🍂October 26, 2026 | Fall News🍂 | | |
In This Issue
- Caught in the Act of Academic Excellence - Lutgert College of Business
- 2026 Fall Faculty Recognition Snapshots
- Gen Ed Palooza IV: Going for the Gold in General Education
- Digital Learning Quick Tips
- Plus important announcements and faculty resources. Keep reading!
| | Caught in the Act of Academic Excellence | | |
Caught in the Act: The people and practices behind the Lutgert College of Business (LCOB) and their achievements in peer education, brainwave technology and AI-assisted instruction, community engagement, and community-based service learning in Southwest Florida
FGCU's Beta Alpha Psi Mu Lambda Chapter (cover photo) brought accounting education to Estero High School’s Entrepreneurship Academy on September 29, reaching 196 students. Through student-led presentations introducing accounting concepts and career opportunities, the chapter demonstrated the impact of peer education, with approximately 85 percent of participants answering more than 80 percent of the closing quiz questions correctly.
| Lutgert College of Business faculty Dr. Kalana Malimage (above, left) and Dr. Shawn Granitto (above, right), alongside graduate assistant Tabata Del-Fondo (seated), are using brainwave technology to investigate how students learn through text-based, video-based, and AI-assisted instruction. Their research combines neuroscience and accounting education to explore how emerging technologies can improve teaching and learning. | |
Dr. Amir B. Ferreira Neto (above, center), Associate Professor of Economics and Director of the Regional Economic Research Institute, was named a Gulfshore Business 2026 40 Under 40 honoree. The recognition highlights his professional achievements, leadership, and contributions to Southwest Florida through economic research and community engagement.
Faculty in LCOB’s PGA Golf Management Program earned recognition from the South Florida PGA Southwest Chapter, which represents approximately 600 PGA members.
| | The Bill Strausbaugh Award recognizes a PGA member’s commitment to mentoring and making significant impacts on the careers of fellow PGA professionals. The Professional Development Award recognizes a PGA member’s outstanding and continuing contributions to the professional education and training of golf professionals. | (Top) Dr. Tara McKenna, Bill Strausbaugh Award, and Marty Hall (above), Professional Development Award, PGA Golf Management Program. | LCOB finance students partnered with Grace Place for Children and Families and the Financial Planning Association of Southwest Florida to apply their classroom knowledge through community-based service learning. The initiative connected financial education with real-world experience, allowing students to strengthen their professional skills while contributing to financial literacy efforts in Southwest Florida. | |
Fall Faculty Recognition Snapshots
Recognizing Academic Excellence of Our Promoted Faculty
| On October 8, President Timur, Provost Thorne, deans, department chairs, and faculty gathered in the Cohen Student Union Ballroom for the 2026 Fall Faculty Recognition to honor our 2026-2027 promoted faculty. Members of personnel review committees also joined in the celebration. | |
The event celebrated the outstanding achievement of colleagues who have performed with distinction, exemplifying a commitment to innovation, creativity and dedication to their disciplines. That commitment translates directly into the success of FGCU students.
The FGCU community recognizes these individuals’ academic excellence as a reflection of FGCU’s mission and strategic goals. Congratulations!
View the Fall Faculty Recognition photo gallery
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Academic Excellence
Gen Ed Palooza IV: Going for the Gold in General Education
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On September 23, nearly 50 faculty, staff, and administrators gathered for Gen Ed Palooza IV: Going for the Gold! This year’s Gen Ed Palooza focused on sharing last year’s assessment results and launching this year’s assessment.
Attendees also brainstormed assignments to help students practice foundational skills in General Education (Gen Ed).
At the event, faculty who participated in last year’s assessment were recognized with certificates and gold, silver, and bronze eagle pins. The event closed with an invitation to everyone to consider how they will “carry the torch” forward for General Education.
Drs. Joe Ross, director of Undergraduate Studies, and Cara Brooks, faculty associate for Undergraduate Studies, extended that conversation to a national audience at the Association for General and Liberal Studies annual Constitute in Charlotte, North Carolina, with an hour-long workshop about faculty engagement in assessment.
| | | Faculty Resources & Best Practices | | |
Migrate Classic Quizzes to New Quizzes
New Quizzes offers additional question types, improved accommodation options, enhanced quiz management tools, and expanded reporting features.
Migrating existing quizzes takes just a few clicks, which allows you to preserve much of your original content while moving to Canvas's modern assessment experience.
If you're still using Classic Quizzes, now is a great time to begin transitioning and take advantage of these updated assessment capabilities. Canvas LMS Guide: How do I migrate to New Quizzes?
| Missed a tip? Bookmark Digital Learning's Canvas QuickTip Archive and access expert guidance whenever you need a refresh to use Canvas more efficiently and effectively. CLICK to browse the Archive. | |
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Spring 2027 Syllabus Posting and Instructional Materials Attestation Deadline
Syllabus posting and instructional materials attestation for Spring 2027 must be completed by November 15, 2026. These actions are required of all faculty each semester for FGCU to remain compliant with Florida Board of Governors Regulation 8.003.
Faculty must complete the following steps in order:
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Submit the textbook and instructional material adoption through the Barnes & Noble textbook adoption site. These actions were due to Barnes & Noble by October 15, 2026.
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Fill out all the necessary syllabi components in Simple Syllabus.
- Complete the attestation in Simple Syllabus.
- Publish each syllabus.
Questions? Contact Merri Incitti, mincitti@fgcu.edu, or Wheatly Dorsainvil, wdorsainvil@fgcu.edu.
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Academic Affairs News: Publication schedule and deadlines
The newsletter is published on a biweekly schedule. To be included in future issues, please submit your content by 5 p.m., eleven days prior to publication.
Publication Date | Submission Deadline
- Monday, November 9 | Thursday, October 29
- Monday, November 23 | Thursday, November 12
- Monday, December 7 | Monday, November 23
- Monday, December 21 | no edition
Submissions received after this deadline will be held for a future issue, if applicable.
Please note the following requirements to keep with our efforts toward ADA compliance:
- Flyers must include a link to the event
- PDFs are not accepted
- Alt text must be provided for the accompanying image
See below the recommended image size guidelines:
- Photos: JPEG
- Graphics/logos: PNG
- File size: Under 250 KB per image (to enable fast loading times on mobile devices)
Please send content by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date to academicaffairs@fgcu.edu.
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Next Academic Affairs Newsletter Submission Deadline
Content submission deadline for the next edition: Thursday 5 p.m., October 29. The newsletter will run on November 9.
| | Faculty and Staff, You Are Invited! | | |
THIS WEEK! Halloweenie – “Chillin’” Cookoff! (Fall Faculty Fest)
Join us for the Fall Faculty Fest & Chili Cookoff on October 30, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. at the FGCU Boardwalk. Last year’s event drew around 56 colleagues from across campus, and this year promises even more fun.
Enjoy delicious chili and great company while celebrating fall together. Feeling competitive? Sign up to enter your favorite chili recipe in the cookoff! Casual or Halloween-themed attire is welcome and encouraged. RSVP today and show your Eagle pride!
RSVP here
Questions? Contact Melissa Perez.
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Lutgert College of Business
Invitation: Fireside Chat with Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould

Monday, November 2
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Margaret Antonier Hall, Room 106
Reception to follow 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Link to RSVP: lcobevents@fgcu.edu
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AI Day
Monday, November 2, 9 am-3 pm
Southwest Florida's hands-on AI Expo. Live Demos. Real Workshops. No slide decks.
Hosted in the Cohen Student Union.
Register: fgcu.edu/eng/ai-day
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College of Arts & Sciences PAGES Program
Keynote: Empower Students to Write Their Own Success Stories
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 5:00–6:30 | Cohen Student Union, Room 201
Ned Laff & Scott Carlson
Student success is more than picking a major or visiting the career office. It’s about the whole degree.
The authors of Hacking College explain how students can turn the grab bag of courses and activities into a coherent field of study that supports their individual career goals.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Keynote: Empower Students to Write Their Own Success Stories - Eagle Link
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First Generation College Celebration
Library Lawn Celebration
Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 10:00am–2:00pm | Library Lawn
National First-Generation College Celebration Day (FGCC), is observed annually nationwide. It honors the signing of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, which expanded opportunities for low-income and first-generation students to attend college.
Our First-Generation College Celebration event will celebrate the achievements of all first-generation students, staff, faculty and alumni, and is meant to increase awareness of the first-generation college student experience here at FGCU and nationally, and to ensure that first-generation students are connected to campus resources needed to succeed!

Our Library Lawn Celebration will take place on Thursday, November 5, 2026 from 10:00am - 2:00pm. There will be several Campus Partners in attendance, activities and games, food, and more! Retention and Graduation Services will be providing special “first-gen” stoles for first-gen graduating seniors. There are also service-learning opportunities available for students. First-Generation College Celebration - Library Lawn Celebration - Eagle Link
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FGCU’s Second Faculty-Staff Golf Clinic
Saturday, November 7, 2026
FGCU PGA Golf Management (PGM) is hosting a Faculty-Staff Golf Clinics at the new Buckingham Golf Learning Center. These clinics are open to all faculty and staff members of the FGCU community. PGM students and PGA professionals will be on hand to help you learn the basics of golf or improve what you already know. No experience is necessary.
Date: Saturday – Nov. 7
Time: 10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
Location:
The FGCU Buckingham Complex- Golf Learning Center
FGCU Buckingham Complex
5820 Buckingham Road
Fort Myers, FL 33905
Cost: FREE
Experience: Not required!
Attendees must register via the Formstack link below: https://fgcu.formstack.com/forms/pgm_faculty_staff_clinics
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FGCU & Imagine Solutions Seminar
November 18, 2026
This Imagine Solutions Seminar is taking place on November 18, 2026. The topic of the Seminar will be "Closer to Midnight: Nuclear History, Great Power Rivalry & the Terrorism Threat."
The keynote speaker will be Christine Wormuth, the President and CEO of the Nuclear Threat Initiative. Link: FGCU Formstack
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Important Reminder: Service Learning Projects and Human Subjects Research
Faculty, staff, and students should be aware that some service learning projects may meet the federal definition of human subjects research and require Institutional Review Board (IRB) review before the project begins.
Projects that involve collecting information from living individuals through surveys, interviews, observations, or other interactions may fall under IRB oversight, particularly when a structured process is used to gather and analyze data.
A key consideration is whether project findings will be shared beyond the classroom. Presentations, posters, conferences, publications, or other forms of public dissemination may indicate an intent to contribute to broader knowledge, which can trigger human subjects research requirements. Projects involving children may also be subject to additional federal protections.
The determination of whether a project constitutes human subjects research is made by the IRB, not the instructor, student, or investigator. If you are planning a project that involves collecting information from individuals and sharing the results outside the classroom, consult the IRB early in the planning process to determine whether review and approval are required.
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Office of the Ombuds
FGCU's Office of the Ombuds is here to assist faculty, staff, and students! Students or Employees who may be experiencing a university-related concern or conflict are encouraged to reach out to the Ombuds Office as an informal and confidential resource. Visit the Ombuds’ webpage for more information.
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Career Advancement Assistance Program
The Office of the Provost is pleased to announce the Career Advancement Assistance Program. The purpose of the Career Advancement Assistance Program is to provide time for faculty members to engage meaningfully in activities that yield outputs and impacts enhancing FGCU’s scholarly impact and timely promotion of faculty members.
- Faculty categories included in this initiative are those on the professor and instructor tracks. The Career Advancement Assistance Program partially relieves teaching obligations to provide time for scholarly, research, or career development endeavors. During the Career Advancement Assistance Program, faculty teaching load and/or other assignments will be reduced, and no overload teaching will be permitted.
- The number of awards is contingent on the availability of funding through the Provost’s office.
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The deadline for the Summer 2027 Career Advancement semester is Monday, November 16, 2026. Summer semester is now available for 12-month AND 9-month faculty. Please see the guidelines for details and submit your application in its entirety to Julie Leyden (jleyden@fgcu.edu).
Access the application cover page and detailed information about the program here:
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The Lucas Center Symposium on Teaching & Learning
Exploring the Faculty Role in Student Success
Thursday, February 18 & Friday, February 19, 2027
This year, the Lucas Center Symposium on Teaching and Learning invites the FGCU community to explore an important question together: How do faculty contribute to student success?
The Symposium provides an opportunity for colleagues from across FGCU to learn from one another's experiences, ideas, innovations, and reflections. We invite proposals that share practices, research, partnerships, challenges, or questions that deepen our collective understanding of the many ways faculty contribute to student success.
For more information and the link to submit your proposal, visit:
tinyurl.com/LCSymposium2027
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Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP) | | |
Federal Appropriations Request/Earmark Funding
- Federal Appropriation (earmark) submissions are due annually by October 31.
- All federal funding requests are handled through the Office of Government Relations (OGR) and the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP).
- Multiple submissions from a single college or school are encouraged but will require the Dean or Director to rank order the submissions.
- Selection of initiatives to put forward as requests to the Congressional Delegation members for consideration are initiated following the agreement of FGCU Governmental Affairs and ORSP.
Questions and submissions should be sent to Jen Goen, jgoen@fgcu.edu; and Rosemary Higgins, rhiggins@fgcu.edu.
Submissions for the 2028 request cycle are due by October 31, 2026.
Federal Appropriations Request Template
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ORSP Open Office Hours
From September through December, ORSP will host open office hours twice each month in Sugden Hall, Suite 201, where attendees can drop in to learn about research administration topics, ask questions, and receive one-on-one assistance from ORSP staff. Each session will feature brief discussions on selected topics, as well as time for individual questions and consultation. No appointment necessary. Drop in for the topics that interest you, stay for questions, and connect with ORSP staff to get the support you need for your research and sponsored programs activities. Light snacks provided.
Fall Schedule

Friday, November 6 | 9:30-11:30 a.m.
- Assembling a Proposal
- Writing a Progress Report
- Service Learning, Community Outreach, Student Scholarship, and IRB Requirements
Monday, November 23 | 1:30-3:30 p.m.
- Writing Specific Aims and Abstracts
- Post-Award 101
- Budget and Scope of Work Amendments
Friday, December 4 | 9:30-11:30 a.m.
- ORSP Services Overview
- Tracking Cost Share
- IRB Deadlines and Timeline Management
Monday, December 14 | 1:30-3:30 p.m.
- IACUC Overview
- Grant Closeout Procedures
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Foreign Travel & Export Control
Learn more at: fgcu.edu/academics/research/
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Bower School of Music
August 17, 2026-July 2027
Between Creation & Concrete: Collaborative Window Installation by Breah Fyffe and Marcela Pulgarin; Arts Complex Front Windows, Arts Complex, FGCU Campus; This bird-safe window public art will be available for viewing every day through July 2027 and is free and open to the public; 239-590-7199 or fgcu.edu/artgalleries
August 17-December 4, 2026
Peter Massing and Selections from the Permanent Collection; Wilson G. Bradshaw Library, 3rd Floor, Behind University Archives & Special Collections, FGCU Campus; This exhibition is free and open to the public during regular Library hours; 239-590-7199 or fgcu.edu/artgalleries
October 9–November 5, 2026
Reflections in Clay: Jordan Blankenship, Kel Campbell, and Maria Emilia Steiner; Wasmser Art Gallery, Arts Complex, FGCU Campus; This exhibition is free and open to the public Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m; 239-590-7199 or fgcu.edu/artgalleries
October 9-30, 2026
Road Trip: It’s the Journal, Not the Destination: A duet by Donne Hutcheson and Monica Sloan; Gallery 101, Arts Complex, FGCU Campus; This exhibition is free and open to the public Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m; 239-590-7199 or fgcu.edu/artgalleries
Wednesday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Joe Hill Jr. Piano Recital; U. Tobe Recital Hall, Music Building, FGCU Campus; This recital is free and open to the public. No tickets are needed.
Friday, October 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Miguel Coates Jr. Clarinet Recital; U. Tobe Recital Hall, Music Building, FGCU Campus; This recital is free and open to the public. No tickets are needed.
Friday, October 30 at 8:15 p.m.
Corey Pooler Jr. Clarinet Recital; U. Tobe Recital Hall, Music Building, FGCU Campus; This recital is free and open to the public. No tickets are needed.
Saturday, October 31 at 1:00 p.m.
Bower Boo Bash; Join us at the Bower School of Music & the Arts as we kick off Halloween with a fun, daytime pre-party for our students, families, and the entire community. Costumes are highly encouraged for trick-or-treating; Arts Complex and Music Building, FGCU Campus, 10501 FGCU Blvd. S., Fort Myers; This event is free and open to the public, and tickets can be reserved at fgcu.edu/concerts
Saturday, October 31 at 3:00 p.m.
Vocal Area Halloween Concert; U. Tobe Recital Hall, Music Building, FGCU Campus; This concert is free and open to the public, and tickets can be reserved at fgcu.edu/concerts
Sunday, November 1 at 3:00 p.m.
Nash Ryder, violin & Michael Baron, piano Nisita Concert Series; Ryder and Baron present an evening of virtuosic and lyrical works for violin and piano, showcasing the rich dialogue between the two instruments in a program of passion, elegance, and artistry; U. Tobe Recital Hall, Music Building, FGCU Campus, 10501 FGCU Blvd. S., Fort Myers; Tickets are $15 for the general public and $7 for students and are available at fgcu.edu/concerts; 239-745-4268
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Global Engagement Office (GEO)
Chinese Cultural Exchange: Fall 2026–Spring 2027
September 2026 through January 2027
Presented by the Southwest Florida Chinese Association in partnership with the FGCU Global Engagement Office. The program offers Chinese language classes, music, Tai Chi, dance, calligraphy, knot tying, paper cutting, and other cultural activities at FGCU from September 2026 through January 2027. All FGCU students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome; no prior experience is necessary. Visit swfchinese.org/cultural-exchange.html for details and registration.
Chinese Cultural Exchange: Fall 2026–Spring 2027
29th Annual International Reception
November 16th from 5–8 p.m.
Join FGCU's Global Engagement Office on November 16th from 5–8 p.m. in the Cohen Student Union Ballroom for an evening celebrating the university's international community and cultures from around the world. The event will feature international music and performances, cultural displays, artwork, guest speakers, and cuisine representing diverse traditions. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome.
29th Annual International Reception
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Symposium of Undergraduate Research, Internships, & Service-Learning (SURIS)
SURIS: Experience Learning Beyond the Classroom
Friday, November 20 | 3–5pm
Celebrate undergraduate research, internships and service-learning experiences that turn knowledge into real-world impact. Outdoor posters will be on display on the lawn and breezeway of the academic buildings.
Visit fgcu.edu/cas/centers/whitaker/suris for more info.
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Lucas Center for Faculty Development
Upcoming Events
Click event titles to register. Some sessions are offered twice, once in person and once online. Please select your preferred format below.
Upcoming Conferences
Below you will find links to upcoming conferences that may be of interest. You might consider applying for a Lucas Center Teaching Enhancement Award to support your attendance. (In addition to the conferences listed below, Kennesaw State University maintains a teaching conferences directory that enables searching by discipline.)
There’s more to explore! Check out our full events calendar here for additional workshops and sessions.
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The Lucas Center is seeking Faculty Partners for the Spring 2027 Student-Faculty Partnership Program (SFPP)
Applications are open through Sunday, November 8th!
The Student Faculty Partnership Program (SFPP) at FGCU places one student and one faculty member in dialogue with each other for an entire semester. Students work up to 6.5 hours per week in the paid role of teaching consultant to a faculty member, earning approximately $1,560 per semester. Student consultants analyze, affirm, and support the revision of classroom practice in one of the faculty partner’s courses with the goal of maximizing engagement and learning. Student and faculty partners take a range of approaches to their collaboration, starting with a focus on classroom practice and often expanding to consider curriculum, assessment, accessibility, and other dimensions of teaching. Overall, student and faculty partners work to develop a dialogue in the interest of improving the course.
Use the following link to submit your application to be a faculty partner: Faculty partner application
If you have any questions please contact FGCU Lucas Center at lucascenter@fgcu.edu.
Apply Today! Student Faculty Partnership Program (SFPP) - Spring 2027
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Staff Advisory Council (SAC)
Give a Treat, Get A Treat Event
October 29th from 11am-2pm
Staff Advisory Council (SAC) Special Events Committee is hosting the annual "Give a Treat, Get a Treat" food donation event for the campus food pantry.
The event is on October 29th from 11am-2pm
Give-A-Treat, Get-A-Treat Food Drive - Eagle Link
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SAC and Barnes & Noble Bookstore Award
Spring applications open October 1st–November 1st | Winners announced December 1st
An amount of $250.00 will be awarded to two A&P or SP staff members each semester. Who can apply? All FGCU staff and their dependents, provided that they are enrolled in three or more credits for the semester for which they apply. Preference will be given to employees of the university.
Applications will be reviewed by the Staff Advisory Council Employee Recognition.
The award will be dispersed at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore on campus!
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SAC presents the Staff Shout-Out Submission Form
Form will be available throughout the semester
The Staff Shout-Outs program through the FGCU Staff Advisory Council (SAC) provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions of FGCU Staff members who exemplify our institutional values. Please use the Staff Shout-out Submission Form to submit a shout-out for a colleague that you think deserves recognition.
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University Archives & Special Collections
When Books Went to War: The Extraordinary Story of the Armed Services Editions
November 10, 11:30am–12:30pm | Data Viz Wall
“When Books Went to War: The Extraordinary Story of the Armed Services Editions,” presented by Jeffrey A. Margolis on Nov 10, 11:30am–12:30pm at the Data Viz Wall, hosted by FGCU University Archives & Special Collections.
When Books Went to War: The Extraordinary Story of the Armed Services Editions
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