by Shelly Brown (Florida Gulf Coast University)
Florida Gulf Coast University won't open its doors in Fort Myers until 1997, but William H. Marquardt, Curator in Archaeology at the Florida Museum of Natural History, has already delivered six public lectures for the state's newest university. In March, 1995, he traveled to Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties, delivering two speeches at each location to inaugurate FGCU' s University Lecture Series. Dr. Marquardt tailored his remarks to each county, with a central theme of Southwest Florida's Calusa Indians in a Global Perspective.
While in Fort Myers, Dr. Marquardt made a stop at FGCU's temporary offices. The staff joined him for a breakfast meeting that included remarks by FGCU's President, Roy McTarnaghan, and Vice President for Academic Affairs Suzanne Richter.
"We are supportive of Dr. Marquardt's work to preserve the human and environmental heritage of southwest Florida, and we look forward to learning more from him as our programs develop," Dr. Richter said at the staff meeting.
"This is a unique opportunity to address an entire university in one room," Dr. Marquardt said. "I'm glad to have the chance to work with you right from the beginning."
FGCU thanks Dr. Marquardt for his thoughtful remarks throughout the three-day visit; the Charlotte County Visual Arts Center, the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, and the Collier County Museum for hosting the public lectures; Lindsey Williams, Annette Snapp, Robin Brown, and Art Lee for introducing Dr. Marquardt; and Robert McQueen, John Egana, Jed Klein, and Susan Cooper for organizational assistance.