FGCU NEWS
20th commencement set at FGCU

Florida Gulf Coast University will stage the largest commencement exercise in its history this Spring, conferring diplomas upon 925 graduates. The ceremony lasts about two and a half hours.

FGCU President Wilson G. Bradshaw delivers the commencement address to graduates and an estimated 7,000 family members and guests. Faculty speaker this year is president of FGCU Faculty Senate Halcyon St. Hill, followed by student speaker Brad Piepenbrink, president of 2007-08 Student Government.

The event will begin 3 p.m., Sunday, April 27 at Germain Arena in Estero.

It is FGCU's 20th commencement and includes students completing degree requirements during the spring term. Bradshaw will confer bachelor's and master's degrees in the University's five academic colleges: Arts and Sciences, Education, Health Professions, Lutgert College of Business and Professional Studies. FGCU has conferred over 6,000 degrees since fall 1997.

General guest seating is on a first-come first-serve basis and will be available beginning at 1 p.m. Due to an expected large attendance, early arrival is encouraged. Seating for individuals with special needs is located on the south side of the arena.

The commencement exercise will be webcast and accessible at www.fgcu.edu beginning at 3 p.m.

FGCU and Edison receive multi-million dollar legacy gift

Upcoming generations of students at Florida Gulf Coast University and Edison College will be afforded the opportunity to complete degrees, thanks to long-time Clewiston resident Marjorie H. Kelly.

"The Pop and Marj Scholarship Fund," her planned gift to each institution, is $4.3 million over a five year period for scholarships. The funds are also eligible for matching dollars from the State of Florida.

"Mrs. Kelly supported her causes without any expectations of receiving anything in return," said Kenneth P. Walker, Edison College District President. "She was elegant and gracious, and simply wanted to help the community she loved so much. This marvelous gift will do just that."

Kelly died in early 2007.

She was born in Concord, Ga. in 1908, completed her schooling and moved to West Palm Beach where she met her future husband, E.E. "Pop" Kelly. They moved to Clewiston and purchased the Clewiston Motor Company in 1933. Together, they grew the company to become a leader in Florida's construction industry as the South Florida distributor for Caterpillar and other leading equipment manufacturers.

After "Pop" passed away in 1956, the Kelly family established the Kelly Foundation to provide scholarships for undergraduate students in Southwest Florida, and grant funding for many other charitable organizations. Marjorie was a member of the Clewiston Garden Club, Business and Professional Women, First Baptist Church, and a financial supporter of both FGCU and Edison College.

"When fully funded, the Pop and Marj Kelly Scholarship Fund will be the largest scholarship endowment at FGCU," said FGCU President Wilson G. Bradshaw. "Our thanks go to this lovely couple who cared very much about Southwest Florida and its University."

Information on planned giving is available through offices of the Edison College Foundation, Inc. at (239) 489-9210 and the Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation, Inc. at (239) 590-1077.

Florida Historical Society Press publishes professor's book on Florida history

Florida Gulf Coast University professor Irvin D.S. Winsboro wrote and published his book called "Florida's Civil War: Explorations into Conflict, Interpretations, and Memory."

The Florida Historical Society Press published the work, which is the first of their new "Gold Series," designed to provide specialized books and in-depth coverage of important issues in Florida history.

Winsboro was selected as this book's author, because of his authoritative scholarship on Florida history. The Society Press publishes numerous books annually on Florida and Southern history and is recognized statewide and nationally.

"Florida's Civil War" focuses on the American Civil War, which produced many changes in the body politic and economic and social climate of Florida and the United States. The book is available in paperback and retails for $14.95.

Winsboro is a professor in history, African American studies and southwest Florida studies.