From the President’s Desk

What a great year! You heard it at the State of the University Address in October and I say it again because good news bears repeating. Here are a few highlights:

Last summer we hosted the nine-week International Space University/Space Studies Program. Afterward, Dr. McCay and I were told by ISU officials that our collaboration went even better than the event held at MIT. Understandable, I think, since MIT is the FIT of the north.

At the start of the fall semester, with record enrollment surpassing even optimistic expectations, we opened Florida Tech Commons. This is the Center for Student Success and new home to the School of Psychology and many other offices and departments. The building gives us much-needed space and convenient consolidation of most student services.

WFIT-89.5 FM quadrupled its space with its new home in the WFIT Broadcast Center adjacent to the Gleason Performing Arts Center. The October grand opening combined with a celebration of TWITCHY’s new CD release, of which I am understandably proud. Did I mention that the CD is available in the bookstore?

The football program is progressing nicely. We’ve unveiled the Nike uniforms, held some scrimmages and our 106 players continue to work hard with Coach Englehart. The team is anxious to play its first competitive game with Stetson University in September 2013.

Many new accolades have come our way over the year; we’ve been ranked among the “best” in several categories. Also, we joined with some mighty institutions when we were named an FAA Center of Excellence for Commercial Space Transportation and an FAA Center of Excellence for General Aviation.

I’ve much more to say, but I think it’s obvious that we can claim many accomplishments with pride at this year’s end. So, please join me in a much-deserved eggnog toast at the President’s Holiday Reception on Dec. 18, 3-5 p.m. in the Hartley Room. Happy holidays!