November is often filled with moments of appreciation for our family and friends.
This season, I am grateful for you, our alumni and friends of the U. Thank you for remaining connected with the University of Miami, whether through a leadership role in a ’Canes Community or affinity group, attending a program in your local community, sharing your resources, networking with fellow ’Canes, mentoring a ’Cane, or wearing your orange and green wherever possible.
There will be much to enjoy with the new year as we get closer to our birthday on April 8, 2025. I wish you and your family a peaceful and restful holiday season.
Go ’Canes!
Patricia A. Whitely, Ed.D. ’94
Senior Vice President, Student Affairs and Alumni Engagement
The Hecht and Havenick names will forever be associated with the University of Miami. Barbara Hecht Havenick, B.A. ’72, J.D. ’75, is continuing the family’s legacy of service and philanthropy at the U with a gift to support new student housing that keeps alive the memory of her mother, Florence Hecht. In October, in an event attended by President Joe Echevarria and the Board of Trustees, the University celebrated the dedication of the Florence Hecht Great Room at Centennial Village, near the spot where the iconic towers of Hecht Residential College stood. Photo: Smash Pixel Studio
The late Ash Rothlein, B.S.C.E. ’53, a D-Day veteran, and his wife Liz established a planned gift to honor those who served in the Battle of Normandy, establishing the ROTC Global Scholars Fund to enable University of Miami Army ROTC cadets to travel to the battlefields of France. Photo: Joshua Prezant/University of Miami
José A. Stoute, M.D. ’85, M.F.A. ’23, served on the frontlines of Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, the AIDS epidemic in Miami, and the malaria crisis in Kenya. Read more >
Eva Jenkins, B.S. ’88, Ph.D. ’03, and her family fled Soviet oppression and found a home in the U.S. Her gratitude to this country led to a career in the Air Force. Read more >
Honoring a UTrailblazer
Nancy Wilson Young, M.Ed. ’70, M.S.Ed. ’70 (center), received the Golden Ibis Award during Homecoming. She was honored as one of the UTrailblazers, the first Black graduates of the University of Miami.
Snapshots from our first century | Homecoming then and now
The first official Homecoming celebration at the University of Miami took place in 1931. The November 25, 1931, issue of The Miami Hurricane looked forward to “one glorious round of parties, dances, teas, and other assorted social functions.” The week’s focal point was the Homecoming game between the University of Miami and Erskine College, which the Hurricanes won 9-0.
Fast-forward 93 years, and 2024 Alumni Weekend and Homecoming featured events and traditions that had not yet been established in 1931: the boat burning and fireworks, the Band of the Hour and Sebastian, ’Canes Lounge and Hurricane Howl, and more. One thing stayed the same: the Hurricanes won the Homecoming game, this time against Florida State, 36-14.
Pictured: The Miami Hurricane front page, November 13, 1931; Homecoming 2024. Photos: University of Miami Libraries Digital Collections; Joshua Prezant/University of Miami.
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2024 30 Under 30 honorees celebrated at Homecoming
Thirty outstanding young ’Canes who have made their mark in their professions and communities were formally recognized by the Alumni Association during Homecoming. Photo: Joshua Prezant/University of Miami
Join fellow ’Canes and friends to support our student-athletes and cheer for your Miami Hurricanes at game watch parties in ’Canes Communities across the country. Check back frequently for updates. Coming up: Wake Forest (November 23) | at Syracuse (November 30) | ACC Championship game (tentative) | December 7
The University of Miami will turn 100 next April. To mark this significant milestone, we’re launching a nationwide tour celebrating a century of academic achievement, groundbreaking research, and community impact. Save the dates for an upcoming Sprint to Our Centennial event near you: New York (January 15) | Los Angeles (January 28) | Philadelphia (February 26) | Boston (March 4) | Broward/Palm Beach (March 19) | Chicago (April 1)
Join us for an insightful panel discussion with University of Miami alumni exploring the journey of a film from concept to screen, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how decisions are made to fund, develop, and, ultimately, greenlight a movie.
If you are in Miami in early December, kick off the holiday season in style with the Frost School of Music’s annual holiday dinner and gala. Proceeds benefit the Donna E. Shalala MusicReach Program, which provides scholarships for undergraduate MusicReach mentors who use music to connect with underserved youth in our community.
Welcome to the Broward ’Canes’ first virtual book club, led by William Green, Ph.D., professor of religious studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.
