Office of the President

Hello, Panthers.

Can you feel it? Excitement is in the air as Spring semester 2026 is off and running.

Your experience this term will be what you make it, and I encourage you to make it great! One powerful way to do that? Involvement. I believe getting involved truly sparks success.

Here are a few things coming this spring that are ripe for involvement. And remember, that can be as simple as coming to an event that interests you.

First, did you hear that a key U.S. Space Force leader will be speaking on campus in February? Maj. Gen. Timothy Sejba, a past STARCOM commander now serving as Special Assistant to the Vice Chief of Space Operations, will be the speaker at the 2026 F. Alan Smith Distinguished Lecture Series on Feb. 19 at Gleason Performing Arts Center. Go online now and register!

And it’s never too early to start planning for our annual Northrop Grumman Engineering & Science Student Design Showcase coming to Clemente Center April 24-25. With a project or not, just walking through and checking out students’ amazing ingenuity and creativity will boost your pride in Florida Tech and its student body.

There’s so much to do as 2026 marches on! I encourage you to sign up, show up, and have fun. That goes for students, faculty, staff and alumni, too: Florida Tech is all about opportunities to get involved, as with our faculty/staff Pickleball group, the Pickled Panthers! Relish the fun.

Stacy and I look forward to seeing you at many activities and events across the Spring semester. We’ll talk again soon.

Until then, go (out), Panthers!

Sincerely,

John Nicklow, Ph.D.
President

Dear Florida Tech Family,

We are deeply grateful to you for all the ways you’ve helped make Florida Tech grow and thrive in 2025. 

May the spirit and the beauty of the holidays bloom in your hearts throughout 2026!

With warmth and gratitude,

President John and Dr. Stacy Nicklow

Hello, Panthers!

I love this time of year. It’s when we pause to remember the things for which we are thankful on the cusp of a season of warmth and cheer that merrily reminds us of the value of our colleagues, friends, family and partners.

We at Florida Tech have so much to be thankful for, such as our hardworking and talented faculty and staff, amazing students and outstanding alumni.

The Roman philosopher Cicero wrote, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” So I have two questions for you: First, what are you grateful for in your life? Second, how do you demonstrate that gratitude?

Gratitude can be an incredibly inspirational force. motivating us to reach out in friendship or in partnership to improve our communities and contribute to the well-being of others in meaningful ways.

Stacy and I are grateful for the countless ways the Panther community shows up to help one another. Your support is more than a gift: You strengthen Florida Tech.

Together, we can fuel creativity and innovation, empowering a brighter tomorrow for our students during a time that celebrates generosity.

Happy Thanksgiving—and Go Panthers!

Sincerely,

John Nicklow, Ph.D.
President

Hello, Panthers!

I was at Clemente Center recently, and this impressive facility is one of the places where we prove the notion that outstanding scholars can also be outstanding athletes.

This Fall our scholar-athletes have been demonstrating that idea far and wide as they just keep winning!

After thrilling playoff runs last season, our men’s and women’s soccer teams returned with as much intensity, passion and athleticism as ever and find themselves ranked among the best in the nation.

As of early October, our men’s soccer team was top 20 and was unbeaten in its first eight games! Our women’s soccer team was also ranked top 20 and has been playing some stifling defense, holding teams scoreless in two of that three-game run.

The athletic excellence goes beyond the pitch. Florida Tech volleyball, coming off its historically good season, was 3-1 so far in Sunshine State Conference play, its best start in more than a decade.

And at an early October meet, the men’s and women’s swim teams posted a combined 17 first place finishes in their resounding overall wins. Seventeen!

What is so exciting about this success is that it reflects just how deep our quest for excellence runs here at Florida Tech. Whether in the classroom or pool, on the field or at the lab, Panthers push themselves to achieve the greatness they know is within them.

I’ll see you in the stands, where we can shout together, “Go Panthers!”

Sincerely,

John Nicklow, Ph.D.
President