History of Florida Gulf Coast University
Establishment
Founding and Early Development
In 1991, Charles B. Edwards, chairman of the board of regents, advocated for the establishment of Florida’s 10th state university in the Southwest Florida region. Florida Governor Lawton Chiles approved the legislation in May 1991, authorizing the university’s creation.
The board of regents chose a 760-acre (310 ha) site in South Fort Myers, donated by Ben Hill Griffin III, as the location for the new institution. On April 26, 1993, Roy E. McTarnaghan, then the executive vice chancellor for the State University System of Florida, was named president of the yet-unnamed “New University of Southwest Florida.” McTarnaghan and a small team initially operated from a temporary office in downtown Fort Myers, provided by the Lee County Commission. The university marks August 25, 1997, as its official opening date, when classes commenced on campus.
To honor Charles B. Edwards, Academic Building 5 at Florida Gulf Coast University was later renamed Charles B. Edwards Hall.
Growth and Expansion
William C. Merwin assumed the role of FGCU’s second president in July 1999, with a vision to shape it into a traditional four-year university. Over eight years, he raised more than $250 million, significantly expanding the institution. Key additions included the Lutgert College of Business, Holmes Hall (housing the U.A. Whitaker School of Engineering), Whitaker Hall, Cohen Center (the student union), Alico Arena, and expanded on-campus housing. Enrollment surged from approximately 2,000 in the university’s first year to nearly 15,000 by 2017.
In 2007, Wilson G. Bradshaw became FGCU’s third president, serving until the 2016–17 academic year, after which Michael V. Martin was selected as his successor. In response to a statewide push for higher four-year graduation rates, FGCU introduced the Soar in 4 program in 2016, reimbursing out-of-pocket tuition for students who graduate within four years and meet specific criteria.
Martin, previously a chancellor at Louisiana State University and the Colorado State University System, took over as FGCU’s president on July 1, 2017, coinciding with the university’s 20th-anniversary celebrations. That same year, the College of Health Professions & Social Work was renamed the Marieb College of Health & Human Services following a $10 million gift from Elaine Nicpon Marieb, who had previously pledged $5 million.
In June 2023, FGCU appointed Aysegul Timur as its fifth president, making her the first woman to hold the position. She officially took office on July 1, 2023.
Main Campus and Facilities
FGCU’s 807-acre (3.27 km²) campus is located in unincorporated Southwest Florida in Lee County, about 21 miles (34 km) from Naples and just south of Fort Myers. The 150-acre (0.61 km²) Academic Core houses the majority of classrooms and labs, while three distinct residential areas—North Lake, South Village, and West Lake Village—accommodate students. North Lake Village, situated along Lake Como, offers recreational activities such as boating and water skiing, and in 2017, a new boardwalk and dining facility opened along its waterfront.
Several academic buildings have been added over the years, including:
- Lutgert College of Business (2008)
- Holmes Hall (2009), home to the U.A. Whitaker School of Engineering
- Herbert J. Sugden Hall (2008), which houses the School of Resort & Hospitality Management
- Seidler Hall (2010), originally named Academic Building 7 and renamed in 2016 after donors Lee and Gene Seidler
- Marieb Hall (2012), formerly Academic Building 8, dedicated to Elaine Nicpon Marieb
- The Water School (2022), FGCU’s largest academic building, focusing on environmental water research
Other notable projects include expansions of the Cohen Center (student union), Alico Arena, and a large-scale solar panel field. Additionally, the Emergent Technologies Institute, located northeast of campus, was opened in 2016.
Research and Environmental Commitment
FGCU emphasizes environmental sustainability, with 400 acres (1.6 km²) of preserved land on its main campus. Several lakes, home to diverse wildlife, contribute to the area’s ecology. The university’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in:
- Seidler Hall’s Platinum LEED certification, the highest ranking from the U.S. Green Building Council
- A 15-acre (61,000 m²) solar field, supplying 85% of the energy needed for Holmes, Lutgert, and Seidler halls
- An ice thermal storage plant, saving over $1.64 million in energy costs within five years
- Solar water heating systems for the newest residence halls
In Naples, FGCU established the Everglades Wetland Research Park (EWRP) at the Naples Botanical Garden, providing research and education on wetland, river, and coastal sciences.
Satellite Locations
In addition to the main campus, FGCU operates:
- Naples Campus
- The Atrium in Fort Myers
- Herald Court Centre in Punta Gorda, offering continuing education programs
- The Buckingham property, a 500-acre (2.0 km²) site east of Fort Myers, used for team-building exercises and storage
- The Norm and Nancy Vester Marine and Environmental Science Research Field Station in Bonita Springs, serving as a marine research facility with laboratories, offices, and boat slips on Estero Bay
Library Complex
FGCU’s Library Complex, located on the main campus, recorded 1 million visitors during the 2016–17 academic year. The library’s collection includes over 1.5 million items and provides access to 400+ databases, offering more than 700 million full-text articles. A 115-seat computer lab is housed in its east wing.
To enhance space efficiency, the Collection Analysis Project (CAP) began in 2014, evaluating materials based on student usage. A major computer lab renovation was completed in 2023, introducing new workstations, furniture, and technology. The library also features:
- Seven signed Salvador Dalí lithographs
- The ArtLab Gallery
- Archives & Special Collections, which has hosted exhibitions since 2013
- The Wilson G. Bradshaw Library Complex, named in 2019 after FGCU’s third president