It’s that special time of year at Florida Gulf Coast University, when some Eagles take wing as 2016 graduates. Some carry the honor of being “The Dunk City Class,” the freshmen in 2013 when those flying young men who soared up and down the basketball floor with the greatest of ease electrified Southwest Florida all the way to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
On Sunday, May 1, the Alico Arena basketball court will be taken over by the newest representatives of The FGCU Effect, watched from the stands by their proud families and friends, at three Commencement ceremonies. But before all that pomp and circumstance, the Class of 2016 Eagles will find plenty of fun in the coming days during their FGCU farewell tour.
CAP IT OFF
Before you can go to the Student Alumni Association’s Cap Decorating Party from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, in Cohen Center 214 to put that personal artistic touch on your lid of learning, well, you first need a cap to decorate. You can pick yours up along with the gown at the FGCU Bookstore through April 30. At the party, all you need to do is BYOC; the SAA will provide pizza, drinks and crafty stuff that’ll light up your lid. Need to know more? Contact Angela Kunkle at 239-0590-1075 or [email protected].
TICKETS TO FLY
Hopefully, you remembered to RSVP for Commencement — after you remembered to apply for graduation, which as you should know by now is an entirely different thing — so you can pick up your tickets at the Alico Arena box office from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday through April 29. Once you pick up the tickets, make sure they are for the correct Commencement ceremony — don’t forget there are three on May 1 (scroll down for more info).
If you forgot to RSVP, be advised that extra tickets might be available one hour before each respective ceremony at the box office on a first-come basis. And then there’s always Cohen Center 213, an overflow room where guests without tickets can view Commencement on a big screen. For those who can’t make it to campus, there’s a webcast starting an hour before each ceremony.
BEFORE THE MAIN EVENT
OK, you have your creative cap on and tickets in order. What else is going on leading up to C-Day?
- The FGCU Alumni Association welcomes you to its ranks Thursday, April 28, at the traditional Grad Bash. Time is 7 to 9 p.m. at Bar Louie in Gulf Coast Town Center. Besides appetizers and extended happy hour, grads get a special toast at 8 p.m., a souvenir glass, a chance to sign the 2016 Class Banner, photos and other giveaways. The event sponsor is City Furniture. Also, take part in the Give 5 Drive and make a donation of $5 or more, and you’ll get a 2016 golden tassel to wear during Commencement (you can also get a golden tassel at the Campus Support Complex, room 120). Call 239-590-1075 or write [email protected] to learn more.
- From 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, in the breezeway outside Whitaker Hall, the College of Arts and Sciences salutes its chemistry and physics majors. The graduating guests of honor get a party to go with awards and Honors-cording ceremonies. Call 239-590-1881 for details.
- The College of Health Professions and Social Work has four special events planned. At 1 p.m. Friday, April 29, the Physical Therapy White Coat Graduation takes place at Grandezza, 11481 Grande Oak Blvd., Estero. At 5 p.m. that same day, the School of Nursing Convocation will be staged at Harborside Event Center, 1375 Monroe St., downtown Fort Myers. On Saturday, April 30, two events are planned, both at 5 p.m.: the Occupational Therapy Pinning is at the Forest County Club, 6100 Club Blvd., Fort Myers; the Athletic Training Program Senior Graduation Banquet is in Sugden Hall 114. For details on any of these events, call (239) 590-7451.
- The Honors Program shines a spotlight on its graduating seniors at 4 p.m. Friday, April 29, with its Spring Cording Ceremony in the Cohen Center Ballroom. Here’s where students choose an individual to present them with the official Honors sash they will wear at Commencement.
COMMENCE WITH THE FORMALITIES
Three ceremonies will take place in Alico Arena on Sunday, May 1: the College of Arts and Sciences leads off at 9 a.m., followed by the College of Education and College of Health Professions and Social Work at 1 p.m. and the Lutgert College of Business and Whitaker College of Engineering at 5 p.m. Here’s what you need to know:
- There are no rehearsals for the ceremonies; just show up an hour before your respective event at the sign-in station in the auxiliary gym on the second floor of Alico and get ready to line up. If you wish, you can see a rehearsal video.
- Parking will be at the lots adjacent to Alico and at nearby student housing, with overflow traffic sent to Garages 1 and 3 near the Cohen Center and McTarnaghan and Howard halls.
- Graduates must wear appropriate shirts and shoes at all times and are advised to refrain from wearing high heels. Grads and their guests should also refrain from the use of latex and scented fragrances, as many in attendance have allergic reactions to certain products. If you need assistance because of a disability, contact Adaptive Services at 239-590-7956 or [email protected].
- Graduates should advise their guests that everyone should dress accordingly. Business or business-casual attire is suggested. Balloons, horns, noisemakers, canned string, beach balls or other celebratory paraphernalia are prohibited. Family photographers are not allowed access to the main arena floor, aisles or entranceways, but not to worry — a professional photo service will provide keepsake images.
- Commencement addresses will be delivered by College of Arts & Sciences Dean Robert Gregerson at the 9 a.m. ceremony, College of Health Professions and Social Work Dean Mitchell Cordova at 1 p.m. and College of Business Dean Bob Beatty at 5 p.m. President Wilson G. Bradshaw will confer degrees at all ceremonies.
- The university will award an honorary doctorate to Dr. Elaine N. Marieb during the 1 p.m. ceremony. Dr. Marieb has dedicated her professional career to providing an exemplary learning environment for thousands of students through the courses she has taught, the 13 anatomy and physiology textbooks she has authored and through her philanthropic endeavors. In recognition of her major gift to FGCU in 2012, the health professions building was named Marieb Hall, and her generosity continues to support academic programs and scholarships. Dr. Marieb is retired from teaching but continues to focus on publishing.
- More details