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| Hundreds of lectures. Knowledgeable instructors. Join us in-person at one of our 19 locations or participate online.  JANUARY – MAY 2024 PROGRAM REGISTRATION IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE OR VIA PHONE Keep your mind active and engaged in the new year! Register for a lecture with FGCU Academy! Register for a Day Trip with FGCU Academy! The Academy Needs Your Support Today to Ensure that Our Critical Mission of Adult Education and Enrichment Continues! Dear John, We are counting down the days to FGCU Give Day, an annual event where we ask students, faculty and staff to consider donating in support of the programs and initiatives that they are most passionate about at FGCU. This peer-to-peer fundraising event runs for a full 24 hours, beginning at noon on Wednesday, March 27. FGCU Academy is ready to serve the SWFL community – Learning, Growing, Sharing and Socializing. With nearly 800 programs at more than twenty-one locations this winter/ spring 2024 season, there is something for everyone. If we have had the opportunity to meet in person or if you have heard me speak, I hope I was able to share with you my passion about FGCU Academy and its mission to provide lifelong learning and enrich- ment to the SWFL community. I believe it is critical to our well-being to keep exploring new avenues for growth to keep our minds engaged in our past, present and future. Academy programs emphasize the joy of learning by highlighting the personal fulfillment, intellectual stimulation, and sense of achievement that comes from sharing knowledge, discussing important ideas and learning new things. They promote social engagement and provide opportunities for building connections, friendships, and a sense of belonging with- in a community. Finally, the Academy can be a part of an active and fulfilling retirement. Our programs promote mental acuity, physical well-being, and a vibrant lifestyle. Academy participants seek knowledge, inspiration, creativity and good health. Since we are a non-credit programmatic offering, Florida Gulf Coast University can provide $0.00 of support to the Academy. We must be financially self-sustaining. The fact is that the revenue generated through memberships and program fees provides for only 50% of our annual operating costs. Additionally, our attendance has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, so revenue is much lower than in the past. As an educator, I find myself slightly uncomfortable talking about the financial needs of the Academy beyond thanking everyone for their participation. But, this year and for the near future, it is important that I find the words to ask for additional support through philanthropic donations. Our passion keeps us moving forward and your donations will do the same. Please take a moment to consider a donation to ensure our continued success. All amounts make a difference in strengthening the work we do in the community. Your support will allow the Academy to offer more than 1,500 diverse and fascinating programs at more than twenty-one locations throughout SWFL year-round. Through our mission we promise to enrich the lives, minds and social well-being of more than 12,000 SWFL adults and seniors who participate in our programs each year. CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW or mail your donation to FGCU Academy 704 Goodlette Frank Road North, Suite 330 Naples, FL 34102 I look forward to seeing you at a FGCU Academy program either in-person or online. Please contact me directly at [email protected] or 239-434-4838 with questions or to learn more. In gratitude, John J. Guerra Director, FGCU Academy  Week of March 25 – March 29 Click on any topic below to learn more.  The Rise and Fall of the Habsburg Empire (2-part series) March 25, 28 | 10 – 11:30am, M /Th Naples Center / Online via Zoom For over half a century the Habsburg dynasty ruled over a vast, disparate and scattered empire. At its zenith in the 16th century, Charles V found the task so daunting that he retreated to a monastery. At its nadir five-hundred years later, the emperors struggled to hold on against a rising tide of political and social movements beyond their control. And throughout, the personal stories of the Habsburgs – their loves, betrayals and tragedies – were an inextricable part of their history.  How the Electoral College Shapes Presidential Campaigns March 25 | 10 – 11:30am, Monday Brooks Enrichment Center Presidential elections are determined by a Byzantine process involving the voters, state governments officials and the U.S. Congress. This lecture addresses how candidates strategize to win 270 Electoral College votes and how it will likely happen.  Mysterious Oman: A Little-Known Country March 27 | 10 – 11:30am, Wednesday Naples Center / Online via Zoom Oman, the Middle East’s most exotic destination is a mix of untouched beaches, parched deserts, mighty fortresses, ancient towns, and majestic mountains. Located at the south-eastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman has been closed for centuries to the outside world. Even today it is captivating and mysterious while at the same time having a progressive and stable government. A blend of the old and the new, Oman combines traditional Arabic styles and customs with ancient fortifications and architectural treasures that set it apart from many other oil-rich modern countries in the Middle East.  Get Ready to Vote in the August Primaries March 27 |1:30 – 3pm, Wednesday Naples Center / Online via Zoom Florida will hold its 2024 Primary Elections on August 20. Many races will be decided on that date; the winners in others will face off in the General Elections in November. In this presentation, we review the state and local offices and candidates that will be on the ballot for Collier County voters and give you a jump-start for being a more informed voter.  The Detective Novel March 28 | 10:30 – 12pm, Thursday The Collaboratory – Ft. Myers The 20th century saw the rise and development of the detective novel, whose basic elements include a crime, usually murder, committed early in the story; a variety of suspects with various motives; a detective, either amateur or professional; interviews with suspects and witnesses; a moment toward the end when the witness presents the solution to the mystery; and the arrest or punishment of the criminal. This lecture focuses on five genres of detective fiction: the cozy mystery; the locked-room mystery; the hard-boiled detective novel; the police procedural; and the courtroom thriller.  Churchill’s Secret Army March 28 | 1:30 – 3pm, Thursday Naples Center / Online via Zoom Churchill created a special intelligence agency to set occupied Europe “ablaze” using “ungentlemanly” tactics. His inspiration came, in part, from the Irish Republican Army which waged a guerilla campaign against British rule. The Special Operations Executive (SOE) engaged in espionage, sabotage, assassination, reconnaissance and, along with the American OSS, supported resistance movements. SOE ran a spy school, Camp X, in Canada where OSS agents were trained in “murder and mayhem.” Many were women. Topics include: Intrepid; training; agents; operations; and movies inspired by SOE missions. DAY TRIPS  ONLY 2 SPOTS REMAINING Register Now! The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg March 28 | 8 – 6:30 pm, Thursday St. Petersburg 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 experience – the dream. The exhibition examines how Western artists have depicted dreams for different audiences throughout time, exploring the continuity and disconnections between the past and present. Our tour includes round-trip motor coach transportation, driver 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. The Week Ahead Monday March 25 –The Artistic Inspiration of Francis of Assisi –Introduction to Microsoft Excel –The Vikings and Normans Tuesday March 26 –The Pentagon Papers and the Ellsberg Trial –Introduction to X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, TikTok, YouTube and Telescope Wednesday March 27 –Communication Competence: Respectful and Rewarding Interaction –Cloud Computing for Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone and iPad –Woodstock Memories Thursday March 28 –What Happened to the Parties of Lincoln and FDR? Friday March 29 –iPhone/iPad Settings: iCloud, Notifications, Apple Pay, Emergency SOS and More TAKE A LECTURE AT ONE OF OUR 19 LOCATIONS The Arlington, Naples (AR) Aston Gardens, North Naples (AG) Bentley Village, North Naples (BV) Bonita Bay Community Assoc., Bonita (BB) Brooks Enrichment Center, Bonita (BR) The Collaboratory, Ft. Myers (CO) Cypress Cove, Ft. Myers (CC) FGCU Main Campus, Ft. Myers (FG) Grey Oaks Country Club, Naples (GR) Hideaway Beach Club, Marco island (HB) The Island Country Club, Marco island (IC) Moorings Park Grande Lake, Naples (GL) Moorings Park at Grey Oaks, Naples (GO) Moorings Park Original Campus, Naples (MP) Naples Center, Naples (NC) Siena Lakes, North Naples (SL) The TwinEagles Club, North Naples (TE) United Church of Marco Island, Marco (UC) Wyndemere Country Club, Naples (WC) (see page 4 of the Winter-Spring 2024 Program Guide for location addresses) FGCU Academy  Click Below to View 2024 Travel Open House Presentation  Classic Safari: Kenya & Tanzania August 13-28, 2024 16 days for $11,196 View Brochure  Exploring Iceland August 15-25, 2024 11 days for $6,692 View Brochure  Southern Italy & Sicily September 4-18, 2024 15 days for $6,674 View Brochure  Scotland: Highlands & Islands September 9-20, 2024 12 days for $5,896 View Brochure  Sensations of Lyon & Provence 2024 River Cruise September 17 – 28, 2024 12 days from $5,469 View Brochure  Jewels of the Rhine 2024 River Cruise September 20 – 30, 2024 11 days from $4,925 View Brochure  Provincial French Countryside September 27-October 11, 2024 15 days for $6,297 View Brochure  New Zealand Adventure October 10-25, 2024 16 days for $8,124 View Brochure  Southeast Asia Odysseys October 31-November 18, 2024 19 days for $7,597 View Brochure  Travel Abroad with FGCU Academy Call our office 239.434.4737 for assistance with registration or Click to View our Website DONATE NOW FGCU Academy Needs Your Support Today to Ensure that Our Critical Mission of Adult Education and Enrichment Continues! FGCU Academy is ready to serve the SWFL community for the Winter-Spring 2024 Season— Learning, Growing, Sharing and Socializing. With nearly 700 programs at more than nineteen locations, there is something for everyone. If we have had the opportunity to meet in person or if you have heard me speak, I hope I was able to share with you my passion about FGCU Academy and its mission to provide lifelong learning and enrichment to the SWFL community. I believe it is critical to our well-being to keep exploring new avenues for growth to keep our minds engaged in our past, present and future. Since we are a non-credit programmatic offering, Florida Gulf Coast University can provide $0.00 of support to the Academy. We must be financially self-sustaining. The fact is that the revenue generated through memberships and program fees provides for only 50% of our annual operating costs. Additionally, our attendance has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, so revenue is much lower than in the past. As an educator, I find myself slightly uncomfortable talking about the financial needs of the Academy beyond thanking everyone for their participation. But, this year and for the near future, it is important that I find the words to ask for additional support through philanthropic donations. Our passion keeps us moving forward and your donations will do the same. Please take a moment to consider a year-end donation 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 1,000 diverse and fascinating programs at more than twenty locations throughout SWFL. Through our mission we promise to enrich the lives, minds and social well-being of more than 10,000 SWFL adults and seniors that participate in our programs each year. CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW or mail your donation to FGCU Academy 704 Goodlette Frank Road North, Suite 330 Naples, FL 34102 I look forward to seeing you at a FGCU Academy program in 2024. 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 FGCU ACADEMY NAPLES CENTER 704 Goodlette-Frank Rd N Suite 330 Naples, FL 34102 239.434.4737 [email protected] |