LAKELAND, Fla., Sept. 27,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Polytechnic University
announced a new name for its state-of-the-art research building:
the Barnett Applied Research Center. The name honors the Barnett
family and its longstanding support and generosity for the
University.
The Florida Poly Board of Trustees approved the naming during
its meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 27.
The request honors and recognizes the Barnetts' significant
contributions to the University, which exceed $10 million and support student success.
"We are exceptionally enthusiastic about our partnership with
Florida Poly and its role in propelling Central Florida to national prominence as a
technology hub over the next half-century," said Wesley Barnett, a founding partner at
TampaBay.Ventures and a longtime community advocate. "We firmly
believe that the Barnett Applied Research Center will be an engine
for innovation, a beacon for top-tier talent, and a driving force
in the region's development."
The Barnett family includes brothers Wesley and Nick Barnett and their father,
Barney Barnett. Carol Jenkins Barnett, the family matriarch and
a well-known philanthropist, passed away in 2021. She was the
daughter of Publix Super Markets founder George Jenkins. The family has supported Florida
Poly since the early years of its creation.
"Florida Poly is fortunate to have such a strong partnership
with the Barnett family and we're honored to have their support,"
said Kathy Bowman, vice president
for advancement at Florida Poly. "It is befitting that a campus
jewel such as the Applied Research Center gets to bear the name of
this incredibly generous family."
Wesley Barnett said his family's
support of Florida Poly over the years has been anchored by their
unwavering dedication to seeing the Polk
County community and the entire Central Florida region thrive with growth in
industry, knowledge, and opportunity.
"We envision the University as an epicenter of innovation,
producing top talent and pioneering research that will create
progress and attract strong companies," Barnett said. "Our
continuous support of the University is driven by the belief that
Florida Poly's innovative spirit and strategic location within the
technology corridor will play a pivotal role in shaping the future
of education, research, and economic development in the region."
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SOURCE Florida Poly