FGCU360 does a 180 to look back at 10 years of chronicling campus
- Drew Sterwald
- Community
- Contributors: James Greco, Photos | Tim Clark, Video
7 – minute read
Ten years may not seem like a long time in the life of a university. But for Florida Gulf Coast University, now in its 27th academic year, a decade represents more than a third of its existence. That’s how long FGCU360 has been chronicling campus news and spotlighting outstanding alumni.
Yes, FGCU360 launched 10 years ago this month “to showcase innovative programs, scholastic achievements and dynamic campus life through stories, pictures, video and social media,” as a press release explained. Developed and managed by University Marketing & Communications, the website presents a timely, engaging platform to share the many positive things happening across campus and in the extended Eagle family with a wide audience.
What were the stories FGCU360 highlighted in its first year? Here’s a look back at 10 headlines from 10 years ago, with some pertinent updates.
Artists’ Azul statues unveiled
After weeks of sculpting, gluing and painting on human-sized fiberglass replicas of FGCU’s winged mascot, five artists unveiled their finished Azul’s Flight Tour statues during a celebration at the Veterans Pavilion. The artists won the opportunity to produce their own creative visions of Azul through a contest sponsored by Student Government and the FGCU Foundation to foster school spirit. The Azuls remain on display in the Wilson G. Bradshaw Library, Sugden Welcome Center, Alico Arena, Marieb Hall and Cohen Student Union.
Alumni Association launching regional chapters
The FGCU Alumni Association launched its first regional chapter in May 2015 for graduates living in the Broward County area. The association now has 11 chapters in Florida and 11 across the United States, with alumni ranks swelling (with Green and Blue pride, of course) from about 22,000 in 2015 to 48,485 today.
Need wheels? Check out a Zipcar on campus
Don’t remember Zipcar? The car-sharing network was introduced on campus in fall 2015 as an alternative transportation option. A Ford C-MAX Hybrid and a Ford Escape were available at hourly and daily rates. Sound quaint compared to the e-scooters shared on campus today?
Sale named to first A-Sun Hall of Fame class
Chris Sale, FGCU’s star pitcher from 2008 to 2010, was the first Eagle inducted when the Atlantic Sun Conference launched its Hall of Fame in 2015.
Sale, of course, went on to become a Major League Baseball All-Star with the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox. Now in his 15th MLB season, the 35-year-old Lakeland, Florida, native wears an Atlanta Braves jersey.
FGCU alum awarded full scholarship to Oxford
When he was still struggling to learn English as a teenager, Andres Machado could hardly have believed that one day he’d attend the oldest university in the English-speaking world.
After completing his Oxford University master’s in global governance and diplomacy, the Colombian native and Honors College political science grad worked in international trade.
Machado recently shared on LinkedIn that he has been accepted into the Harvard Kennedy School to pursue a master’s in public administration.
Makeover under way to enhance campus entrance
A monumental change to the main campus entrance got under way in spring 2015 with groundbreaking for the 100-foot-long wall monument and adjacent 75-foot tower at FGCU’s main entrance.
“The project is meant to enhance the first impression of the FGCU campus,” FGCU360 reported.
Students, faculty talk ideas at TEDxFGCU
TEDTalks (“Ideas worth spreading”) were all the rage 10 years ago, originating from an international conference centered on technology, entertainment and design (TED) and with topics expanding over the years.
In spring 2015, eight FGCU students and faculty jumped on the bandwagon with a live-streamed and recorded event. Presentations included “Ponds of Southwest Florida: Ticking Time Bombs” and “Killing the Textbook.”
Service-learning students bring health aid to Nicaragua
Instead of taking it easy after finals, 19 FGCU students spent their first week of summer helping communities in need on a medical and public health service trip to Nicaragua. The Global Medical Brigades program provided 1,000 hours of medical assistance and holistic community development in the mountainous regions. This May, another delegation will travel to Panama.
Osprey Hall 6th building to earn LEED certification
The six-story South Village residence hall was recognized for its environmentally conscious design, construction and operation with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver status by the U.S. Green Building Council.
LEED features include rooftop solar panels for heating water, an energy recovery unit to improve air conditioning systems management, low-flow faucets and dual-flush toilets, LED lighting in hallways and sensor-activated lighting in most common areas.
Continuing its commitment to sustainability, FGCU now has a dozen LEED-certified buildings.
Carnegie audience cheers Wind Orchestra
The Bower School of Music & the Arts celebrated a milestone with the Wind Orchestra’s December 2015 performance at New York City’s Carnegie Hall — the first concert there by a full FGCU music ensemble. (Priscila Navarro, an international prize-winning pianist who graduated in 2015, played a solo recital there in March 2013.)
The performance established FGCU and the Bower School of Music as a force in the national music community, said the orchestra’s conductor at the time.
“Everyone looked around in amazement and awe at how gorgeous the sound was,” one student said. “I remember sitting there thinking, ‘This will never happen again.’”
Fast forward 10 years: The Wind Orchestra performed at Carnegie again last month.