The Florida Institute of Technology, known as Florida Tech or FIT, is a private research university in Melbourne, Florida. Founded in 1958 to support the U.S. space program, it is renowned for its engineering and science programs. The university offers a diverse range of disciplines across four academic colleges: Engineering & Science, Aeronautics, Psychology & Liberal Arts, and Business, with engineering and sciences attracting the majority of its students. Florida Tech's 130-acre campus is proximate to the Melbourne Orlando International Airport and Patrick Space Force Base, enriching its research and educational opportunities. The university, with a current endowment of $85.7 million, upholds a motto symbolizing its commitment to science and exploration: "Ad Astra Per Scientiam" or "To the stars through science." It has a vibrant campus life, underscored by its red and silver colors, the "Panthers" nickname, and its mascot, Pete the Panther. Florida Tech participates in NCAA Division II sports within the Sunshine State Conference and the Gulf South Conference. Its academic excellence is reflected in its classification among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity."