5 Things to know: FGCU school spirit

5 things to know: FGCU school spirit

September 03, 2024

We are excited that school is back in session, and with that comes a sea of green and blue around campus! Do you ever wonder how these came to be our school colors or how Azul became our mascot? Check out the facts, legends and lore behind some of the things that make us FGCU!

1. Greens, blues and FGCU hues: You may notice lots of greens and blues as you walk across campus, from our scenic palms to the gorgeous Southwest Florida blue skies. Did you know that FGCU's Founding President Roy McTarnaghan, PhD., selected emerald green and cobalt blue for the school’s colors as symbols of the earth and water? These also connect to FGCU's environmental mission.

2. Speaking of the environment... One of FGCU’s guiding principles is sustainability, which is evident through the elements that make up our campus. Half of our 800 acres of campus consist of restored or preserved nature, with 300 residential and migratory birds and endangered species, natural trails and boardwalks, a 15-acre solar energy field and a Food Forest designed and maintained by students as a permaculture botanical garden.

Outdoor view of the brown boardwalk that leads to Merwin Hall. A student wearing jeans, a blue sweater and a multicolored backpack can be seen walking on the boardwalk. The boardwalk is surrounded by trees, ferns, tall grass and vegetation. A light post can be seen at the end of the boardwalk, in front of Merwin Hall.

Standing behind Alico arena and its water fountain is FGCU’s mascot Azul. He is holding green and blue balloons with his left hand and is doing the Wings Up salute with his right hand. Azul is wearing a white jersey uniform with blue and green stripes on the sides and the letters FGCU and number 23 on the front of the jersey.

3. Azul rules! What’s the story behind our favorite bird? The eagle was adopted as the official symbol to reflect FGCU's mission and purpose. The eagle serves to identify not only the physical environment of Southwest Florida but also the university's relationship with it. The eagle embodies the characteristics of freedom, strength, spirit, intelligence, grace and the pursuit of excellence. It is a master of its environment but also an integral part of it. It survives and prospers only in balance with the environment.

4. Eagle editors: The eagle is a visible symbol across campus, and even served as the title of a former student publication (now Eagle News)! Other names for the publication included “The Eaglet” and “The Swamp Times.”

5. Time for some school spirit: Do you ever notice a song playing outside when you walk by the Cohen Student Union? That’s the fight song playing from the clock tower! The clock tower exists from a donation made by Herb and Margaret Sugden, the same donors in which the School of Hospitality & Resort Management and Welcome Center are named after.