Florida Gulf Coast University President – Dr. Bill Merwin – gave his “state of the university” address Friday. Merwin spoke to university faculty and staff – outlining progress made at FGCU - which begins its 9th academic year today. Rapid growth might be an understatement – as FGCU continues to add students, faculty, academic programs and buildings. President Merwin says when he was hired 6 years ago – he was given a goal of 10-thousand students, by 2010. He says on its current trajectory – FGCU will far exceed that mark.

“The state of our university is in excellent condition…it just is. And we’re way ahead of any place that they thought we would be at this moment in time. Today we are at 7,000 students…and I fully anticipate that by 2010 we’ll be at 14,000 students.”

FGCU now offers 62 degree programs – up from 28 when Merwin came aboard. President Merwin says based on current projections – they’ll be 20,000 students at FGCU by 2015…requiring twice the space now used on the university’s 760-acre campus. He says it’s time to start building larger, taller buildings to accommodate what lies ahead. Additionally – Merwin says more classes will be taught off-campus.