Fostering a Culture of Equal Opportunity

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“I love the university and want to give back for the 30 years that I spent there,” said Patrick J. Russell, a former FIU employee who recently pledged a $1 million endowed planned gift in support of initiatives that benefit lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students – the largest gift of its kind in the history of FIU.

Bridging Curricula Across the Globe

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Selected by the Chinese government from a group of elite international hospitality schools, the Marriott Tianjin China Program of the FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is China’s first United States-based hospitality education initiative granting hotel management degrees.

Honors College Alumnus Creates Worlds Ahead Scholarship Funds

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Graduate of the FIU Honors College with a degree in International Business/International Relations and Lifetime Alumni Association member of the College of Business Administration Chapter, Norman Uriarte has found a way to give back to his alma mater after establishing a booming business catering to global service projects for colleges and universities.

Setting a Precedent

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Having worked since she was 16 to relieve her mother’s financial burden, Vivian Arias knows what it means to sacrifice. Her constant need to work to provide for her family has made her studies more challenging, but she has not allowed her financial situation to deter her from pursuing an education. A senior in the College of Business Administration’s School of Accounting, Vivian is now setting a precedent in her family as a first generation student.

Unleashing Creative Potential

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Award-winning poet Campbell McGrath is a “genius,” among other MacArthur Fellows and in the poetry world. The Phillip & Patricia Frost Professor of Creative Writing, McGrath is famous for writing long poems that deal with American popular culture and history.

A Model Partnership

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Serving as a model for university corporate relationships, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm) has developed a university-wide partnership with FIU, empowering units across the university to realize their Worlds Ahead vision.

Aspiring Physician Shares Her Panther Pride

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“Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve dreamed of becoming a doctor. I’ve always wanted to help people. As a high school student, I maintained a 4.3 GPA, volunteered at Miami Children’s Hospital, and organized blood drives at my school. I thought I was well on my way to attending college and then medical school and fulfilling my dream,” said Jasmin Qyyum ’11, an FIU alumna who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and was a QBIC scholar.

A Legacy of Athletic Spirit

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The phrase “Go Golden Panthers” reflects the spirit of fallen hero Michael Felsberg ’03, a former cross country/track & field athlete. Michael, a 27-year-old second lieutenant with the U.S. Marine Corps, was killed in October 2004 from injuries sustained in combat in Ramadi, Iraq. A weapons platoon commander, he volunteered for duty in Iraq after hearing that a replacement was needed for an officer who was killed in combat. A true Panther, Michael was known and loved by both staff and student-athletes throughout his four years at FIU as he enthusiastically cheered on every team.

Empowering the Community of Liberty City

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Supported by a three-year $1 million dollar grant from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, The Education Effect is a university-community partnership between FIU and Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) to support educational achievement in Liberty City. The ongoing initiative is engaging stakeholders throughout the underserved community, advancing FIU’s vision to serve as a catalyst for transformational change.

Waves of Impact

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An FIU Development Officer in the Division of University Advancement and graduate student pursuing a master’s in Public Administration, Mykaelle “Myka” Figueiredo is a prime example of a student leader empowered to realize her dreams through scholarship support.