Brief Description:

FGCU Celebrations home

As we celebrate our 20th anniversary in 2017, Florida Gulf Coast University, located between Fort Myers and Naples on the Southwest Florida coast, has made an indelible regional impact. We are a catalyst for the area’s economy and a cultural hub for the community. Our students enjoy one of the highest graduate employment rates among the state’s universities, and our athletic programs consistently lead the Atlantic Sun Conference in sports championships and academic scholars.
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Mission Statement:

FGCU logoFlorida Gulf Coast University infuses the strengths of the traditional public university with innovation and learning-centered spirit, its chief aim being to fulfill the academic, cultural, social, and career expectations of its constituents. Outstanding faculty uphold challenging academic standards and balance research, scholarly activities, and service expectations with their central responsibilities of teaching and mentoring. A dedicated staff provides excellent academic support which has significant impact on student learning, persistence and success. Working together, faculty and staff of the university transform students’ lives and the Southwest Florida region. Florida Gulf Coast University continuously pursues academic excellence, practices and promotes environmental sustainability, embraces diversity, nurtures community partnerships, values public service, encourages civic responsibility, cultivates habits of lifelong learning, and keeps the advancement of knowledge and pursuit of truth as noble ideals at the heart of the university’s purpose.
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President's Quote:

"As Florida Gulf Coast University celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2017, we have much to be proud of. The university is an established pillar of the Southwest Florida community with 15,000 students, more than 25,000 alumni and 1,300 employees. More importantly, the university plays a key role in the economic, cultural and social vitality of the region. So much has been accomplished, but we are not resting on these incredible laurels. We will encourage expansion and growth of the research capabilities of the faculty, expedite the development of academic programs, and, consistent with our core value of environmental sustainability, we will invest in sustainability projects that reinforce our students' understanding of environmental challenges facing society. We will also invest in our students' success through the growth of our internship and cooperative programs, enhanced undergraduate research opportunities, expanded study abroad opportunities, and we will also encourage additional service learning and active citizenship — core components of an FGCU education. That's 'The FGCU Effect.' " – Wilson G. Bradshaw
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Major Accomplishments:

  • Florida Campus Compact has named FGCU "Most Engaged Campus" three times in the past eight years, including in 2016.
  • Students in keyboard studies have consistently won state, national and international competitions.
  • In 2013, pianist Priscila Navarro, winner of the International Chopin Piano Competition, performed a solo recital in New York's Carnegie Hall.
  • In 2015, student Andres Machado earned a full scholarship for graduate studies at Oxford University in England.
  • Two students, Emilio Feijoo and Lori Boegershausen, were selected in 2016 for Fulbright grants, the U.S. government’s program for study and teaching abroad. They are the first FGCU students to achieve that honor.
  • As part of its service-learning program, FGCU students have volunteered more than 2.2 million hours of community service through 2016.
  • In 2013, the FGCU men's basketball team won two games in the NCAA Championship Tournament, becoming the only No. 15 regional seed to advance to the Sweet 16. The achievement earned FGCU the nickname "Dunk City" and a 2013 ESPY Award from ESPN for Best Upset.
  • Faculty researchers Dr. Sharon Isern and Dr. Scott Michael developed and patented an antiviral treatment for dengue infection that is being tested for use against the Zika virus.

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Fun Facts:

  • FGCU has one of the highest percentages among Florida state universities of graduates with bachelor's and master's degrees who obtain employment within a year.
  • FGCU offers 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and 10 certifications through our five colleges (arts and sciences, education, health professions and social work, business, and engineering).
  • A program called Soar in Four refunds out-of-pocket tuition cost from a student's freshman year if he or she graduates in four years and meets other requirements.
  • Our students have donated almost 2.3 million service-learning hours as volunteers in the community.
  • The resort-style student housing on campus in apartments and suites can accommodate almost 5,000 students.
  • FGCU houses a Florida Small Business Development Center and Institute for Entrepreneurship as part of its business program that helps small businesses get started and succeed.
  • Veterans programs in business and health and wellness serve students discharged or still enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces.
  • FGCU's location near the Gulf of Mexico not only affords vast recreational opportunities, but enables FGCU to be a center for marine-science and environmental research out of dedicated off-campus facilities in Naples and Bonita Springs.
  • Our athletics program consistently leads the NCAA Division I Atlantic Sun Conference in sports championships and academic achievements.
  • FGCU plays a critical role in stimulating the Southwest Florida economy by creating more than 4,700 jobs and infusing about $600 million annually into the region.
  • We have almost 200 registered student organizations and 25 fraternities and sororities.
  • Our 15-acre solar field supplies 85 percent of the energy used in three of the university's biggest academic buildings comprising 200,000 square feet.
  • FGCU has the only PGA-certified golf management program in Florida.
  • Our students have completed internships on five continents.
  • Our campus is 800 acres, 400 of which are preserved wetlands.
  • Our student-to-faculty ratio is 22 to 1.
  • Our nursing program ranks No. 1 in Florida for graduates passing licensing examinations on the first try.

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Notable Alumni:

  • Florida State Reps. Dane Eagle, Matt Caldwell, Ray Rodrigues and William Snyder
  • Dr. Allen Weiss, president and CEO of the NCH Healthcare System
  • Major League Baseball pitchers Chris Sale of the Boston Red Sox and Richard Bleier of the New York Yankees
  • Former MLB pitchers Casey Coleman and Don Carman
  • Concert pianist Priscila Navarro
  • Olympic sand volleyball player Brooke Sweat
  • Olympic swimmer Danielle Beaubrun
  • Professional golfers Derek Lamely and Daniel Mazziotta
  • Monster truck driver Courtney Jolly
  • Bass player Andy Stickel of the rock band 7 Blue Skies

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Testimonials:

  • "I've improved my leadership skills and met amazing people who have helped change my life."  – Cecilia Morales, Elementary Education Major
  • "Without this university, I wouldn't be the individual I am today." – Cory Mentzer, Bioengineering Major

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