University Library News

By Emily Murray, Archives Coordinator 

Happy Presidents Day! To celebrate, the University Archives and Special Collections looks back at the visionary leaders who have shaped Florida Gulf Coast University. From its founding to today, FGCU’s presidents have guided the university’s growth, innovation, and commitment to excellence. Join us as we honor their contributions and the lasting impact they’ve made on our students, faculty, community, and future generations to come. 

First President:

In April 1993, Dr. Roy E. McTarnaghan was appointed as the founding university president, and shortly thereafter, the Florida Legislature named the institution “Florida Gulf Coast University.” On November 28, 1995, more than 600 people gathered for the university’s groundbreaking ceremony. However, it wasn’t until August 1997 that FGCU welcomed students. Approximately 2,584 students started that semester. Dr. McTarnaghan served as president for six years, playing a pivotal role in planning, shaping, and launching Florida’s 10th public university before retiring in May 1999.

Second President:

William C. Merwin served as Florida Gulf Coast University’s second president from July 1999 until his resignation in January 2007. Under his leadership, FGCU saw significant growth, including the development of its athletics program, an increase in enrollment to over 8,300 students, the expansion of campus housing, and the successful raising of more than $175 million in private gifts and donations. 

Third President:

In August 2007, Scott Lutgert, chair of the FGCU Board of Trustees, announced that Dr. Wilson G. Bradshaw would be the University’s third president. During his tenure, enrollment increased by 60% to nearly 15,000 students, the number of degrees granted annually doubled, several new campus buildings were constructed and he helped launch FGCU’s first doctoral program. Dr. Bradshaw served as president until his retirement in 2017.  

Fourth President:

Dr. Michael V. Martin served as the fourth President of Florida Gulf Coast University from 2017 to 2023. During his presidency, he secured over 23.7 million dollars in funding for FGCU, led the institution through a global pandemic, increased four-year graduation rates to 19%, increased six-year graduation rates by 4.6%, and officially launched the Water School in 2019.  

Fifth President:

Dr. Aysegul Timur was selected to become Florida Gulf Coast University's fifth president on May 4, 2023. Prior to serving as president, she was the Assistant Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Strategy, and Program Innovation. Overall, she’s been a part of the FGCU community since 2019. Dr. Timur is widely known for building collaborative teams of university and community stakeholders to implement strategic initiatives, including workforce alignments.

Find out more information about the past Florida Gulf Coast University Presidents in their collections: 

Are you interested in learning about the ins and outs of copyright? Join Dr. Robert N. Diotalevi on Monday, February 10, from 11 a.m. to noon for a virtual session that will provide an overview of important laws involving copyright. This session will include a PowerPoint presentation, a Q&A period and a demonstration of the Library’s Reading List tool. 

Our presenter, Dr. Robert N. Diotalevi, is an Associate Professor and Founding Program Coordinator of Legal Studies here at FGCU. He brings an array of experience to the table having been a lawyer for 39 years and a member of the Massachusetts and Florida bars. In addition to law, he possesses degrees in accounting, communication and taxation. Dr. Diotalevi’s work has also been published in several journals worldwide. 

Register on the library’s calendar page to get our link to this virtual workshop (https://fgcu.libcal.com/event/13690337).  

Before we begin discussing tips for using archives, it is important to understand what archives are. One definition for archives is, “collections of records which have been selected for permanent preservation because of their historical value.” We use the word record as a catch-all term to describe all the different types of materials that archives may house like letters, books, cassette tapes, film, maps, film, etc.  

Archival research can be a fun and rewarding process. Here are five tips for beginners just getting started: 

1.  Preparing for a Visit

The best place to begin your archives research journey is our website! Unlike libraries, materials in archives are not openly available in the stacks. Instead, they are held in secure locations and brought to researchers upon request. That means that visitors need to have an idea of what they would like to see before they visit. Researchers can use the archives’ website to access our digital primary sources, our collection guide, and our finding aids. 

2.  Handling Archival Material

The first time that a researcher handles archival material can be nerve-wracking. Records housed in archives are rare and unique and patrons often share that they are worried about damaging the items. To prevent the likelihood of that happening, users can expect to follow these guidelines in the Reading Room: 

• Go slow and use items one at a time in order to keep records in the correct order. 

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3. Take Good Notes

Since archives material cannot be checked out, taking good notes can make or break a visit to the archives. As you go through your material make sure to write down interesting quotes and questions that you have. Also, make sure that you take note of the citation information – the collection, box, and folder number – so you can remember where you got your information.  

4. Ask Questions

Never be afraid to ask questions! Archival collections can be difficult to fully understand, but archivists are accustomed to the organization of the materials. Researchers should feel comfortable using archives staff as a resource. Ask us questions about specific materials or collections. We are always happy to help! You can ask questions by calling us at 239-745-4476, emailing us at libarchives@fgcu.edu , or scheduling a research consultation.  

5. Attend Archives Workshops

Archives research gets easier and better with practice! One way to improve your primary source research skills is to attend Archives Workshop. We offer a session that focuses on a specific skill or tool related to archives each month. This semester, we will offer four workshops. This month’s workshop, Treasure Maps of the Archives: Learn to Navigate Finding Aids, will teach attendees how to navigate finding aids to locate primary sources. It will be held on Tuesday, January 21, at 3 p.m. in the University Archives and Special Collections on the third floor. Keep up to date with our monthly workshops on the Library Calendar. 

Archives research shouldn’t be intimidating. It can be a fun and illuminating process, but the most important part is getting started. We hope to see you as you perfect your practice and work towards becoming an expert archives researcher! 

Do you have an interest in researching public opinion data? Roper iPoll is a deeply informative and interactive opinion data research platform produced by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research at Cornell University.  

On Monday, January 13 from 1:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. and Thursday, January 16 from 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., librarians Steve Rokusek and Hansen Zhang will host an Introduction to Roper iPoll workshop for students, faculty and staff. 

Roper iPoll offers nearly a million survey and poll questions, response data, associated reporting, methodology and transparency documentation (such as survey organization and sponsor information, mode, field dates, etc.), full questionnaires, related survey ephemera and more. In the workshop, attendees will learn how to find and extract data, browse public opinion data of various topics and learn how to download a data set. 

Register on the library’s calendar page to get our link to this virtual workshop.  

Please select either:

Monday, January 13      or       Thursday, January 16 

On Monday, January 13 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Steve Rokusek (FGCU Social Sciences Librarian) and Dr. Robert N. Diotalevi (FGCU Associate Professor and Founding Program Coordinator of Legal Studies) will host a legal research workshop. 

This workshop will delve into the basics of legal research including writing skills and techniques. Topics such as a survey of the American Legal System, case and statute citation, and the various types of authorities and how they apply in legal research will be covered. The library’s online legal resources will also be discussed. A question-and-answer period will follow the presentation. 

Rokusek has been our Social Sciences Librarian for more than 10 years, serving as the liaison to multiple departments and programs including Legal Studies, Criminal Justice, Forensic Studies and Political Science. Dr. Robert Diotalevi has been a lawyer for 39 years as a member of Massachusetts and Florida bars. In addition to law, he possesses degrees in accounting, communication and taxation. 

Students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend. Register on the library’s calendar page to get the link to this virtual workshop by clicking HERE.

Isabella Elg

As a freshman pursuing a double major in English and Communications with a concentration in Public Relations, Isabella contributed her skills to the America in the Depression Years Collection, President’s Collection, University Marketing and Communications, and the Kevin Erwin Environmental Collection. 

For the final project, Isabella presented a poster at the Symposium of Undergraduate Research and Internships (SURI) that reflected her internship experience.

Presley Long

 

 

 

 

Presley, a sophomore studying English with a minor in Creative Writing, immersed herself in the Mainsail Video Productions Inc. Collection, President’s Collection, and the Floridiana Collection throughout the semester.

For the final project, Presley wrote a Case Study regarding the digitization, metadata, and the use of ArchivesSpace with the postcards from the Floridiana Collection.

 

 

 

 

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Sierra Smith

 

 

 

 

As a senior majoring in Political Science with a minor in Gender Studies, Sierra furthered the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Collection and the Porecki Orchid Collection. 

For the final project, Sierra created a digital humanities project that maps orchid stamps from around the globe from the Porecki Orchid Collection. 

 

 

 

 

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Zephyr Wolfe  

 

 

 

 

Zephyr is a senior majoring in History and dedicated their time to the FGCU Athletics Collection, Oral History Collection, and the Sanibel Island Collection. For the final project, Zephyr designed a zine that reflected their internship experience. 

 

 

 

 

 

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As the semester comes to a close, the University Archives and Special Collections want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Isabella, Presley, Sierra, and Zephyr for their incredible contributions. Each student brought unique skills, perspectives, and dedication to their work, leaving a lasting impact on these collections.  

We are so proud of all that you have accomplished and wish each of you all the best in your future endeavors—you will always have a place in the archives community! ❤️ 

For more information about University Archives and Special Collections internships, please contact Emily Murray (eamurray@fgcu.edu). 

Why Keep Cookbooks? 

While it may seem unusual for us to collect cookbooks, there is a reason! Historic cookbooks can serve as small, delicious time capsules. They highlight the way that agriculture and our relationship with food has changed in a particular area based on the ingredients within the recipe. Vintage cookbooks can also tell the story of technological innovation by documenting the introduction and accessibility to tools like electric stoves, hand mixers and even air fryers. A lot about a community can be understood from what food its members eat, how they eat, and when they eat it. 

Try Some Vintage Recipes 

Below are two traditional recipes from Evelyn Luettich Horne. Born on Mound Key in 1922, Evelyn grew up in Lee County. Her grandmother was a member of the Koreshan Unity, and she lived through and saw the rapid changes to Southwest Florida before her death in 2007. Be sure to let us know if you try one and what you think of it. You can also visit University Archives and Special Collections on the third floor of the Wilson G. Bradshaw Library for more historic cookbooks and vintage recipes! 

Combine sauerkraut and undrained apples with brown sugar, vinegar, and onion. Dot with butter. Lay Kielbasa on top and cover with brown sugar and mustard. Bake uncovered at 400 for 40 minutes. Serves 6. 

 

 

Perfect Pecan Pie 

3 eggs 

2/3 cup sugar 

1/3 cup melted butter 

½ teaspoon salt 

1 cup light corn syrup 

1 cup pecans, shelled and halved (or chopped) 

 

Instructions 

Beat together all ingredients except the pecans with a hand mixer. Stir in pecans. Pour into pie crust and bake at 375 for 40 – 45 minutes until set.

 

On Monday, Nov. 18 (students), and Thursday, Nov. 21(faculty and staff) from 11 a.m. - noon, we will be hosting virtual town hall meetings that will discuss the ways AI is being used. 

We’re using this forum to understand what AI is being used for, what people's feelings are about it and what training needs to be done on campus. The information we gather will guide us in establishing future training and discussion opportunities.  

To inform our discussion, please consider taking the time to fill out the following brief survey: SURVEY. 

Please register on the library’s website (CLICK HERE). We hope you participate in this discussion, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts! 

The photo booth located across from Starbucks in Library East allows users to take passport photos, visa photos, portraits and more all at a low cost. 

Provided by Passport Photo Booth and DNP Photo Imaging, the photobooth is quick, easy and convenient. After users enter the photo booth and close the curtain for privacy, instructions for each specific photo are provided on the screen in front of them. 

Retakes are unlimited to ensure that users select a photo they are satisfied with. Payment occurs only after a photo is selected to be printed. All major credit cards, as well as Apple Pay, Google Pay and tap-to-pay, are accepted. 

Users also have the option of purchasing a digital copy of their photo at the time of checkout. 

Passport and visa photos cost $12.99, portraits cost $5, printing photos from a phone cost 50 cents a piece, and fun photos such as photo strips and cards cost $5. 

Say goodbye to your trip to the pharmacy or office store and pose, pay and print at the FGCU Library!