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FGCU Fall Kickoff Celebration 2026

August 19, 2026 

The FGCU Kickoff Celebration at Alico Arena on Aug. 7 brought faculty and staff together to celebrate the start of the academic year.

From lunch served by members of the President's Cabinet and the State of the University address by President Timur to special thank-you gifts, opportunities to donate canned goods to the FGCU Campus Food Pantry and Azul's Most-Spirited Eagle Award, the event was a fun and spirited afternoon. 

A group of FGCU employees dressed in blue and green clothing pose in front of a backdrop made up of green and blue balloons, the FGCU bird logo and the wording “Your University” in white and outlined in green. They are giving the “wings up” salute.

Dressed in a blue polo, Mike Stavely, is standing behind a table collecting food donations for the FGCU Campus Food Pantry. Other employees can be seen in the back handing over their donations.
A large audience sits at tables inside Alico Arena as they watch President Timur gives remarks. A screen to the right side next of the stage displays “The State of the University” alongside the Florida Gulf Coast University logo. President Timur is seen on stage. She is wearing a green blazer and blue skirt.
Vice Provost Paul Dosal is using tongs to place hot food on a plate behind held by an employee who is wearing a green jacket. He is wearing a blue FGCU hat, a white shirt, with a blue FGCU branded sweater and a green apron with the words Dining Services in white on top.
Panoramic view of FGCU employees at Alico Arena dressed in green and blue sitting down at their tables as they listen to President Timur give remarks. Large screens can be seen on the left and ride side of the arena displaying a collage of employee photos.
An FGCU employee dressed in a black and white dress with a black sweater on top is taking a photo of the FGCU mascot Azul with an FGCU employee, who is wearing a dark blue polo and black pants. People walking by with plates of food as well as sitting down at tables can be seen in the background.
An FGCU employee dressed in a green polo and white pants is standing up among the crowd of people sitting down at their tables inside Alico Area. Two other employees can be seen in the background standing up as well.
An FGCU employee dressed in blue and green clothing, including a blue hat and green lei, stands with both hands raised as she walks toward FGCU Eagle mascot Azul, who is wearing a white jersey displaying the number 97. Several attendees stand in the background near tables and green banners with the letters FGCU in white.
Three FGCU employees stand side by side inside Alico Arena at the Fall Kickoff event, facing the camera and making the “Wings Up” salute. The employee on the left wears a green sequined cardigan over a white FGCU shirt, the person in the middle wears a blue polo shirt and dark blazer, and the person on the right wears a denim shirt while holding a water bottle. Additional attendees are visible in the background.
A group of 15 employes pose together with President Aysegul Timur in front of a stage inside Alico Arena. All are dressed in green and blue clothing and are doing the “wings up” salute. The stage backdrop includes black curtains, blue lighting, two LED cubes displaying the FGCU logo, and a central podium with a blue to green ombre backdrop. Potted plants surround the stage area.
Two FGCU employees pose together for a photo. The employee on the lef gives a thumbs-up while wearing a green FGCU Dining Services apron and blue t-shirt underneath. The employee on the right wears green long-sleeve blouse and is holding a coffee cup in her hand.
Dining services staff pose behind a serving table filled with prepared dishes. Team members wear blue and white uniforms and chef coats, with serving equipment and labeled food items arranged across the table. Some are also wearing green caps.
An FGCU employee is standing up beside her table and makes the FGCU “wing up” salute while facing the camera. She is wearing a blue blouse and green pants. Other event participants are seated and standing throughout the background inside Alico Arena.
A stage is set up inside Alico Arena with audience members seated in front. On the stage, an FGCU employee is singing the National Anthem. She is wearing a green and white dress. Another employee is standing next to her watching her sing. He is wearing a blue polo and grey pants. FGCU-branded banners are displayed behind them, and a teleprompter is visible on stage.

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