Inspired by gratitude

Double alumna Laurie Silvers says the University of Miami has had “a profound influence” on her life. She and her husband are paying it forward with a pledge to Miami Law.

Laurie Silvers, B.A. ’74, J.D. ’77, learned the art of analysis in law school. Her favorite activity during her three-year legal education? Reading Supreme Court briefs and deconstructing the arguments.

After she graduated, Silvers parlayed her knack for detailed examination into a brilliant career in communications law, then went on to become a savvy entrepreneur, building a media conglomerate of radio, TV, cable, and internet and founding what would become one of cable television’s most popular networks: the SyFy Channel.

Along the way, she never forgot to pay it forward, giving generously to the university she describes as having a “profound influence” on her life.

Silvers, currently chair of the University’s board of trustees, has once again made a substantial contribution to her alma mater. Along with her husband, Mitchell Rubenstein, she has committed $2.5 million to the University’s School of Law.

The commitment is an example of Silvers’ and Rubenstein’s largesse to the University over the years. Their generosity created an endowed distinguished professorship and created student scholarships, including one for students committed to public service. The Laurie Silvers and Mitchell Rubenstein Hall, which houses the school’s award-winning clinics, is named in their honor.

“This is my way of giving back and saying thanks for the education I received at Miami Law, which has helped me achieve so much,” said Silvers, who also studied psychology, political science, and philosophy as an undergraduate at the University, of her latest contribution.

Silvers is co-CEO of Hollywood.com, the majority owner of four Florida FM radio stations, and a co-founder and the majority owner of the global esports organization Misfits Gaming Group (MGG)—which also includes the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, and Cleveland Browns as minority owners. Based in South Florida, MGG competes in some of the most successful video game titles worldwide and is a permanent partner in three franchised esports leagues.

The former chair of Miami PBS station

Channel 2 and co-chair of South Florida PBS, Silvers also accomplished what others had failed to do for 20 years: She oversaw the merger of Miami and Palm Beach County’s PBS stations, creating South Florida PBS, the seventh largest PBS station in the country. “Indeed, I credit a lot of what I’ve been able to accomplish in my professional career to the education that I received at the University of Miami, both as an undergraduate and as a law school student,” Silvers pointed out. “It is out of an abundance of appreciation for and a recognition of the importance of that education that I make this gift. It’s part of strengthening and supporting the goals of the law school so that our students have Laurie Silvers, shown at 2021 Homecoming with husband Mitchell Rubenstein, the best opportunities and the said she is delighted that her latest pledge will help push the University closer best education possible with the to its Ever Brighter goal. greatest faculty, scholarships, and programs all combined.” Supporting the School of Law is critical, Silvers said, for the field of law is “the foundation for society, touching virtually every aspect of life. From innovation to technology to business to health care, law has an impact over just about everything. It’s truly overarching.” Silvers said she is delighted that her latest pledge will help push the University closer to its Ever Brighter goal. “Ever Brighter will ensure the University’s growth—that we’ll be able to attract the best and brightest faculty and students and build facilities where cutting-edge research will be conducted. It’ll be a quantum leap forward.”