Melbourne in Brevard County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Florida Institute of Technology
Photographed By Jamie Cox, March 22, 2012
1. Florida Institute of Technology Marker
A 37-cent donation, given to Florida Institute of Technology founder Jerome P. Keuper (1921-2002), would launch one of the most remarkable stories in American higher education. Keuper, a scientist working at Cape Canaveral, founded Florida Tech in 1958 to meet a critical need for scientists and engineers in America's race for space. Florida Tech quickly attracted the world's foremost rocket scientists to its halls. It awarded its first honorary doctorate in 1962 to astronaut Virgil "Gus" Grissom. Among its first visiting professors were the legendary rocket scientist Wernher von Braun and Edward Teller, the father of the hydrogen bomb. Over the years Florida Tech expanded its course offerings to take advantage of its unique location where the land, sea, sky and space come together. It has done so while maintaining internationally recognized excellence, and its ties to the space program. It counts among its graduates five astronauts, including two who flew together on Space Shuttle Discovery in December, 2006, Joan Higginbotham and Sunita Williams.
A Florida Heritage SiteErected by Florida Institute
Photographed By Jamie Cox, March 22, 2012
2. Florida Tech Campus and Marker
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical month for this entry is December 2006.
Location. 28° 3.965′ N, 80° 37.491′ W. Marker is in Melbourne, Florida, in Brevard County. Marker is on South Country Club Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Melbourne FL 32901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Little Red Schoolhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of First Permanent Log Cabin (approx. 0.9 miles away); Lincoln Hotel (approx. 0.9 miles away); Holy Trinity (approx. one mile away); Henegar School Complex (approx. 1.2 miles away); Union Cypress Sawmill (approx. 1.3 miles away); Tin Can Tourist Campground (approx. 1.3 miles away); Melbourne Public Library (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.
More about this marker. This has to win the award for the best-landscaped marker.
Regarding Florida Institute of Technology. Founder Jerome Keuper's last name is pronounced "Cooper".
Additional keywords. FIT F.I.T. college university
Photographed By Jamie Cox, March 22, 2012
3. Florida Tech Marker Landscaping
This marker has its own bench, sidewalk and landscaping circle.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2012, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. This page has been viewed 945 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 23, 2012, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
