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Hundreds of courses. Knowledgeable instructors.  Have it your way, online or in-person.        
August 2023  

FGCU Academy Fun Facts – Did You Know…  
Greetings, Did you know an astronaut was allergic to the moon?
Seems like someone had a tre-moon-dous allergy problem! During the Apollo 17 mission,
astronaut Harrison Schmitt found out that he had a severe reaction to moon dust. Schmitt
resigned from NASA in 1975 to run for election to the United States Senate as a member
from New Mexico. As the Republican candidate in the 1976 election, he defeated
Democratic incumbent Joseph Montoya.  

You can learn more about Apollo 17 and their mission when Ed Grace provides his in-depth
lecture. Look for it in the upcoming fall program guide.  

Our Fall program guide is in the works and we have some exciting new classes for you.
It should be available towards late September. Keep your eyes on the lookout for it.  

Everyone is invited and welcome to take classes at ANY of our locations. Make sure to
register early as space can be limited.  

For assistance with registration – call our office (239) 434-4737, and we will be more than
happy to assist you.
 

PROGRAM GUIDE  
VIEW SUMMER PROGRAM GUIDE NOW!  

View August Daily Calendar  

View September Daily Calendar  

Register Online      

We are available to assist with registration – 239.434.4737

 
FEATURE CLASSES

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EXCITING COURSE
 
Supervised Mah Jongg Play
@ Naples Center September 7, 14, 21, 28
Advanced @ 1:30 – 4 pm  

Wouldn’t it be great to have someone looking over your shoulder while playing Mah Jongg
to help you decide your next move? Well, now you can! Come join others while a Mah Jongg
pro is readily available to assist you when you just don’t know what to do! This is not an
instruction class, but supervised play with expert guidance and strategy when asked for. You
will play with people of similar ability, make new friends, and improve your game all under
the watchful eye of a Mah Jongg expert.  

GET REGISTERED NOW
for September  

This is a great opportunity to get your game ready to play at the next level!  

LOOKING AHEAD  

See a sample of what is coming over the next weeks
click on any title below for more information    

Monday August 28
The Crimean War  

Tuesday August 29
Changing of the Seasons (Music, Poetry, and Art)  

Thursday August 31
World War II America  

Tuesday September 5
Writers Collaborative Workshop (4-part series)  

Wednesday September 6
Western Defectors – Greener Grass?  

Thursday September 7
Great Discussions Group (2-part sessions)
To Russia with Love  

Friday September 8
Alva Vanderbilt Belmont – Slave to Ambition or Champion of Freedom?
Indonesia: Land of Volcanoes and Dragons  

Summer Movie Series

 
International Film and Documentary Discussion Series (4 films)  

Sundays at Naples Center – 2:00 pm
Retrograde – September 17 (2022, Documentary, 94 minutes, Rated R)  

Bring FGCU Academy to Your Community    

If you would like to have FGCU Academy provide programs at your community, click below
and send us an email with your information: who the contact person is, their email and phone
number along with name of your community. We will be happy to reach out and discuss the
possibilities with them.  

Schedule a Private Education Session for Your Community!    

Travel The World With FGCU Academy
Travel is not reward for working, it’s education for living  

View our Pre-Recorded Travel Open House Presentation Now
 


LEGENDARY TURKEYView Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
September 1 – 15, 2023 | 15 days
Exotic sights, scents, and sounds reign in this fascinating land where Europe and Asia
meet. From Istanbul, magnificent “Empress of the World,” to ancient ruins, stunning
landscapes, and the dramatic – and legendary – Turquoise Coast, Turkey engages and
beguiles, offering us an unparalleled small group experience.


ACROSS SPAIN & PORTUGALView Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
September 10 – 26, 2023 | 17 days
Fortified cities and tiny fishing villages, rugged Atlantic coastline and commanding
Pyrenees peaks, iconic shrines to both religion and fine art, and intimate lodgings in
historic paradores and pousadas – it all awaits on this singular small group journey
from Lisbon across the north of Spain, ending in vibrant Barcelona.


SICILY IN DEPTHView Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
September 28 – October 9, 2023 | 12 days
Crossroads of the Mediterranean … the “toe” in Italy’s boot … “God’s Kitchen” …
Sicily is all this, and much more, as we see on our stellar small group journey around
this Italian island. It’s lively cities and ancient ruins, temples of man – and of nature,
hospitable people and delectable cuisine … a feast for all the senses.      

FGCU Academy Travel 2024 
Call for More Info – 239-434-4838 
Travel Brochures will be available Summer 2023 


Moroccan Discovery, May 12-27, 2024    
This land of dramatic contrasts invites us to encounter its ancient ruins and sacred
mosques, endless desert and storied mountains, imposing kasbahs and spirited souks.
As we travel from the imperial cities of Rabat, Fez, and Marrakech to the High Atlas
and vast Sahara, we open our eyes, and hearts, to a truly foreign land, an age-old culture,
and genuinely hospitable people.


Classic Safari: Kenya & Tanzania, August 13-28, 2024   
“On safari” … it’s one of the most alluring phrases in all of travel. And Kenya and
Tanzania count among the most alluring places to be “on safari.” As our small group
travels from grasslands to highlands, to reserves and national parks, we enjoy intimate
game drives, see stupendous landscapes, stay in excellent accommodations, and meet
gracious local people.


Exploring Iceland, August 15-25, 2024    
It’s a surprising, even astonishing land; one of massive glaciers and rumbling volcanoes,
bubbling mud holes and powerful waterfalls; hugely abundant bird life and just 340,000
people; and where the sun never sets for six splendid weeks. It’s also perfect for exploring
in a small group, as we discover traveling the breadth of the country and getting an up-close
view of this natural “wonderland.” 


Southern Italy & Sicily, September 4-18, 2024    
Delight in a special exploration of Italy’s southern climes, from striking Sicily and the
breathtaking Amalfi Coast to unheralded Apulia, the alluring “boot heel” where a vivid
history, unique architecture, and bountiful plains join the sun and sea in creating a prized
(and crowd-free) region. Add Italian hospitality, outstanding cuisine, and notable lodgings
for la dolce vita, small-group style.


Scotland: Highlands & Islands, September 9-20, 2024    
“My heart’s in the Highlands,” said Robert Burns – as will you, as we travel from city to
country, mainland to island, on this sweet journey. From loch to loch and glen to glen, we
encounter stunning natural beauty and welcoming clans, while city life serves up the colorful
past – and cosmopolitan present.


Provincial French Countryside, September 27-October 11, 2024   
Experience the beauty, allure, and hospi­tality of provincial France, at an easy pace and in a
unique style. Anchored by stays in vibrant Toulouse and enchanting Paris, the journey ­features
diverse Languedoc, the remote Dordogne, the lovely Loire Valley, and historic Normandy as we
stay in charming rural inns and small country hotels. It’s a small group tour de force!


New Zealand Adventure, October 10-25, 2024    
It’s a tale of two islands as our small group journeys from New Zealand’s North to its South,
through lively cities and pristine fiords, past lush farmland and enchanted forests in a land
where the outdoors is the national shrine. Add engaging “Kiwis” and intriguing indigenous
cultures – it’s a pure New Zealand experience.


Southeast Asia Odysseys, October 31-November 18, 2024   
Engaging, diverse, intriguing … This just begins to describe Southeast Asia and our small
group odyssey. We cruise the Mekong through Laos; explore the spectacular – Angkor Wat –
and the sublime – Ha Long Bay; and engage with local farmers and hill tribespeople on this
comprehensive, well-paced adventure    

DONATE NOW    
FGCU Academy Needs Your Support Today to Ensure that Our Critical Mission
of Senior Education and Enrichment Continues!  

FGCU Academy is ready to serve the SWFL community for the 2023 Season—Learning,
Growing, Sharing, Socializing. I am excited to welcome you this year to the new FGCU
Naples Center, which is located at 704 Goodlette Frank Rd N, Suite 330 in Naples. Also,
we have two new locations in Lee County, Pelican Landing in Bonita Springs and the
FGCU Kleist Center on main campus. As always, both locations are open to all our students.  

Our passion keeps us moving forward and your donations will do the same. Please take a few
minutes to consider donating to ensure our continued success. All amounts make a difference
in strengthening the work we do in the community.  

Your gift will allow the Academy to offer more than 1,500 diverse and fascinating programs
at more than fifteen locations throughout SWFL. Please visit our website to review the rich
and varied programmatic offerings that are available this year. Through our mission we promise
to enrich the lives, minds and social well-being of more than 10,000 SWFL adults and seniors
during our 2023 season.  

Donate online at https://www.fgcu.edu/academy/givenow  

I am grateful for your consideration to support this vital community outreach program this year.  

I look forward to seeing you at a FGCU Academy program soon. Please contact me directly
at [email protected] or 239-434-4838 with questions or to learn more.  

In gratitude, John J. Guerra Director of FGCU Academy              

FGCU Academy
Collier / Lee / Charlotte

FGCU ACADEMY NAPLES CENTER
704 Goodlette-Frank Rd N Suite 330
Naples, FL 34102  

239-434-4737  

[email protected]
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