Nestled in the heart of Melbourne is a growing giant in its field, one
that any community would be proud to have in its borders. This organization
employs 792 people at its home base in Brevard County. It attracts over
3,000 full and part-time residents to Melbourne each year. Its economic
impact countywide is more than $400 million. Many of its employees are
national leaders in their fields. It has been a silent partner in the
community's economic growth and in the growth of high-tech industry on
the Space Coast for the past 45 years.
It does all this, and it doesn't pollute.
It is, to coin a phrase, a chamber of commerce's dream.
What is this mystery organization? The Florida Institute of Technology.
Florida Tech's history pre- dates even that of NASA. The university's
founder, Dr. Jerome P. Keuper, created Florida Tech when he saw a need
for more master's and Ph.D.-level scientists at Cape Canaveral. Keuper
worked for RCA, and was one of many pioneers behind the scenes in America's
Cold War-era race for space. He translated the entrepreneurial spirit
found abundantly at the Cape into a drive to build one of the world's
best science and engineering universities. He succeeded in building his
dream, starting with a first donation of 37 cents.
Today, Florida Tech still embodies the spirit of its founder. In addition
to its own employees, former faculty and graduates are an important part
of the high-tech landscape in Brevard County. Several Space Coast companies,
including Artemis, began in Florida Tech dorm rooms. The new Florida
Tech Start business accelerator will only increase the university's role
in creating and guiding Space Coast entrepreneurs. Through this accelerator,
we will ensure that Keuper's spirit remains an important part of our
future.
Florida Tech is dedicated to sustainable growth in its student population.
This fall, the university's student body grew by four percent, with more
than 3,100 undergraduate and graduate students in Melbourne and nearly
5,000 students when those enrolled in our School of Extended Graduate
Studies are included. Of these Melbourne students, more than 2,000 live
off-campus, and each off-campus student spends an average of $8,200 per
year on food, housing and other living expenses, or more than $16 million
in total.
We will not sacrifice quality for growth, however. This year's freshman
class has an average high school G.P.A. of 3.5, and an average S.A.T.
score of 1159, more than 130 points higher than the national average.
Florida Tech's economic impact reaches beyond business development or
our own students. Over the past five years, the campus has undergone
a bricks and mortar renaissance, with the construction of the F.W. Olin
Engineering Complex, the F.W. Olin Life Sciences Building, the Charles
and Ruth Clemente Center for Sports and Recreation, and the Columbia
Village residence hall complex.
Now, we are building the $14 million F.W. Olin Physical Sciences Building.
For every million dollars spent in construction, $1.6 million is poured
into the local economy, along with 22 jobs. In the case of the physical
sciences building, that equates to a $22.4 million boon to the Space
Coast economy and the creation of more than 300 jobs.
Our renaissance will not end with the physical sciences building. We
will continue to be aggressive in building a campus reflective of our
founding spirit, one that is well equipped to ensure Florida Tech has
the facilities needed to become one of the best high-tech universities
in the world.
Finally, Florida Tech makes difference in the nation's perception of
the Space Coast. Members of our faculty are globally recognized for their
expertise in a wide variety of disciplines. Media from across the nation
seek out our faculty for their research discoveries and expertise. They
comprise an intellectual resource that must not be overlooked.
Florida Tech's impact on the Space Coast will continue to be felt for
generations to come. What began 45 years ago with a dream and 37 cents
has become a world-renown high-tech university. And the best is yet to
be.
Anthony James Catanese
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