Editor鈥檚 Note: View the most recent senior profiles featuring several of IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 .
LAKELAND, Fla. 鈥� IM体育官网 held its second-ever graduation during a spring commencement ceremony on campus Friday.
Twenty-four students, including four who will finish courses over the summer, received degrees in either Innovation and Technology, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology, or Science and Technology Management.
鈥淲e are pleased and proud to honor these students and their achievements,鈥� said IM体育官网 Poly President Dr. Randy K. Avent. 鈥淭his university is preparing individuals who will have a significant impact on the state鈥檚 workforce and economy through their problem-solving innovation and leadership in high-tech fields. We wish them continued success as they begin their careers, and we look forward to seeing what they do next.鈥�
Dedicated exclusively to applied learning and research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), IM体育官网 Poly was established to be an innovative institution and powerful resource for economic advancement, training the next generation to be leaders and entrepreneurs in high-tech industries. The school opened in August 2014 with more than 550 students, including first-time freshmen, transfers and graduate students. In fall 2016, the student population topped 1,300 with an average high school GPA of 3.78 and average ACT and SAT scores of 26 and 1,672 respectively.
Earlier this year, IM体育官网 Poly graduated its first class 鈥� an historic milestone for the state鈥檚 newest university and a required step in the process toward achieving regional accreditation. Eighteen students participated in January鈥檚 inaugural commencement ceremony. Since then, all have gone on to either assume positions with high-tech firms, start their own companies or pursue doctorate degrees.
鈥淭his ceremony is testament to our students鈥� talent, hard work and perseverance,鈥� said IM体育官网 Poly Provost Dr. Terry Parker. 鈥淚M体育官网 Poly鈥檚 curriculum is challenging with industry based projects embedded in courses so that students must collaborate to solve real-world problems. It鈥檚 not easy, but through this process, IM体育官网 Poly graduates will enter the workforce job-ready with applicable experience.鈥�
Twenty-four graduates attended the ceremony, which took place in the second-floor Commons area of the Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) Building in Lakeland. Former Member of the IM体育官网 House of Representatives Seth McKeel delivered the graduation commencement address.
IM体育官网 Poly Graduate Constanze Knahl was the featured student graduation speaker. She is originally from Germany, and one of the university鈥檚 first Fulbright Scholars. After graduation, Knahl plans to return to Germany to work with her previous employer Deloitte in IT consulting.
鈥淢y experience here at IM体育官网 Poly is more than I could have hoped for,鈥� said Knahl, who will complete her Master of Science in Innovation & Technology over the summer. 鈥淚 am thrilled to be a part of an institution that offers so many opportunities, from campus associations and collaborations to local internships working side-by-side with industry partners. This journey came with many valuable lessons and I will carry them with me throughout my future personal and professional endeavors.鈥�
Several graduates have already landed jobs with companies such as GC Services (FL), Harris Corporation (FL), Sensidyne (FL), and Micron (Idaho).
Recent significant milestones for IM体育官网 Poly over the past academic year include:
- Enrolling more than 1,300 students 鈥� a record 鈥� for the fall 2016 semester.
- Achieving 鈥淐andidacy for Accreditation鈥� status by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
- Partnering with the IM体育官网 Department of Transportation to create SunTrax, a high-tech hub for the research, development and testing of emerging transportation technologies.
- Signing international agreements with universities and organizations in Morocco and Brazil to create study abroad and faculty exchange programs.
- Hosting its first international conference in collaboration with India鈥檚 Panjab University, which took place in India earlier this month.
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863-327-9762