Florida Gulf Coast University – Emerging Southwest Florida Institution
Florida Gulf Coast University, or FGCU, is one of the newest universities to debut in academia, opening its doors in August 1996. Much of the impetus behind its addition was the overwhelming desire of Southwest Florida residents to home to a world-class university. in the middle of them. Not surprisingly, the allure of a mild climate, plenty of sunshine, and nearby beaches have helped FGCU more than double its student enrollment each year since its inception to more than 10,000 students by 2008-09. In an era of college education costing more than $40,000 a year in tuition, FGCU is a relative bargain with annual out-of-state tuition averaging $17,000.
Situated on 760 acres in the heart of Southwest Florida, FGCU has carefully mapped out its location to maximize the surrounding wildlife and nature preserves and offer a “living laboratory” to students, faculty and alumni. True to this mission, FGCU is heralded as one of the greenest campuses in North America. The University recently purchased beachfront property in Bonita Springs with the intention of developing a marine research laboratory to further take advantage of its coastal location and abundance of marine and bird life.
A coeducational institution, FGCU is four-year accredited to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. As of fall 2008, the University offers 51 undergraduate and 31 graduate programs in Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, and Health Professions. With the plethora of resorts and restaurants in the region, the Resort and Hospitality Management program is one of the most popular careers. Students can participate in an active internship program at some of the world’s top resorts located just minutes from campus. Biology and criminal justice are also growing programs. The Justice Studies Division is in its first year of offering a Master of Science in Criminal Forensic Studies, paving the way for future CSI investigators.
Students praise the small class sizes and individual attention with a teacher/student ratio of 18:1 at the undergraduate level. FGCU is also one of the most technologically advanced campuses in the world with a campus-wide high-speed Internet network. All classrooms have fully equipped multimedia instruction systems that include Internet access, cameras, and audio and video presentation capabilities. Drawing on its experience, FGCU has organized an Information Technology (IT) forum for the past eight years, connecting IT experts with MBA students in Germany.
While many students can barely tolerate living in a dormitory or off-campus during their college years, the 2,400 students who live on FGCU’s campus enjoy a comparatively lavish existence. Residences are apartment-style, fully furnished and wired for high-speed Internet access. Large kitchens, spacious living rooms with lake views, and automated laundry facilities are added touches that bring new meaning to the college experience. Other amenities include a pool, BBQ areas, beach volleyball, and easy access to water sports on the lake.
Athletics is an increasingly important part of the FGCU program and encompasses baseball, men’s basketball, men’s golf, men’s soccer, men’s tennis, softball, volleyball, women’s basketball, women’s cross country, women’s golf, women’s soccer, women’s swimming, and women’s diving. , and tennis, among others. The women’s teams have performed especially well, despite the novelty of the programs with the women’s basketball team ending their season 35-1 with a Division II National Championship loss. Beginning with the 2007-2008 academic year, FGCU moved into Division I sports.
Despite its sunny weather and relaxed atmosphere, FGCU offers a solid classroom experience. While students can take courses in paradise, graduates are well prepared to excel in today’s increasingly green and tech-savvy environment.