BACK TO SCHOOL
How lucky are we? We have a major university right in our backyard.
Florida Gulf Coast University opened its doors in 1997. Today, more than 16,000 students attend FGCU, and the university has become an important part of the Southwest Florida community. Here’s the best part – you don’t have to be a college student to enjoy FGCU.
What are you into?
Are you a lifelong learner? (Like me.) Great! FGCU makes it surprisingly easy to keep learning. I’m a big fan of the FGCU Academy, which offers classes and lectures on everything from history and science to technology, literature and the arts. No homework. No tests. Just learning for the fun of it. Another option is to audit undergraduate courses tuition-free. Florida residents age 60 and older are eligible, assuming space is available.
Are you into live music? FGCU has a terrific music program, with orchestras, choirs, jazz ensembles and concerts throughout the year. The university’s musicians have even performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Many of the student concerts are free and open to the public.
Are you a sports fan? (Like me.) FGCU’s Division I Eagles give us another reason to visit campus. I’ve watched the Eagles play baseball, softball, basketball and tennis. Going to Alico Arena to cheer on the Lady Eagles hoops team is a great way to spend an evening. If you go, tell Azul the Eagle I said “hello.”
Do you enjoy a good nature walk? This is another thing about FGCU that I like. The campus isn’t just buildings and parking lots. Hundreds of acres have been preserved or restored as natural habitat, with trails through wetlands, pine flatwoods and other Southwest Florida ecosystems. When we visit campus, we always try to walk the short path along Lakefront Beach, just west of Alico Arena.
FGCU is a place where we can keep learning, hear great music, watch college sports, and explore nature. It’s not just a local university. It’s one of the perks of living in Estero. How lucky are we?
Here are several FGCU-related links:
