Rotary Happenings: Rotary has FGCU President as featured speaker
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire”W. B. Yeats.
For the second week in a row, Sanibel-Captiva Rotary welcomed the President of a Florida state college/university to the podium.
As we welcomed these two impressive gentlemen in Dr. Jeff Allbritten of Florida SouthWestern State College Feb. 20, and Dr. Wilson G. Bradshaw of Florida Gulf Coast University Feb. 27, to the podium there definitely is optimism for the future for generations to come.
This week Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) President, Dr. Wilson G. Bradshaw, was guest speaker.
President Bradshaw has served as the President of FGCU since August 25, 2007.
Bradshaw brought with him a reputation not only of being an outstanding educator and leader amongst his peers but as a man who could excite and ignite support for the growth of the FGCU.
That is exactly what he has done and continues to do today.
The FGCU’s campus itself sits on 760 acres of now prime property in unincorporated Lee County; 400 acres on the main campus has been set aside for environmental preservation.
Environmental sustainability of this property is a principal goal of FGCU expressed in the university charter. With this wonderfully located learning lab right at its doorstep, environmental science studies are one of the fastest growing programs at FGCU.
Just an added note, the university has a 15-acre solar field providing power for campus.
The university’s growth has been phenomenal in all areas. “If you will build it, they will come”well that is exactly what is happening on the FGCU campus construction of new buildings, academic programming advancements, improvements to campus life, NCAA Division I athletic program support, and outstanding FGCU Foundation private fundraising efforts.
The university now offers 51 undergraduate degree programs, 28 graduate degree programs, 1 specialist program, and 2 doctoral degree programs.
FGCU’s academic reputation definitely lies with its faculty drawing a total student enrollment at the university at 14,673 this year – 7% are from other states and 1.5 internationally.
Although FGCU is a state university and for Florida students there is a minimum academic entrance requirement for admittance to state colleges and universities, FGCU is receiving more applications than slots available.
Enrollment is now at a competitive level, with academic achievement now weighing heavily on acceptance to the university.
The average SAT score for new students is 1569 and the average grade point (GPA) for all current FGCU students in 3.04.
The most popular majors at the university fall in these categories: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Education and Health Professions and Related Programs.
Now let’s not forget about DUNK CITYathletic achievements of the Men’s and Women’s basketball teams at FGCU have certainly brought national attention to the university.
This garners attention of prospective student athletes, students-at-large, community leaders and lays some groundwork for future foundation giving opportunities.
Bradshaw stated FGCU Core Values:
* Ensuring students’ academic success and personal growth.
* Embracing individual, social, cultural, and intellectual diversity.
* Inspiring civic engagement, leadership and critical thinking
* Promoting environmental sustainability in philosophy and practice.
President Bradshaw said, “FGCU is just getting started. Watch the Eagle sore.”
The Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club meets at 7 a.m. every Friday morning at the Dunes Golf & Tennis Club, Sanibel. Guests are always welcomed.