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} Profile: FGCU Chief of Police
Craig Kowalski
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} Five Things to Know About FGCU
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} Did You Know?, School Counselor Program Earns National Recognition, Years of Service and Move-In Day
The Boardwalk now hosts beachfront weddings
The Boardwalk Waterfront Restaurant is no stranger to renting out its space for events. As faculty and staff, you’ve probably reserved the space in the past for FGCU department trainings, workshops and meetings. But did you know you can also do private rentals for external events? Beginning this fall, The Boardwalk will now open its reservations for beachfront weddings.
This past May, The Boardwalk hosted its first wedding, complete with a cocktail hour and reception. The space also allows for large patio, pavilion and fire pit use, overlooking FGCU’s glistening waterfront at Lake Como for a beachfront wedding look and feel.
According to Tara Scrivano, resident district manager for FGCU Dining Services, the best time to rent The Boardwalk for a wedding is between November and February. This will allow guests to feel comfortable outside and enjoy the beachfront views the venue has to offer. The space is now open for Saturday reservations.
Those interested in private rentals for their own beachfront wedding should contact Tara Scrivano, tara.scrivano@ compass-usa.com. For more information, visit dineoncampus.com/fgcu/ boardwalk-restaurant-rentals.
The Boardwalk Waterfront Restaurant’s beachfront wedding book.
FGCU PHOTOS
Get to know Chief of Police Craig W. Kowalski
In In May, FGCU welcomed Chief of Police Craig W. Kowalski to the Nest. Having spent the last 23 years in K-12, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our campus. Read more to learn about his tips on campus safety and why the Cohen Student Union is his favorite spot on campus. How do you plan to continue to provide a safe and secure environment for the FGCU community?
My commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for the FGCU community is unwavering. We will continue existing measures, enhance others and implement new programs to uphold this commitment, ensuring your safety and peace of mind.
Our mission is to provide students, faculty, staff and visitors with a safe and secure environment. We are committed to excellence in public safety through community partnership, proactive policing and a compassionate approach to law enforcement.
By adhering to the following principles, the Florida Gulf Coast University Police Department aims to create a supportive and secure environment that enhances our community members’ academic and personal growth:
1. Community Engagement: We foster strong relationships with the university community, working collaboratively to address safety concerns and promote a culture of mutual respect and trust.
2. Safety and Security: We are dedicated to maintaining a safe campus through vigilant patrolling, emergency preparedness and the implementation of effective safety measures.
3. Professionalism and Integrity: We uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and ethical conduct in all our actions, ensuring that we are accountable to our community.
4. Education and Awareness: We prioritize educational initiatives to inform the community about safety practices, crime prevention and available resources, empowering individuals
to contribute to a secure campus environment.
5. Inclusivity and Respect: We embrace diversity and are committed to treating all individuals with respect, fairness and dignity, ensuring that our actions reflect the values of inclusivity and equality.
6. Continuous Improvement: We strive for continuous improvement through ongoing training, innovation and adopting best practices in campus law enforcement.
How do you spend your spare time?
In my spare time, I enjoy getting to know the area. Though I grew up in South Florida, I am experiencing this area more and more each day. To counteract these new experiences, I do enjoy going to the gym to help balance the discovery of all the new food places.
It’s time for an office potluck. What do you bring?
Anything I can get from Publix.
What is your favorite place on campus?
If I had to choose a particular place because I enjoy the entire campus, I would say Cohen Student Union because of the ease of interaction with everyone and, of course, the food.
Who is your favorite musician/band, and how does their music move you?
I can’t say I have one favorite musician or band because I like various music, from jazz to current pop music. However, I tend to gravitate toward country music because of the storytelling.
If you had the opportunity to visit a foreign country, where would you go and what would you do?
Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to visit several foreign countries, experience their culture, and see their sites. Next, I would want to visit Iceland and see the Northern Lights. Who wins in a dance battle: you or Azul?
This is easy: Azul.
What are three things faculty and staff can do to make their campus experience as safe as possible?
A safe campus environment is crucial for faculty, staff and students. Everyone must participate, as this is our community. Here are three key actions that faculty and staff can take to enhance safety on campus:
1. Stay Informed and Aware:
• Familiarize yourself with campus safety resources: Know the location and contact information for campus security, emergency services and safety resources.
• Stay alert: Be aware of your surroundings and immediately report any suspicious activities or persons to campus security.
2. Promote a Culture of Safety:
• Encourage open communication: Foster an environment where students and colleagues feel comfortable reporting safety concerns or incidents without fear of retaliation.
• Advocate for mental health support: Encourage using mental health resources and support those needing help. Recognize the signs of distress and guide individuals to appropriate support services.
3. Use Technology and Resources:
• Utilize campus safety apps
• Stay connected: Share information and updates on safety concerns and best practices with colleagues.
FGCU Chief of Police Craig W. Kowalski
5 THINGS TO KNOW
We are excited that school is back in session, and with that comes a sea of green and blue around campus! Do you ever wonder how these came to be our school colors or how Azul became our mascot? Check out the facts, legends and lore behind some of the things that make us FGCU!
1. Greens, blues and FGCU hues: You may notice lots of greens and blues as you walk across campus, from our scenic palms to the gorgeous Southwest Florida blue skies. Did you know that FGCU’s Founding President, Roy McTarnaghan, Ph.D., selected emerald green and cobalt blue for the school’s colors as symbols of the earth and water? These also connect to FGCU’s environmental mission.
2. Speaking of the environment... One of FGCU’s guiding principles is sustainability, which is evident through the elements that make up our campus. Half of our 800 acres of campus consist of restored or preserved nature, with 300 residential and migratory birds and endangered species, natural trails and boardwalks, a 15-acre solar energy field and a Food Forest designed and maintained by students as a permaculture botanical garden.
3. Azul rules! What’s the story behind our favorite bird? The eagle was adopted as the official symbol to reflect FGCU’s mission and purpose. The eagle serves to identify not only the physical environment of Southwest Florida but also the university’s relationship with it. The eagle embodies the characteristics of freedom, strength, spirit, intelligence, grace and the pursuit of excellence. It is a master of its environment but also an integral part of it. It survives and prospers only in balance with the environment.
4. Eagle editors: The eagle is a visible symbol across campus, and even served as the title of a former student publication (now Eagle News)! Other names for the publication included “The Eaglet” and “The Swamp Times.”
5. Time for some school spirit: Do you ever notice a song playing outside when you walk by the Cohen Student Union? That’s the fight song playing from the clock tower! The clock tower exists from a donation made by Herb and Margaret Sugden, the same donors in which the School of Hospitality & Resort Management and Welcome Center are named after.
DID YOU KNOW?
Bronze Azul bench celebrates five years
Acampus landmark, the bronze Azul bench was first revealed Sept. 12, 2019, at a joyous celebration outside the Cohen Student Union. The bronze statue on a steel bench has been one of FGCU’s most photographed locations since its unveiling.
A partnership between Student Government and Alumni Relations, “the bench signifies tradition at FGCU,” said Kimberly Wallace, senior director of Alumni Relations. The bench was constructed by Utah sculptor Virgil Oertle, whose resume includes several mascot benches at colleges and universities across the country.
The sculpture, which weighs nearly 800 pounds between the statue and bench, is located at the Alumni Legacy Plaza and took roughly four months to construct, according to Oertle.
Plans to rehome the Azul bench are taking place as construction is underway in the Cohen Student Union.
FGCU’s School Counselor Preparation Program earns national recognition
FGCU’s School Counselor Preparation Program has received recognition by the American School Counselor Association, highlighting its commitment to training exemplary school counselors who meet national standards of excellence. The program’s rigorous curriculum, which emphasizes practical experience through fieldwork and internships, prepares students for the multifaceted roles of school counselors. It ensures graduates are well-equipped to deliver comprehensive counseling services and transition seamlessly into the workforce.
YEARS OF SERVICE
20 Years
} Amy Kristin Benvie | Instructor II, Department of Mathematics
10 Years
} Bruce D. Battey | Academic Advisor I, Lutgert College of Business
5 Years
} Julieta Maria Wenk | Coordinator/ Instructor I, Department of Counseling
} Premila Angela Whitney | Instructor I, Hospitality Administration, School of Resort & Hospitality Management
MOVE-IN DAY: Over 4,700 students live on campus in FGCU’s three residential areas. To help them settle into a new academic year, staff, faculty and students volunteer at move-in August 14-18.
Azul bench with Kimberly Wallace, senior director of Alumni Relations.
FGCU PHOTOS
Employees from Dining Services and Campus Reservations & University Events pass out ice-cold drinks, cool cloths and misters to parents and students in South Village.