| Hundreds of lectures. Knowledgeable instructors. Join us in-person at one of over 20 locations or participate online. Winter / Spring January – May 2025 PROGRAM REGISTRATION IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE OR VIA PHONE Keep your mind active and engaged! Register for a lecture or special event with FGCU Academy! Discover Exciting Opportunities at FGCU Academy! It looks like an exciting series of events is in store! The journey of Mary Magdalene, presented by Gail Harper in “Will the Real Mary Magdalene Please Stand Up?,” is sure to be enlightening. Following this, Loris Dallal will share the beautiful art of Japanese floral arrangement, Ikebana, showcasing her mastery and passion for the technique. On Monday, March 10, John Guerra will lead a session on mastering e-mail, which promises to be a valuable skill enhancement. Wednesday offers a unique blend of fun and learning with Chuck Valery’s tutorial on playing Roulette, followed by an engag- ing lecture by Helen Tintes-Schuermann on The History of American Musical Thea- tre, spanning from the late 19th century to the present. Frank Berna’s three-day crash course on Photoshop is perfect for those looking to dive into digital creativity. With his thorough and passionate teaching approach, participants will gain a solid understanding of the software. Additionally, there is a wide array of other lectures to explore, catering to various inter- ests and learning goals. View our international travel trips coming for 2026 below now! Scroll below to view details of classes and see what interests you. Register today! VIEW WINTER/SPRING PROGRAM GUIDE HERE REGISTER FOR COURSES HERE Call our office for assistance with your registrations at 239.434.4737. View 2025 Winter / Spring Program Guide View Here Feel free to print catalog at home, or just print the specific pages that interest you. View our Chronological Calendar by date beginning on page 8. Just look for your available dates and see everything being offered that day. View our LATE EDITIONS page at back of catalog on page 67. DAY TRIPS Miami Design District Art and Food Tour March 11 | 8 – 6pm |Tuesday Miami Join us as we experience the cultural, artistic and culinary delights of Miami’s Design district. Embark on a delicious journey into the world of cutting-edge design, monumental art installations, and a diverse selection of cuisine that celebrates the Design District’s fusion of creativity and flavor. Enjoy mouth- watering dishes from some of the top restaurants in the neighborhood. Ex- plore a large, modern chef-driven food hall that is considered a culinary mec- ca and savor a variety of global cuisines, with bites from Vietnam, Israel, the American South and more. Sample the unique fusion of Japanese and Peruv- ian cuisine at one of Miami’s most celebrated sushi destinations and indulge in Chef Andrew G.’s famous cookie creations. Between food tastings, we make several stops to learn and admire public art installations, including the famous “Fly’s Eye Dome” by Buckminster Fuller. Departure information will be emailed 3 days prior to the trip. Itineraries are subject to change. No refunds within 10 business days of departure. Miami’s Little Havana Culinary, Artistic and Cultural Tour March 18 | 8 – 6pm |Tuesday Miami Join us as we explore the rich history and culinary delights of a vibrant neighbor- hood. Little Havana was recently listed as an official “national treasure” of the United States by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The neighborhood is well-known for its many historical, political, culinary, and artistic contributions to our Miami culture. Nestled in the heart of the city’s downtown area and only a short drive from Miami’s famed South Beach, the neighborhood is full of interest- ing cultural landmarks which we visit including a cigar factory, Domino Park, Cu- ban Memorial Blvd., the Tower Theater, artist workshops and the Damas De Blan- co Mural. Enjoy delicious cuisine including empanadas, Cuban sandwiches, guay- aba, croquetas, churros and more at a diverse range of establishments; from 5-star gourmet to hole-in-the-wall ethnic eateries. Departure information will be emailed 3 days prior to the trip. Itineraries are subject to change. No refunds within 10 busi- ness days of departure. Miami Millionaire’s Row™ Boat Cruise & Bayside Marketplace March 20 | 8 – 6pm |Thursday Miami Enjoy a fully-narrated 90-minute cruise and enjoy spectacular views of Biscayne Bay, the Miami Skyline, Port of Miami, Fisher Island, Miami Beach and Millionaire’s Row™ – the Homes of the Rich and Famous™. Soft drinks, cocktails and light snacks are avail- able for purchase. A modern yacht offers the utmost comfort and style. Each vessel fea- tures an air-conditioned lower salon enclosed in picture windows, as well as an upper- deck where you can take in the fresh ocean breeze and an awning that will protect you from direct sunlight and light seasonal showers. After the cruise, enjoy time for some lunch and shopping at the Bayside Marketplace, one of Miami’s most popular destina- tions. Departure information will be emailed 3 days prior to trip. Itineraries are subject to change. No refunds within 10 business days of departure. The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg March 27 | 8 – 6pm |Thursday St. Peters Our private, docent-led tour takes us through the highlights of the permanent collection as well as a brand-new exhibition, The Shape of Dreams. The Shape of Dreams explores 500 years of dream-inspired paintings from the 16th to 20th century, demonstrating how artists throughout time have depicted a profound yet common phenomenon of human ex- perience – the dream. The exhibition examines how Western artists have depicted dreams for different audiences throughout time, exploring the continuity and disconnections be- tween the past and present. Our tour includes round-trip motor coach transportation, driv- er gratuity, entrance fees, a private docent-led tour and audio guides. Lunch is on your own. Departure information will be emailed 3 days prior to the trip. Itineraries are subject to change. No refunds within 10 business days of departure. FEATURED LECTURES Income Taxes – Understanding the Necessary Evil We All Deal With March 5 | 1:30 – 3pm | Wednesday Naples Center / Online via Zoom Every year, we all have to deal with income taxes. In this lecture, we will help you understand income taxes from a different perspective – including a brief history of taxes, why you should not always focus on your tax rate, which tax-payer group carries our national tax burden, and what happens when you mix politics and income taxes together. You will learn interesting facts to share with your friends, some of the social engineering that takes place in our tax system, why everything you hear in media regarding taxes is probably not correct, and what the approach the new administration may take towards our income tax system. Will the Real Mary Magdalene Please Stand Up? March 6 | 10 – 11:30am | Thursday Naples Center / Online via Zoom Come along on a remarkable journey through antiquity through hidden documents, lost Gospels, and centuries of scholarly research that will reveal the true lives of Jesus of Nazareth and Mary Magdalene. Ikebana: The Art of Japanese Floral Arrangement March 6 | 1:30 – 3pm | Thursday Naples Center Ikebana represents the elements of heaven, earth and man, working in harmony. This elegant art is achieved by using flowers, branches, rocks and other natural materials to create beauty. It is a way of bringing one’s love of nature into the home. In experi- encing the interrelationship between oneself and the outer world, it becomes another avenue of connecting with the beauty of nature, bringing a sense of inner peace, tran- quility and serenity. Not merely flower arranging, Ikebana is an art to portray the life of the universe. iPhone/iPad Apps: Mastering Email March 10 | 10:30 – 12pm | Monday Naples Center / Online via Zoom Many iPhone and iPad users do not fully understand how to use Mail, one of the most important apps on their devices. Apple’s Mail app supports Gmail, Yahoo, Microsoft Exchange, AOL and nearly all email platforms. We explore the detail- ed workings of the Apple Mail app showing you how to add new accounts and contacts, work with attachments, insert photos or videos, organize email into folders, eliminate junk mail, markup or sign attachments, scan documents and much more. Learn to Play Roulette March 12 | 10 – 12pm | Wednesday Naples Center Our instructor has two roulette wheels, tables and chips ready to teach you how to play and hopefully win the fun game of chance, roulette. Roulette pays some of the best returns of all the tables or machines in a casino. You will learn the rules of the game, the myriads of bets and combos to play, and gain insight into methodologies you can use to try to beat the house. This program is for instructional purposes only, no gambling or betting will occur. History of American Musical Theatre: Late 19th – 21st Century March 12 | 1:30 – 3pm | Wednesday Naples Center / Online via Zoom This lecture offers an overview of the history of the American Musical Theatre, with its roots in European operetta and Early American Vaudeville. Historical periods from the late 19th century (French and Viennese operetta, American Vaudeville and early American Operetta), followed by the early the 20th century (the 1920s and 30s, inc- luding “Showboat”, the first truly American musical) and Broadway’s “Golden Age” (“Kiss me Kate”, “Oklahoma”, “My Fair Lady”, etc.) will be covered. Works of the last half of the 20th century (including major works such as “West Side Story” and “A Little Night Music”) will be presented, along with musical examples. Composers include Victor Herbert, Jerome Kern, George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Lerner and Loewe, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, among others. FEATURED SERIES LECTURES Balance University: Improve Balance, Posture and Flexibility (3-part series) March 7, 114 21 | 9-10 | Fridays Naples Center / Online via Zoom Balance University is an interactive wellness class, designed to improve balance, posture and flexibility. This program starts with basic balance exercises and progresses to more complex movements over time. Your instructor explains the “whys” and the importance of balance exercises as part of your everyday routine. Join our instructor in a safe and ef- fective low-impact workout. Introduction to Photoshop Elements March 10, 12, 14 | 9:30 – 12am | Mon / Wed / Fri Naples Center Participants must have a working knowledge of computers and should bring their own laptops with Photoshop Elements (latest version) installed. In this hands-on lecture, basic and advanced beginner Photoshop Elements techniques are explored. Topics include RAW conversion, rotating photographs, layers, straightening hori- zons, color adjustments, removing or minimizing wrinkles and blemishes, adding or eliminating items from a scene, changing the color of a particular object in a scene, changing from color to black and white or sepia, moving parts of one pic- ture to another picture and adding text. Weekly Guide – March 5 – 12 Click on any class below to see more information and to register Wednesday March 5 – iPhone-ography – iPhone/iPad Apps: Master Texting with Messages –The Rise of the “Nones”: Declining Religious Affiliation/Participation in America – Dress Like a French Woman and Other Great Organizing Tips Thursday March 6 – FGCU Academy 2025 Travel Open Houses – Positive Aging – Mindset and Strategies – Nuclear Power – The Essential Component in a Strategy to Mitigate Climate Change Friday March 7 – Introduction to Microsoft Word – The Versailles Settlement – The Second Trump Administration in a Turbulent World Monday March 10 – General Douglas MacArthur – Long Term Care Insurance: Protecting Your Independence – The Challenge of Separating Church and State – The Perception of Time: Understanding Chronos – The Road to Disunion: The Roots of the American Civil War Tuesday March 11 – Unlocking the Power of Facebook: A Complete Guide for Smart Citizens – National Register of Historic Property Sites in Collier County – World War II: The Italian Campaign and Anzio – Against All Odds: The Ordeal of Ernest Shackleton and The Crew of the Endurance Wednesday March 12 – War for a Cause (2-part series) / Religious Wars – Caring for the Caregiver: A Road Map for Success – iPhone/iPad: iOS 18 Tips, Tricks and Secrets All Users Should Know – The Current State of American Policing – Memory Institute: Train Your Brain to Retain Day Trips and Special Events These day trips and Special Events are a fantastic way to enhance your learning journey with FGCU Academy. Be sure to register early, as spots can fill up quickly! Click Here to View all of Our Upcoming Day Trips and Special Events If you would like to discuss any of our trips, please feel free to call our office anytime as well as for assistance with your registrations at 239.434.4737. CONSIDER BECOMING A FRIEND OF THE ACADEMY WITH A $100 DONATION AS A NON-CREDIT PROGRAM WE RECEIVE NO FUNDING FROM FGCU. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE OUR IMPORTANT COMMUNITY OUTREACH MISSION. To donate, simply: 1. Visit our website at Academy | Online Giving (fgcu.edu). 2. Send a check payable to FGCU Academy with “Friend of the Academy Donation” in the memo line. 3. Or, contact us at 239-434-4737 to arrange a donation over the phone. Thank you for considering this opportunity to contribute to a program that celebrates lifelong growth. Together, we’re enriching lives, one class at a time. 2025 TRAVEL PROGRAMS Travel with FGCU Academy Northern Italy: From the Alps to the Adriatic Departure August 20, 2025 View Brochure Journey Through Central Europe Departure: August 30, 2025 View Brochure Insider’s Japan Departure September 8, 2025 View Brochure Paradores and Pousadas: Portugal & Spain Departure: September 15, 2025 View Brochure Machu Picchu to the Galapagos Departure October 28, 2025 View Brochure Egypt and the Eternal Nile Departure: November 17, 2025 View Brochure Moroccan Discovery: From the Imperial Cities to the Sahara Departure November 18, 2025 View Brochure Portugal and the Douro River Cruise Departure: September 17, 2025 View Brochure View Video Presentation Gems of Eastern Europe River Cruise Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Departure September 24, 2025 View Brochure View Video Presentation Travel Abroad with FGCU Academy in 2026 Travel Brochures will be available shortly Splendors of Europe River Cruise – Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria Departure: May 1, 2026 Norwegian Splendor Departure: September 5, 2026 View Brochure Colorful Canyons & Beautiful Balloons – America’s Greatest National Parks Departure: September 24, 2026 Journey Through Britain Departure September 28, 2026 View Brochure Call our office 239.434.4737 for assistance with registration or Click to View our Website Greek Islands & Turkish Coastline Yacht Cruise Departure August 28, 2026 Portugal and the Douro River Cruise Departure September 16, 2026 Enchanting Ireland Departure September 27, 2026 View Brochure Sicily in Depth Departure October 1, 2026 View Brochure Pearls of Dalmatia Departure October 12, 2026 View Brochure FGCU Academy FGCU ACADEMY NAPLES CENTER 704 Goodlette-Frank Rd N Suite 330 Naples, FL 34102 239.434.4737 [email protected] |
