2024 Impact

Paying It Forward

The Picou Scholarship

Monique Picou ’93 MBA credits an anonymous donor for providing her the resources needed to complete her bachelor’s degree in engineering. Picou, global executive vice president, Google cloud supply chain and operations, now strives to pay it forward. Together with her family, she has endowed two scholarships for students in the Bisk College of Business at Florida Tech.

According to Picou, “To whom much is given, much is required. You cannot receive with a closed hand, and neither can you gift! It is important to always keep an open hand!”

Picou’s generosity exemplifies the impact alumni can have on current students. By supporting scholarships and other initiatives, alumni can help maintain academic excellence and provide opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

"As an environmental business major, Florida Tech gives me the opportunity to combine my interest in biology, chemistry and oceanography, while also studying business. I am honored to receive the Picou scholarship.”

—Savannah Oxley, senior, environmental 

A Lasting Legacy

The Phillip W. Farmer Scholarship

The Phillip W. Farmer Scholars Program is a testament to the extraordinary generosity of the Farmer family. Each year, this prestigious endowed scholarship awards outstanding incoming students with a comprehensive four-year package. This year, two students were named Farmer Scholars, an honor which covers the recipient’s full tuition, fees, meal plan and housing in Farmer Hall, located within the L3Harris Village.

Farmer scholars are also granted a unique opportunity to enrich their academic journey. Between their junior and senior years, they receive a stipend to participate in Florida Tech’s renowned summer study abroad program at Oxford University in England.

"Being named a Farmer Scholar impacted every facet of my college experience. It allowed me to focus on my engineering studies and flight training. The connections I made with professors and industry professionals yielded top-tier internship opportunities, culminating with a job offer as a flight test engineer before my senior year. I will always be grateful to the Farmer family.”

—Andrew Traficante ’24, aerospace engineering, Farmer Scholar

Skyward Together

Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust

Florida Tech has been awarded a $1M grant from the Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust. “This grant will be instrumental in allowing the College of Aeronautics to continue to expand and to serve the needs of future pilots,” said John E. Deaton, Ph.D., dean and professor of the College of Aeronautics.

The Buehler Trust has consistently supported Florida Tech, keeping it at the forefront of aviation industry. Their contributions include the establishment of the Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training and Research. This state-of-the-art facility houses the college’s flight opeations, featuring an aircraft maintenance team and hangar, pilot briefing rooms, lounge and planning areas, and a fleet of over 40 aircraft.

Bill Morris Advanced Flight Scholar Blake Eric Wolanin ’22 and all Florida Tech aeronautics students have benefited from more than $4 million in support from the Buehler Perpetual Trust since 2006.

Cultivating Growth

The Patterson Botanical Garden

A serene stream bordered by a shady hammock, abundant with palm trees and other tropical growth, winds through the heart of Florida Tech’s campus. This is the setting for a remarkable 15-acre botanical garden, one of the most unique campus botanical gardens in the continental United States.

Maintaining this special place is made possible in large part through the generosity of Joy and Gordon Patterson. Both members of the Florida Tech faculty, the Pattersons established the Joy and Gordon Patterson Fund for the garden, ensuring its beauty and tranquility are preserved for future generations.