Numbers

2,108

Degrees Conferred

Countries Represented

And All 50 States

Top 30

Online School Nationwide

Newsweek

Soaring to New Heights

This past year, more than 46 student clubs and organizations thrived thanks to the generosity of our community. This year, the Florida Tech Flight Team received $4,600 to support travel and lodging to attend the NIFA SAFECON National Championship— one of the most prestigious collegiate aviation competitions in the country.

"The support allowed the Flight Team to showcase the ability of our pilots and our reputable fl ight program at the national level. We would not have been able to successfully make our trip if it were not for the generous support of our donors, and I could not be more grateful for the opportunities our team has been given."

—Rebecca Berris, Senior, Aeronautical Science and Air Traffic Control, Florida Tech Flight Team First Officer

Supporting Ocean Sciences

Student standing next to boat in workshop. Rafael V. Lopez’s $100,000 endowment commitment has created lasting opportunities for Florida Tech students pursuing degrees in oceanography, environmental science and ocean engineering. Established in 2014, this scholarship demonstrates the profound impact of alumni dedication to student success. Current recipient Annslee Maloy exemplifies the fund’s mission, sharing that the scholarship “has not only alleviated financial burden but has also empowered me to focus wholeheartedly on my studies and research endeavors.” Providing annual support to students who demonstrate financial need and academic excellence, the Lopez Endowment will continue supporting aspiring ocean engineers for generations to come. Rafael V. Lopez’s $100,000 endowment commitment has created lasting opportunities for Florida Tech students pursuing degrees in oceanography, environmental science and ocean engineering. Established in 2014, this scholarship demonstrates the profound impact of alumni dedication to student success. Current recipient Annslee Maloy exemplifies the fund’s mission, sharing that the scholarship “has not support to students who demonstrate financial need and academic excellence, the Lopez Endowment will continue supporting aspiring ocean engineers for generations to come.

Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders

Launched this past year through the vision of an anonymous alumnus, the President’s Ambassadors program represents the highest honor bestowed upon Florida Tech students. This elite leadership development initiative, made possible entirely through alumni generosity, selects only the most exceptional students to serve as official representatives of President Nicklow and the university. These distinguished ambassadors engage directly with alumni, donors and community leaders, developing critical professional skills while showcasing the best of Florida Tech. The program stands as a powerful testament to how continued investment creates transformative opportunities, empowering our most promising students to become servant leaders who will shape the future across all industries. Through the ongoing support and commitment of our alumni network, the President’s Ambassadors receive unparalleled leadership training that prepares them to carry forward Florida Tech’s legacy of excellence.

Alumni Giving Back

Vito Kaminskas, Florida Tech Class of 1973 and proud Pi Kappa Alpha alumnus, has given back to his alma mater by endowing a scholarship specifically for a fellow Pike studying at Florida Tech. This year’s recipient is Nicholas Nania, a freshman engineering major. The Pikes are one of Florida Tech’s most active alumni groups, supporting both current and former brothers across campus and around the world. Vito’s investment is a testament to the enduring brotherhood and camaraderie among the Pikes, who regularly return to Melbourne and gather at fellow brother Kevin Menard’s Broken Barrel to share memories and celebrate life’s adventures together.

Athletics 2024-2025 Highlights

3.45

Overall Scholar-Athlete GPA

Women's Soccer

Champions

SSC Regular Season and Tournament

Ben Peck

THREE

Freshman of the Year

Women's Lacrosse, Men's Track & Men's Cross Country

259

SCHOLAR-ATHLETES NAMED TO ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL

Sunshine State Conference

Volleyball

First-Ever All-Americans

Chiara Patelli & Cordelia Kearns

THREE

ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS

Marian Dionne tribute to Gene Angus

Leaders Supporting Scholars

Marian Dionne's generous gift of rowing shell to the Florida Tech men's rowing program serves as a meaningful tribute to Gene Angus, a beloved member of the Florida Tech men's rowing team who passed away in early 2025. This donation not only honors Gene's memory and contributions to the program but also provides essential equipment that will benefit future generations of Panther scholar-athletes. Alumni support, like Marian's, is critical to ensuring Florida Dionne Polaroid Tech athletics continue to complete at the national level across all sports, strengthening our commitment to excellence both on the water and throughout our athletic programs.