Gator Nation, you stood up and boy did you holler! Giving Day 2026 was incredible and it’s all thanks to you.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, MAE received 162 donations and led the College of Engineering in total dollars raised. Every gift, large and small, helps fuel student success, groundbreaking research, and the innovative work that defines Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UF.
Beyond the numbers, Giving Day was a celebration of what makes MAE special.
We had an unforgettable time at our Giving Day pop-up in the Engineering Building (NEB), where we teamed up with students from ASME VEX Robotics, Gator Robotics, and the Nonlinear Controls and Robotics (NCR) Lab. These groups showcased some seriously impressive technology—from battle bots and roaming robots to robotic dogs that stopped students in their tracks.
The bots donned MAE hats and zoomed around the rotunda, a robotic dog delivered cookie packages to students, and the space buzzed with curiosity, creativity, and excitement. MAE Marketing & Communications was on hand taking donations, snapping photos, and handing out snacks. Douglas Spearot, Interim Department Chair, stopped by to join in the fun, as well as Dr. Chrispy Petersen!
It was a powerful display of the true spirit of MAE: collaboration, innovation, and community—faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends all coming together to support our community.
To everyone who donated, participated, stopped by, shared our message, or cheered us on: THANK YOU! Your support makes a lasting impact, and we are deeply grateful to have you as part of the MAE family.
