University president to lead Florida Gulf Coast University

On Aug. 28, the Board of Trustees of Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) announced the appointment of Metropolitan State University President Wilson G. "Brad" Bradshaw as its third president.

For the past seven years, Brad has been president of Metropolitan State, as well as professor of psychology. The FGCU Board unanimously selected Brad as the next president of FGCU, citing "his track record as a builder, problem solver and motivator." Board chairman Scott Lutgert added, "Dr. Bradshaw has an extraordinary amount of energy. He has the emotional energy, the experience and the vision to lead the institution."

Since becoming president of Metropolitan State, Brad's many accomplishments have included launching a signature Urban Teacher Program designed to prepare teachers to be more effective in urban school settings. He also led an advocacy effort that resulted in the construction of a new, technology-rich Library and Learning Center on the Saint Paul Campus. That facility also houses the Dayton's Bluff Branch of the Saint Paul Public Library. This is the only joint venture university/public library in Minnesota and one of only a few in the entire country. During his tenure at the university, enrollments have increased from more than 6,000 to nearly 9,000 students.

In the research arena, Brad has been granted more than one million dollars for academic study in several areas including math, science, computers and technology education; microbiology for health education; and neuroscience. He has been honored with several awards, including the coveted Spurgeon Award for career excellence, exceptional community service and serving as a role model for young people.