Q FLORIDA ULF Coast. —————______ ofce ot undergraduate Studies University 26 February 2015 Sheila Boldue-Simpson Department of Language and Literature College of Arts and Sciences Florida Gulf Coast University Dear Sheila, am writing to express my deepest appreciation of your work on the One Book, One Campus committee and with the planning and implementation of events surrounding last year’s campus read, Outcasts United. Without efforts such as yours, these types of events do not fully reach the campus community. ‘As you know, the One Book, One Campus project intends to build a community across the campus ‘through a common intellectual experience focused on a reading project, the “One Book, One Campus” project. As a key element in our student success and engagement efforts, the OBOC project reinforces key learning values of the institution (such as civic engagement, ecological perspective, or diversity) and provides the foundation for fostering an intentional learning community. Campus reading projects model academic behavior, emphasize critical thinking and reading skills, and close the gap between student expectations of college and actual academic experiences, all necessary components to student success. ‘Those projects that are most successful become infused in the campus culture, reaching into all areas of the institution and offering students multiple pathways to become engaged. Most importantly, they offer the opportunity to create a community of intentional learners. This is what occurred last year largely because of the strength of the committee and the tireless efforts of the faculty, staff, and students who were involved in the project. The project included a trivia raffle during our Week of Welcome event, which you participated in by offering trivia questions and tabling at two of the WOW activities, and a panel discussion which you helped organize and then moderated. These activities took the book out to the community and made ita lived experience for our students, faculty, and staff. The WOW and the panel events were well attended and everyone commented that these activities, made the book much more visible. Tam writing to thank you for your efforts and to let you know that you have made a significant difference in the lives of our students! A flanyés Wohlpart Dean, Undergraduate Studies (298) 745-4210 FAX: (239) 745-4220 _http:iiwwrw.fgcu.edu 10501 FGCU Boulevard South + Fort Myers, Florida 33065-6585 ‘An Afimatve Acton Equal Oaportnty Employer 5. A member ofthe Sate Univers System of Fovide te