FGCU

The Apollo 11 lunar module, nicknamed "Eagle," landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969. Our guest today was part of the team that got it there. Ed Grace was a Principal Engineer at the MIT Instrumentation/Draper Laboratory. They designed the inertial navigation system and computer software used to control the Apollo command and lunar modules. Ed was in a backup mission control room when the Eagle landed.

“Name. Image. Likeness.” Three words that are expected to take over college sports discussions for the foreseeable future.

Governor Ron DeSantis wants to eliminate property taxes? But is this a practical endeavor? would the removal of this revenue source increase sales taesx or even the introduce an income tax.

Southwest Florida is a great place to produce food and other ag products — but only if growers are able to remain profitable. In order to assess what local growers and producers think about the future of Southwest Florida’s agriculture industry, Florida Gulf Coast University’s Center for Agribusiness recently wrapped up a large study titled “Agribusiness in Southwest Florida: The Next 25 years.” A team of researchers conducted in-depth interviews with representatives from 30 local farm operations and compiled what they found in the new report. We talk with the study’s three co-authors to get an overview of what came out of those conversations.

Since President Trump returned to the White House in January his administration has undertaken a number of actions that seem to signify a retreat from international support and cooperation, and reflect a broader shift toward prioritizing domestic interests over international collaboration, fundamentally altering the United States' traditional role in global affairs. Our guest's work focuses on issues that intersect with what’s been unfolding on a number of levels. Dr. Andrew Rosenberg is an Associate Professor of International Relations and Political Methodology at University of Florida. His 2022 book “Undesirable Immigrants: Why Racism Persists in International Migration” focuses on the politics of international migration and what drives and constrains it.

Florida is renowned for its beaches, sunshine and plethora of outdoor activities. For Andrew DiMaggio, this was the perfect region to launch a new app and website designed at bringing those events to the people of Southwest Florida. And after meeting with Florida Gulf Coast University’s School of Entrepreneurship, DiMaggio was able to put his vision into action as he looks to build a recreational empire.

For 10 years, FGCU’s Contemplative Life community has been helping students learn to tackle life's challenges.The Contemplative Life course teaches students meditation, yoga and other skills that allow for greater mindfulness, stress management and emotional resilience. Dr. Maria Roca introduced the class – and what eventually became a community — to FGCU.

We talk with a political scientist who has been collaborating on a project to explore how minority parties are able to accomplish their goals. Dr. Andrew Ballard is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Florida State University. His forthcoming book distills research that he, and his co-author have been doing that looks at U.S. Congressional power dynamics in history to see just how minority parties approach getting their goals into legislation, or in some cases obstruct the majority party’s efforts.

Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Dr. Larry Antonucci and reappointed Robbie Roepstorff to the Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees.

Here in Southwest Florida about 30% of the population is 60 and older. That translates to about 1.3 million people, and this population and percentage is growing. Demographic trends show an expected 38% increase in adults over 60 by 2040 and a 62% increase in adults over 70 by that same year. While southwest Florida has been a destination for older people when they retire for decades, this area’s aging population is chronically underserved. We learn about the work being done to address the need at Florida Gulf Coast University’s still relatively new Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging.