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2020 at the U: The year in review

2020 at the U: The year in review

Take a look at a month-by-month recap of the biggest stories at the University of Miami during the past year.

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News@TheU

A bigfin reef squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana), photographed in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, earned second place in the "Fish or Animal Portrait" category. Photo: Luc Rooman

Underwater photo contest features enthralling pictures

The annual competition received more than 700 submissions from all over the world.

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Underwater Photo Contest

Jaret L. Davis, a double alumnus who is co-managing shareholder at the law firm Greenberg Traurig, was the featured speaker at Friday's 3 p.m. commencement ceremony. Photo: TJ Lievonen/University of Miami

Luminaries urge graduates to be catalysts for change

Speakers at the University of Miami’s Friday commencement ceremonies motivated students to improve the pandemic-stricken world and our divided nation.

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Ceremony Livestreams and Graduate Slides

Kaylah Taylor was the first ever graduate ceremony student speaker at Thursday morning's commencement. Photo: TJ Lievonen/University of Miami

Commencement 2020: A celebration and a new beginning

On Thursday, undergraduate and graduate degrees were conferred on students during two virtual ceremonies.

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Ceremony Information

Leyna Stemle, a University of Miami graduate biology student, is researching ways to help conserve vulnerable leatherback sea turtles.

Graduate student shares her passion for protecting turtles

Leyna Stemle aided in a study that is examining whether attaching green LED lights to fishing nets helps keep sea turtles from being entangled in the nets.

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Department of Biology

NEWS

STUDENT STORIES

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Kayla Abramowitz, founder and chief kid officer of Kayla Cares 4 Kids

Student recognized for outstanding volunteer work

Kayla Abramowitz founded Kayla Cares 4 Kids to bring a smile to children’s faces as they endure extended hospital stays.

Christopher Carson browses the stacks at the Otto G. Richter Library. Photo: Mike Montero/University of Miami

Undergrad maximizes his education

Junior Christopher Carson is constantly learning, through books and experiences, and hopes to use his broad knowledge base to help improve the world.

Nicolas Calzadia
APPLY NOW PLAN A VISIT REQUEST INFO UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION

Student recognized for outstanding volunteer work

Kayla Abramowitz founded Kayla Cares 4 Kids to bring a smile to children’s faces as they endure extended hospital stays.

Undergrad maximizes his education

Junior Christopher Carson is constantly learning, through books and experiences, and hopes to use his broad knowledge base to help improve the world.

Nicolas Calzadia
APPLY NOW PLAN A VISIT REQUEST INFO UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION

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ALUMNI STORIES

4x Olympian Lauryn Williams

Lauryn Williams’ letter to her freshman self

Before she represented Team USA, 4x Olympian Lauryn Williams competed for the Miami Hurricanes. The track & field champ reflects on her college experience in a letter to her freshman self.

University of Miami alumna Maria del Pilar “Pili” Tobar will work as deputy White House communications director in the Biden administration.

Alumna part of Biden’s all-women communications team

Maria del Pilar “Pili” Tobar is among the senior staff for the incoming administration; she will work as deputy White House communications director.

holiday reading

A ’Canes guide to holiday reading

From quick reads to history books to memoirs, there’s something for everyone on this list of books by alumni authors.

From left to right: Pat Metheny, Carmen Lundy, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and Maria Schneider. Not pictured: Neal J. Avron, James K. Bass, and Jeremy A. Levy.

Frost faculty and alumni garner ten Grammy nominations

The Frost School of Music congratulates its esteemed faculty and gifted alumni honored with GRAMMY® nominations.

Pride your ride with the new license plate
4x Olympian Lauryn Williams

Lauryn Williams’ letter to her freshman self

Before she represented Team USA, 4x Olympian Lauryn Williams competed for the Miami Hurricanes. The track & field champ reflects on her college experience in a letter to her freshman self.

Alumna part of Biden’s all-women communications team

Maria del Pilar “Pili” Tobar is among the senior staff for the incoming administration; she will work as deputy White House communications director.

A ’Canes guide to holiday reading

From quick reads to history books to memoirs, there’s something for everyone on this list of books by alumni authors.

Frost faculty and alumni garner ten Grammy nominations

The Frost School of Music congratulates its esteemed faculty and gifted alumni honored with GRAMMY® nominations.

Pride your ride with the new license plate
Pride your ride with the new license plate

EXPERIENCE U MIAMI

Canopies float among the palm trees on the Coral Gables Campus. Photo: Mike Montero/University of Miami

Canopy within palm trees

Canopies float among the palm trees on the Coral Gables Campus.
- Submitted by: Mike Montero/University of Miami
Lakeside Village at dusk

Lakeside Village

Opened to students in Fall 2020, Lakeside Village is a 12-acre village comprised of 25 interconnected buildings and a multitude of outdoor spaces including a grand courtyard, study spots, recreational spaces, and outdoor terraces.
- Submitted by: Housing & Residential Life
Sebastian the Ibis bronze statue

Sebastian the Ibis

A bronze statue of our mascot Sebastian the Ibis welcomes current and former students to the Newman Alumni Center. The sculpture was crafted by artist Patrick Flibotte and funded by alumnus Samuel H. Ballam, III, B.B.A. ’72.
- Submitted by: TJ Lievonen/University of Miami
Donna E. Shalala Student Center

Donna E. Shalala Student Center

The 120,000-square-foot Donna E. Shalala Student Center is where students go to eat, study, attend events, meet up with friends, make things happen, and just relax.
- Submitted by: Mike Montero/University of Miami
The F.G. Walton Smith research vessel sits on the bay at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

F.G. Walton Smith research vessel

The F.G. Walton Smith research vessel sits on the bay at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.
- Submitted by: Mike Montero/University of Miami
Fate Bridge and the Shalal Student Center in the Background

‘Fate’ Accompli

“Hey, Mom. Want to build a bridge?” student Hannah Weese asked, half joking, But Elizabeth Grass Weese agreed, donating $1 million from the Grass Family Foundation to create the 210-foot Fate Bridge across Lake Osceola in memory of Hannah’s grandfather Alexander Grass, the Rite Aid founder.
- Submitted by: Scott Fricker
Rockers on UM Campus

Relax on a Rocker

Lush landscapes abound on the University's Coral Gables campus.
- Submitted by: Mike Montero/University of Miami
The Billy Goat, a mobile coffee kiosk

The Billy Goat

Designed and built by 13 UM architecture students during the fall 2014 semester, The Billy Goat, a mobile coffee kiosk, is open weekdays from 9:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Operated by School of Architecture students, the kiosk is named after goats that discovered coffee beans in ancient Ethiopia.
- Submitted by: TJ Lievonen/University of Miami
The University of Miami campus in summer.

Endless Shades of Summer

Colorful foliage from more than 500 species of flora keeps the 239-acre Coral Gables campus looking festive and cool despite sizzling temperatures.
- Submitted by: Scott Fricker/University of Miami

The Rathskeller

Sink the 8 ball or savor the mac 'n' cheese bites at The Rathskeller.
- Submitted by: The University of Miami Magazine
The Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. SUSTAIN Building on the Marine Campus

Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. SUSTAIN Building

The Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. SUSTAIN Building on the Marine Campus is capable of generating Category 5 hurricane-force winds in a 3D test environment.
- Submitted by: Mike Montero/University of Miami

Getting Fit

The Patti and Allan Herbert Wellness Center, one of the nation’s largest, most comprehensive university-based fitness centers, houses an indoor lap pool, saunas, spinning and Pilates studios, kickboxing and Zumba classes, cooking instruction, racquetball and basketball courts, massages, and much more!
- Submitted by: The University of Miami Magazine