FGCU President Bradshaw to retire in 2017

Author: Kristi Gross
Published: Updated:
Florida Gulf Coast University

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) President Wilson Bradshaw announced he’s planing to retire from his position in 2017.

It will be the end of an era after more than a decade of success at the school. The university says they don’t have any information yet on the hiring process, but staff and students on campus say whoever the next president is, they will have some big shoes to fill.

“It’s a little sad because he’s done such a fabulous job leading this university through the intense and amazing growth that we’ve seen,” said FGCU Adjunct Professor Chris Patricca.

Students tell the WINK News, Bradshaw’s presence on campus will be missed.

“You’re not just a number here at FGCU,” said Rachel Walter. “He makes you feel like you’re important.”

“Meeting the president of the school showed that the school really wants the best for the students,” said Sean Evans. “It’s not just here at as business, it actually wants us to succeed.”

Staff say his leadership has been instrumental to the university’s continued success, both academically and athletically.

“The number of programs have grown, the number of students have grown,” said Patricca. “We’ve seen some incredible success in some of our athletic programs.”

During his time, the men’s basketball program entered Division I and gave rise to what’s now known as ‘Dunk City.’

FGCU Athletic Director Ken Kavanagh says Bradshaw was pivotal in helping the athletic program grow.

“Certainly the Sweet 16 team for men’s basketball stands out in most people’s mind, but you look at our women’s basketball team from last year winning, and our softball team won at Florida the first opportunity they’ve had. But it’s an overall commitment and appreciation for our coaches and student athletes that the president’s there,” said Kavanagh.

Bradshaw said in his announcement he will remain focused on students and the university’s goals until his time is up at FGCU in June of 2017.

Staff and students agree, Bradshaw will be a tough act to follow.

“Having the president, like someone that was so high up for the university that made sure the students were appreciated and made them feel like they were doing something , like made them feel like they were apart of the university was just huge,” said Walter. “So, it’s going to be hard to replicate.”

“Quality growth. Not just quantity but it’s been quality growth under Bradshaw,” said Patricca. “That’s his legacy as far as I’m concerned.”

Bradshaw, who’s been with the university for nine years, sent a letter detailing his decision to the FGCU Board of Trustees on Thursday.

The letter reads in part:

I intend to spend the next year and a half as president being laser-focused on enhancing the success of our students; succesSfuIIy completing our $100 million campaign; beginning the implementation of our 2015-2020 strategic plan; fully operationalizing the Emergent Technologies Institute (ETI); developing new degree programs that are responsive to the current needs of Southwest Florida; working to identify and nurture areas of excellence that distinctively make us FGCU; excelling even further with the Board of Governors’ perforrnance funding model; and continuing our strong track record of keeping quality higher education not only accessible but affordable for our students and their families.

Bradshaw says he wanted to give the board ample time to find a replacement.

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