FIU Magazine - Fall 2012 - Blow Your Mind

M A G A Z I N E FALL 2012 VOLUME 25

FIU Unveils the WOW: Today’s Most Powerful Hurricane Simulator

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FIU Named “A Best New U”

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Dressing Up Everyone Except Lady Gaga

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Ranger Larry on Burmese Pythons

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10 Years of FIU Football

II | FALL 2012

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CELEBRITY LINE UP

Stars of music, fashion, literature and journalism come to campus.

COVER

FIU Unveils Today’s Most Powerful Hurricane Simulator The Wall of Wind will be used to build more hurricane resilient communities.

TEN FOR 10

As the College of Law celebrates 10 years, we share stories of its students and alumni.

THIRSTY PLANET

A special fold-out section highlights FIU’s role in helping to solve the world’s water crisis.

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HOMECOMING OCT. 13, 2012

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College of Arts and Sciences graduate Samantha DuBarry celebrates with family and friends. More than 7,500 new graduates received degrees in spring and summer ceremonies. See more graduation photos at magazine.fiu.edu

NEW ALUMNI ERA

New Alumni Association President Gonzalo Acevedo ’91, MBA ’10 and Executive Director Duane Wiles share their plans for the future.

FIU engineering alumni gather for a reunion in their homeland of China: Top row, from left, Wei Zhao MS ’05, Yan Zhao MS ’07, Xingxing Hao MS ’09, Feng Liu MS ’07, Qingli Yin MS ’07, Long Zhao MS ’07, Xu Wang, Ling Zhang ’03, Rui Guan ’07, Lei Xu MS ’09, Yunpeng Zhao MS ’07.

Bottom row, from left, Tong Zhao MS ’07, Jie Shen MS ’07, Beibei Dong MS ’07, FIU Dean of Hospitality and Tourism Management Mike Hampton, FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg, Xiaoxiao Liu MS ’09, Xiaokun Yang MS ’07, Ruan Zhan, Jialin Xing MS ’07.

PRESIDENT’S CORNER MARK B. ROSENBERG

Over the past year, I have had the great pleasure of traveling around the world to reconnect with FIU alumni. As part of the first “Worlds Ahead Tour,” I’ve gone from Los Angeles to New York. I’ve flown overseas to connect with alumni in China and Jamaica. What a thrill to meet with our alumni near and far! From an overflow crowd in Kingston to a happy and prideful hall full of our grads in Beijing; from high atop a high-rise in Chicago to a neighborhood restaurant in Atlanta, I have been touched by the heartfelt discussions with our graduates.

Here at home, I also have had the pleasure of hosting receptions for some of our Worlds Ahead alumni in South Florida. In April, we toasted at the Reagan House FIU alumni who were nominated for or won Suncoast Emmys. And in May, Miami-Dade County’s top teachers also joined us at the Reagan House as we honored Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ 2013 Teacher of the Year Alexandre “Alex” Lopes, an FIU doctoral student who has since been named Florida Teacher of the Year, and other FIU alumni who were finalists for the award.

I also would like to congratulate our new Alumni Association President Gonzalo Acevedo ’91, MBA ’10, who took office on May 2 at the association’s annual meeting.

So many of our alumni are living examples of the value of an FIU education. Through your accomplishments you are showing the world that an FIU education gives you the tools to succeed in an increasingly competitive and complex global marketplace.

You embody what it means to exceed expectations, pursue one’s passion and make a difference.

Go along on the 2012 “World’s Ahead Tour”

As I always say, you, our alumni, are our lifeline for a lifetime. As alumni, you play an important role in telling the FIU story and in taking FIU to the next level. As we move forward, I am asking you for five things:

• Be a proud Panther! Wear your FIU gear!

• Make plans each year to attend an FIU Athletics event on campus or on the road.

• Help us recruit talented students to attend FIU. • Hire FIU students and graduates!

• Make a donation to FIU and encourage others to do the same. Your contribution to FIU will ensure that we can continue to give our students the same high quality education that we gave you.

Homecoming is coming up the week of Oct. 7-13, and it’s the perfect opportunity to come back to campus and join your FIU family in celebrating our FIU Pride.

See you there! Go Panthers! Go FIU!

President Mark B. Rosenberg 4 | FALL 2012

Be WorldsAhead

STATE FARM SUPPORTS STUDENT DISCOVERY FIU’s Discovery Lab in the School of Computing and Information Sciences received a $50,000 gift from State Farm last spring. The Discovery Lab, created in fall 2011, is aimed at developing products for the marketplace.

At the same time, the laboratory provides students with the hands-on experiences they need to solve real-world challenges, develops studentled research opportunities, fosters students’ entrepreneurial skills, and trains a new generation of IT professionals who reflect the diversity of South Florida.

The donation is part of FIU’s long-standing partnership with State Farm. The corporation has supported a variety of initiatives across the

FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg left; celebrates with the 2012 Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame inductees: Builder of the Year honoree Mayi de la Vega, owner of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty; Young Alum Entrepreneur honoree Justo Luis Pozo III, partner at Gotham Holdings; Entrepreneur of the Year Tibor Hollo, chairman of Florida East Coast Realty; Founder of the Year honoree Jason Squillante, founder of TopSource; Business Entrepreneur honoree Alfredo Lardizabal, CEO of MIC Foods; and Joyce J. Elam, executive dean of the College of Business Administration. Photo by Brett Hufziger.

university including the State Farm Financial Literacy Lab at FIU’s College of Business Administration, a state-of-the-art trading, research, and teaching laboratory designed to empower students and the community with knowledge of capital market activities.

Undergraduate student Irvin Cardenas handles a robotic weapon developed in the Discovery Lab.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP HALL OF FAME RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING ALUMNI FIU honored four distinguished alumni and iconic Miami

Gotham Holdings and Energy Kitchen,

developer Tibor Hollo at its 2012

Young Alum Award.

Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame awards

The evening’s theme, “Rise:

ceremony, presented by the College of

Entrepreneur to Icon,” was brought

Business Administration last May.

home by Hollo, who accepted

Dedicated to honoring job creators and innovators, FIU’s Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame was established in 1999

his award as 2012 South Florida Entrepreneur of the Year.

“I’m deeply honored by this

to recognize College of Business

recognition from a university that I

Administration alumni who have

hold in such high regard and consider

achieved distinction as founders and

to be the most progressive in our

builders of business enterprises.

community,” said Hollo, chairman of

The 2012 honorees, graduates of the College of Business Administration, are: Jason Squillante ’00, CEO, TopSource Staffing, Founder of the Year

Florida East Coast Realty, who is widely recognized for his vision of Miami as a city where residents live, work and play.

At the ceremony, he offered a piece of

Mayi de la Vega ’76, owner, One

advice to young entrepreneurs: “Work

Sotheby’s International Realty, Builder

hard until you get there, and when you

of the Year

get there, work even harder.”

Alfredo Lardizabal ’94, COO and general manager, MIC Foods, Family Business Award

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Justo Luis Pozo III ’07, partner,

ON THE PROWL

FIU WELCOMES NEW COACHES Men’s Basketball: Richard Pitino was named the new

Men’s Soccer: Former Major League Soccer player and

coach of FIU men’s basketball in April. Pitino comes to

University of Virginia standout Kenny Arena has joined

FIU after finishing his third season with the Louisville

FIU as the new men’s soccer coach. He spent the past

Cardinals where he served as the team’s associate

four seasons as an assistant coach for the UCLA Bruins.

During his time at UCLA, he helped lead the Bruins to

head coach during 2011-’12. He spent two years as an assistant coach for the Cardinals following two seasons with the

three Pac-12 titles, three NCAA quarterfinal appearances and a 2011

Florida Gators. During his time with the Cardinals, Louisville produced

College Cup appearance. With the Bruins, he was responsible for

a combined 88-25 record and reached the NCAA Elite Eight twice and

player development and recruiting. Under Arena, the Bruins produced

the NCAA Final Four once. His efforts also helped the Cards land a

35 All-Pac 12 selections, two Player of the Year honorees and two

pair of top-15 recruiting classes.

Freshmen of the Year, as well as 11 MLS draft picks.

Sand Volleyball: FIU has a new women’s sand

Volleyball: Trevor Theroulde is the new head coach

volleyball program and named Rita Buck-Crockett as

for FIU volleyball. Theroulde has been the team’s top

head coach of the program, which will begin

assistant the past four seasons and brings a wealth

competition in the spring of 2013. Sand volleyball will

of collegiate and international experience to the post. He served as head coach of the Trinidad and

compete as a spring sport at the NCAA Division I level, increasing the Panthers’ intercollegiate-sport count to 18. Sand

Tobago Female Senior National Team from 1995-2002 while also

volleyball is an emerging sport and Division I competition became

serving as the public relations officer for the Trinidad and Tobago

effective in August 2011. Fellow Sun Belt Conference member FAU is

Volleyball Federation. He became the youngest coach ever to be

also adding a program. Crockett, a former Olympic medalist, comes

awarded the Caribbean Volleyball Coach of the Year Award in

from Tallahassee, where she owned and operated the North Florida Volleyball Academy while also coaching the Maclay High School varsity squad.

1997 after leading the country to its first Senior Caribbean Women’s Volleyball Championship and the country’s highest world ranking in women’s volleyball.

TREASURES: OUR TREE OF LIFE “Our Tree of Life” was created in 1973 by artist

“Our Tree of Life,” the final creation of the

Jacques Lipchitz, whose work is in every major

artist, is considered the culmination of his artistic

museum in the United States and Europe. The

career. Lipchitz explained that the roots of the

bronze sculpture is part of The Patricia and Phillip

tree are Noah, the beginning of a new generation

Frost Art Museum collection and located in front

after the great flood. On him stands the sacrifice

of the Deuxieme Maison Building at Modesto A.

of Isaac, with an angel restraining Abraham. The

Maidique Campus.

angel serves as a support for the three patriarchs

Lipchitz was born in Lithuania in 1891 and

who are holding the burning bush. In front of the

settled in Paris in 1920. The youngest member

burning bush is Moses. Rising from the burning

of the Picasso and Braque group, he made the

bush is a phoenix, which is nourished by the Ten

first monumental Cubist sculpture. Rodin was the

Commandments.

greatest influence of his post-cubist style.

FALL 2012 | 7

FIU Health opens to the community

ON THE PROWL Alumni and community members can now

“When we made the case for our medical

be seen by physicians affiliated with FIU

school, we said that it would help our

through FIU Health, the clinical component

community by educating new doctors and

of the university’s commitment to health care

providing expanded access to medical

and education. Health services are currently

services,” said FIU President Mark B.

provided at the Faculty Group Practice, a new

Rosenberg. “The first part of that promise we

state-of-the-art clinical facility at Modesto A.

will fulfill this coming year when we graduate

Maidique Campus.

our first class of physicians. FIU Health fulfills

Find out more online

At the Faculty Group Practice,

the rest of the promise by inviting members of

located in the PG5 Market Station

our community to come receive excellent care

on S.W. 8th Street, physician

from our providers.”

specialists are available in family

FIU Health serves as a gateway for

medicine, obstetrics and gynecology,

coordinated access to some of South Florida’s

gynecologic oncology, infectious

top specialists and providers at leading

diseases, psychiatry and rheumatology. A new

hospitals, including Baptist Health South Florida,

Travel Medicine Program offers comprehensive,

Broward Health, Cleveland Clinic of Florida,

customized pre- and post-travel health services and immunizations for individuals and groups preparing to travel abroad.

Additional specialties and services will be available in the coming months. In 2014, the university will open a new 100,000-square-foot complex that will expand on-campus medical services with a walk-in clinic and surgery center and a medical office building. Additional clinical sites are also planned in Miami-Dade County.

Jackson Health System, Memorial Healthcare System, Mercy Hospital, Miami Children’s Hospital and Mount Sinai Medical Center.

FIU Health currently accepts AvMed, AvMed Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Coventry and United HealthCare insurance plans with others to be added soon. For more information, or to make an appointment with an FIU Health physician, call 305-FIU-DOCS (3627) or visit health.fiu.edu.

ON-CAMPUS LIVING A new two-building residence hall and a 300-car parking garage will open in August 2013 at Modesto A. Maidique Campus. When the project is finished, the university will have added more than 600 new beds to its residence halls and created a new gathering area for students near FIU Stadium. The construction got under way last March on the site of the Panther Hall parking lot.

FALL 2012 | 9

Travels: Rio de Janeiro Once the largest soccer stadium in the world, Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is under renovation for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. This summer, FIU architecture students visited the site as part of a two-week study abroad program that covered topics ranging from designing for mega events to urban planning. As a result of this visit, some students will be making a proposal as part of their design studio course for a temporary beach volleyball stadium that will be built on the beach of Copacabana for the 2016 Olympics.

FIU’s Rio team includes, bottom photo from left, Andrea Reynoso, Priscilla Pagan, Irvin Cuellar (behind), Thais Mathias, Gregory Martinez (behind), Diana Vieira, Gabriela Sanchez, Maryan Guzman, Hernan Applewhite (behind), Maria Ortiz, Alexandra Pagliery, Odebrecht engineer Marcelo Melo, Odebrecht construction manager Igor Lamy. Kneeling: Catalina Arce, Diego Martinez and John Gioello. Photo by Alice Cimring, adjunct instructor of architecture.

Scientist documents the value of seagrass in fighting climate change Lowly seagrasses play a more powerful role in protecting against climate change than towering forests.

International research led by FIU marine scientist James Fourqurean reveals that the undulating green strands – actually flowering plants that grow beneath the water in shallow coastal locations – absorb greater amounts of carbon, per unit measure, than do trees. The study shows that seagrass meadows store up to 83,000 metric tons of carbon per square kilometer, compared to a typical forest that stores about 30,000 metric tons of carbon per square kilometer.

Carbon emissions left unchecked cause global warming.

“In South Florida we find ourselves surrounded by one of the largest seagrass meadows on earth,” Fourqurean said. “Seagrasses help protect our coastline, they provide habitat for the seafood we eat, and they keep our water clear. They were valuable even before we knew of the carbon stored in them.”

The capacity of seagrasses to collect and store carbon, however, is dwindling mainly due to dredging and worsening water quality. As seagrasses are destroyed, not only can they no longer clear the air of carbon, but what they already hold (mostly in the soil in which they are rooted) is released back into the atmosphere. Seagrass meadows currently occupy just .02 percent of the world’s oceans and are dying off at a rate of 1.5 percent annually.

Fourqurean’s research is part of the international Blue Carbon initiative, which emphasizes the important role of marine and coastal ecosystems in combating climate change.

Fourqurean has presented his findings at conferences in France, Indonesia, Australia and Costa Rica, and testified before the European Union Parliament in Brussels.

“Jim’s Blue Carbon research embodies the very mission of the School of Environment, Arts and Society at FIU,” said Kenneth G. Furton, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.

“His work offers a realistic, viable solution for a global problem.”

The scientific paper “Seagrass Ecosystems as Globally Significant Carbon Stocks” was published in May in Nature Geoscience.

10 | FALL 2012

ON THE PROWL

T.Y. HILTON BECOMES FIU’S HIGHEST NFL DRAFT PICK

By Pete Pelegrin ’96

Home of the Indy 500, Indianapolis has long been a city known for speed. Former FIU and new Indianapolis Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton will certainly maintain the city’s rapid reputation.

Whether it was returning a punt for a touchdown in his first college game, scoring the decisive touchdown to secure the 2010 Sun Belt championship, or igniting FIU with a kickoff return touchdown in its first bowl game, being on time was never an issue for Hilton during his FIU playing days.

The Colts made sure they weren’t tardy on the electric FIU talent. Indianapolis traded up with the San Francisco 49ers into the late third round on April 27 to draft Hilton with the 92nd pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.

“I had a good feeling about the Colts when I took my visit up to Indianapolis,” Hilton said.

“They told me they envisioned me in the slot, move me around outside, get me on kickoff and punt returns. They said they could utilize me a lot.”

Before the euphoric moment came for Hilton that night, there was a quiet nervousness in the Hilton home.

Several draft projections had Hilton getting picked in the late second round or anytime during the third round. Sources close to the draft process said the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins, along with the Colts, were the teams expressing the most interest in Hilton as the draft’s second round began.

Throughout the evening, the family room grew quieter. T.Y.’s phone received two calls during the evening. Each time his phone rang, everyone in the room stopped. But neither of the two calls was the call T.Y was waiting on.

Each time a receiver was selected, T.Y. would move up teams’ draft lists. Sure enough, when the NFL Network flashed a graphic on the best available players in the draft during Friday night’s coverage, T.Y. jumped from the 15th to the fifth best available player when the third round started.

After taking the No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Andrew Luck, in Thursday’s first round, the Colts selected a pair of tight ends in the Watch T.Y. get the call second and third rounds and seemed to be done drafting on Friday night.

Then at 10:42 p.m. came the call T.Y. had been waiting for all his life. T.Y.’s caller ID read: “Colts.”

World changing ideas from the FIU community Mark your Calendar November 15, 2012 tedxfiu.com FALL 2012

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1o Questions

Photo by Doug Garland ’10

AWARD-WINNING COSTUME DESIGNER CAROLINE SPITZER ’12

By Marianela de Armas ’02

May with a bachelor of Caroline Spitzer ’12 graduated in costume design. She was fine arts in theatre with a focus on ege costume designers in recognized as one of the top coll American College Theatre the nation by the Kennedy Center igned for FIU Theatre’s Fall Festival for the costumes she des the Spirits. FIU Magazine 2011 production of The House of ughts on Roary, sat down with her to get her tho .

Lady Gaga and Halloween t costumes would you design 1. If given the opportunity, wha for Roary? him ts. I think it would be fun to model Roary definitely needs more outfi ye. even Roary Kan after celebrities, like Roary Elvis or costume designer?

2. Did you always want to be a it pastry chef, but something about a me beco to ded inten ally I actu here and tre thea to r changed my majo wasn’t settling right with me, so I I am four years later.

3. What is your favorite fabric? ts absolutely fantastic because it resis Silk dupioni. It’s expensive, but s the give h whic , well very ses crea wrinkles and has a tendency to take final product a crisp look. at the American College Theatre 4. Tell us about your experience National Festival. national level was definitely an Participating in this festival at the group of costume designers elite honor. I feel I am now part of this nity. At the festival, I took master that have had this amazing opportu from across the country. Having s classes with professional designer t one-on-one feedback was the mos my work reviewed and getting that important part of this experience.

5. What is your creative process? the luxury of time. For example, with In an academic setting you get l script four times and read the nove The House of the Spirits, I read the start to have you d, essional worl before I began sketching. In the prof y. awa right g gnin desi look at costumes from other 6. During this process, do you ever productions? show d. But, I do look at them after the No. I don’t want to be influence is over. et. gine Lady Gaga’s costume clos 7. If you could, for a moment, ima t? nex r wea What would you recommend she ld a costume at all. I think she shou Actually, I wouldn’t recommend s. critic and fans her k perform in regular clothes and shoc 8. Your thoughts on Halloween? and last year I was Rosie the Riveter Halloween is my favorite holiday! lers Todd , show TV the from lers todd the year before I was one of the & Tiaras. iate in this case we feel it’s appropr 9. Normally we wouldn’t ask, but what is your favorite color?

Apple green. r?

10. Do you judge what people wea you a couple of questions about ask to like ally actu I’d e. notic do I your outfit.

12 | FALL 2012

By Martin Haro ’05

MEST,ER RITY SE CELEB nity hears from stars of music FIU commu fashion, literature and journalism

Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas Friedman, the New York Times foreign affairs columnist, headlined the February 2012 Geopolitical Summit, which focused on the crisis posed by the global economic recession. Speaking in the Graham Center Ballrooms at Modesto A. Maidique Campus, the journalist warned that Americans are not making the progress they need to survive the global economic turmoil, and that the American Dream will be lost if students don’t up their game. “Average is officially over.” he said. “Everyone has to find their extra-value added.”

Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, the legendary founder of the Def Jam record label and philanthropist, kicked off the Student Government Association-BBC Lectures Series in February by encouraging students to be passionate about what they do. “Life is like a movie – you want to make sure you play the part in your life you want to play,” he said. “Find a way to be a leader, not a sheep.”

Journalist Sam Sifton, The New York Times national editor, discussed “Election 2012: How The New York Times Covers the Run for the Presidency” in March with a full house of students, alumni and faculty in the Mary Ann Wolfe Theater, as part of the BBC series. He focused on how journalism has evolved and, in particular, how social media like Twitter have changed the way journalists cover stories.

Actor Adrian Grenier from HBO’s Entourage shared how he navigated the “hyperrealism” of Hollywood, as well as what it was like for him to live the life of an in-demand actor “in a hall of mirrors.” He described how for a while he would walk into any room in Tinseltown and feel “that immediate and almost complete sense of approval” and what that does to the ego, as well as his thoughts on the cult of celebrity, images and the media. The actor was so determined to get his point across at the March event he even brought a visual aid: his 2010 documentary Teenage Paparazzo, which screened before his lecture.

Chilean author Isabel Allende charmed more than 500 in March with her honesty and wit. Allende came to FIU to receive the Creative Writing Program’s Lawrence Sanders Award, which recognizes fiction writers whose work combines literary excellence with popular appeal. In a candid and funny hour-long chat with Creative Writing Professor Debra Dean, Allende revealed quite a bit of herself to her fans.

“The person I am is the summary of everything else that has

happened – the good and the bad,” Allende said. “Now that I’m 70 years old, I look back and say, ‘What would I change?’ I don’t think I would change anything. Of course, I’d want my daughter to be alive, but I am very happy she lived 28 years…. The joyful moments don’t teach you anything. It’s the suffering, the stress, the losses that make you the person you are.”

Fashion publicist Kelly Cutrone discussed Chaz Bono with BBC students in April what it took to launch her own successful company, People’s Revolution, as well as her views on the ever-changing communications landscape.

Transgender activist Chaz Bono – best known as the only child of Cher and Thomas Sonny – spoke at BBC in April Friedman about his experiences making the transition from female to male. Bono chronicled his journey in his 2011 book, Transition: The Story of How I Became a Man, and shared stories about gaining acceptance from his family. He also addressed a range of LGBT issues, including marriage Adrian Grenier equality, the portrayal of gays and lesbians in the media and issues related to the coming out process.

Russell Simmons

Isabel Allende FALL 2012 | 13

FIU unveils today’s most powerful hurricane simulator The new 12-fan Wall of Wind will be used to build more hurricane resilient communities around the world

By Jim Hellegaard | Photo by Doug Garland ’10

14 | FALL 2012

hours of August 24, 1992, Pedro Botta ’87 huddled with his

A

to transportation and infrastructure, so that when we build, we

family and two dogs in the bathroom of their home off Coral

build smarter,” said engineering Professor Peter A. Irwin, who

Reef Drive. The hurricane’s fierce winds roared like a freight train as

recently joined FIU. He has consulted on many of the world’s largest

the walls of the bathroom trembled. The family quickly decided to

skyscrapers and conducted research on the effects of high winds on

take refuge in the stronger, cinder-block walled foyer just moments

large structures and long-span bridges.

s Hurricane Andrew slammed into South Florida in the early

before the bathroom walls collapsed. Three-and-a-half hours after the hurricane made landfall, Andrew was gone.

Windows were blown out throughout the Botta family’s house.

Three-quarters of the roof was missing, and its trusses were twisted as if by a tornado. The furniture, their clothes, family heirlooms, photographs – all of it was gone.

“When we opened the door, it looked like a nuclear winter,” remembered Botta, now director of communications for FIU’s School of International and Public Affairs. “Our neighborhood was just devastated. It was unrecognizable. You realized the utter destruction.

Everything that you knew was gone.”

Two decades later, as South Florida marks the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew, FIU is unveiling the country’s most powerful hurricane simulator. The massive machine, known as the Wall of Wind or WOW, generates wind speeds up to 157 miles per hour for

“With the Wall of Wind, we can answer many questions related

Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Arindam Gan Chowdhury, a faculty member in IHRC and the lead researcher on the Wall of Wind, says his research aims to mitigate massive losses due to hurricane damage. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew caused an estimated $27 billion in damage in South Florida. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused $81 billion in damage along the Gulf Coast.

Richard S. Olson, director of Extreme Events Research in FIU’s Division of Research and a professor in the School of International and Public Affairs who specializes in disaster politics, said the Wall of Wind provides unmatched research opportunities to clients from private industry, the government and the academic community.

“One of its capabilities that excites me most is the testing of postdisaster temporary shelters,” Olson said. “In places like Haiti, for example, a country that was hit by an earthquake and is then subject

purposes of testing the hurricane resiliency of everything from private

to storms and hurricanes, you have temporary shelters that could be

homes to warehouses to light poles.

in place for years. We have tested those kinds of shelters in the Wall

By recreating Mother Nature’s fury, researchers will help build safer, storm-resistant communities around the world. For people like Botta who have witnessed the destructive power of hurricanes first-hand, South Florida is an appropriate home for such a facility.

“Anyone who lived through Hurricane Andrew or has seen the

of Wind so researchers can see how well they hold up in hurricane force winds.”

Filling the void Today’s Wall of Wind has been more than five years in the

images of devastation and despair in communities after hurricanes,

making. In 2007, IHRC’s wind engineering team from the College of

knows how important this research is to save lives and improve the

Engineering and Computing assembled its prototype two-fan mobile

quality of life for all of us in South Florida,” College of Engineering and

unit, which could generate 120 mph winds with a water-injection

Computing Dean Amir Mirmiran said.

system simulating horizontal rain. This paved the way for a bigger

Performance testing FIU’s International Hurricane Research Center

See the Wall of Wind in action

six-fan structure.

Now, with demand for stronger wind speed testing, FIU has made yet another step forward with its current Wall of Wind, which cost

(IHRC) has been at the forefront of hurricane research

approximately $6 million to construct. The new facility’s capability

for more than a decade. With IHRC’s new Wall of

to replicate a hurricane-level wind with wind-driven rain fills the void

Wind, FIU has set itself apart from all other universities

where most current wind-structure interaction experiments fail.

with a unique facility that allows researchers,

businesses and government agencies to test and analyze how their products and services perform in hurricane conditions.

The WOW stands behind 26-foot doors on the FIU Engineering

The Wall of Wind research team, under Chowdhury’s direction, has already had a significant impact in mitigating hurricane damage.

Recommendations made as a result of Wall of Wind testing were published in the 2010 Florida Building Code. The new code provisions

Campus. Measuring 8,000 square feet, it has 12 massive electric

based on the recommendations are geared toward decreasing the

fans, each of them six feet in diameter. With 8,400 horsepower behind

vulnerability of roofs. This research-to-application endeavor, at such

them, the fans can generate winds up to the level of a Category 5

a rapid pace, underscores the importance of FIU’s Wall of Wind in

hurricane – similar to Hurricane Andrew.

creating hurricane-resilient communities. n FALL 2012

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FAREWELL

By Sissi Aguila ’99, MA ’08

TO A LEADER Vice President of Student Affairs Rosa Jones retires after 40 years of service to the FIU family, South Florida community

Photos courtesy of FIU Libraries, Special Collections, and Rosa Jones

R

osa Jones grew up in Miami

professor position and the opportunity to

initiatives created under her leadership:

during the ’50s when the city

develop the Department of Social Work’s

Freshman Convocation; model for increasing

was reinventing itself.

field work curriculum. For Jones, it was

ratio of academic advisors; Partners in

African-Americans were

an opportunity to engage the community

Progress and Invitational Scholars Program;

beginning to move out of the cramped

and to help meet the need for higher

FIU’s participation in National Student

confines created by segregation into white

education. “Teaching and higher education

Exchange Program; Common Reading

neighborhoods. Waves of Cuban refugees

administration were not part of my original

Program; parent programs; and expanded

were arriving every day, changing the city’s

career plan. But two years into it, I knew it

student building and facilities.

demographics. And even as the city was

was what I was meant to do.”

in flux, Jones graduated from Mays High School, then a segregated school.

As a young social worker at Jackson

Jones retires this year after 40 years of

“Dr. Jones is one of the most thoughtful and passionate advocates for students

service to FIU as a founding faculty member.

whom I have ever known,” says President

In that time, she has been a professor,

Mark B. Rosenberg, who has worked with

Hospital, Jones wanted to be responsive

department chair, dean and for the last eight

Jones since the inaugural years of the

to the needs of her diverse, rapidly growing

years, vice president of Student Affairs. Her

university. “Her selfless dedication to FIU

community. In 1972, at a community meeting,

legacy as the university’s steadfast and most

and our community set the highest standard

she learned of a public university being

respected student advocate is unmatched,

possible. She is an exemplary professional

built out west. She was offered an assistant

as is the reach of the student-focused

and one of the most decent people I know.”

16 | FALL 2012

Innovative spirit

chase. As a social worker, Jones was asked

to write recommendations on my behalf to

to assist in working with Dade County Public

programs nationwide. She’s been a huge

invigorating. The founding faculty were mostly

Schools to increase FIU’s minority student

support to me and I’m truly grateful to have

young professionals who were open to new

enrollment and build strong relations.

had her leadership during my years as a

For Jones the early days at FIU were

possibilities and methodology and believed

“My new role spoke to my knowledge of

student leader.”

the university could be great. “There was this

the community,” she says. Even today, Jones

innovative spirit to create something great,”

says FIU’s continued success depends on

many positive initiatives for students. In

how responsive the university is to South

the early days, student programming was

Florida’s needs and whether the university

limited to a few programs and activities. In

reflects the diverse community it serves. “I’m

more recent years, Jones has led a shift in

excited about the engagement programs I

the focus of student programming as the

see with President Rosenberg. It goes back

student base has evolved from older transfer

to an original mission.”

students to traditional college-age students

says Jones. “We were going to be different.”

The university instituted a pass/fail grading system rather than relying on letter grades; classes were offered four days a week instead of five to allow faculty time to develop infrastructure; and it was not rare for professors to hold classes in their homes.

Jones’ office was on the second floor of the abandoned control tower at the center of the old airport that today is Modesto A. Maidique Campus. She could see the old runway lanes from her window. There were few phones and scarce furniture.

“There was a spirit of camaraderie because we were starting from scratch,” she says.

With only about 150 founding faculty members, the FIU community was very close. Founding President Charles “Chuck” Perry encouraged faculty to go out into the community and be of service.

“We wanted to let the community know that we were here and that we were a part of the community.”

In its short history, FIU has gone through many phases. “I’ve been at the same

Jones served seven years as the director

with busy lives.

Under her leadership, Student Affairs

institution, but that institution has not been

programs have been tailored to students’

the same,” she says. FIU’s world view has

schedules in an effort to more deeply engage

evolved, helping the university transition to a

them in the life of the university. There are

global marketplace. “I get excited when I see

now 300 clubs and organizations as well as

what is going on with FIU in China and the

more than 35 Greek organizations.

continued growth in international students and international programs.”

Student advocate During her tenure at FIU, Jones has made

Former Panther basketball standout and aerospace engineer Marlon Bright ’10 first met Jones when he visited FIU as a high school student. He says she made his decision to come to FIU from rural

relationships with students her priority.

Tennessee easier. “Dr. Jones remained

She’s proud FIU has remained committed to

a close and trusted mentor, adviser and

providing students with access to a high-

mother figure. There were countless

quality education.

scenarios when she was there to lend a

“I still get chills at graduation watching students achieve their goals,” she says.

For the community

Those late nights in the office produced

Former Student Government Association president Helena Ramirez ’11 worked closely

helping hand when it seemed my options had run out. I can’t say enough about her and what she means to me and more importantly FIU as a whole.”

of the Department of Social Work, during

with Jones when she was a student and says

which time the master’s program received

she was a great mentor to her and to many

is an integral part of who I am. To some

initial accreditation. In 1987, she was named

SGA executive board members.

degree, I feel like I grew up here.”

Jones admits retiring is bittersweet. “FIU

Ramirez says, “There were many nights

The success of students like Ramirez

when student government would be hosting

and Bright are her proudest achievements.

natural transition. The McDuffie Riots of 1980

events or working late, and Dr. Jones was

“I’d be truly comfortable and satisfied

hastened the move. One of the worst race

still in her office, working. She was always

if people characterized me as being

riots in United States history, the McDuffie

committed to the students. That was her

responsive to students. I would hope that

Riots broke out in Overtown and Liberty City

number one priority.”

they’d believe that no matter what position

associate dean of undergraduate education.

Going from professor to administrator was a

after police officers were found not guilty of killing Arthur McDuffie following a high-speed

Ramirez still seeks Jones’ advice. “She is always available for conversations and

I’ve held, I’ve always been an advocate for students. Period.” n FALL 2012 | 17

MacAdam Glinn JD ’07

Jarred Reiling JD ’11

Nicholas Greene

Vice President of Aviation Skanska Corporation

Presidential Management Fellow U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Third-year law student

No way around it: MacAdam Glinn’s journey to the FIU College of Law was meant to be.

In 2001, Glinn was working for then-state

Jarred Reiling discovered very early on how the law can change lives.

When he was 16 years old, Reiling and his sister convinced a judge to place them in

Ten days – that’s how long Nicholas Green had to move from UF in Gainesville to Miami, a city he’d never visited, to start law school at FIU back in 2010. The Germanborn, Orlando-raised future civil litigator

senator, now Congresswoman, Debbie

foster care — a process that took them away

Wasserman Shultz when former Dean

from their mother and required the teenager

says FIU’s location and the College of Law’s

Leonard Strickman visited her office seeking

to grow up much faster than he should have.

growing reputation were key in his choice to

support to create a College of Law at FIU. Glinn took the meeting and promised to relay Strickman’s visit to his boss. But before he left, Glinn told Strickman of his ultimate dream of attending law school and follow the footsteps of so many members of his family. Strickman, who eventually became the College’s first dean, encouraged him to follow that dream.

“I like to think that I helped reinforce the Congresswoman’s support for the College of Law,” he recalls. “At the time it was pretty controversial to add two new law schools.”

Two years later, Glinn was admitted into the newly minted College of Law. “I was accepted into UM and St. Thomas,

But through adversity comes strength.

Reiling forged a sense of compassion and

of the school’s program. “The program

him to take this path in the first place: the law.

at the College of Law is a lot more

“I think what I went through helped me

challenging than I expected,” he said.

develop a zeal for helping others who have

“The opportunities I’ve gotten here, like

faced similar and even more traumatic

arguing a case in front of Justice Samuel

situations than I ever did,” he said. “The law

Alito as part of the Moot Court team, have

gives you the power to change the direction

been amazing.”

of your life.”

The valedictorian of his class at FIU Law, Reiling is a Presidential Management Fellow working as a policy analyst at the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products. When his fellowship ends, he will start a one-year clerkship for Miami-based

excitement I felt there, you could tell they

Judge Adalberto Jose Jordan at the 11th

were building something special,” he said.

Circuit Court of Appeals, where he will help

Glinn, who worked full time while attending

Greene was quick to adapt to the rigors

empathy that led him straight to what allowed

but FIU just felt right, I loved the energy and

the College of Law’s part-time program,

become a Panther.

the federal judge formulate sound rulings.

“At FIU, there’s recognition of the real

graduated in 2007. He then practiced law

importance that everyone has in the school’s

for nearly three years before re-joining the

success,” he said. “There’s a culture of

international construction firm Skanska,

collaboration, of wanting to contribute to the

where he is now vice president in the

school in a very altruistic sense.”

Greene not only has carved himself a place among Miami’s legal movers and shakers, he is building a reputation for himself, since he intends to practice in Miami. “The scene here is somewhat small – everyone knows one another – so you want to be on your game all the time.”

He recently finished a second stint as a summer associate at Holland & Knight and spent several weeks working in the MiamiDade County Attorney’s Office.

Looking ahead at his third year of law school, he’s excited to begin working in the Family and Children’s Advocacy

conglomerate’s Aviation Division, overseeing

Clinic in the College of Law. “I’m hoping

all airport construction business development

to interact with clients more and get some

and contracts work nationally.

court/hearings experience. It’s another

“But for FIU College of Law, I would not have had access to a truly world-class legal education while working to support my family, nor would I have had the opportunity to realize my dream of becoming an attorney.”

20 | FALL 2012

resource to becoming the kind of attorney I want to be.”

Wendy Jauregui JD ’12

Daniel Cervantes JD ’07

Maria D. Garcia JD ’08

Presidential Management Fellow Department of Homeland Security

Hogan Lovells International commercial arbitration

Zumpano Patricios & Winker, P.A., Healthcare law

One day in Cuba, Wendy Jauregui’s father,

For Daniel Cervantes ’04, JD ’07, being a

Among the FIU College of Law alumni

a university professor, spoke out against the

lawyer is being an advocate – for those who

is a Miami native of Cuban heritage with a

Castro regime. He was fired, arrested and

can’t speak for themselves, for his clients and

quintessential FIU story. Maria D. Garcia ’05,

charged with the crime of peligrosidad—

for the law.

JD ’08 says that when looking at universities,

accused of being a public threat.

And after two years in jail as a political prisoner, Jauregui and her family applied for political asylum at the U.S. Interest Section in Havana. The man reviewing their application, an asylum officer who acted as an advocate, and the process of coming to the United States made such an impact on 6-year-old Jauregui that it influenced the rest of her life.

Today, Jauregui, who graduated from FIU’s College of Law in May, is in the prestigious Presidential Management Fellows Program working in the Department of Homeland

Following the advice of political science Professor Rebecca Salokar ’81, JD ’09,

she selected FIU because it offered something different.

Cervantes became a volunteer guardian ad

“The Honors College was fairly new at the

litem in 2002. For six years, he served as a

time, and I thought the program they offered

guardian of the court in cases involving the

was exciting,” said the political science

rights of children.

alumna. “Throughout the years, I developed

“I remember one where an infant was

an affection for FIU and, with the College of

abused by his father. The child was

Law getting off the ground, I thought, ‘I’ll stay

malnourished, had broken ribs,” he said.

here and be part of making FIU history.’”

“I was appointed as guardian ad litem to

While at the College of Law, she studied

ensure he had a voice in court and that he

abroad in Spain, and was president of the

was protected from this abuse and neglect

Moot Court. Upon graduation, she received

by both his parents.”

the Appellate Advocacy Award. “I believe FIU

Cervantes says his guardianships

is the backbone of our community,” she said.

Security. And like the man who inspired

combined with his years at FIU made for

“I wouldn’t have the success I have today

her nearly two decades ago, Jauregui is an

“some of the best of my life.” The College

without FIU. The legal community respects

asylum officer, reviewing applications from

of Law’s arrival allowed the native Miamian

FIU Law degrees. My entire family believes

those seeking safety from persecution.

to stay close to home. “I was thrilled that a

in the school: My brother and sister have

public law school would be opening in South

pursued law degrees at FIU.”

“I’ve always focused my studies on human rights and immigration,” she said. “I never really expected that one day I would

Florida and that I could stay here,” he said.

While at FIU, he served as an editor for the

Today, Garcia is a blue-and-gold ambassador who recently joined the Board

serve in the very same role that helped my

FIU Law Review. He went on to become the

of Directors of the FIU Alumni Association. At

family flee oppression.”

first College of Law alumnus to clerk at the

Zumpano Patricios & Winker, she focuses on

Florida Supreme Court, fulfilling clerkships

healthcare law and commercial litigation. She

with Chief Justice Charles Canady and

represents a variety of healthcare providers,

Former Justice Harry Lee Anstead.

including physicians, group practices,

Jauregui met her fiancé during their first semester in law school and both competed on the highly ranked Moot Court team.

She liked his tenacity. He loved her joie de vivre. After the couple graduated, Jauregui started reconsidering the sudden move to Washington, D.C., where most fellows are assigned, and delayed the process But destiny usually gets its way. Even without her application in hand, Homeland Security hired her and placed her where,

Today, Cervantes works at Hogan Lovells, one of the largest international law firms in the

hospitals and other specialty facilities.

“I never have a boring day because

world, as part of its international commercial

healthcare is a developing area in my field,

arbitration practice in Miami. He remains

especially in Miami with our economy and

connected to FIU through the College of

demographics,” she said. “I enjoy healthcare

Law Alumni Network, of which he is a past

law because it’s dynamic and versatile and

president.

touches everyone in our community in some way.”

perhaps, she was meant to be—at the Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Directorate.

FALL 2012 | 21

The Everglades Storyteller Ranger Larry Perez ’96, MS ’08 shares the secrets of South Florida’s tropical wilderness

By Sissi Aguila ’99, MA ’08 | Photos by Angel Valentin

22 | FALL 2012

I

’ve been driving for a while now, and I’m starting to get worried. The blue dot on my iPhone seems to think I’m heading in the right direction, but I’m not sure. All I see are

Our first stop on the tour is the Anhinga Trail. A card-carrying

miles of farmland. Strawberry fields? Tomatoes? Who knows. All I

urbanite myself, I’m relieved to see a boardwalk and rails

know is we are not in Miami anymore.

protecting us from what Perez calls in his book “the critters of ill

Then I see it: Welcome to the Everglades National Park. Yes!

repute” that call the Glades home: Alligators. Crocodiles. Snakes.

I’m going to spend the rest of the afternoon and evening with

Panthers.

Park Ranger Larry Perez ’96, MS ’08. Perez just wrote a book,

As he leads us through the trail, he’s clearly in his element.

Snake in the Grass: An Everglades Invasion, about Burmese

Perez remembers his first trips out to the Everglades for class.

pythons in the park. This should be an adventure. I’ve got my

“The depth and breadth of this world drew me in,” he says.

laced-up shoes and long pants, as he suggested in his email, and

After 10 years as a ranger, he still seems in awe of the dynamic

some bug repellent for our three-hour tour. Our photographer,

landscape, pointing out every plant and critter we come across.

Angel Valentin, has a net to cover his face. “I learned my lesson

“What makes this place special is the vegetation – a tropical/

last time I was out here,” he says. “I was covered in bites.”

Caribbean mixture.”

Perez is waiting in the visitor’s center. He’s a nature-lover’s rock

We stop to check out a momma alligator with her eight babies

star. Confident, yet goofy. The

who have taken residence in

tall, dark and handsome type in

a drain hole on the side of the

a green uniform and ranger hat.

road. Ranger Larry drops by

Humble, too. He’ll sign as many

periodically to check on them.

autographs as his fans demand.

“They’re about a year old,” he

Seriously. He was signing a kid’s

explains. “There aren’t as many

book when we walked in.

babies today. They leave when they’re ready.”

Ranger Larry, as his fans call him, has built quite a following

Ranger Larry has accomplished

in South Florida. You mention

the unthinkable: He makes me

his name and you can bet your

feel all warm and fuzzy about

Hard Rock Casino winnings

cold-blooded reptiles.

that you’ll get an “Ohhhh, I

He’s a natural storyteller, a

LOVE him!” Perez speaks all

skill that he makes the most of in

around town, sharing his passion for and vast knowledge of the

his role as an Everglades educator. His stories from the field are

Everglades with people of all ages.

as colorful as the place itself. “Do you know people are allowed

A Miami native, Perez grew up like most South Floridians a

to jump into the alligator-infested waters and the rangers can’t

proud urbanite. He never thought much about what lay out

stop them? It happened on my first day. A guy decided to go

west- the famed River of Grass, the largest sawgrass prairie

swimming. I called for backup and we got him out. And then one

in North America, the largest protected mangrove forest in the

of the rangers turns to me and says, ‘You know this is wilderness

northern hemisphere. He visited once in fourth grade and

and if folks want to go swimming, they go swimming.’”

thought it was cool but then moved on, back to reality.

The Everglades became real for Perez his sophomore year at FIU when he was in the Honors College majoring in park and

For the record, he says, no one’s ever been attacked or eaten by an alligator at the park.

Perez asks us to imagine South Florida at the start of the 20th

recreation management. While skimming the course

century. “From the Model-Ts, Miamians would look

catalog, he came across an Everglades course offered

out and see tall royal palms majestically swaying

by Professor Bradley Bennett. All the classes were held

over the sawgrass. But to get to them they had

at the park. He says, “That lab course changed my life.

Bennett wowed me intellectually. I immediately fell in love.” He began working for the National Park Service after graduating in 1999 and went on to get a master’s degree in environmental studies in 2008.

Experience the Everglades with Ranger Larry

to trudge through swamp.” Most dismissed the Everglades and discussed ways to drain it to help fuel the construction boom of the Roaring Twenties.

As Ranger Larry weaves his story, park guests join us to hear what happens next. Soon they are asking questions. Are those

Continues FALL 2012 | 23

royal palms? Yes. What kind of bird is that? Anhinga. Can we…?

“Shhh, everyone be quiet,” he interrupts. “Can you hear that hiss?” It’s an

Perez explains, “sadly, most are found dead or they’re put down.”

The presence of the non-native python has undoubtedly hurt the

alligator hissing, warning another alligator to back off. We watch attentively

delicate ecosystem and prompted many questions on how and if the

in silence as the two alligators skirt by each other without incident.

snakes can be eradicated. A study published in the Proceedings of the

That reminds me. What about the Burmese pythons? Where are they?

Can we see some? And can Angel get a couple of photos?

National Academy of Science journal earlier this year found the population of small mammals in the Everglades has decreased significantly.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the number of raccoons and possums spotted has dropped more than 98 percent, bobcat sightings

In 2005, the photo of a 12-foot python’s unsuccessful attempt to consume

are down 87 percent, and rabbits and foxes have not been seen at all in

an adult alligator at Shark Valley made international headlines. Folks were

years. All are thought to be victims of pythons. The report concluded there

horrified and fascinated. Perez fielded hundreds of questions about the

are too many snakes to successfully remove. It’s now a question of how to

serpent from Junior Rangers, park guests and international tourists.

manage the invasion.

In his book, published earlier this year by the University of Florida Press,

“This invasion is unprecedented,” Perez says. “In 2009, the peak of

he shares the stories and facts of the invasion with those who can’t join

recovery, we found 360 pythons in the park. But there are players, other

him on the trail. The first recorded sighting of a Burmese python in the

non-native species, that have caused more problems. Every change in the

Everglades was in 1979, but it wasn’t that big a deal. There are tons of

system yields some winners and some losers.”

non-native species in the park. In the present day, officials send an electric shock through the canals surrounding the park. They collect all the stunned fish, weed out the non-native species and return the rest to the water.

The capture of three pythons in one year, 2001, was a signal, though, to

As the day starts to cool off, Ranger Larry has one final stop for Angel and me. “Most people never get off the trail and track through the mud but

park officials that this was a bigger deal. In 2005, 94 pythons were found

you all are doing it today,” he says. I silently remind myself of what Perez

and removed from the Everglades.

just told me. Pythons are rare. No one has ever been eaten by an alligator in

Visitors strolling through the Anhinga Trail that year were “privy to history,” says Perez, “the first time ever that an Old World python had ever been observed tangling with a New World American alligator.

“That day, an alligator had grabbed a python just behind the head of its

the park.

Our destination is a tree dome in the middle of the marsh. I’ve seen similar tree domes tons of times as I cruise down Alligator Alley at 80 miles per hour but never imagined I’d ever venture into one. Today, the water

toothy jowl. The remainder of the snake surly girdled the trunk of the now

is low so we wade through with ease. As we approach the dome, it’s like

static alligator several times around. The pair remained locked in battle for

entering a forest – the kind you see in fairy tales. The tall, thin trees curve

approximately 24 hours,” he writes in his book.

together. Sunlight barely seeps through. Bright orange air ferns grow

When an approaching alligator hissed loudly in a defensive display, the python, which observers had written off as dead, resurrected, catching his

midway up the trunks.

Finally we reach an opening in the middle of the dome. There’s a pool of

captor distracted and off guard. “The serpent tensed its sinewy muscles

water the dry season has spared. Ranger Larry says last week an alligator

and darted like a shot into the nearby vegetation-never to be seen again.

was hanging out there. He takes his walking stick and starts poking around

Though speculation ensued about whether or not the python was mortally

to see if it’s still there. Luckily, it’s not.

wounded, this much was known for certain: the snake had tangled for 24 hours with the monarch of the Everglades marsh, and somehow, it had ended in a draw.”

Perez says stories like these lead many to think pythons are everywhere, while, in fact, it is still rare to come across one. So no chance we’re going to

For a few minutes we explore in silence. There’s magic in that dome.

Peace that a yoga master would envy. It’s allowed to be and for a few minutes we just are. Wait…is that the traffic of the turnpike? No it’s just the wind.

Perez shares the secrets of the park with thousands each year. His stories

get a photo for our story? How about a lab we can visit where pythons are

are intense. Captivating. And after one short afternoon seeing the park

being dissected, tagged, hypnotized into submission…something? “Nope,”

through his eyes, I have fallen in love with the Everglades. n

24 | FALL 2012

E

very year, tourists flock to the Mara River to witness what has been described as one of

research projects. Students have traveled to

resource management in an integrated,

migrate every year, GLOWS has been working

the greatest spectacles in the natural world — the great African animal migration.

the project sites around the world looking at

sustainable way,” says Donoso. “In many,

with the Lake Victoria Basin Commission,

basic water demand, precipitation and river

many cases we have found that you build an

an intergovernmental agency composed

flows, and the economics of water. GLOWS

area on one hand and deteriorate the quality

of states that lie along that body of water.

also provides support for a number of non-FIU

of the water on the other.”

Together, they are supporting governments in

Wildebeests, zebras and gazelles gather by the hundreds along the jewel-like river in Tanzania and move northward to Kenya. Thousands of people travel to Africa to watch

the animals’ journey, which is regularly cited as one of the top travel attractions in the world. Tourism is booming.

Take, for example, the Wami Ruvu basin

students in other countries.

That’s the good news — and the bad.

their efforts to establish policies that would

in Tanzania where the GLOWS projects

ensure the continued health of the rivers and

all of the minds can come together and

include exploring various ways to maximize

lakes. They completed an environmental assessment that detailed the minimum

“The University is a neutral place where present their information without weighing

the supply of clean safe water for basic

governmental upheaval and abject poverty

a holistic approach to integrated water

in on a particular interest,” Donoso adds.

needs and trying to create opportunities for

water flows required to sustain surrounding

economies, the visitors put additional strain

can be mitigated by one element—clean,

resource management.

“An additional benefit that FIU brings is

business ventures among local villagers so

ecosystems – to determine a harmonious

on the water supply of the Mara River, one

useable water. Which is not always easy

of the only perennial sources of water in

to obtain.

Along with the boost to the local

that region of East Africa. Water is a finite

More than two thirds of the planet’s

“The great thing about working in a

the science base and the

balance among the wildlife, the

consortium {like GLOWS} is that there’s

opportunities for collaborative

communities and the tourists. Those

a range of issues that we deal with —

projects. And it gives

resource. And just like some of the rare

surface is water but only 2.5 percent is fresh

particularly with water, there are so many

our students and faculty

species of animals that follow the water to

water. Of that fresh water, less than 1 percent

facets of life that it touches upon — and

the unique experience of

the north, water needs to be protected.

(.007) is accessible for human use. With the

in the consortium you have people with a

becoming involved in real-life

world’s population at 7 billion and climbing,

range of different expertise, both in terms

laboratories.”

clean water is definitely at a premium.

of topics and experiences. Bringing those

When there is a drought in South Florida, people are restricted on when they can

GLOWS pioneered an on-

GLOWS has teams working across the globe, with six projects in Ghana, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Mozambique and the country of Georgia.

these studies are translated into policies that are being adopted and derived into laws and regulations at the country level.

“This is major because it goes beyond what we can do as a project,”

water their lawns, fill their pools or use their

GLOWS was created in 2006 with

together creates a really rich fora in terms of

the-ground method of water

Donoso says. “When you translate

decorative water features. When there is a

funding from the United States Agency

identifying solutions and working together,”

management research that has

your awareness campaigns and

drought in other parts of the world, there

for International Development (USAID) to

says Mary Renwick, who leads the Water

led to a more targeted approach to individual

that clean water is a financial benefit, as well

elevate them to policy, it assures a higher

is famine, war, disease and damage to the

address the world’s growing water crisis.

Innovation Program at Winrock.

country’s questions and specific needs. Six

as necessity.

level of support from the governments of the

environment, to animals and to people.

With $84 million from USAID, GLOWS is

But “whether one is in a well-developed

GLOWS has teams working across the

years ago, this was a radical concept. “We, as

“Involving the private sector is critical for

countries. We hope that this means there

now one of the university’s largest federally

globe, with six projects in Ghana, Mali, Niger,

FIU, a research institution, became engaged

long-term success and for a sustainable

will be a continuation of our efforts beyond a

society or in a small community without

funded programs and has established FIU as

Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burkina Faso,

with community partners, who communicated

supply of services and goods,” says Vivianne

project’s timeline.”

services, water is still a major need for

an international authority on integrated water

Mozambique and the country of Georgia

to us what the most critical questions

Abbott, director of the Integrated Water

survival,” says Maria Donoso, director

resources management. Based in the School

in the South Caucasus region of Europe.

were. Suddenly, our research wasn’t purely

Sanitation and Hygiene Program in Tanzania.

through GLOWS places FIU as one of the

of FIU’s Global Water for Sustainability

of Environment, Arts and Society on FIU’s

Three projects have been completed in

curiosity-driven or directed by what we were

Abbott notes that GLOWS has helped foster

top water research universities in the country,

(GLOWS) program. And in the long run, the

Biscayne Bay Campus, GLOWS is operated

India, Morocco, Peru and Ecuador. GLOWS

reading,” explains Professor Michael McClain,

27 new village micro-savings and micro-

with funded projects in freshwater issues

threats to people’s health, livelihood and

by a small staff of four, including director

program activities include developing and

an environmental scientist and founding

financing programs that are serving more than

ranging from water supply, sanitation, wetland

natural environment are the same.

Donoso and program executive officers Ryan

applying new techniques to “harvest water,”

director of GLOWS.

25,000 people in the area.

ecosystems, multiple water use systems

Stoa, an environmental lawyer at the College

including building wells and sanitizing

or endanger it, will come back to haunt you,”

of Law, Lanakila McMahn, a sanitation and

existing water supplies; health and hygiene

agencies realized they had a partner that was

enough motivation to change habits, Donoso

Donoso says.

water supply expert at the Robert Stempel

training and education, waste management

generating knowledge at a level and quality

points out. Concepts must be translated into

School of Public Health, and Alberto

and agricultural techniques. In countries

that had not been available before. So that

laws and policies to ensure adherence. And

knowledge to improve development in the

Tejada and Elizabeth Anderson, an urban

such as Georgia, where water is abundant,

process began and has expanded to many

that is another way that GLOWS is making its

world,” says McClain. “That’s what it boils

hydrologist and an ecologist, respectively, in

GLOWS is working with local officials to

other areas of the world. And FIU students

mark on the world.

down to.” n

the College of Arts and Sciences. GLOWS

protect the existing water supply and to

and researchers are critical components of

partners with CARE, WaterAid America,

demonstrate the benefits of sustainable

this approach.”

“There is a circle of nature that if you break

War, gender inequality, disease, pollution, deforestation, animal extinction, politics,

Winrock International, World Wildlife Fund and World Vision U.S., to provide

29 | FALL 2012

development and preserving the environment.

Over the years, nine FIU students have developed theses on GLOWS-related

“On the other side, the development

As the program grew, its work began

But the potential for profit is not always

Continuing leadership and innovation

to water resources management and public policy.

“GLOWS is really focused on generating

In the Mara River Basin where Africa’s wild animals

evolving. “GLOWS is trying to pursue and promote at all levels the importance of water

FALL 2012 | 30

FALL 2012 | 25

Global Water for Sustainability (GLOWS): A consortium of international organizations led by FIU that is providing solutions to the global water crisis. With $84 million in USAID grants, a team of scientists and an environmental law expert at FIU lead the implementation of GLOWS projects around the world. Other members of the GLOWS consortium include CARE, WaterAid America, Winrock International, World Vision and the World Wildlife Fund.

Morroco: In 2009, GLOWS implemented a water access project in the El-Haouz region of Morocco to increase access to drinking water, improve hygiene practices and encourage collaboration among local authorities to govern water. In the agricultural Doukkala Province, GLOWS improved water use practices by small farmers to enhance livelihoods and ensure sustainability. The $350,000 project, completed in 2011, brought clean water to hundreds of children in local schools, provided more than 1,000 people with improved access to sustainable water and educated 3,000 people on best hygiene practices.

West Africa: Ghana, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso: This $28 million GLOWS project is increasing the number of people with access to safe water and sanitation and improving hygiene in four nations. Poor water quality is a major concern in all four countries, particularly Niger, Ghana and Burkina Faso, where access to sanitation is less than 15 percent. In Mali, less than half of the population has access to a toilet. GLOWS is introducing water and sanitation technology and promoting better hygiene at community level, while developing models that can be replicated in other parts of Africa.

Ecuador and Peru: The Pastaza River Basin begins in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador and ends at the Marañon River in Peru, which carries its waters into the Amazon. The lives of thousands of people are closely tied to the Pastaza River’s resources. In 2006, GLOWS established the regular collection of water data to be used by local authorities and formed local committees to participate in effective water management. The project also developed a fisheries management plan, advanced sound petroleum exploration management and promoted collaboration among native communities on both sides of the border.

Pan-Africa: Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Mozambique: This $500,000 GLOWS project targets Sub-Saharan African countries, where there are large, well-experienced regional, national and international organizations in the water delivery, sanitation and hygiene field, yet local organizations lack the necessary technical capacity to solve these challenges.

GLOWS seeks to bridge the knowledge gap with technical training and education so local organizations are able to develop sustainable, state-of-the art, locally tailored approaches to water delivery, sanitation and hygiene.

Rwanda: Focused on sustainable management of water quantity and quality, this $21.9 million project will improve nutrition for families, decrease health problems and increase productive time, which is being spent looking for water, largely from unprotected sources.

At the community level, GLOWS is implementing innovative technical activities to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable rural populations, while working to ensure the long-term benefits of these activities. At the district and national levels, GLOWS is working with Rwandan authorities on strategies to replicate successful projects elsewhere in the country.

Georgia: In the country of Georgia, where most of the population has access to potable water, the big issues are waste management and conservation. Many surface waters are severely polluted, forests are illegally logged and grasslands are overgrazed. Inappropriate irrigation and agricultural practices have degraded large areas of arable land through erosion and salinization of soils. The $6.5 million Georgia GLOWS program aims to promote the benefits of preserving the country’s abundant natural resources and to demonstrate the link between sustainable development and future economic growth.

Kenya and Tanzania Kenya and Tanzania share the resources – and challenges – of the Mara River Basin, home to Masai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit annually to witness the migration of millions of wildebeests. This yearly influx of tourists is just one of the many issues stressing the fragile balance of the area. The mission of the $6.3 million GLOWS project is multi-faceted: work with governmental authorities in Kenya, Tanzania and the Mara River Basin to preserve water flows; implement a program that improves river basin management practices; promote biodiversity conservation; and increase access to safe water and improved sanitation and promote better hygiene.

Tanzania: The Wami Ruvu Basin is water rich, but more than half the people in this southern Tanzanian region have no access to clean water.

The $15 million GLOWS program aims to supply clean, safe water for drinking and domestic use. GLOWS is working with local governments and NGOs to provide water, sanitation and hygiene services. Micro-lending at the village level encourages private investment in this effort. More than 70 water access points have been created serving some 16,000 people, and more than 20,000 people have completed sanitation and hygiene education.

India: Located in northwest India, Rajasthan is the largest state in the country. During monsoon season, the Wakal Basin is full of water; however, during the dry season, residents suffer from water scarcity. In 2006, GLOWS launched a project to promote equal access to and sustainable use of water in the region. The GLOWS team collected data on groundwater quality and introduced improved rainwater harvesting techniques, then worked with communities to encourage collaboration and protect the region’s biodiversity.

Global Water for Sustainability (GLOWS): A consortium of international organizations led by FIU that is providing solutions to the global water crisis. With $84 million in USAID grants, a team of scientists and an environmental law expert at FIU lead the implementation of GLOWS projects around the world. Other members of the GLOWS consortium include CARE, WaterAid America, Winrock International, World Vision and the World Wildlife Fund.

Morroco: In 2009, GLOWS implemented a water access project in the El-Haouz region of Morocco to increase access to drinking water, improve hygiene practices and encourage collaboration among local authorities to govern water. In the agricultural Doukkala Province, GLOWS improved water use practices by small farmers to enhance livelihoods and ensure sustainability. The $350,000 project, completed in 2011, brought clean water to hundreds of children in local schools, provided more than 1,000 people with improved access to sustainable water and educated 3,000 people on best hygiene practices.

West Africa: Ghana, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso: This $28 million GLOWS project is increasing the number of people with access to safe water and sanitation and improving hygiene in four nations. Poor water quality is a major concern in all four countries, particularly Niger, Ghana and Burkina Faso, where access to sanitation is less than 15 percent. In Mali, less than half of the population has access to a toilet. GLOWS is introducing water and sanitation technology and promoting better hygiene at community level, while developing models that can be replicated in other parts of Africa.

Ecuador and Peru: The Pastaza River Basin begins in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador and ends at the Marañon River in Peru, which carries its waters into the Amazon. The lives of thousands of people are closely tied to the Pastaza River’s resources. In 2006, GLOWS established the regular collection of water data to be used by local authorities and formed local committees to participate in effective water management. The project also developed a fisheries management plan, advanced sound petroleum exploration management and promoted collaboration among native communities on both sides of the border.

Pan-Africa: Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Mozambique: This $500,000 GLOWS project targets Sub-Saharan African countries, where there are large, well-experienced regional, national and international organizations in the water delivery, sanitation and hygiene field, yet local organizations lack the necessary technical capacity to solve these challenges.

GLOWS seeks to bridge the knowledge gap with technical training and education so local organizations are able to develop sustainable, state-of-the art, locally tailored approaches to water delivery, sanitation and hygiene.

Rwanda: Focused on sustainable management of water quantity and quality, this $21.9 million project will improve nutrition for families, decrease health problems and increase productive time, which is being spent looking for water, largely from unprotected sources.

At the community level, GLOWS is implementing innovative technical activities to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable rural populations, while working to ensure the long-term benefits of these activities. At the district and national levels, GLOWS is working with Rwandan authorities on strategies to replicate successful projects elsewhere in the country.

Georgia: In the country of Georgia, where most of the population has access to potable water, the big issues are waste management and conservation. Many surface waters are severely polluted, forests are illegally logged and grasslands are overgrazed. Inappropriate irrigation and agricultural practices have degraded large areas of arable land through erosion and salinization of soils. The $6.5 million Georgia GLOWS program aims to promote the benefits of preserving the country’s abundant natural resources and to demonstrate the link between sustainable development and future economic growth.

Kenya and Tanzania Kenya and Tanzania share the resources – and challenges – of the Mara River Basin, home to Masai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit annually to witness the migration of millions of wildebeests. This yearly influx of tourists is just one of the many issues stressing the fragile balance of the area. The mission of the $6.3 million GLOWS project is multi-faceted: work with governmental authorities in Kenya, Tanzania and the Mara River Basin to preserve water flows; implement a program that improves river basin management practices; promote biodiversity conservation; and increase access to safe water and improved sanitation and promote better hygiene.

Tanzania: The Wami Ruvu Basin is water rich, but more than half the people in this southern Tanzanian region have no access to clean water.

The $15 million GLOWS program aims to supply clean, safe water for drinking and domestic use. GLOWS is working with local governments and NGOs to provide water, sanitation and hygiene services. Micro-lending at the village level encourages private investment in this effort. More than 70 water access points have been created serving some 16,000 people, and more than 20,000 people have completed sanitation and hygiene education.

India: Located in northwest India, Rajasthan is the largest state in the country. During monsoon season, the Wakal Basin is full of water; however, during the dry season, residents suffer from water scarcity. In 2006, GLOWS launched a project to promote equal access to and sustainable use of water in the region. The GLOWS team collected data on groundwater quality and introduced improved rainwater harvesting techniques, then worked with communities to encourage collaboration and protect the region’s biodiversity.

Global Water for Sustainability (GLOWS): A consortium of international organizations led by FIU that is providing solutions to the global water crisis. With $84 million in USAID grants, a team of scientists and an environmental law expert at FIU lead the implementation of GLOWS projects around the world. Other members of the GLOWS consortium include CARE, WaterAid America, Winrock International, World Vision and the World Wildlife Fund.

Morroco: In 2009, GLOWS implemented a water access project in the El-Haouz region of Morocco to increase access to drinking water, improve hygiene practices and encourage collaboration among local authorities to govern water. In the agricultural Doukkala Province, GLOWS improved water use practices by small farmers to enhance livelihoods and ensure sustainability. The $350,000 project, completed in 2011, brought clean water to hundreds of children in local schools, provided more than 1,000 people with improved access to sustainable water and educated 3,000 people on best hygiene practices.

West Africa: Ghana, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso: This $28 million GLOWS project is increasing the number of people with access to safe water and sanitation and improving hygiene in four nations. Poor water quality is a major concern in all four countries, particularly Niger, Ghana and Burkina Faso, where access to sanitation is less than 15 percent. In Mali, less than half of the population has access to a toilet. GLOWS is introducing water and sanitation technology and promoting better hygiene at community level, while developing models that can be replicated in other parts of Africa.

Ecuador and Peru: The Pastaza River Basin begins in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador and ends at the Marañon River in Peru, which carries its waters into the Amazon. The lives of thousands of people are closely tied to the Pastaza River’s resources. In 2006, GLOWS established the regular collection of water data to be used by local authorities and formed local committees to participate in effective water management. The project also developed a fisheries management plan, advanced sound petroleum exploration management and promoted collaboration among native communities on both sides of the border.

Pan-Africa: Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Mozambique: This $500,000 GLOWS project targets Sub-Saharan African countries, where there are large, well-experienced regional, national and international organizations in the water delivery, sanitation and hygiene field, yet local organizations lack the necessary technical capacity to solve these challenges.

GLOWS seeks to bridge the knowledge gap with technical training and education so local organizations are able to develop sustainable, state-of-the art, locally tailored approaches to water delivery, sanitation and hygiene.

Rwanda: Focused on sustainable management of water quantity and quality, this $21.9 million project will improve nutrition for families, decrease health problems and increase productive time, which is being spent looking for water, largely from unprotected sources.

At the community level, GLOWS is implementing innovative technical activities to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable rural populations, while working to ensure the long-term benefits of these activities. At the district and national levels, GLOWS is working with Rwandan authorities on strategies to replicate successful projects elsewhere in the country.

Georgia: In the country of Georgia, where most of the population has access to potable water, the big issues are waste management and conservation. Many surface waters are severely polluted, forests are illegally logged and grasslands are overgrazed. Inappropriate irrigation and agricultural practices have degraded large areas of arable land through erosion and salinization of soils. The $6.5 million Georgia GLOWS program aims to promote the benefits of preserving the country’s abundant natural resources and to demonstrate the link between sustainable development and future economic growth.

Kenya and Tanzania Kenya and Tanzania share the resources – and challenges – of the Mara River Basin, home to Masai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit annually to witness the migration of millions of wildebeests. This yearly influx of tourists is just one of the many issues stressing the fragile balance of the area. The mission of the $6.3 million GLOWS project is multi-faceted: work with governmental authorities in Kenya, Tanzania and the Mara River Basin to preserve water flows; implement a program that improves river basin management practices; promote biodiversity conservation; and increase access to safe water and improved sanitation and promote better hygiene.

Tanzania: The Wami Ruvu Basin is water rich, but more than half the people in this southern Tanzanian region have no access to clean water.

The $15 million GLOWS program aims to supply clean, safe water for drinking and domestic use. GLOWS is working with local governments and NGOs to provide water, sanitation and hygiene services. Micro-lending at the village level encourages private investment in this effort. More than 70 water access points have been created serving some 16,000 people, and more than 20,000 people have completed sanitation and hygiene education.

India: Located in northwest India, Rajasthan is the largest state in the country. During monsoon season, the Wakal Basin is full of water; however, during the dry season, residents suffer from water scarcity. In 2006, GLOWS launched a project to promote equal access to and sustainable use of water in the region. The GLOWS team collected data on groundwater quality and introduced improved rainwater harvesting techniques, then worked with communities to encourage collaboration and protect the region’s biodiversity.

E

very year, tourists flock to the Mara River to witness what has been described as one of

research projects. Students have traveled to

resource management in an integrated,

migrate every year, GLOWS has been working

the greatest spectacles in the natural world — the great African animal migration.

the project sites around the world looking at

sustainable way,” says Donoso. “In many,

with the Lake Victoria Basin Commission,

basic water demand, precipitation and river

many cases we have found that you build an

an intergovernmental agency composed

flows, and the economics of water. GLOWS

area on one hand and deteriorate the quality

of states that lie along that body of water.

also provides support for a number of non-FIU

of the water on the other.”

Together, they are supporting governments in

Wildebeests, zebras and gazelles gather by the hundreds along the jewel-like river in Tanzania and move northward to Kenya. Thousands of people travel to Africa to watch

the animals’ journey, which is regularly cited as one of the top travel attractions in the world. Tourism is booming.

Take, for example, the Wami Ruvu basin

students in other countries.

That’s the good news — and the bad.

their efforts to establish policies that would

in Tanzania where the GLOWS projects

ensure the continued health of the rivers and

all of the minds can come together and

include exploring various ways to maximize

lakes. They completed an environmental assessment that detailed the minimum

“The University is a neutral place where present their information without weighing

the supply of clean safe water for basic

governmental upheaval and abject poverty

a holistic approach to integrated water

in on a particular interest,” Donoso adds.

needs and trying to create opportunities for

water flows required to sustain surrounding

economies, the visitors put additional strain

can be mitigated by one element—clean,

resource management.

“An additional benefit that FIU brings is

business ventures among local villagers so

ecosystems – to determine a harmonious

on the water supply of the Mara River, one

useable water. Which is not always easy

of the only perennial sources of water in

to obtain.

Along with the boost to the local

that region of East Africa. Water is a finite

More than two thirds of the planet’s

“The great thing about working in a

the science base and the

balance among the wildlife, the

consortium {like GLOWS} is that there’s

opportunities for collaborative

communities and the tourists. Those

a range of issues that we deal with —

projects. And it gives

resource. And just like some of the rare

surface is water but only 2.5 percent is fresh

particularly with water, there are so many

our students and faculty

species of animals that follow the water to

water. Of that fresh water, less than 1 percent

facets of life that it touches upon — and

the unique experience of

the north, water needs to be protected.

(.007) is accessible for human use. With the

in the consortium you have people with a

becoming involved in real-life

world’s population at 7 billion and climbing,

range of different expertise, both in terms

laboratories.”

clean water is definitely at a premium.

of topics and experiences. Bringing those

When there is a drought in South Florida, people are restricted on when they can

GLOWS pioneered an on-

GLOWS has teams working across the globe, with six projects in Ghana, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Mozambique and the country of Georgia.

these studies are translated into policies that are being adopted and derived into laws and regulations at the country level.

“This is major because it goes beyond what we can do as a project,”

water their lawns, fill their pools or use their

GLOWS was created in 2006 with

together creates a really rich fora in terms of

the-ground method of water

Donoso says. “When you translate

decorative water features. When there is a

funding from the United States Agency

identifying solutions and working together,”

management research that has

your awareness campaigns and

drought in other parts of the world, there

for International Development (USAID) to

says Mary Renwick, who leads the Water

led to a more targeted approach to individual

that clean water is a financial benefit, as well

elevate them to policy, it assures a higher

is famine, war, disease and damage to the

address the world’s growing water crisis.

Innovation Program at Winrock.

country’s questions and specific needs. Six

as necessity.

level of support from the governments of the

environment, to animals and to people.

With $84 million from USAID, GLOWS is

But “whether one is in a well-developed

GLOWS has teams working across the

years ago, this was a radical concept. “We, as

“Involving the private sector is critical for

countries. We hope that this means there

now one of the university’s largest federally

globe, with six projects in Ghana, Mali, Niger,

FIU, a research institution, became engaged

long-term success and for a sustainable

will be a continuation of our efforts beyond a

society or in a small community without

funded programs and has established FIU as

Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burkina Faso,

with community partners, who communicated

supply of services and goods,” says Vivianne

project’s timeline.”

services, water is still a major need for

an international authority on integrated water

Mozambique and the country of Georgia

to us what the most critical questions

Abbott, director of the Integrated Water

survival,” says Maria Donoso, director

resources management. Based in the School

in the South Caucasus region of Europe.

were. Suddenly, our research wasn’t purely

Sanitation and Hygiene Program in Tanzania.

through GLOWS places FIU as one of the

of FIU’s Global Water for Sustainability

of Environment, Arts and Society on FIU’s

Three projects have been completed in

curiosity-driven or directed by what we were

Abbott notes that GLOWS has helped foster

top water research universities in the country,

(GLOWS) program. And in the long run, the

Biscayne Bay Campus, GLOWS is operated

India, Morocco, Peru and Ecuador. GLOWS

reading,” explains Professor Michael McClain,

27 new village micro-savings and micro-

with funded projects in freshwater issues

threats to people’s health, livelihood and

by a small staff of four, including director

program activities include developing and

an environmental scientist and founding

financing programs that are serving more than

ranging from water supply, sanitation, wetland

natural environment are the same.

Donoso and program executive officers Ryan

applying new techniques to “harvest water,”

director of GLOWS.

25,000 people in the area.

ecosystems, multiple water use systems

Stoa, an environmental lawyer at the College

including building wells and sanitizing

or endanger it, will come back to haunt you,”

of Law, Lanakila McMahn, a sanitation and

existing water supplies; health and hygiene

agencies realized they had a partner that was

enough motivation to change habits, Donoso

Donoso says.

water supply expert at the Robert Stempel

training and education, waste management

generating knowledge at a level and quality

points out. Concepts must be translated into

School of Public Health, and Alberto

and agricultural techniques. In countries

that had not been available before. So that

laws and policies to ensure adherence. And

knowledge to improve development in the

Tejada and Elizabeth Anderson, an urban

such as Georgia, where water is abundant,

process began and has expanded to many

that is another way that GLOWS is making its

world,” says McClain. “That’s what it boils

hydrologist and an ecologist, respectively, in

GLOWS is working with local officials to

other areas of the world. And FIU students

mark on the world.

down to.” n

the College of Arts and Sciences. GLOWS

protect the existing water supply and to

and researchers are critical components of

partners with CARE, WaterAid America,

demonstrate the benefits of sustainable

this approach.”

“There is a circle of nature that if you break

War, gender inequality, disease, pollution, deforestation, animal extinction, politics,

Winrock International, World Wildlife Fund and World Vision U.S., to provide

29 | FALL 2012

development and preserving the environment.

Over the years, nine FIU students have developed theses on GLOWS-related

“On the other side, the development

As the program grew, its work began

But the potential for profit is not always

Continuing leadership and innovation

to water resources management and public policy.

“GLOWS is really focused on generating

In the Mara River Basin where Africa’s wild animals

evolving. “GLOWS is trying to pursue and promote at all levels the importance of water

FALL 2012 | 30

FALL 2012 | 25

E

very year, tourists flock to the Mara River to witness what has been described as one of

research projects. Students have traveled to

resource management in an integrated,

migrate every year, GLOWS has been working

the greatest spectacles in the natural world — the great African animal migration.

the project sites around the world looking at

sustainable way,” says Donoso. “In many,

with the Lake Victoria Basin Commission,

basic water demand, precipitation and river

many cases we have found that you build an

an intergovernmental agency composed

flows, and the economics of water. GLOWS

area on one hand and deteriorate the quality

of states that lie along that body of water.

also provides support for a number of non-FIU

of the water on the other.”

Together, they are supporting governments in

Wildebeests, zebras and gazelles gather by the hundreds along the jewel-like river in Tanzania and move northward to Kenya. Thousands of people travel to Africa to watch

the animals’ journey, which is regularly cited as one of the top travel attractions in the world. Tourism is booming.

Take, for example, the Wami Ruvu basin

students in other countries.

That’s the good news — and the bad.

their efforts to establish policies that would

in Tanzania where the GLOWS projects

ensure the continued health of the rivers and

all of the minds can come together and

include exploring various ways to maximize

lakes. They completed an environmental assessment that detailed the minimum

“The University is a neutral place where present their information without weighing

the supply of clean safe water for basic

governmental upheaval and abject poverty

a holistic approach to integrated water

in on a particular interest,” Donoso adds.

needs and trying to create opportunities for

water flows required to sustain surrounding

economies, the visitors put additional strain

can be mitigated by one element—clean,

resource management.

“An additional benefit that FIU brings is

business ventures among local villagers so

ecosystems – to determine a harmonious

on the water supply of the Mara River, one

useable water. Which is not always easy

of the only perennial sources of water in

to obtain.

Along with the boost to the local

that region of East Africa. Water is a finite

More than two thirds of the planet’s

“The great thing about working in a

the science base and the

balance among the wildlife, the

consortium {like GLOWS} is that there’s

opportunities for collaborative

communities and the tourists. Those

a range of issues that we deal with —

projects. And it gives

resource. And just like some of the rare

surface is water but only 2.5 percent is fresh

particularly with water, there are so many

our students and faculty

species of animals that follow the water to

water. Of that fresh water, less than 1 percent

facets of life that it touches upon — and

the unique experience of

the north, water needs to be protected.

(.007) is accessible for human use. With the

in the consortium you have people with a

becoming involved in real-life

world’s population at 7 billion and climbing,

range of different expertise, both in terms

laboratories.”

clean water is definitely at a premium.

of topics and experiences. Bringing those

When there is a drought in South Florida, people are restricted on when they can

GLOWS pioneered an on-

GLOWS has teams working across the globe, with six projects in Ghana, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Mozambique and the country of Georgia.

these studies are translated into policies that are being adopted and derived into laws and regulations at the country level.

“This is major because it goes beyond what we can do as a project,”

water their lawns, fill their pools or use their

GLOWS was created in 2006 with

together creates a really rich fora in terms of

the-ground method of water

Donoso says. “When you translate

decorative water features. When there is a

funding from the United States Agency

identifying solutions and working together,”

management research that has

your awareness campaigns and

drought in other parts of the world, there

for International Development (USAID) to

says Mary Renwick, who leads the Water

led to a more targeted approach to individual

that clean water is a financial benefit, as well

elevate them to policy, it assures a higher

is famine, war, disease and damage to the

address the world’s growing water crisis.

Innovation Program at Winrock.

country’s questions and specific needs. Six

as necessity.

level of support from the governments of the

environment, to animals and to people.

With $84 million from USAID, GLOWS is

But “whether one is in a well-developed

GLOWS has teams working across the

years ago, this was a radical concept. “We, as

“Involving the private sector is critical for

countries. We hope that this means there

now one of the university’s largest federally

globe, with six projects in Ghana, Mali, Niger,

FIU, a research institution, became engaged

long-term success and for a sustainable

will be a continuation of our efforts beyond a

society or in a small community without

funded programs and has established FIU as

Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burkina Faso,

with community partners, who communicated

supply of services and goods,” says Vivianne

project’s timeline.”

services, water is still a major need for

an international authority on integrated water

Mozambique and the country of Georgia

to us what the most critical questions

Abbott, director of the Integrated Water

survival,” says Maria Donoso, director

resources management. Based in the School

in the South Caucasus region of Europe.

were. Suddenly, our research wasn’t purely

Sanitation and Hygiene Program in Tanzania.

through GLOWS places FIU as one of the

of FIU’s Global Water for Sustainability

of Environment, Arts and Society on FIU’s

Three projects have been completed in

curiosity-driven or directed by what we were

Abbott notes that GLOWS has helped foster

top water research universities in the country,

(GLOWS) program. And in the long run, the

Biscayne Bay Campus, GLOWS is operated

India, Morocco, Peru and Ecuador. GLOWS

reading,” explains Professor Michael McClain,

27 new village micro-savings and micro-

with funded projects in freshwater issues

threats to people’s health, livelihood and

by a small staff of four, including director

program activities include developing and

an environmental scientist and founding

financing programs that are serving more than

ranging from water supply, sanitation, wetland

natural environment are the same.

Donoso and program executive officers Ryan

applying new techniques to “harvest water,”

director of GLOWS.

25,000 people in the area.

ecosystems, multiple water use systems

Stoa, an environmental lawyer at the College

including building wells and sanitizing

or endanger it, will come back to haunt you,”

of Law, Lanakila McMahn, a sanitation and

existing water supplies; health and hygiene

agencies realized they had a partner that was

enough motivation to change habits, Donoso

Donoso says.

water supply expert at the Robert Stempel

training and education, waste management

generating knowledge at a level and quality

points out. Concepts must be translated into

School of Public Health, and Alberto

and agricultural techniques. In countries

that had not been available before. So that

laws and policies to ensure adherence. And

knowledge to improve development in the

Tejada and Elizabeth Anderson, an urban

such as Georgia, where water is abundant,

process began and has expanded to many

that is another way that GLOWS is making its

world,” says McClain. “That’s what it boils

hydrologist and an ecologist, respectively, in

GLOWS is working with local officials to

other areas of the world. And FIU students

mark on the world.

down to.” n

the College of Arts and Sciences. GLOWS

protect the existing water supply and to

and researchers are critical components of

partners with CARE, WaterAid America,

demonstrate the benefits of sustainable

this approach.”

“There is a circle of nature that if you break

War, gender inequality, disease, pollution, deforestation, animal extinction, politics,

Winrock International, World Wildlife Fund and World Vision U.S., to provide

29 | FALL 2012

development and preserving the environment.

Over the years, nine FIU students have developed theses on GLOWS-related

“On the other side, the development

As the program grew, its work began

But the potential for profit is not always

Continuing leadership and innovation

to water resources management and public policy.

“GLOWS is really focused on generating

In the Mara River Basin where Africa’s wild animals

evolving. “GLOWS is trying to pursue and promote at all levels the importance of water

FALL 2012 | 30

FALL 2012 | 25

THE 2012

TORCH Awards

Laurinda Hope Spear FAIA, ASLA, MS ’06 Founding Principal, Arquitectonica College of Architecture + The Arts Salim Nasser ’04 MSME ’06 Lead Analyst, NASA College of Engineering and Computing

32 | FALL 2012

Gabriel Gabor ’88 Public Relations Consultant, Major League Soccer School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Les Standiford Director of Creative Writing, Department of English College of Arts & Sciences Outstanding Faculty Award

Anthony M. Leone ’91 President and Founder, Energy Kitchen Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Marisel Losa MHSA ’03 President and CEO, Health Council of South Florida Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work

FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg Bill Draughon Associate Vice President, FIU Advancement Honorary Alumni Recognition Arlene & Paul Felsberg Accepting for their son, the late U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Paul Michael Felsberg ’03, FIU Athletics

Nicole Ruggiano Assistant Professor Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work John A. Hartford Foundation Faculty Scholar

MY DECISION

social worker in a disadvantaged community in North Philadelphia. It frustrated me that once students left my office they were going back into the same environment. I decided to work with policy and advocate for people by making systems-level change. My research now looks at how older adults with chronic illness and disabilities are involved with planning and decision-making about their health.

How I got to this point has to do with the separation of aging and disability.

There are millions of people living with chronic health conditions and Early on, I worked as a school

disabilities, but society treats them differently based on whether they are over or under 60. It’s about social justice. If you have a

younger person with

goal is to get that person into a job, into society with recreational activities and education. If someone is older, we are just

a disability, the practitioner’s

basically trying to keep them out of a nursing home. They are not given a lot of

choices about what kind of care or services they receive. Something needs to be done because baby boomers will not be content with the current state of health and support services for older adults with chronic illness and disease. They are going to want more control, more decision-making.

I want to create an intervention that facilitates older adults’ decisionmaking and helps them have a bigger role in care planning. We need to put the values and beliefs of older adults in the forefront of their care.

Be WorldsAhead FALL 2012 | 35

#54 Rupert Bryan Jr.

36 | FALL 2012

#39 Sam Miller #7 Johnathan Cyprien

WE BUILT THIS CAGE 10 years of FIU football

By Pete Pelegrin ’96 | Photo by Josh Ritchie

#27 Jose Cheeseborough #9 Kedrick Rhodes

FALL 2012 | 37

IU football opens the home

football has come. In the span of one decade,

schedule of its 10th anniversary

fans witnessed:

season on Sept. 8 against Akron at

• A sparkling inaugural game – a 27-3 defeat

a newly enclosed FIU Stadium. The

of St. Peter’s in front of a sold-out crowd at

F

upgrade completed over the summer marks a major development for FIU fans, putting

old FIU Stadium • The Panthers’ leap from Division I-AA

the Cage at 20,000-plus seats. Coming off

Independent to Division I and the

its second consecutive bowl appearance,

Sun Belt Conference and, eventually,

FIU aspires to continue its rise to the upper

Conference USA

echelon of college football in 2012 with its

• A change in head coaches

highest-rated signing class and the largest

• Four players drafted into the NFL: T.Y.

senior class in the team’s history.

The Panthers return 10 of 11 starters from the No. 14 scoring defense in the nation. Record-breaking running back

Hilton in 2012, Anthony Gaitor in 2011, and Antwan Barnes and Chandler Williams in 2007 • FIU closing the doors on the venerable

Kedrick Rhodes aims at another 1,000-plus

Orange Bowl with a resounding win over

rushing yards season for the FIU offense

North Texas and ending the then-nation’s

behind the senior-laden offensive line led

longest losing streak at 23 games

by Rupert Bryan. All-Sun Belt Conference

• The dazzling career of the electric Hilton,

senior defenders Johnathan Cyprien and

selected in April by the Indianapolis Colts

Tourek Williams anchor the tenacious

in the third round of the NFL Draft

Panthers defense. Defensive backs Jose Cheeseborough and Sam Miller lead

• The program’s first conference championship in 2010 • Two bowl appearances: against Toledo in

the secondary.

This will also be FIU’s last season in the

the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl and versus

Sun Belt Conference. Starting in 2013,

Marshall at the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl

FIU will be part of Conference USA. The

With the continuous infusion of talented

move will introduce FIU football to a new

players, a relentless coaching staff, an

audience, opening new bowl opportunities

improved FIU Stadium and the promise of a

and expanding FIU’s reach to markets like

new conference, fans eagerly await the new

Houston, New Orleans and Charlotte.

season. However, before the new season

The 2012 season provides an interesting

begins, it’s time to look at the first 10 years of

point in the history of FIU football to reminisce

FIU football, as well as the building years that

and peek into the future. The 10th anniversary

made the inaugural 2002 season possible.

First FIU Football Head Coach Don Strock

40 | FALL 2012

First FIU Football signee David Tabor

The early years The beginning of FIU football came to light in the blue sky above the Orange Bowl Oct. 10, 1998. As Florida State and Miami battled it out on the field below, a plane above trailed a banner reading: “FIU Football…

Still Undefeated.”

A year earlier, then-FIU President Modesto A. Maidique appointed a task force to investigate the possibility of FIU football.

In the days following the plane’s flight, former FIU Alumni Director Eddie Hondal ’88, MS ’00, said FIU got the response it had hoped for: “We got a ton of calls from alumni excited about how they could help create the football program.” T-shirts were printed with the catchy slogan, “FIU Football…Still Undefeated” and handed out around campus.

And so it began.

2000: The First Coach

In September 1999, FIU hired former Miami Dolphins quarterback Don Strock as its director of football operations. The university and Strock consulted with Miami Dolphins coaching legend Don Shula and community leaders about how best to establish the new program.

More than eight months later, on May 17, 2000, the Florida Board of Regents approved the establishment of Division I-AA football

2005

First FIU starting quaterback Jamie Burke

2002

1998

is an opportunity to look back on how far FIU

1998

FIU sails to a 27-3 victory in its historic inaugural game.

First FIU NFL draft pick Antwan Barnes in Baltimore uniform

“We put some of it as carpeting in our dorm

at FIU, to begin competition in 2002. FIU

built, the team practiced the entire 2001

football was a reality.

season on the university’s intramural field.

rooms,” recalled former defensive back

They wouldn’t face an opponent for another

Kevin Timothee ’07, who went on to become

year, but the players didn’t care.

the first FIU player to sign with an NFL team –

“For years I attended chamber of commerce meetings, board of directors Relive historic football moments

“We would stretch and there were ant

the Tennessee Titans in 2005. “Late at night,

events and university

piles everywhere and lines wouldn’t be

we would sit at the stadium and envision

functions, and more than any

straight,” recalled former FIU defensive back

making plays. It’s something that we dreamed

other question, I was asked, ‘When will we be

James Knapp ’05, MS ’08. “But it’s funny.

about. We really loved being part of an

able to cheer for an FIU football program?’”

We didn’t complain because we were happy

inaugural college football team.”

Maidique said. “I was very happy when I was

to just play football.”

finally able to answer that question with an actual date.”

FIU had 24 months to field a team and hire a head coach.

Immediately after the Board of Regents gave the green light to FIU, Strock left the Gainesville meeting, changed into coach’s

On that late August night in 2002, FIU

“It was the hardest year coaching you

Stadium was alive with the sights and sounds

could possibly have,” Strock said. “There

of a sold-out crowd wearing blue and gold.

were no real rewards for the team. So we

Former Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino was

tried to do things to lighten it up, like if a

in attendance. Fireworks lit up the night sky.

kicker made a certain amount of field goals there would be no gassers.”

In front of a statewide television audience, FIU prevailed, 27-3, in impressive fashion.

That year, FIU signed its first highly touted

FIU Football (1-0)…Still Undefeated.

garb in a McDonald’s bathroom and traveled

recruit, Sarasota quarterback Jamie Burke,

to Kissimmee to see FIU’s first recruit

who chose FIU over Florida, when former

passes that season (14) by a freshman in

and eventual first signee: Poinciana High

Gators coach Steve Spurrier left to coach the

Division I-AA, recorded the first touchdown

quarterback David Tabor ’05, MS ’07.

Washington Redskins.

in program history with a 5-yard scoring pass to running back Jerrid Lundstedt midway

Strock was named FIU’s first head coach Sept. 13, 2000. He and assistant coaches Bruce Hardy and Carmen Grosso spent the next two years sharing an office with one telephone and one computer, building a program from the ground up.

Nearly one year later – Aug. 27, 2001 –

Burke, who threw the most touchdown

2002:

through the first quarter.

“It was an electric and historic night,” said

The Inaugural Game

Roberto Valcarce ’89, an alumnus and FIU

In October 2001, FIU announced its

sports fan for more than 25 years. “I mean,

schedule. The inaugural game would be

how many people can actually say they

played Aug. 29, 2002, at home against St.

literally saw the program’s birth? I was there.”

Strock led FIU’s first football practice. “That

Peter’s. The university was busy getting FIU

first year, anybody that called and we knew

Stadium ready, installing 10,000 temporary

final game was a 31-21 loss to Florida Atlantic

played high school ball, we got them,” Strock

end-zone bleachers and laying down new

in the first annual Don Shula Bowl.

said. “It was quite a group.”

AstroPlay field turf. Some players asked for

With the on-campus football facilities being

scrap pieces of the turf.

The team would finish the season 5-6. FIU’s

The Panthers went a combined 5-17 the next two seasons.

2008

Continues

Record-breaking receiver T.Y. Hilton FIU’s all-time leading tackler Scott Bryant

2007

FIU defeats North Texas in the last game played in the Orange Bowl.

Head Coach Mario Cristobal would earn Sun Belt Coach of the Year within three years of arriving at FIU. FALL 2012 | 41

against cross-town rival UM. The tense game

2005:

unraveled when UM took a 14-0 lead midway

Move to Division I-A FIU and rival FAU joined Division I-A in 2005. Already competing in the Sun Belt Conference in other sports, both football teams joined the SBC. The Panthers got off to a slow start that season with a 2-6 mark. The team achieved its first Division I-A victory at ULM on Nov. 5 with a 31-29 triumph. The team finished the season strong, matching its best season record of 5-6.

Entering the fifth season of FIU football in 2006, many thought the Panthers would contend for the SBC title. FIU had an experienced offense and a speedy defense led by Antwan Barnes. The future Baltimore Ravens and current San Diego Chargers defender would finish the 2006 season leading the nation in tackles for loss.

Said Paul McCall ’08, MS ’10, the backup quarterback that season, “The expectations were very high considering the progress that had been made the year before.”

Success proved elusive. The Panthers lost the first four games of the season by a total of 11 points. The team fell to 0-6 after a seven-overtime, 25-22 loss to North Texas.

Pete Garcia, a former executive with the Cleveland Browns, was hired a week later as FIU’s new athletic director. He joined

It wasn’t just the facilities that needed

through the third quarter. After an extra point

building. Losses of 59-0 to Penn State, 55-3

attempt, emotions boiled over. Both teams’

to Kansas and 47-6 to Middle Tennessee

benches emptied onto the field before order

showed the program needed to be built as

was restored.

well. FIU went into the final game of the 2007

In the aftermath of the brawl with UM, FIU

season riding the country’s longest losing

suspended 18 players indefinitely, including

streak of 23 games. It was to be the final

11 starters. The team could not recover from

college football game played in the historic

its 0-7 start and the suspensions. In early

Orange Bowl, which would eventually be

November, Strock resigned. He coached the

demolished to make room for the Miami

final four games of the season as FIU finished

Marlins’ new ballpark.

0-12.

The season finale against North Texas was magical. The Panthers manhandled the

2007:

Cristobal Era Begins Renewed hope came with the hiring of

Mean Green, 38-19, snapping the lengthy losing streak and sending the Orange Bowl out in style.

“That night was special for many different

Mario Cristobal as head coach. A tireless

reasons,” said McCall, who threw three

recruiter with a keen eye for talent, the former

touchdowns in the game. “The fact we

UM assistant coach brought a relentless work

snapped a two-year losing streak meant a lot

ethic to FIU. For Garcia, the decision to hire

to our program. The venue being the Orange

the young coach was an easy one.

Bowl and being the last collegiate game

“Knowing that I was getting a coach that

played there makes it all the more memorable.

knows football and was regarded as one of

I still remember the celebration after the game

the best recruiters in the country and was

– it was as if we had won a championship.”

familiar with the area was actually an easy decision,” he said.

Cristobal’s first season at the helm of FIU football was challenging. The Panthers lost their first 11 games. FIU played its

2008:

T.Y. Hilton becomes a Panther The FIU record books would be rewritten

home games in the Orange Bowl because

the following season with the arrival of highly

FIU Stadium was being rebuilt along with

touted freshman receiver T.Y. Hilton.

construction of a field house that included a

That season, FIU Stadium opened with

2010

FIU Athletics the week before FIU faced off

weight room worthy of a Division I-A program.

FIU’s all-time rushing touchdown leader Darriet Perry 42 | FALL 2012

2010 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl Champions

Jack Griffin gets a ride after kicking the game-winning field goal at the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.

a seating capacity of nearly 20,000 and

victory over Arkansas State, FIU was 4-5 and

Trophy candidate, quarterback Jarrod

the two-story R. Kirk Landon Fieldhouse,

in position to become bowl-eligible for the

Johnson, sacking him six times and forcing

complete with a weight training center for all

first time in program history.

four interceptions. A&M rallied in the fourth

FIU athletes, coaches’ offices, meeting rooms, new locker rooms and a stadium club. The

A loss to ULM the following week dropped

quarter, winning 27-20.

The road to the team’s first conference

FIU to 4-6, but the team was still within reach

2008 team embraced the renewed enthusiasm

of the necessary six wins when it ventured

championship and first bowl game began

for FIU football, tying the program’s season

to Dolphin Stadium to take on FAU in the

two weeks later with the first win of the

record for most wins.

Don Shula Bowl. What ensued was a classic

season – a thrilling 28-21 triumph over WKU

– a 57-50 FAU overtime win that saw the

at FIU Stadium.

After signing his letter of intent with FIU, Hilton told Cristobal that he would score a

teams combine for more than 1,000 yards

touchdown the first time he touched the ball.

of offense, had several lead changes and

Sure enough, the first time he touched the

ultimately knocked FIU from bowl contention.

ball in competition – against Kansas – Hilton returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown.

FIU finished the season 5-7; Hilton became the program’s first Freshman All-

“It was just a feeling I had,” Hilton said of his signing-day promise. “When I reached the end zone, it hit me. I thought, ‘I just did what I said I was going to do.’”

American; and the Sporting News named Cristobal Coach of the Year.

In 2009, the Panthers were hit with a rash of injuries, and they still lacked quality

Hilton went on to set FIU single-season

depth. The team struggled to a 3-9 mark. The

records for receiving yards (1,013), average

highlight of the season came in a sweltering

yards per reception (24.7) and all-purpose

Halloween noon game against Louisiana. In

yards (2,162).

overtime, FIU got a field goal from Dustin

After a stinging defeat to FAU dropped FIU to 2-5 on the season, the Panthers dug deep. Hilton scored four touchdowns in three different ways (kick return, receiving and rushing) and made a game-saving tackle to spark a 42-35 double overtime win over ULM. Hilton and Darriet Perry scored rushing touchdowns in overtime to lead FIU to victory.

The season-defining victory came the following week when the Panthers beat perennial Sun Belt champion Troy for the first time. En route to their 52-35 thrashing of the Trojans, FIU racked up a program-record 448 rushing yards and a program-record 668 total

Rivest, stellar defensive play by linebacker

yards of offense. Three FIU rushers – Perry,

Anthony Gaitor ’11 was another highly

Tyler Clawson ’09 and a field goal block

Hilton and Darian Mallary – each tallied more

regarded recruit signed by Cristobal.

by precocious freshman defensive end

than 100 yards rushing. The victory was so

Tourek Williams to seal the 20-17 victory.

physical, and so dominating, that Troy’s best

Miami Northwestern High defensive back

“I would call these guys hybrids,” former FIU linebacker Scott Bryant said of his new teammates at the time, “because they can do a little bit of everything.”

2010:

The First Bowl Game

With a tough, non-conference schedule to start, FIU began the 2008 season 0-3 but

The Panthers began their 2010 season 0-4,

receiver Jerrel Jernigan said, “FIU came in here and point blank kicked our asses.”

An easy win over Louisiana the following week set up a potential Sun Belt Conference championship-clinching game versus Arkansas State at FIU Stadium. The Panthers had only

Division I non-conference win – a 35-16

FIU raced to a 20-6 lead at national power

one win all-time against the Red Wolves, back

triumph at Toledo. After a 22-21 nail-biting

Texas A&M and throttled then-Heisman

in 2008. The 2010 game would be close.

2011

2012

picked up steam with the program’s first

and one of the losses was particularly tough.

Continues

President Mark B. Rosenberg announces FIU’s move from the Sun Belt Conference to Conference USA.

Isame Faciane returns a fumble for a touchdown in the 17-10 win over UCF. Two-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection Tourek Williams

FALL 2012 | 43

Tied at 24-24 with less than two minutes to play and the Panthers inside Red Wolves territory, Hilton caught a short pass from

a touchdown.”

Eighty-nine yards later, Hilton scored, narrowing the Rockets’ lead to 24-14. The FIU

touchdown. Hilton dazzled with 201 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

The following week the Panthers stuffed

quarterback Wesley Carroll ’11. FIU receiver

defense stepped up, with safety Kreg Brown

cross-state rival Central Florida in front of a

Wayne Times delivered a crushing block

intercepting two passes. Pizza Bowl Defensive

sold-out FIU Stadium. Again the FIU defense

to give Hilton just enough room to go 42

MVP Jarvis Wilson recorded two sacks.

recorded six sacks and defensive lineman

yards for the game-winning, conference

The teams traded leads. FIU faced 4th and

championship-clinching touchdown. FIU

17 from its own 41 with a little more than 30

won 31-24 and walked off the field Sun Belt

seconds left. They were down, 32-31. That’s

Conference champions.

when “The Motor City Miracle” happened.

The historic conference title assured that

Carroll connected with Jacob Younger on a

FIU would play in a bowl game for the first

9-yard pass, Hilton trailed Younger on the play.

time in program history.

Younger flipped the ball to Hilton, who tiptoed

FIU received a bid to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl against Toledo. The game was the day after Christmas in snowy Detroit, but

eight yards down the sideline, picking up the first down and keeping FIU’s hopes alive.

Three plays later, with 4 seconds left on the

nobody was complaining. Why would they?

clock, Jack Griffin split the uprights with a

It was an indoor game at Ford Field, and

34-yard field goal to give FIU a 34-32 victory

FIU would be playing in front of a worldwide

and its first bowl championship.

ESPN audience. It was the only televised football game that night.

The first bowl game did not start as FIU envisioned. The Panthers trailed the Rockets, 24-7, in the third quarter. Team captains

2011:

Record-winning season FIU got off to a rousing start in 2011,

Isame Faciane returned a fumble 51 yards for a touchdown in the 17-10 triumph.

For the second consecutive season FIU became bowl-eligible. The Panthers achieved the feat after thrashing FAU 41-7 in Don Shula Bowl X, taking back the coveted Don Shula Trophy after it resided in Boca Raton the past five years.

In his final home game as a Panther, Hilton gave those in attendance another moment to remember. Pinned back on the FIU 3-yard line, Hilton caught a punt and sprinted 97 yards for a touchdown, giving the team a 31-0 lead it would not relinquish.

Two weeks later, FIU achieved another milestone in its young program. By defeating Middle Tennessee, 31-18, the Panthers recorded their eighth win of the regular season – the most wins ever in a regular

Hilton and linebacker Toronto Smith ’11 were

winning its first three games. Among those

season in the history of the program. Less

tired of the sloppy, tentative play.

contests was a landmark 24-17 victory against

than a month later, the Panthers would be in

Louisville before a worldwide ESPN audience.

their second bowl game against Marshall at

make a play. Hilton challenged Smith and the

It was FIU’s first victory against a BCS

the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl in St. Petersburg. n

FIU defense to stop Toledo. Before lining up

opponent. FIU’s defense sacked Cardinals

for a kickoff return in the third quarter, Hilton

quarterback Will Stein six times and linebacker

A version of this story first appeared in the Sun

told Smith, “Watch me return this kickoff for

Winston Fraser returned an interception for a

Belt Conference Football 10th Anniversary book.

On the sideline, Smith challenged Hilton to

Tailgate with the Alumni Association Sept. 8 – Akron Sept. 22 – Louisville Oct. 4 – Arkansas State Oct. 13 – Middle Tennessee,

Homecoming game

Oct. 27 – Western Kentucky

The FIU Panther Pit Tailgate Village is fun for the whole family with games, giveaways, food and drinks, appearances by Roary, the Dazzlers and the marching band. This year, the Alumni Association will take the Panther Pit on the road for three away games, so you’ll find a home on rival territory. All FIU Alumni Association Panther Pit Tailgates start two hours before kickoff. The Panther Pit Tailgate at FIU is located in Lot 6 adjacent to FIU Stadium.

44 | FALL 2012

Nov. 24 – Louisiana Monroe AWAY TAILGATES Sept. 1 – Duke University, Durham, N.C. Sept. 15 – UCF, Orlando Nov. 16 – FAU, Boca Raton

PANTHERMONIUM CONCERT Sunday, October 7

SHOWS

Panther Prowl Panthers Got Talent Panhellenic Council Step Show

REUNIONS

Silver Pride Black Alumni Chapter Golden – Golden Panthers (Retirees)

HOMECOMING DAY SATURDAY, OCT. 13 Parent and Family Day Parade Food Truck Rally Panther Pit Tailgate Village FIU v. Middle Tennessee

COME HOME AND RELIVE FIU’S STUDENT TRADITIONS!

Spin the Cube for good luck.

44 | FALL 2012

Visit the GC Pit

Kiss on the Bridge

Go around the Seal

Sing “Olé! Olé! Olé!”

to find out what’s hot and happening on campus.

to stay together forever.

to graduate on time.

(You never know when you’ll be back for grad school.)

in the FIU Stadium so the Panthers win.

Photo by Roldan Torres ’85

ALUMNI LEADERS USHER IN A NEW ERA FIU Alumni Association President Gonzalo Acevedo ’91, MBA ’10, left, and Executive Director Duane Wiles The FIU Alumni Association welcomed a new president and a new executive director this summer, marking the start of the next era of alumni engagement.

President Gonzalo Acevedo ’91, MBA ’10, will lead the university’s 30-member volunteer alumni board. The Alumni Association’s 29th president is the managing senior vice president/director of the Private Client Group at City National Bank.

Executive Director Duane Wiles served as associate executive director of the Alumni Association from 2006 to 2011. In his latest role, he is now the associate vice president of Alumni Relations, leading the university’s professional alumni office.

Wiles was selected for the position following a national search. Former Executive Director Bill Draughon, who led the association for eight years, now heads fundraising for the FIU Alumni Center in University Advancement.

FIU Magazine Editor Deborah O’Neil MA ’09 sat down with Acevedo and Wiles at the Alumni Association Annual Meeting in May to talk about the future.

48 | FALL 2012

How are we doing in terms of building our

that are supporting the priorities of the

alumni base?

institution. We want to create a network of 1,000

Acevedo: When I became president, I asked

volunteers to help us recruit new students.

Duane to take me back to 1991, because that’s

Secondly, we are asking alumni to support the

when I graduated. That gives us 20 years of

brand of the institution. Wear FIU gear wherever

growth. In 1991, the Alumni Association had 501

you are. We are also going to launch our own

members. Fast-forward to 2001 and we had 800

online store so it’s easier for alumni to go

members. Not spectacular growth. The numbers

online and shop. We also want alumni involved

for 2011 are 19,800. You’re talking about 2,400

with legislative advocacy. I want to make sure

percent growth and that speaks to what’s been

Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., hear our

done in the last 10 years and what we can do

voices.

going forward.

Gonzalo, what brought you back to FIU? Is there a target for what our membership should be?

Acevedo: Early on, I didn’t come back to FIU. I didn’t have a reason. I just wanted to get to work

Wiles: I’d like to kick off a campaign called

and make some money. But there was certainly

Drive for 25. Over the next five years, I’d feel very

something going on at FIU. When I finally came

good with 25,000-30,000 dues-paying members.

back because my professors brought me back,

Acevedo: In the next 10 years, we are going

my degree had been raised in value. There were

to graduate 100,000 students. You can quickly

more buildings, more students. The university

come up to 30,000 to 40,000.

was more robust in its programs. It was more

Wiles: We are just now beginning to expand

ingrained in the community.

the network outside South Florida. In the next five years, I’d like to see 30 active alumni networks across the country and internationally

Your professors brought you back?

Acevedo: I had the good fortune of being

in a terrific program – political science – with

Wiles: We just launched the Alumni-to-Alumni

better or political science getting better, but the entire university getting better.

professors John Stack and Nicol Rae and

Career Mentoring Network. These alumni are

Eduardo Gamarra. When I graduated, I remember

volunteering to provide career advice to another

picking up the diploma and getting a slap on the

graduate who may be in transition from one job

back. It was one of my economics professors

to the next or looking to advance in their current

telling me, ‘Go get ’em!’ Years later, I became

position. In our initial launch we have 80 mentors

we face relates to social media. It can be a

a vice president with Bank of America and it hit

and 85 mentees ready to get involved.

huge plus, but it’s a challenge to compete for

What’s the biggest challenge?

Wiles: One of the biggest challenges that

attention. Another big challenge is identifying

the paper. I received a call from FIU’s University Advancement Office and they said, ‘We want

You are a banker, Gonzalo, so what is the

revenue sources to support our programs. We

you to come back. Your professors are very

return on investment for an alumnus to give

are talking about exponential growth. So, that’s

proud of you.’ They brought me back and I

back to FIU?

a huge financial impact.

Acevedo: It’s a better community. It is

haven’t left since.

Acevedo: Right, how do you serve an

building that network. I work for a bank that

additional 20,000 people? You have to have the

That’s a great story and it raises an important

has been in the community for 60 years. The

resources, the people and the technology. That

question. How can the university leverage the

president of the bank who reached out to me

has to be part of the strategy. There are a lot of

affinity alumni feel for their faculty mentors?

and offered me the position I am in right now

people who want to give back to FIU.

graduated from FIU. I found out after taking the

Wiles: It’s treasure, talent and time. If the

alumni member they ask, ‘Is

job that President Rosenberg was on the board

treasure is there, you give that. If you have the

professor so-and-so still here?’

of directors. That FIU network is there, and it

talent, give that. If you have the time, give that.

Part of our plan is to reach out

is growing.

Wiles: Every time I meet an

Hear a message from the Executive Director

to the faculty so they are part

Wiles: It comes full circle. The more alumni

How does the alumni center fit into the future plans?

of Silver Pride, our 25-year reunion. We are also

get involved, the stronger the institution

going to establish a lifelong learning program

becomes. The stronger the institution gets,

for alumni. We want to do a one-day experience

the higher value that brings to your degree.

breaking ground. But we have to do a better

where we bring alumni back to campus and put

That elevates you when you come up for a job

job of engaging the alumni base and getting

them in a classroom with our renowned and

promotion or you are looking to change careers

them excited about it. Alumni have to see the

excellent faculty. The other way we are going

or start your own business.

possibility of an alumni center so they support

Wiles: In the next five years I’d like to be

the effort. I talk to some graduates and they say,

to engage faculty and staff is through our travel program. If we are going to wine country,

Duane, what do you most want to

‘When I come back to campus, I get lost. I don’t

then we’ll involve someone like Professor

accomplish as executive director?

really know where to go.’ Having a place where

Chip Cassidy.

Duane: Ultimately, I want to see more alumni

alumni can feel comfortable is so important.

engagement. How do we get alumni more Gonzalo, what do you most

engaged? You provide more programs and

Do you feel like you are about to start a new

want to accomplish as president?

services that will tap into various segments of

era of alumni relations?

Acevedo: I want the national and global

the alumni population. We have to personalize

community to know FIU and the great things that

that experience. For our alumni who aren’t here

are happening here. I want to make sure we grow

in South Florida, I want to host a virtual alumni

and serve the alumni. I want to work with Duane

career fair, a virtual Homecoming.

Tell me about the FIU network.

Wiles: It’s going to be an era of increased

You can’t do this alone. What is the

not just here on campus, but online through

responsibility of the institution to alumni?

social media. It’s an era where we are going to

Wiles: It’s important from the top down that

Acevedo: I’ve used the network. My professors

everyone plays a role in communicating and

have helped me. A year-and-a-half ago, I went

engaging the alumni base. Everyone.

through a job transition and it was kind of

What’s this new era going to look like? alumni participation. We are going to be visible,

and give a terrific client /alumni experience and provide a network for them.

Wiles: Absolutely. Yes, I do.

Acevedo: For me, the responsibility has to

difficult. I received counsel here through the

do with the value that my degrees have. I want

business school.

to see not just the business school getting

engage alumni in a more meaningful way.

Acevedo: I do see it as the start of a new era.

Duane, you are in for the long haul. I am in it for the next two years as president. As an alumnus, I’m in it for the rest of my life. n

FALL 2012 | 49

CLASS NOTES Nicasio Urbina ’83, MS ’84 was among 105 Panthers invited into FIU’s Phi Beta Kappa Epsilon Chapter in 2012. The alumnus – whose graduation predates the chapter’s founding in 2000 – was inducted into the exclusive honor society for his embodiment of its values.

Urbina, who went on to earn a doctorate from Georgetown University, now is a professor of Latin American literature at the University of Cincinnati.

During his keynote address at Modesto A. Maidique Campus last April, Urbina said he never expected the invitation. “But as a man of letters, as a scholar, as a faculty member at the University of Cincinnati,” he said, “I fully understand the importance and significance of this honor.”

Urbina reminded students of Phi Beta Kappa’s founding principles: the free exchange of ideas, liberty of expression and scientific inquiry. Those principles have guided his life’s journey. He left Nicaragua in 1980 disenchanted with the Sandinista revolution and drove a taxicab in Miami. He recalled spending hours at the library wondering how he was ever going to become a writer. His sister-in-law encouraged him to take classes at FIU. “I took Literature and Revolution,” he said. “What a revolution it was. A new world of hope and opportunity opened to me…. Many of you are graduating. You will take with you the principles you acquired in your education. Hopefully you will use those talents for the common good.”

1980s Sally Sims ’81 is vice president of marketing and business development for University Credit Union. She received the Card Services for Credit Unions 2012 CAMEO Award for her second-place finish in the marketing category for 2011-2012 MasterCard promotion earlier this year.

1990s Samuel C. Jackson MPA ’90 was honored and feted for his work as the first African-American administrator in the Department of Food and Nutrition by MiamiDade County Public Schools last February, in recognition of Black History Month.

Mauricio Rodriguez ’91, JD ’05 has joined the Floridabased law firm of Avila Rodriguez Hernandez Mena & Ferria, LLP, as an associate in the taxation and estate planning practice. Rodriguez focuses on federal income taxation and estate planning for domestic and international clients. His previous experience includes a 10-year tenure as a revenue agent with the Internal Revenue Service.

50 | FALL 2012

Gabriel A. Rincón-Mora ’92 is a professor at Georgia Tech. The winner of the first Charles E. Perry Young Alumni Visionary Torch Award focuses his research on the design and development of siliconbased integrated circuits that draw and condition power from tiny batteries, fuel cells and the environment to supply microsystems for biomedical, consumer, industrial and military applications.

Ariana Fajardo, Esq. ’93, an attorney with Orshan and Fajardo, was appointed to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court by Florida Gov. Rick Scott last spring. She previously served as an assistant state attorney with the Eleventh Judicial Circuit from 1996 to 2002.

Diana L. Rodriguez ’94, MS ’99 rejoined the practice of Berkowitz Dick Pollack & Brant, one of South Florida’s largest public accounting firms, as associate director of its tax services practice.

Jack González ’97, the immediate past president of the FIU Alumni Association, joined BDO USA as director last May. BDO is the fifth largest network of public accounting firms around the world.

2000s Richard Montes de Oca MBA ’00, former assistant general counsel for Royal Caribbean Cruises, has launched MDO Partners, a boutique law firm specializing in corporate law, global compliance and business ethics. Montes de Oca is one of seven principal attorneys at the firm.

Jose M. Hernandez Jr. ’01 is managing partner at Plasencia, Hernandez & Co., a financial consultant in the areas of insurance and investments. He consults for professionals and business owners in the areas of life and health insurance, disability, long-term care and estate planning.

Sergio A. Tigera ’01, a College of Business Administration alumnus, recently married Aslynn Rivera ’98, MBA ’01, a College of Arts & Science and CBA grad. Tigera works for Caterpillar, Inc. Luis Vacanti ’01 has joined the Florida-based law firm of Avila Rodriguez Hernandez Mena & Ferria, LLP, as an associate in the corporate and financial services practice. Vacanti focuses on a broad range of transactions in general- and assetbacked finance, capital markets and general corporate work, with a particular emphasis on Brazil and other Latin American countries.

Mary Aviles ’02 was awarded the highly competitive Knight Fellowship for journalism. As a Knight Fellow, Aviles will work on a content-sharing platform for independent Hispanic media to enable them to build larger audiences.

Patricia Birch ’02 received the coveted Counselor of Real Estate credential from The Counselors of Real Estate, an internationally known group of high-profile real estate practitioners, at the group’s annual convention last November. Birch is a Miami-based real estate appraiser and vice president of Gallaher & Birch, a boutique valuation and advisory firm.

Angela Moldoche ’06 is the owner of Triangle Vision Optical, a business she started after emigrating from Cuba to Miami in 1995. She came with one goal: to provide her only son, Enrique Piedra ’05, a better future. FIU became part of their journey toward a new life. Moldoche left behind a successful career as an optometrist and settled in the Magic City to reboot her life. She enrolled at Miami-Dade Community College, eventually transferring to FIU, where she earned a degree in Spanish, and established her own business. Enrique followed in his mother’s footsteps, making good on the dreams she envisioned for him, and graduated from FIU with a degree in liberal studies. He now is a physical education teacher and most recently taught at Citrus Grove Elementary.

Estefania Chuecos ’07 is a vice president financial advisor at Chase Investment Services.

Brenezza DaParre ’05, MS ’07 and Charlie Garcia JD ’12 – two FIU lovebirds matched by his mother – were married at Plymouth Congregational Church in Coconut Grove on March 10. The wedding and reception were true blue-and-gold affairs. Says DaParre, who is deputy chief of staff in the FIU Office of the President, “We have tons of FIU grads in our circle.”

Indeed, there were more than 55 Panthers in attendance, including DaParre’s former and current bosses, FIU President Emeritus Modesto A. Maidique and FIU President

Mark B. Rosenberg, as well as College of Law Dean Emeritus Leonard Strickman, College of Law Dean R. Alexander Acosta and Professor John Stack.

Technically speaking, DaParre says, they met “at a football game the year FIU played in the Orange Bowl. He likes to say our utter obsession for our alma mater is what brought us together.” However, the alumna, who is pursuing a doctorate in higher education, gives credit to his mother.

“His mom used to work in FIU Athletics.

We used to work together, so she immediately said I needed to meet Charlie,” DaParre recalls. “It took 10 months for us to officially meet, and even then it wasn’t because she convinced us but because she said she was throwing a staff party at her house…but we were the only ones there.”

The newlyweds also understand what’s important. For his graduation in May, DaParre gifted Garcia with a lifetime membership to the FIU Alumni Association to match hers.

Support FIU’s Future. Leave a Legacy.

Make a philanthropic investment that will benefit generations to come and secure your legacy through a planned gift to FIU. Learn about the many ways that you can make a difference, provide for the future and save taxes. Call us at the FIU Planned Giving Office at 305-348-6298 and visit us at

.

FALL 2012 | 49

Lin-Dai Quant ’07 was promoted to service desk manager at Compuquip Technologies, Inc., one of the largest IT services providers in South Florida. Eric Dosal, the company’s president and CEO, credited Quant’s “strong work ethic and dedication” for her rise through Compuquip’s ranks, which she first joined as a client services representative four years ago.

Michael R. Santana JD ’07 has joined the Orlando office of GrayRobinson, P.A., as an associate in the litigation practice group.

He focuses his practice on civil litigation, including insurance litigation, personal injury and professional malpractice matters.

James Woolford ’07, MBA ’10 was appointed to a two-year assignment as consul general of Panama in Toronto, Canada, last spring. He previously worked in the treasury department of Copa Airlines where he was responsible for more than $600 million in investments.

Ana Alvarez Osteen MBA ’08 is Apollo Bank’s new chief credit officer. She previously served as senior vice president and credit risk manager at Miami’s Expocredit Corp.

Christopher Avila MA ’08 has joined the Florida-based law firm of Avila Rodriguez Hernandez Mena & Ferria, LLP, as an associate in the corporate and financial services practice.

Avila focuses on business law.

Jazmine Ramirez ’11 is an account executive at Daisho Creative Strategies, a Miami-based design and marketing firm.

Andres Rodríguez MS ’11, a firsttime documentary filmmaker, presented Levantándose del Pantano at last April’s Puntos de Vista 2012, Texas State University’s third international Spanishlanguage documentary film festival. The film is a 25-minute edit from Rising from the Swamp, a video investigation about how the fishing community of Everglades City survived after commercial fishing in the area was eliminated in favor of the creation of the Everglades National Park and the Big Cypress National Preserve in the 1970s.

52 | FALL 2012

Alex Prado ’06, a political science alumnus from the College of Arts &

Sciences, is a Ranger-qualified Airborne Infantry officer in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division. He is currently in Afghanistan and sent this letter to his FIU family last winter.

I have made it safely to the Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, where my unit and I are staging prior to entering our area of operation in Eastern Afghanistan.

Around this time three years ago, I like to say God told me what I was supposed to be doing for at least the next four years. I had been blessed with the opportunity to study public policy at Harvard, but was torn as to where my studies would take me next.

Up until that point, I had been told that I was a “leader” throughout my experiences during and after FIU. However, anything and everything I had done up to that point was driven by my belief in serving something bigger than me, and that any benefit I may have derived from that service must be paid forward to those who come after me.

Humbled by my peers, I needed a path that would allow me to pay forward all of the sacrifices my family has made coming from Cuba as refugees with nothing, only to give me all that I have today. I wanted to sacrifice and put it all on the line for the only country that could facilitate what my family has been able to accomplish under such circumstances. I wanted to truly test my ability to be a leader in a line of work that has dire circumstances when there is a lack of leadership, as well as myself physically, mentally and spiritually as often as possible and under the toughest of circumstances. I also wanted to exercise a regular practice of self-discipline on a higher level than I was used to, while still feeling young and putting off wearing a suit for a little while longer.

Long story short, I’m now in Afghanistan fighting for a cause that I truly believe in. If I were to say that this was a complete sacrifice, I’d be lying. I love my job, and am proud to put on my uniform everyday. The physical, mental and spiritual challenge has more than quenched my thirst for a test of my abilities, and the journey has only just begun.

My path in life has been blessed with the opportunity to come across amazing individuals who have helped me to shape the way I think, be the person that I am, and grow to be the citizen that I want to be.

I will try to send periodic updates as time allows. May God bless you all and watch over all of your future endeavors.

SNAPSHOTS IN EXCELLENCE FROM U.S. CENTURY BANK ARENA

Vision. Talent. Determination.

Congratulations to new men’s basketball coach Richard Pitino. As one of the top young coaching talents in the nation, Pitino brings to FIU a proven record of success on the court. We look forward to supporting Pitino and his players as he leads the growth of FIU’s men’s basketball program.

Florida International University and

Partners in Education

Why I Teach

A tribute to FIU alumnus Damion Dunn 1981-2012

By Bill Beesting

for the 2003 Caribbean Studies Association

driver in New York. Eight days into the summer

conference in Belize. Damion was by now a

after Damion’s freshman year, his father died. He

should have to do or even thinks of doing: I was

junior and presenting by himself at professional

called me from New York. “Dr. Beesting, I won’t

a pallbearer at the funeral of my former student.

conferences. And he was also representing FIU

be able to return to FIU. I have no money.” When

Damion Dunn ’04 died on April 15 in a motorcycle

in front of an international audience of scholars. A

I see what he accomplished at FIU, I’m happy

accident. He was 30. Damion had been in my

few short years ago, he had been an unassuming

that I helped increase his financial aid.

freshman Honors College course in the fall of

freshman. He listened, though, and saw

2000. As every college professor does, I hope to

opportunity. This is why I love teaching, especially

Law School, where he earned his JD in 2008.

have some positive impact on every student’s life.

freshmen. I get to see them grow as students and

After that, he practiced law in New York, and

Naturally, we don’t affect all. Sometimes we don’t

mature as adults and scholars. To see Damion

then moved back to Miami to work at Bilzin and

know if we’ve made a difference. Other times we

standing confidently delivering an excellent paper

Sumberg, where he worked until his death.

see it immediately.

– that is why I became an educator 33 years ago

I did something this spring that no teacher

In Damion’s first semester, he worked on a group project about mythology. Students had

and have stayed at FIU for 29 years.

In the summer of 2001, he did an internship

All his accomplishments got him into Harvard

At Damion’s FIU graduation, his mother, Esmine Richards-Dunn, threw her arms around me, and said, “Thank you for taking care of my

to create their own myth,

son.” At his funeral, she threw

develop a cosmology based

her arms around me and said the

on the myth, and explain

exact same words. As I helped

future expectations for the

place the coffin into the hearse

believers. Damion provided

and turned around, she was right

the leadership for his group

behind me. We threw our arms

and they excelled.

around each other once more, and cried.

Damion was in my Honors

It was my pleasure, I thought,

class again the following semester, and he and his

knowing I would see Damion

roommate, Stefan Jhagroo,

whenever I thought of the joys

approached me about

of teaching.

doing a conference presentation. They wanted

with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter at Two World

to research how myth builds community and

Trade Center. That, I’m sure, accounted for

Bill Beesting is the

apply that knowledge to the class experience.

his volunteering in 2002 for Alternative Spring

associate dean of

That led to a presentation at the Florida Honors

Break at the World Trade Center site. CBS ran a

Undergraduate

Conference in Jupiter where Damion and Stefan

show about Spring Break at that time. The other

Education, an Honors

were praised by students and faculty from around

segments looked like Girls Gone Wild, but the

College Senior Fellow

the state. Remarkably, they were still freshmen.

final segment featured Damion being interviewed

and founder of the

by Dan Rather at the World Trade Center. I had

Academy for the Art of

Damion and Stefan presented again at the 2001 Southern Regional Honors Conference in

calls the next day from people around the country

Nashville and then at the 2001 National Collegiate

telling me how proud I must be. I was.

Honors Conference in Chicago. The compliments

On campus, Damion was deeply involved

Teaching at FIU. A scholarship fund named for Damion has been established to support a student from Jamaica

continued. We went on to present at the 2002

in student life, participating in a long list of

or of Jamaican heritage for study at FIU.

Caribbean Studies Association conference in

organizations. He did things for FIU because

Contributions can be made by check to the FIU

Nassau on a panel with John Bonas from the U.S.

FIU had done things for him, and he enriched

Foundation with Damion Dunn Memorial

Department of Education. The two sophomores,

the lives of many. In the days after his death, his

Scholarship in the memo, and sent to FIU,

the only undergraduates presenting at the

Facebook page was filled with comments from all

University Advancement, 11200 SW 8th St,

conference, carried the day.

those who had been influenced by him.

MARC 540, Miami, FL 33199. Donate online by

Damion was struck with wanderlust. “Where

Damion came to FIU from Jamaica. His

can we go next?” he asked. So he wrote a paper

mother was a schoolteacher, his father, a cab

54 | FALL 2012

visiting advancement.fiu.edu and clicking on Giving to FIU.

VIP:

Very Important Panther

Carmen M. Reinhart ’78 • Minos A. Zombanakis Professor of the International Financial System at the Harvard Kennedy School • Lifetime Member, FIU Alumni Association • Bachelor’s in business administration and accounting Q. What was your time at FIU like?

A. Those were such wonderful years full of good memories. I was working as a ticket agent for Eastern Air Lines at a branch on South Beach before the beach was trendy and what it is today, and I was going to school full time. That was the time I decided I wanted to go into economics. I had such wonderful professors who I still keep in touch with, like Raul Moncarz and Peter Montiel, who was my advisor.

Q. Like many in the FIU family, you were born in Cuba and came to the United States as a child with your family. How did that early experience influence your life?

A. I was 10 years old when we first arrived in the United States.

We went to California and lived in Pasadena for a while before we settled in South Florida. It was life changing – I had to learn a new language and make new friends, and it wasn’t easy because I was very sick that first year. Looking back on it, it was a character-building experience, and I admire the guts that my parents had to leave Cuba and come here. But being an immigrant stays with you forever, and I am happy that my son didn’t have to go through the same.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

A. After the upheaval of moving to America, my parents always told me my education would be the one thing I would always be able to take with me. I learned early on I should put a premium on education, and I do. Education – and not just formal education but experiential education – only adds to your human capital.

Q. The New York Times called you “the most important female economist in the world.” What do you hope will be your legacy as an economist?

A. For many decades the popular belief was that the financial crises like the ones that we are seeing in the United States and in Europe now were exclusive to emerging markets in developing countries. My greatest hope is that my work, the work that I have been doing for more than 20 years, informs an understanding of these crises.

Q. What is your proudest accomplishment?

A. I’ve always been very proud of my perseverance. To be persistent, I learned early on in life, serves anyone well.

Photo by Gloria O’Connell

FALL 2012 | 53

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54 | FALL 2012

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