Florida Polytechnic University

Florida Polytechnic University
Former name
University of South Florida Lakeland (1988-2008)
University of South Florida Polytechnic (2008-2012)
Motto"Technology, Engineering, Industry"
TypePublic university
EstablishedApril 20, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-04-20)[1]
Parent institution
State University System of Florida
AccreditationSACS
Academic affiliations
Space-grant
Endowment$3.57 million (2021)[2]
PresidentRandy Avent
ProvostTerry Parker
Academic staff
97[3]
Administrative staff
171[3]
Students1,236 (Spring 2017)[4]
Location
Lakeland
,
Florida
,
United States
CampusFringe rural[6], 531 acres (2.15 km2)[5]
MediaLayers
ColorsRoyal Purple
 
MascotPhoenix
Websitehttps://floridapoly.edu

Florida Polytechnic University (Florida Poly) is a public university in Lakeland, Florida. Created as an independent university in 2012, it is the newest of the 12 institutions in the State University System of Florida. It is the state's only public polytechnic university, and focuses solely on STEM education.[7]

The institution originated as a branch campus of the University of South Florida, which opened in 1988. The State of Florida authorized a new campus in 2008, and renamed the school University of South Florida Polytechnic. In 2012, the Florida Legislature initiated plans to dissolve the USF branch campus and reform the Lakeland institution into an independent school. Florida Poly opened for classes on August 25, 2014 with an inaugural class of 554 students.[8]

Florida Poly resides on a 170-acre[9] campus. The university's Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) Building, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, is home to a 3-D printing lab, cyber gaming and media lab, cyber security lab, robotics lab, and a big data lab.[10] In addition, Florida Poly is the first university whose campus library is completely digital.[11]

  1. ^ "Florida Polytechnic University - SUSF". State University System of Florida. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  2. ^ "Data USA - Florida Poly".
  3. ^ a b "Florida Polytechnic University Fact Sheet". floridapolytechnic.org. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  4. ^ "UNIVERSITY FACT SHEET". floridapoly.edu. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  5. ^ "Facts".
  6. ^ "IPEDS-Florida Polytechnic University".
  7. ^ "Florida Polytechnic University". i4 Business. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  8. ^ Toothman, Mary. "Students Settle Into College Life as Classes Begin at Florida Polytechnic University". The Ledger. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  9. ^ Madsen, Deane. "Santiago Calatrava's Florida Polytechnic University Opens Tomorrow". Architect, the Magazine of The American Institute of Architects. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  10. ^ "Innovation Labs - Florida Polytechnic University". Florida Polytechnic University. Retrieved 2018-03-02.
  11. ^ Scott, Simon. "Florida Polytechnic Library Goes Book-Free". NPR. Retrieved 6 September 2014.