Florida Public University Hires Its First African-American President

This year has been a tremendous year for Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). The school has been making history in its academics, administration, and athletics. Ten years ago, Florida Gulf Coast University was a tiny university opening in the midst of protected wetlands south of Fort Myers, Florida. It was the newest state university in Florida and the cutting edge campus of technology in the U.S.

Over the last decade, FGCU has evolved as a high-tech institution from initially serving a majority of commuter students to a full residential and commuter campus. Over ten years, the student population jumped from 1,300 to over 10,000 students. The school developed a whole campus including a complete academic hub, a student union, housing for 2,000+ residents, an athletic arena, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and this year it opened its first parking garage.

Although this school is strong in academics and residential life, its athletic program brought FGCU to national attention. This year the women's basketball team placed second in the 2007 NCAA Division II championship final, after a remarkable, undefeated regular season. This fall, the FGCU athletic program made history again by making it to the big time in college athletics, entering the NCAA Division I's Atlantic Sun Conference.

Over ten years, FGCU has had two presidents, Dr. Roy McTarnaghan and Dr. William Merwin. The third president is making history at FGCU. Dr. Wilson G. Bradshaw is the third president and the first African-American president of the institution. According to FGCU, he has an impressive background in leading colleges and universities and academic achievement in psychology. He comes from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and begins work at FGCU on November 13, 2007. He has held many other academic posts prior to MSU, including provost and vice president of academic affairs at Pennsylvania's Bloomsburg University. As a scholar, he has published works in journals such as Hormones and Behavior, Brain Research, Neuroendocrinology, and Science.

After the announcement of Dr. Bradshaw's appointment, the local newspaper, The Bonita Daily News, reported that Dr. Bradshaw was enjoying a pleasant response from the greater community. The paper reported the local president of the Lee County NAACP, Willie Green, as saying: "Obviously, I'm happy...It's not just a step in the right direction for people of color but a step in the right direction for all of us."

The Bonita Daily News also reported Dr. Bradshaw's remark: "Throughout my career, I've had many firsts as an African-American."

Although FGCU's growth has been managed quite well over the last ten years, Dr. Bradshaw faces the task of creating a new vision for the university in the new era of growth. He is taking the reins at a great time when FGCU is rejoicing in its landmark tenth anniversary. The challenge remains for Dr. Bradshaw to manage the unique issues of an established university with a developed campus, a nationally ranked athletic program, and a large student body.