Florida Gulf Coast University is about more than just basketball and beach time. “Dunk City,” as it became known nationwide during the FGCU men’s basketball team’s historic run in the 2013 NCAA Tournament, is a diverse community of more than 13,000 undergraduate and graduate students who are just as committed to hitting the books as hitting the campus lakeshore beach. Established in 1997, FGCU continues to expand academic offerings, which currently include 51 undergraduate, 28 master’s, one specialist and two doctoral programs. With 1,100 faculty and staff, the University is committed to providing smaller classes and personalized attention for students who come to Fort Myers from 48 states and the District of Columbia as well as 95 other countries. Led by President Wilson G. Bradshaw, FGCU recruits and retains students with the potential to succeed in a challenging academic environment and aims to fulfill the academic, social and career expectations of those students. Our students play Carnegie Hall as well as pretty entertaining basketball; piano performance major Priscila Navarro recently became the first FGCU student to perform a solo recital at the storied New York City concert venue. With special emphasis on rigorous science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs, FGCU prepares students to excel in the rapidly changing global arena. Innovative teaching and interdisciplinary learning develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills that enable graduates to anticipate and adapt to evolving trends and technology. Since 2007, the university has rapidly grown the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded in STEM fields – by more than 230 percent, the highest growth rate in the SUS. FGCU’s Renewable Energy Institute blends educational and research programs as a means to partner with industries, utilities and governments to develop technologies and a trained workforce for the next generation of clean energy. A 15-acre solar field provides 85 percent of the power for three academic buildings. And recently completed academic buildings and residence halls have been certified for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), which saves energy, increases water efficiency, reduces carbon dioxide emissions, improves indoor air quality and demonstrates stewardship of resources.
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