Florida Tech’s Dr. Anthony Catanese: Legacy Will Be One of Unparalleled Growth, Success

By  //  April 16, 2016

Dr. Catanese Recognized For Lifetime Achievement

ABOVE VIDEO: The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement honoree is Florida Institute of Technology President and CEO Anthony J. Catanese, who recently announced that he will retire from the university’s top leadership post next year, after 14 years of service.

In the process of launching Florida Institute of Technology into a new galaxy of achievement, Dr. Anthony Catanese has also made an indelible impression on the Space Coast.

Catanese, who on June 30, 2016 retires from his post as president and CEO of this major research institution with more than 16,000 students, will leave some big shoes to fill, as his successor, Dr. T. Dwayne McCay well knows.

“Dr. Catanese makes no small plans,” said McCay.

“His vision has helped us achieve international recognition and to achieve it relatively quickly.”

Dwayne McCay
Dwayne McCay

When he arrived on campus in 2002, it was soon clear that Catanese was the right man at the right time for the job of elevating to international acclaim an institution poised for growth.

Phil Farmer
Phil Farmer

“His legacy will be one of unparalleled growth and success,” said Phillip W. Farmer, chairman of Florida Tech’s board of trustees.

Thanks to Catanese’s vision, Florida Tech is now recognized as a Tier 1 National University by U.S. News and World Report. The Carnegie Foundation rates Florida Tech amongst America’s top schools of higher learning.

The Times in London placed it among the best universities in the world. Florida Tech was named an FAA Center of Excellence for Commercial Space Transportation in 2010.

During his tenure as leader of Florida Tech, the school’s student body rose from 3,600 to more than 16,000. Athletics teams expanded to 22 varsity teams that include football, and the arts endowment doubled to $66 million.

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The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement honoree is Florida Institute of Technology President and CEO Anthony J. Catanese, who recently announced that he will retire from the university’s top leadership post next year, after 14 years of service.

The university added a music program and the Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts, unique in the state.

The Scott Center for Autism Treatment –which provides the most advanced treatment methods for families with children suffering from autism and other spectrum disorders – opened at Florida Tech in 2009, the same year that the Florida Tech Research Park was established at Melbourne International Airport.

In 2012, Florida Tech and NASA hosted the International Space University Space Studies Program, first hosted 25 years ago at MIT. In 2013, Florida Tech created the Indian River Lagoon Research Institute to find solutions for the lagoon’s growing problems.

Catanese also led the university to offer a major distance learning program that now teaches thousands of students throughout the world.

With an educational background in urban planning, Catanese has always been sensitive to the role the university must play as leader in the community.

Among the initiatives he endorsed was the merging of Florida Tech with the former Brevard Art Museum, a union that resulted in the reenergized cultural resource now known as the Foosaner Art Museum.

In Brevard, Catanese has become a very familiar face among the county’s many nonprofits.

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Thanks to Dr. Anthony Catanese’s vision, Florida Tech is now recognized as a Tier 1 National University by U.S. News and World Report. The Carnegie Foundation rates Florida Tech amongst America’s top schools of higher learning. (Florida Tech image)

As past chairman of the board of the United Way of Brevard, as well as chair of the organization’s 2006 campaign, Catanese was integral to the success of the United Way campaign, which raises critical funds so Brevard charities can continue to provide food for the hungry, safe haven for the homeless, compassionate care for seniors and mentors for youth.

In addition to his work with United Way, Catanese served on the boards of the Maxwell C. King Center, Henegar Center, Leadership Brevard and the Central Florida Partnership, among others.

Space Coast Daily’s Lifetime Achievement Award is one of many accolades Catanese has earned for his leadership.

He is the recipient of the Trailblazer Award from Rotary International, Diversity Champion Award from the Urban League, the Golden Eagle Award from the Boy Scouts of America and the Chief Executive Leadership Award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. He is part of the Eckerd Brevard Walk of Fame, the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame and the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame.

Catanese’s influence extends beyond Brevard, for he helped to plan and develop a major area in Milwaukee, Wisconsin through his presidency of the Park West Development Corporation, a not-for-profit group.

Head coach Steve Englehart (left) and Florida Tech President and CEO Dr. Anthony J. Catanese (right) show their ECAC Champions Bowl rings following Monday's ceremony at the Varsity Training Center. (Florida Tech image)
Head coach Steve Englehart (left) and Florida Tech President and CEO Dr. Anthony J. Catanese (right) show their ECAC Champions Bowl rings at the Varsity Training Center. (Florida Tech image)

He has led groups such as the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities, the Sunshine State Athletics Conference and the Florida State University Presidents Association. He served on the board of the National Collegiate Athletics Association, the Orange Bowl Committee, Wachovia Bank and Modus Operandi, among others.

As a public servant, he was appointed by former President Jimmy Carter to the National Urban Policy Task Force and served as chair of the Milwaukee City Planning Board and the Gainesville City Planning Commission.

Before his arrival in Brevard, Catanese – as president of Florida Atlantic University— helped grow that South Florida institution to 25,000 students on seven campuses. He was provost of New York City’s Pratt Institute, legendary for its programs in architecture and design.

2015 Humanitarian Honorees Announced, Will Be Recognized, Honored At Gala Nov. 5Related Story:
2015 Humanitarian Honorees Announced, Will Be Recognized, Honored At Gala Nov. 5

An inveterate multi-tasker, Catanese has published 13 books, 18 chapters in books and more than 100 articles and monographs.

Although Catanese will retire from his role as Florida Tech president next year, he plans to pursue locally two great passions, teaching and community work. He will leave a legacy that has reshaped not just Florida Tech, but also all of Brevard.

ABOUT THE 2015 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN AWARDS

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The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. Also announced today was the honoree for the Lifetime Achievement.

Recognizing Outstanding Individuals & Organizations Who Dedicate Their Time, Talent and Treasure

The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarians include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. 

The Central Florida Humanitarian honorees will be recognized during a Gala event on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.

The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created six years ago by Maverick Multimedia, publisher of Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and Space Coast Daily, to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that dedicate their time, talent or treasure to help people in need locally – and around the world.

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The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. All Humanitarian alumni are presented a specially commissioned medallion.

TIME: In this category consider candidates who have selflessly and consistently devoted their time as volunteers at hospitals and nursing homes, in activities for the less fortunate and as organizers, administrators or operatives in the many other altruistic endeavors in our community.
TALENT: In this category give consideration to those who have volunteered their special talents and expertise to address specific circumstances in which the lives of those in need are improved.
TREASURE: The humanitarians in this category will include those who have generously shared their monetary good fortune and/or volunteered their time and efforts in fund raising for the advancement of a philanthropic cause.

All 2015 honorees will be featured in the Oct/Nov 2015 edition of Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and SpaceCoastDaily.com.

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2015 Central Florida Humanitarian Sponsors

The first Gala was held in 2010 and is produced by Brevard Productions.

ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS SELECTED TO BE HONORED INCLUDE:

• Brevard Family Partnership
• Brevard Neighborhood Coalition
• Brevard Special Olympics – Debbie Spence
• Lila Buescher
• Canine Companions for Independence
• Childrens Hunger Project
• Circles of Care
• Ginger Davis
• Cove Merchants Association
• Dr. Brian Dowdell
• Early Learning Coalition of Brevard
• Betsy Farmer
• Darcia Jones-Francey
• Harris Corp. Foundation
• Malak Hammad
• John & Cynthia Handley
• John Harper
• Mike & Stephanie Haridopolos
• Sheriff Wayne Ivey
• Robert Jordan
• Dr. John Lovejoy Jr. & Dr. John Lovejoy III
• Victor Luebker
• Rita Pritchett
• David Schmitt
• Oscar & Turney Sieveking
• The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement honoree is Dr. Anthony Catanese.

HONORING SELFLESS VOLUNTEERISM

As always, the Central Florida Humanitarian committee will also honor hospital and hospice volunteers from Health First Hospice, the Dr. Jey Pillai Center for Hospice Care at Wasdin Woods, VITAS, Hospice of St. Francis, Health First Cape Canaveral Hospital, Health First Viera Hospital, Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center, Health First Palm Bay Hospital, Wuesthoff Medical Center – Melbourne, Wuesthoff Medical Center – Rockledge, the VA Clinic in Viera, and Sebastian River Medical Center. 

Dr. Jim Palermo
Dr. Jim Palermo

“Over the years, our editorial team has had the distinct honor and pleasure of identifying and featuring the many members of our community who give back so much and are dedicated to reaching out and helping others, here and throughout the world, in a multitude of ways,” said Maverick Multimedia Editor-In-Chief Dr. Jim Palermo.

“For the sixth consecutive year, we will once again produce the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala on the first Thursday of November. This year, more than 42 deserving humanitarians will be honored during the Gala.”

The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards will be part of Space Coast Medicine Week, a comprehensive series of health and educational events produced by Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and Space Coast Daily.

JOIN US FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL EVENING

This inspiring and compelling event is sponsored by M.H. Williams Construction, Parrish Medical Center, SOAR, Brighthouse Networks, Wuesthoff Health System, First Choice Medical Group, Clear Choice Health Care, Florida Pain Institute, Brevard Geriatrics, Knudson Brain & Spine Law Injury Office, Dr. Mark Pinsky, Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and SpaceCoastDaily.com. Each honoree or organization will be presented the Central Florida Humanitarian Crystal Globe.

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Giles Malone

“We would like to thank our long list of sponsors who support the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards and who make this wonderful event possible,” said Giles Malone, a partner with Maverick Multimedia and Brevard Productions, who annually produce all the events of Space Coast Medicine Week.

COMPELLING MULTIMEDIA TRIBUTE VIDEOS & STORIES

Stay tuned to SpaceCoastDaily.com and Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine for exclusive and comprehensive multimedia coverage of each honoree as we present their compelling stories.

Tom Palermo
Tom Palermo

“Please join us on Thursday, Nov. 5 to celebrate and be inspired by these incredible individuals and groups,” said Maverick Multimedia President & Publisher Tom Palermo. 

“In the meantime, please click the link below that showcases the distinguished Central Florida Humanitarian Alumni.”

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN ALUMNI

FOR MORE INFORMATION or to make a reservation to attend the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mail MaverickMultiMedia@gmail.com

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

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ABOVE MAP: The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards will take place Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, located at 200 Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.