Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is a public university located in Fort Myers, Florida, part of unincorporated Lee County, Florida. The university belongs to the 12-campus State University System of Florida. FGCU competes in the Atlantic Sun Conference in NCAA Division I sports and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate's, 51 different types of bachelor's, 29 different master's, and 6 types of doctoral degrees.

History

Establishment

The school was established by then-governor Lawton Chiles in 1991, although the site of the university was not chosen until 1992, and construction was delayed until 1995. The school first held classes in August 1997. Roy McTarnaghan was the university's founding president. In August 1998, the university completed its first phase of student housing. On May 1, 1999, McTarnaghan announced his decision to step down from his position as President of FGCU.

Expansion and growth