Responding to a challenge for state universities to improve their four-year graduation rate, FGCU in 2016 introduced a program, Soar in 4, which reimburses out-of-pocket tuition expenses for the freshman year of students who graduate within four years and meet certain other criteria. Bradshaw announced that he would step down after the 2016–17 academic year, and the Board of Trustees selected Michael V. Bradshaw became the university's third president. Student enrollment at FGCU increased from approximately 2,000 in its first year, to almost 15,000 as of 2017. Whitaker School of Engineering), Whitaker Hall, Cohen Center (the student union), Alico Arena and an expansion of on-campus housing. New buildings included Lutgert College of Business, Holmes Hall (U.A. Being an active fundraiser, Merwin raised more than $250 million for the university in a short eight-year period, rapidly expanding the school. Merwin sought to create a traditional four-year university. Īcademic Building 5 at Florida Gulf Coast University was later renamed Charles B. The school was officially established by then-governor Lawton Chiles in 1991, although FGCU commemorates August 25, 1997, the first time classes were held on campus. McTarnaghan, who served as the executive vice chancellor for the State University System of Florida, was appointed president of the yet-unnamed “New University of Southwest Florida.” Founding president McTarnaghan and a small number of employees set up temporary base in downtown Fort Myers in a space provided by the Lee County Commission. The board of regents selected a 760-acre (310 ha) site in the south Fort Myers area donated by Ben Hill Griffin III, on which to build the university. Florida governor Lawton Chiles signed the bill authorizing the school in May 1991. Edwards, chair of the board of regents, lobbied the Florida Legislature to pass legislation recommending that Florida's 10th state university be built in the Florida Southwest Region. įGCU's intercollegiate athletic teams, the Eagles, compete in the ASUN Conference in NCAA Division I sports. It offers 58 bachelor's degree programs, 25 master's degree programs, 6 doctoral degree programs, and 12 graduate certificates. The university was established on May 3, 1991, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). It is part of the State University System of Florida and is its second youngest member. Florida Gulf Coast University (the United States) Show map of the United Statesįlorida Gulf Coast University ( FGCU) is a public university in Lee County, Florida near Fort Myers.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |