Congratulations to Alicia Crew, recipient of the Women for Florida State University's 2021 Gift of Wisdom Award. After graduating in 1969 with a bachelor's degree in education, Crew remained dedicated to supporting Florida State as both an alumna and faculty member. Throughout her 35-year professional tenure at FSU, she sustained considerable recognition through various leadership roles, including serving as the university's first aquatics director and eventually as both associate director and director of FSU Campus Recreation. Notably, Crew played a pivotal role in creating the Dr. Bobby E. Leach Student Recreation Center, a facility still utilized by countless students today. After her retirement in 2011, Crew continued to champion Florida State through her time, treasures and talents—financially supporting nearly 50 campus initiatives, actively engaging with several organizations, including W4FSU, and being a mentor to many. "From individual mentoring to collective advocacy, Alicia structurally created an environment where I could succeed," Dr. Laura Osteen shared in her nomination letter. "She was consistent and clear in her support as I navigated a new role, a new center and a new campus, and the combination of her 'of course you can' attitude, clarity of focus and visionary expectations encouraged me throughout my career at Florida State." Dr. Osteen also spoke about Crew's inclination toward fostering a community for the betterment of women. While helping guide the successful evolution of FSU's Center for Leadership and Social Change, which promotes diversity and equity on campus, Crew sought an opportunity others had not—creating a leadership learning initiative designed specifically for women. Now celebrating its seventh year on campus, the Women's Leadership Institute invites female undergraduate students to lean deeper into their leadership efficacy and capacity by learning from and with female faculty, staff and alumni. Since its inception, the program has accepted more than 300 women to participate in the three-day program. "When I started at FSU, Alicia was my guiding compass and motivating driver. She has not only inspired and supported me, but the WLI experience has made a transformative impact individually upon our alumni guest speakers, faculty and staff facilitators, the cross-campus planning team and participants," Dr. Osteen stated in her nomination letter. "It is a gift Alicia created and gave to us, and it is one that has transformed our campus." Watch the 2021 Gift of Wisdom Award announcement. Alicia Crew