Celebration of Excellence

The Celebration of Excellence Awards recognizes the many achievements and accomplishments of the FGCU family.

This is an opportunity for us to look back at the past year and recognize distinguished individuals who contributed to FGCU’s growth and success. We honor those people who gave their time, talents, and creativity beyond all expectations.

Faculty Winners

Senior Faculty Scholarship Excellence

This award goes to a senior faculty member who demonstrates support of FGCU’s mission in scholarly activities, especially through their approach and productivity.

Junior Faculty Scholarship Excellence

This award goes to a junior faculty member who demonstrates support of FGCU’s mission in scholarly activities, especially through their approach and productivity.

Senior Faculty Teaching Excellence

This award goes to a senior faculty member who has completed at least one full academic year at FGCU in a teaching position. This individual must, among other criteria, demonstrate innovation, a learner-centered approach and growth in teaching.

Junior Faculty Teaching Excellence

This award goes to a junior faculty member who has completed at least one full academic year at FGCU in a teaching position. This individual must, among other criteria, demonstrate innovation, a learner-centered approach and growth in teaching.

John Herman Award for Excellence in Teaching General Education

Inspired by the late Dr. John Herman and his remarkable ability to engage students from across disciplines in his General Education Biology courses, the John Herman Award for Excellence in General Education will recognize one member of the Florida Gulf Coast University teaching community for their commitment to enhancing the liberal arts experience of FGCU students. 

Chair Excellence

This award goes to a department chair, director or associate dean who has completed two full academic years at FGCU. They must demonstrate continuous growth; a self-critical, reflective approach in evaluating his/her professional growth and development over time; substantial evidence of significant and impactful accomplishments; and support of the overall mission.

Adjunct Faculty Teaching Excellence

This award goes to an adjunct faculty member who demonstrates support of FGCU’s mission in scholarly activities, especially through their approach and productivity.

Junior Instructor Teaching Excellence

This award goes to an instructor who demonstrates support of FGCU’s mission in scholarly activities, especially through their approach and productivity.

Senior Faculty Service Excellence

This award goes to a senior faculty member who has completed at least one full academic year at FGCU in a faculty position. This person must demonstrate continuous growth in service over time; a self-critical, reflective approach in evaluating his/her professional growth and development over time in service; support of the service mission of FGCU; mentoring of peers in service and civic engagement; and excellence.

Junior Faculty Service Excellence

This award goes to a junior faculty member who has completed at least one full academic year at FGCU in a faculty position. This person must demonstrate continuous growth in service over time; a self-critical, reflective approach in evaluating his/her professional growth and development over time in service; support of the service mission of FGCU; mentoring of peers in service and civic engagement; and excellence.

Student Government Association Winners

Staff Member of the Year and McTarnaghan Teaching Awards

The Staff Member of the Year Award is given annually to a staff member who goes above and beyond the duties of their job, while engaging students from all across campus. This recipient is a full-time staff member in any division of the university, and has proven success in supporting students in either a formal or informal manner.

The McTarnaghan Teaching Award is given annually to a faculty member who has gone above and beyond in both their chosen discipline as well as across campus. The recipient should exhibit a student-centered approach to their work as instructors and support agents, both in and out of the classroom.


Staff Winners

Staff Advisory Council Staff of the Year

The Staff Advisory Council (SAC) Outstanding Staff Award (OSA) was established to honor Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) staff who have contributed outstanding and meritorious service to their department, the University and the community.

Grant-in-Aid Program

The Grant-in-Aid Educational Leave Program provides paid leave to eligible employees pursuing Associates, Bachelors, Masters or Doctoral degrees. The program supports the development and retention of high-performing, qualified faculty and staff, and FGCU's commitment to diversity.

Student Winners

Graduate Students of the Year
Lutgert College of Business
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Education
Marieb College of Health & Human Services

This award goes to a graduate student who demonstrates outstanding collegiality and commitment to the mission and guiding principles of FGCU. The student must be in good academic standing, have completed a minimum of 12 credits at FGCU and is registered for, and successfully completing, at least six (6) credits in both the fall and spring semesters during the academic year in which the award is given.

Undergraduate Students of the Year
Lutgert College of Business
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Education
Marieb College of Health & Human Services
U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering
School of Entrepreneurship

This award goes to an undergraduate student who demonstrates outstanding collegiality and commitment to the mission and guiding principles of FGCU. This student must be in good academic standing, have completed a minimum of 12 credits at FGCU and is registered for, and successfully completing, at least nine (9) credits in both the fall and spring semesters during the academic year in which the award is given.

Team Winners & Special Recognition

Team Service Excellence

This award goes to a group that has demonstrated support of the service mission of FGCU, created a project with an impact on relevant community or communities and exemplifies the spirit of collaborative team work.

Excellence in Mentoring

These awards will recognize in- or out-of-unit faculty, staff, and students on our campus who provide mentorship. Mentors offer guidance and support in academic, personal, and service-oriented development by creating high-impact educational experiences.  Outstanding leaders who mentor students and student leaders who mentor peers will be recognized.

Special Recognition

An award that was created especially for this year's winner.

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