| 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! Check out the 3 remaining lectures at our new location – Moran Wealth Education Center in Naples. We are also excited to announce 3 new ChatGPT lecture dates for you! Important Update: We had to reschedule two lectures, and their new dates are list- ed below in the NEW DATES section. Get ready for some very interesting Featured Lectures coming up this week, as well as a plethora of lectures listed in our Weekly Guide Section. Don’t Miss Out! Learn all about Beer or join us for a delightful wine tasting. 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. Lectures at Moorings Park Grand Lake – 7410 Little Lane, Naples  Lecture Schedule at Moran Wealth Management Education Center Moran Wealth Management Education Center 5801 Pelican Bay Blvd, Suite 110, Naples (Just North Of Waterside Shops on 41, at Entrance to Pelican Bay BLVD) Masterpieces of the Musée D’Orsay: 19th Century Impressionism and Beyond February 25 at 1:30 – 3pm Voyage to Mars March 13 at 10 – 11:30am Chinese Intelligence and Spy Craft March 28 at 1:30 – 3pm Due to Popular Demand – We have added 3 NEW CHATGPT Lectures for you  ChatGPT: Personal Guide to AI February 26 | 9:30 – 11:30am | Wednesday Naples Center / Online via Zoom March 4 | 1:30 – 3:30pm | Tuesday FGCU Main Campus – Marieb Hall Room 200 April 2 | 9:30 – 11:30am | Wednesday Naples Center / Online via Zoom Unlock the potential of conversational AI with this engaging 120-minute class de- signed specifically for senior citizens. This session introduces ChatGPT, an ad- vanced AI tool, and demonstrates how it can simplify daily tasks, spark creativity, and provide endless learning opportunities. Whether it is drafting emails, answer- ing questions, brainstorming ideas, or exploring new hobbies, this hands-on class will guide you through practical applications of ChatGPT. Tailored for beginners, this session ensures a comfortable and enjoyable learning experience, empower- ing you to embrace AI technology confidently. Join us and discover how Chat- GPT can become your everyday assistant! NEW DATES  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 cent- ury (the 1920s and 30s, including “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.  The Current State of American Policing March 12 | 1:30 – 3pm | Wednesday Naples Center / Online via Zoom Police and law enforcement have become a lightning rod for controversy. While some community members worry about public safety, demand greater police presence and more forceful law enforcement, others fear that the call for aggres- sive policing will lead to incidents of excessive force and police brutality. The demand to defund the police has been heard in several communities. Because of this increased interest in the police and the focus the media has put on officer actions it has become evident that a hard look at the current state of policing in America is needed. What are the most significant problems and how are they being addressed? FEATURED CLASSES  Introduction to Microsoft Windows 11 February 17 | 10 – 11:30am | Monday Naples Center / Online via Zoom Learn the fundamentals of Microsoft Windows 11 in this lecture-style presentation. This lecture is designed for those who have used Windows before and are interest- ed in upgrading or learning about the Windows 11 operating system and Copilot, Microsoft’s AI assistant. If you have just bought a new computer with Windows 11, have upgraded, or are going to upgrade, this presentation is for you. Join us as we make Windows 11 easy to use and understand.  What Does It Really Mean When the Bible and Constitution Say…? February 18 | 1:30 – 3pm | Tuesday Naples Center / Online via Zoom What do the Bill of Rights and the Bible really say? Words and their usage change over time. By employing an interpretive process, we use the U.S. Bill of Rights and the Bible to ascertain the meaning the original authors intended as well as how the original audi- ence would have understood those messages.  iPhone/iPad Apps: Master Organization with Notes February 19 | 10 – 11:30am | Wednesday Naples Center / Online via Zoom The Notes app is the best place to jot down quick thoughts or to save checklists, images, web links, scanned documents, handwritten notes or sketches. With iCloud, it’s easy to keep all your devices in sync, so you’ll always have your notes with you. You can search notes for typed text, handwritten notes, text in scanned documents and even images inside your notes. Secure the notes that hold your most personal data – such as financial details, medical information, or secret family recipes with a password, a fingerprint or even Face ID. Record, transcribe and save audio recordings in Notes. Join this lecture as we explore one of Apple’s most useful, powerful and productive apps available.  The Second Trump Administration in a Turbulent World February 19 | 1:30 – 3pm | Wednesday Naples Center / Online via Zoom Ambassador Hugo Llorens (ret.), a 36-year veteran of the U.S. diplomatic service, is familiar with national security crises serving in two Ambassadorial-level tours at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan during the Obama and Trump Administrations. In this lecture, Ambassador Llorens provides insights on the challenges facing the in- coming Trump Administration in a volatile and conflict-ridden world. From his own personal experience and analysis, he will discuss President Trump’s leadership style and views on foreign affairs. He will also offer his perspective on the key players in the incoming Administration’s national security team and analyze how they are like- ly to perform under the stress and strains of unfolding international developments. Finally, Llorens will give his best judgment on the key foreign policy decisions Pres- ident Trump is likely to make during the first 6 months of his term, the likely reaction from friends, foes and the non-aligned, and the potential consequences for America and the wider world.  The Creation of Germany February 19 | 1 – 2:30pm | Wednesday The Collaboratory – (Fort Myers) Perhaps because of its dominant role in two world wars, it is easy to think of Germany as an old nation with a long history. But Germany is a young state, less than 150 years old. The original territory was divided into myriad small holdings ruled by independent noble families and surrounded by the powerful states of Austria and France. The path to unification would be blocked by all of these. Despite earlier attempts, it took the rise of Otto von Bismarck, with his cunning, wisdom and political acuity, to overcome all these obstacles and establish the German Empire.  iPhone/iPad Apps: Mastering Navigation and Travel with Apple Maps and Uber February 20 | 10 – 11:30am | Thursday Naples Center / Online via Zoom Apple’s Maps app gives you everything you need to get where you’re going and find inter- esting places along the way. It can provide turn-by-turn voice navigation for driving, walk- ing, cycling and public transit. Maps offers cycling directions with bike lanes, paths, and roads; electric vehicle routing; and informative guides to numerous destinations. Maps can show you cities in 3D and can take you to the sky with Flyover. Uber offers you a safe, con- venient for-hire car service around the world. Learn how to use the app to summon and schedule car service, choose the type of car you require, pay, and leave tips.  Bridge for Advanced Beginners/Intermediates February 20, 27, March 6, 13, 20, 27 | 10 – 12pm | Thursdays Naples Center Students should bring $35 cash or a check payable directly to the instructor on the first day of class for purchase of a Bridge Convention Workbook and Guide. Only students who have taken “Contract Bridge for Beginners” or have a minimum of several years playing experience should enroll in this course. The course is intended for students who want to learn many Advanced Top- ics in Contract Bridge and is composed of a series of lectures with many examples of each topic discussed AND student playing of topic hands. A total of 12 advanced conventions AND 10 guid- ance “rules” to aid player’s bidding are analyzed for use in achieving the best contracts and scores.  Florida Civics 101 February 21 | 10 – 11:30am | Friday Naples Center / Online via Zoom Each year, the people we elect to state government approve a nearly $120 billion budget and pass hundreds of laws to regulate taxes and fiscal policy, educational standards, the environment, the state’s voting and elections process, and more. Who do we elect and when, who is serving now, how much are they paid, and how long can they serve? How is Florida’s government organized? Whether you are a new or a long-time resident, Florida Civics 101 will help you be a more inform- ed voter. Weekly Guide – February 12 – 19 Click on any class below to see more information and to register Monday February 17 – Advanced Mah Jongg Strategies (3-part series) – Paris 1874: Examining the Dawn of Impressionism on its’ 150th Anniversary – Nuclear Power – The Essential Component in a Strategy to Mitigate Climate Change – The A to Zzz’s of Sleep Health Tuesday February 18 – Florida’s Book Bans, Teaching Restrictions and Other Limits to Freedom Wednesday February 19 – Making/Taking Better Photos – America’s Great Book Giveaway: The Armed Services Editions – Arthritis: Why Me? – Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Major Motion Picture Industry – Fake News: What it Is, What it Isn’t and What We Can Do About It – Julius Caesar: The Conquest of Gaul – Queen Victoria: The Grandmother of Europe Thursday February 20 – Taking Great Travel and Vacation Photos – Unlocking the Power of Facebook: A Complete Guide for Smart Citizens – Memory Health: Even Elephants Forget Sometimes! – Masterpieces of the Musée D’Orsay: 19th Century Impressionism and Beyond Friday February 21 – Apple Intelligence: Private, Secure AI Comes to All Apple Devices – Crime in America: Why Do People Commit Crime? BEER vs. WINE – Take your Pick or Try Both Beer 101 – History, Mystery and Science February 25 | 1:30 – 3pm | Tuesday Naples Center Brewing is an ancient practice with historical data showing beer being brewed and consumed over 10,000 years ago. This overview lecture will lead participants through the history of beer and how science impacts the styles of beer. What beer industry innovations changed the world around us and what is still to come in the science of beer. This lecture explores the science of ingredients, and the history and chemistry of beer styles, including a tasting of some beer styles to differentiate the impact of ingredients.  Wine Tasting Event: Four California Varietals February 25 | 4 – 6pm | Tuesday Naples Center California produces over 80% of American wines, and this lecture will introduce you to the major winegrowing regions, plus samples of four major grape varieties grown throughout the state. As we sample, we’ll enjoy small bites that will help you understand the basics of food and wine pairing. We’ll learn how to read a wine label, and also learn the professional “5-S” approach to sampling wine. This process will help you appreciate the wines you enjoy even more. 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 Call our office 239.434.4737 for assistance with registration or Click to View our Website     FGCU Academy FGCU ACADEMY NAPLES CENTER 704 Goodlette-Frank Rd N Suite 330 Naples, FL 34102 239.434.4737 [email protected] |
