Florida Senate - 2022 (NP) SR By Senator Rodrigues 27-01907A-22 20221958__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Senate Resolution A resolution recognizing January 25, 2022, as “Florida Gulf Coast University Day” in Florida. 3

WHEREAS, in May 1991, then-Governor Lawton Chiles signed into law a bill passed by the Florida Legislature authorizing the creation of Florida’s tenth public university, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), to provide higher education opportunities and workforce development in the previously underserved region of Southwest Florida, and

WHEREAS, FGCU opened its doors to students on August 25, 11 1997, and held its first commencement in May with 81 graduates, and

WHEREAS, FGCU has been led by outstanding and dynamic presidents: Roy McTarnaghan, William C. Merwin, Wilson G. 15 Bradshaw, and Michael V. Martin, and

WHEREAS, with the leadership and vision of current President Martin and the FGCU Board of Trustees, FGCU students have a clear pathway to success as the university remains committed to maintaining affordability for all students, and

WHEREAS, FGCU’s top priority is student success, 21 demonstrated by its focus on providing the necessary academic resources and laboratory facilities to ensure that students may timely complete degrees under the guidance of an accomplished faculty and dedicated staff, all of whom are committed to assisting students in gaining necessary skills to meet regional and statewide workforce needs, and

WHEREAS, FGCU has strategically grown into a regional university of more than 15,000 students and today offers 63 Florida Senate - 2022 (NP) SR 1958 27-01907A-22 20221958__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. undergraduate, 26 graduate, and doctoral programs, and

WHEREAS, FGCU’s pathways to student success have led the university to achieve national prominence in academics, 32 environmental sustainability, and student service learning, with 33 3.7 million service hours contributed to the Southwest Florida community since 1997, and

WHEREAS, FGCU emphasizes innovative and interdisciplinary learning, using the Southwest Florida region as a living laboratory where students are offered diverse opportunities to participate in meaningful research led by their professors , and

WHEREAS, FGCU has established The Water School, a University of Distinction Program opening its doors in 2022, 41 which will provide FGCU the foundation on which it may pursue designation as a recognized state and national leader in the area of water science, focusing on local issues to address challenges faced throughout the world, and

WHEREAS, FGCU continues to work collaboratively with the State University System to meet regional and statewi de workforce needs in the health care field and is graduating career-ready nurses with one of the highest first-time passage rates on the required nursing licensure examination of any of the State University System institutions, and

WHEREAS, FGCU has established the Daveler and Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship, where students are achieving success in securing great jobs, creating new start-up companies, 54 transitioning into family businesses, or starting artistic careers, leading to recognition by The Princeton Review, which named it the best such school in Florida and 22nd nationwide, 57 and Florida Senate - 2022 (NP) SR 1958 27-01907A-22 20221958__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.

WHEREAS, FGCU strives to bring diversification of the economy to the region it serves through innovation in agribusiness, construction management, environmental engineering, and public health, and

WHEREAS, FGCU serves and engages its surrounding community , 63 offering a wealth of enrichment opportunities, including visual arts, music, theater, and public radio and television, and

WHEREAS, FGCU’s athletics programs continue to be a growing source of pride for a loyal fan base, with student -athletes also demonstrating their academic strengths, and

WHEREAS, the FGCU experience continues to enrich the lives of students and to serve the surrounding community through “The FGCU Effect” and the university’s longstanding commitment to service,

NOW, THEREFORE, 72