Florida Tech Panthers love to gather for fun and education and to raise and celebrate philanthropy. Below are several of our flagship events.
The F. Alan Smith Distinguished Lecture Series founded by Trustee Alan Smith, was created to attract national leaders in a wide range of industries, typically those impacting transportation, and other subject experts to speak to students, faculty and community members at Florida Institute of Technology. At least one executive speaker is welcomed to campus every Fall and Spring semester. Speakers address topics such as innovation in the automotive industry and self-driving cars, the hyperloop and high-speed rail, and innovations that impact business and the quality of life from space, land and sea exploration and travel.
An Evening of Hope Every year, this event provides a night of elegance and celebration as we raise support for Florida Tech's renowned autism center to provide needed care and support for families, education of the nation's leading Autism treatment providers and research to advance the field of behavioral therapies to help reduce and someday eliminate the impacts of an autism diagnosis.
Legacy of 37 Reception: The Legacy of 37 Reception is Florida Tech Athletics' signature fundraising event. It is named in honor of the legendary 37-cent donation that solidified founding president Jerry Keuper’s resolve to launch the institution that would become Florida Tech. It’s a legacy of extraordinary vision, unbridled resourcefulness, and relentless determination — and it lives on in every Panther athlete today.
A highlight of the Legacy of 37 Reception is incorporating the Florida Tech Sports Hall of Fame Induction & Florida Tech’s famous Chopper Dropper fundraiser, a raffle-by-ball-drop contest with the following cash prizes:
(1) $37,000 Grand Prize, (4) $3,700, (10) $370, along with a silent auction including several sports, travel, and entertainment packages.
All proceeds raised by the Legacy of 37 Reception and Chopper Dropper directly support Florida Tech’s scholar-athletes.
