Meet The Team

Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation, Inc. 
Upcoming Meeting Dates

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Board of Directors

9:00 AM 

• May 28, 2025 - AB9, Room 138
• September 15, 2025 - AB9, Room 138
• December 3, 2025 - 4:30pm; Location TBD
• March 4, 2026 - Cohen, Room 201
• June 3, 2026 - Cohen, Room 201

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Audit Committee

10:30 AM - Campus Support Complex, Room 14

• October 21, 2025
• April 23, 2026

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Development Committee

3:30 PM - Campus Support Complex, Room 14

• August 14, 2025
• November 6, 2025
• February 5, 2026
• May 7, 2026

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Executive Committee

12:00 PM - Campus Support Complex, Room 14

• May 27, 2025 
• August 28, 2025
• November 20, 2025
• February 19, 2026
• May 21, 2026

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Finance Committee

9:00 AM - Campus Support Complex, Room 14

• August 20, 2025
• November 12, 2025
• February 13, 2026
• May 14, 2026

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Nominating & Governance Committee

1:00 PM - Campus Support Complex, Room 14

• August 14, 2025
• November 6, 2025
• February 5, 2026
• May 7, 2026

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Real Estate Committee

Meetings scheduled as needed

August 6, 2024

Colleagues, 

I am pleased to share with you that Katie Cribbs has accepted the Assistant Vice President of Communications position overseeing media relations, social media, video production and sports information within University Marketing & Communications.  This is the position formerly held by Kyle McCurry, reporting to the Associate Vice President for Marketing & Communications.   Some of you may have already worked with Katie in her role as Assistant Director of Media and Public Relations, which she has held for the last eighteen months.  She did a tremendous job in that position, orchestrating news coverage that put FGCU in the national spotlight, including featured spots on CNN, CBS News, Washington Post, New York Times and NPR. 

Katie is an expert communicator with more than two decades of experience working with multimedia journalists.  She spent 17 years at WINK News, the last dozen as Executive Producer for award-winning newscasts and investigations. She worked with Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties on public relations before joining FGCU’s University Marketing & Communications in February 2023.

I am confident that Katie will help us grow our visibility in Southwest Florida and beyond.  Please join me in congratulating her and wishing her well!

August 7, 2024

Colleagues,

As President Timur noted in her communication to campus this week, FGCU is conducting an online brand survey in partnership with BVK, a marketing firm that specializes in higher education. The survey is designed for you to share your attitudes and opinions of FGCU. 

Your input is critical to the success of this project. To ensure confidentiality, responses will be submitted directly to BVK. Your responses will remain anonymous and will only be reported in aggregate with others.

As an added incentive, you qualify to enter a drawing for a chance to win one of fifty $25 Amazon gift cards from our marketing partner BVK.

Full drawing rules are available here.

TAKE THE SURVEY

I hope you will choose to participate in this brief survey which should take about 10 minutes to complete. As “insiders” you know FGCU well. Your opinions will help us to shape the look and feel of future messaging to highlight this University as the special place it is.

If you have questions, please contact Deborah Wiltrout, Interim Associate Vice President, Marketing & Communications at dwiltrout@fgcu.edu.

August 8, 2024

Hello FGCU Students,

As President Timur noted in her communication to campus last week, FGCU is conducting an online brand survey as part of a comprehensive market research study by the university in partnership with BVK, a marketing firm specializing in higher education. The survey is designed for you to share your attitudes and opinions of FGCU. If you haven’t yet taken the survey, now is the time!

As a thank you for participating, you will qualify to enter a drawing for a chance to win one of fifty $25 Amazon gift cards.

Full drawing rules are available here.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Your input is critical to the success of this project. To ensure confidentiality, responses will be submitted directly to BVK. Your responses will remain anonymous and will only be reported in aggregate with others.

I hope you will choose to participate in this brief survey which should take about 10 minutes to complete. As a current student your opinion is extremely valuable to us and by sharing it you will help us shape the look and feel of future messaging to highlight this University as the special place it is.

If you have questions, please contact Deborah Wiltrout, Interim Associate Vice President, Marketing & Communications @dwiltrout@fgcu.edu

August 12, 2024

I’m reaching out with a friendly reminder that you have been invited to take a survey to share your attitudes and opinions of FGCU.

We would greatly appreciate your input so if you have not already taken the survey, please do so before 8/28.

It should take you about 10 minutes to complete.

If you have already taken the survey, we thank you for your participation. If you have not, please take it here.

August 12, 2024

I’m reaching out with a friendly reminder that you have been invited to take a survey to share your attitudes and opinions of FGCU.

We would greatly appreciate your input so if you have not already taken the survey, please do so before 8/28.

It should take you about 10 minutes to complete. As a thank you for participating, you will qualify to enter a drawing for a chance to win one of fifty $25 Amazon gift cards.

If you have already taken the survey, we thank you for your participation. If you have not, please take it here.

Full drawing rules are available here.

August 19, 2024

Colleagues, 

I am pleased to share that Graham Diemer, the chief development officer for Athletics, is joining the University Advancement team August 26. Graham will continue with his responsibilities to generate resources for FGCU’s Athletics program and our student-athletes. Graham has collaborated with Advancement for years, and now will be able to fully focus on major gift fundraising under the direction of Cindy Learned.

As part of this realignment, Athletics will now have one deputy athletics director. This role will continue to be filled by Lauren Leister, the chief operating officer who oversees finance, operations and sports medicine.

I am confident this realignment will help to generate more resources to position our athletic program for greatness. Please join me in welcoming Graham to Advancement!

August 22, 2024

Dear FGCU community,

FGCU is rolling out the use of new digital signs across campus this fall, and the first of these signs - located at the south entrance to campus - will go live within the next few days.

The digital signs are being installed in the following locations:

• Main campus entrance (FGCU Boulevard)
• North campus entrance (FGCU Lake Parkway West)
• South campus entrance (South Village Boulevard)
• Outside the Cohen Student Union

This initiative aims to enhance communication, welcome guests, promote campus events and games, provide real-time emergency information, and create a more dynamic and informative campus experience for everyone. Future phases will include additional campus signage and facility directories.

University Marketing & Communications is managing the content for the signs and will be working to establish guidelines and a process for gathering content from our campus community. We appreciate your patience as we work through the early stages of this project.

This initiative will significantly improve how we share information and keep everyone informed. We look forward to your input and support.

September 17, 2024

Dear FGCU Colleagues,

As faculty and staff members, we all play a vital role in creating pathways for FGCU students to thrive as engaged, responsible, global citizens. Successfully financing FGCU’s mission is essential to maximizing our impact in that regard. As one of 12 public universities in Florida, we rely heavily on state appropriations, tuition and fees, grants, as well as fees from contracted services (like food services and bookstore sales) for FGCU's overall financial sustainability.

Those funding sources are substantial, but also limited in scope. Philanthropic support from generous donors is what allows more students to graduate with less debt, participate in extracurricular activities, and engage in high-impact practices that make for the most effective and memorable experiences. Gifts to the FGCU Foundation may also cover other costs the state doesn’t – like food and beverages – that we as faculty and staff enjoy.

As a valued member of FGCU’s faculty and staff, your support makes a powerful statement about your belief in our mission, so please consider a gift today.

The FGCU Foundation is making it easier for you to browse over 60 areas of philanthropic support by launching a new Online Fundraising Platform. Whether your passion lies with an FGCU college or school, or with programs like Azul’s Attire, CAPS, FGCU Athletics, ROCK Center, Veterans Entrepreneurship and more, I hope you are inspired to give and to spread the word to your friends. Many FGCU employees donate through payroll deduction and this new platform makes that even easier to do!

If you have questions about your personal giving or if you have fundraising ideas to share, please contact Vince Modarelli, Director of Annual and Leadership Giving, at extension 4437 or vmodarelli@fgcu.edu.

October 21, 2024

Hello Colleagues,

I am very pleased to say that we have filled the position of Associate Vice President for University Marketing & Communications.  Larry Bender will begin work at FGCU on Monday, October 28, reporting to me. 

Larry is a graduate of the Parsons School of Design and has served Drexel University for 25 years in various creative and management roles within enrollment management and university marketing and communications.  He has deep experience in leading teams to develop strategic, data-driven, multi-channel marketing campaigns targeting community, local and national audiences.  Larry is respected at Drexel for being thoughtful, strategic and collaborative.

I am grateful to the panel that was so helpful in vetting the candidates and sharing their perspectives: Dr. Chris Westley, Jorge Lopez, Kim Wallace, Deborah Wiltrout, Dr. Senthil Girimurugan and Lauren Leister.  We unanimously agreed that Larry is the right person to take FGCU’s marketing and communications to the next level.

I am also indebted to Deborah Wiltrout, who graciously emerged from retirement to lead the team on an interim basis. She bridged the leadership gap masterfully and helped the team continue their great work without missing a beat.  Deborah will remain available to Larry as needed to ensure a smooth transition.

We will be scheduling appointments for Larry to meet key people on campus, but please don’t hesitate to reach out and welcome Larry to FGCU.

October 22, 2024

Dear Faculty and Staff,

We are excited to announce the 2025 Alumni Awards, honoring the outstanding achievements of alumni and showcasing the impact and value of an FGCU degree. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate those who have made a significant impact in their fields and communities. 

We invite you to submit your nominations by Friday, November 1, for the following categories: 

1. Alumni of Distinction: This is the most prestigious award the association bestows upon a graduate. It honors alumni who have upheld the tradition of excellence through their personal accomplishment, professional achievement and/or humanitarian service.
2. Soaring Eagle: A graduate from each college will be honored for outstanding achievement or service in their professional or volunteer life. New for 2025, Soaring Eagle Awardees do not have to be within 10 years of graduation. One graduate from each college, plus the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship and The Water School, will be awarded.
3. Alumni Business of the Year: Awarded to an alumni-owned or alumni-founded business for their commitment to the community and/or FGCU. 

Submit your nomination here. 

Award winners will be announced virtually January 7, 2025, and honored at the Alumni Awards Celebration during Homecoming January 31, 2025.

Your insights and recommendations are invaluable in helping us recognize our remarkable alumni. Let’s come together to honor those who continue to inspire us and make a difference.

November 6, 2024

Hello Colleagues,

FGCU Advancement is providing faculty and staff with updates on our campus’ digital sign and branding campaign projects, as well as a request for more instructors and topics for the FGCU Academy. Read on for more information!

Digital Signage

Three of our digital signs are up and running, and we anticipate the Cohen Student Union sign will become operational shortly. The signs are designed to share university announcements, events and emergency messages with our campus community and visitors. I hope you agree they are a welcome addition to campus! Thanks to everyone who played a role in bringing this project to life - it’s been a true campus-wide effort. University Marketing & Communications will be responsible for managing the content featured on the digital signs and has put a process and guidelines in place for university departments to submit requests. If you would like to submit a request, visit the digital signage request page.

FGCU Branding Campaign

As previously announced, the university is working with BVK, a nationally known marketing agency in the higher education space, to help FGCU amplify our brand in the region, state and beyond. This will be a broad “umbrella” campaign that can be tailored for use by colleges and divisions and should be usable for three to five years.  A campus steering committee representing most areas of the university has been instrumental in sharing their perspectives and giving feedback thorough the research phase and initial creative concepts. We will also present the creative concepts to each of our shared governance groups over the next month to solicit the campus’ feedback for the final campaign development. We want the campaign to truly reflect our shared purpose and FGCU’s unique position in our community and state!

FGCU Academy

FGCU Academy is seeking new faculty and staff lecturers and topics to keep the program varied, dynamic and interesting. Lectures are offered in Lee and Collier counties, are 90 minutes in length and pay FGCU faculty and staff $150 per lecture. Please consider lecturing for this program so we can engage the community with the best and brightest FGCU has to offer. If you are interested, contact John Guerra, the director of FGCU Academy, at jguerra@fgcu.edu. Please provide suggested lecture titles, descriptions and contact information. Attached is the January - May 2024 program guide to provide some inspiration. For more information, visit www.fgcu.edu/academy.

Thank you for all you do.

December 12, 2024

Good morning,

If you are an employee who will be collecting donations or opening mail during and after the university’s holiday break, it is essential that the FGCU Foundation knows the date a gift is received for IRS purposes at the end of the calendar year.

A donation deposited after December 31, 2024, can only be credited to the 2024 calendar year if we have a postdated envelope or evidence to support that the gift left the donor’s possession prior to midnight on December 31, 2024. For this reason, please retain and forward to the Foundation office all envelopes along with checks for donations received starting December 13, 2024.

For hand-delivered checks or cash donations (i.e. does not include a postdated envelope), send a brief email to advancement@fgcu.edu prior to January 1, 2025,  stating the following:

1. Check number
2. Name on the check
3. Check/cash amount
4. Purpose of the donation

We will consider emails received prior to January 1, 2025, as confirmation that the donation was received in 2024.

Note: Checks without an envelope or any supporting documentation as described above received in the Foundation office after the holiday break will be considered a 2025 donation.

In-kind or non-cash donations: The attached in-kind gift acceptance form will need to be completed for any non-cash or non-check donations. Non-cash (in-kind) donated items must be in the possession of the FGCU department’s representative prior to January 1, 2025, for it to be credited as a 2024 donation. Possession of the donated item should be documented on the “Object(s) Received By” line of the attached form.

If you have any questions, contact Susan Wulber at (239) 745-4761 or email advancement@fgcu.edu.

December 13, 2024

Dear Eagles,

Thank you to all the FGCU faculty and staff who lecture for the FCCU Academy. For those yet to do so, we would like to extend an enthusiastic invitation for you to join us.  Click here to view the FGCU Academy Winter/Spring 2025 (January - May) Program Guide of Lifelong Learning & Enrichment Programs. Help us enrich the community and showcase the remarkable talent and ability of our faculty and staff. Please share the link with family, friends and acquaintances who might be looking for ways to become a part of the FGCU family. Our programs are open to everyone at more than 21 locations in Southwest Florida.  

January 14, 2025

Hello Colleagues,

Give Day is FGCU’s annual 24-hour period where our community comes together to raise funds, compete for prizes and foster FGCU spirit. FGCU Give Day 2025 begins at noon March 26 and ends at noon March 27. This year, the FGCU Foundation has replaced its traditional employee appeal with this singular effort to inspire employee philanthropy along with our communities.

We invite you to join our Give Day 2025 Fundraiser Team! To represent your area as a fundraiser for FGCU Give Day 2025, your fundraising appeal must be directed to an established FGCU Foundation account. Apply here before February 7.

FGCU Give Day financially supports many areas of campus through excellence in crowdfunding, which is the practice of raising funds from a large number of people. Successful Give Day fundraisers effectively promote FGCU Give Day via email and social media in alignment with your area’s funding priorities. Give Day fundraisers commit to:

• Attending a web-based Give Day training
• Refreshing your area’s page on FGCU’s crowdfunding platform
• Recruiting more Give Day “influencers” from among your area’s students, employees and stakeholders

Submit your application to participate in FGCU’s Give Day 2025 here. Upon acceptance, you will be welcomed to the Give Day Fundraising Team and invited to a kickoff event. If you have any questions, contact Vince Modarelli, director of Annual and Leadership Giving, at ext. 4437 or vmodarelli@fgcu.edu.

As a valued member of FGCU’s faculty and staff, your philanthropic support makes a powerful statement about your belief in our mission, so please consider participating.

The Give Day planning team is already hard at work securing cash challenges and lucrative prizes, so this is an excellent opportunity to raise funds and win prize money for your area of FGCU.

Wings Up for FGCU Give Day 2025!

March 10, 2025

Dear Eagles,

Travel the world with FGCU Academy in 2025 and 2026! Through unique, affordable and interesting itineraries, FGCU Academy travel guests have the opportunity to experience life outside the classroom, visit historic sites with local guides, experience another culture – its customs, cuisine, language and history – and delight in conversation and laughter with fellow explorers who share a love of travel and a sense of adventure. These concierge-style excursions are sure to impress and delight you. Join other Southwest Floridians as they explore the world and invite your friends and family to join the adventure!

View the attachment to learn more about the upcoming excursions and visit fgcu.edu/academy/travel to reserve a spot for your next vacation.

April 1, 2025

Greetings, Colleagues!

First, congratulations to everyone who raised funds for their areas during FGCU Give Day 2025, and thank you to the 1,346 donors who generously supported an area they are passionate about! This year, the annual giving team added a passport challenge for students to learn about philanthropy and support their favorite area. It was a hit! Look for student involvement to grow in subsequent years as we continue to nurture a culture of philanthropy at FGCU. If you have ideas or suggestions, email Vince Modarelli at vmodarelli@fgcu.edu.  

Second, spring commencement is drawing near, and University Marketing & Communications needs your help to identify great stories to share with the media to celebrate our upcoming graduates. Here are some categories to consider when identifying unique students:

• Courageous pursuit of a degree in the face of great odds
• Inspirational success or achievement
• Family ties within the graduating class (e.g., twins, mom and child, etc.)
• Unique opportunity after graduation (e.g., Peace Corps, Fortune 500, etc.)
• Special honors (e.g., scholarships for law school, medical school, etc.)

If you have suggestions, please send the student’s name, telephone and email address, including home city or county, and a brief synopsis of the unique story to mediarelations@fgcu.edu no later than 5 p.m. Friday, April 11. Please make sure students are comfortable sharing their stories before emailing. Thank you for your help!

Last, you may see lights and cameras around campus this week. Our marketing firm will be filming the video for FGCU’s new brand campaign. The campaign will launch in the fall. We can’t wait to see it!

Wings Up!

April 14, 2025

Dear FGCU Faculty and Staff,

I am pleased to share with you an incredible opportunity provided by the FGCU Foundation that can make a significant difference in our students’ academic journey.

In concert with the university’s strategic plan, we plan to grow that support this year and in subsequent years. Last year alone, the FGCU Foundation awarded over $7 million in scholarships. To be considered for these scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year, all students must complete the FGCU Foundation Scholarship application by May 1.

The foundation offers over 500 different scholarships, each catering to a diverse range of students, from undergraduates to graduates, across various disciplines. These scholarships are not solely for students with financial need. In fact, there are scholarships for a wide variety of interests and achievements, including academic performance, volunteerism, research, specific coursework, life experiences and more.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to be recognized and supported for their individual strengths and contributions. I ask our faculty and staff to share this information with students in your classrooms, offices and organizations so we can ensure as many students as possible benefit from these resources.

At FGCU, we are committed to helping students succeed, and scholarships from the FGCU Foundation are an essential part of that mission. I look forward to seeing the amazing things our students will achieve with this support!

April 14, 2025

Dear FGCU Students,

Last year, the FGCU Foundation awarded over $7 million in scholarships to our students, and we plan to grow that support. The deadline to apply for the 2025-26 academic year is May 1.

Don’t miss out! You have about two more weeks to fill out the FGCU Foundation Scholarship application!

About the scholarships:

• The foundation offers over 500 scholarships, and they are not solely for students with financial need!
• Scholarships are available to undergraduates to graduates across various disciplines and interests, including academic performance, volunteerism, research, specific coursework, life experiences and more!
• You only need to fill out one application!

For more information, visit the FGCU Foundation Scholarships website.

I encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this remarkable opportunity. I look forward to seeing the amazing things you will achieve with this support!

May 15, 2025

Dear FGCU Faculty and Staff,

In alignment with our commitment to student success and community engagement, I’m pleased to share that Alumni Relations is launching the FGCU Mentoring Program – a new, university-wide initiative designed to connect students with FGCU alumni and community professionals through meaningful, semester-long mentorships.

Beginning fall 2025, the FGCU Mentoring Program will pair students with mentors based on shared academic and career interests. Open to students of all majors and class years, the program is intended to support career exploration, personal growth and professional readiness. Mentors and mentees will meet regularly throughout the semester, with structured guidance, training and support provided to both participants.

Key Dates:

• May 15 – Applications open for mentors and mentees
• Summer 2025 – Mentor recruitment and training
• September 12 – Mentee and mentor sign-up deadline
• Fall 2025 – Mentorships begin

How You Can Help:

• Encourage students to apply, especially those who could benefit from early career conversations
• Refer alumni or professionals who would make great mentors
• Partner with us to foster a strong culture of mentorship across campus

In addition, we’re offering informal mentoring opportunities for students seeking flexible, short-term interactions, such as one-time conversations or occasional check-ins with alumni and professionals for career insight and guidance.

For more information, contact Alumni Engagement & Mentorship Coordinator Ron Richards at rrichards@fgcu.edu.