Memories of the U at 100

“The Rathskeller was a great hangout area.” – Alan Reynaud, B.A. ’75

“My favorite memories involve hanging out in the third floor lounge of Eaton Hall with my friends and hallmates. I loved some good Rat fries on the weekend!” – Nicole Priore Gutman, B.M. ’90

“The geology department with Dr. Emiliani.” – Fritz K. Hentschel, B.S. ’83

“All the different study places. Outside, on campus, for an all-nighter was an amazing way to focus.” – Keeley O’Malley, B.A.M.A.S. ’24

“As a graduate student, working for and with Dean May Brunson as a grad assistant and serving the needs of undergraduate females in Mahoney Residence Hall [now Mahoney Residential College].” – Melva Elizabeth Hailman Cooper, M.Ed. ’67

“Spending time in the [Whitten] University Center in the STIC and Butler Volunteer Services Center. … Just enjoying every day in the I-Lounge chatting with friends and planning great events with Hurricane Productions, Student Government, FEC, and so many other groups!” – Carolina Hernandez, B.A. ’00

“As a member of the Hurricanettes dance team with the Band of the Hour, my favorite memory was making the tunnel for the football team at the Orange Bowl with all of the smoke and Sebastian and the team running through!” – Rachel Dawkins, B.S. ’00, M.D. ’04

“Being an RA for Hoover House in the 960 Towers [later Stanford Residential College].” – Joseph D’Ambrosio, B.S. ’75

“Leadership U Miami through the Butler Center.” – Jamari King, B.A. ’24

“I was in the Band of the Hour and loved it! I met lifelong friends and got to travel to great places, such as Ireland and England, in my freshman year.” – Erin Ricketts, B.H.S. ’97

“I was part of the WVUM team as a DJ and I really enjoyed learning the equipment and broadcasting the World Music Show. It was a great experience which I used at another radio station in Miami later.” – Roger Branco, B.B.A. ’98

“I was fortunate enough to serve on the Moot Court team that won the national championship in 1972. Professor M. Minnette Massey was our brilliant coach, and Dan Schwartz was my silver-tongued co-counsel. The experience gave me confidence in my own abilities.” – Paul Levine, J.D. ’73

“Being under the direction of Bill Diaz in the men’s swim team.” – Robert Strauss, B.A. ’74, M.Ed. ’77, former Olympic swimmer

“Being a part of student publications, especially The [Miami] Hurricane.” – Bernie Cohen, B.B.A. ’59, M.B.A. ’61

“WVUM, [where] I was music director from 1985 to 1988. Made lots of friends and worked hard at making the station something we could all be proud of, and learned to network!” – Marcos Moure, B.S.C. ’88

“My favorite time was during graduate school studying politics and public affairs. Dr. Sofen and Dr. Wood had a profound impact on my life and pointed me to a career in public service.” – Alan Wulkan, B.B.A. ’72, M.A. ’74

“I was very sad to see that Professor Fajer had passed. He was a good, decent man, and a great professor. He will be missed.” – Seth DeLong, J.D. ’13

“The professors who ran my teaching and learning (TAL) program—Dr. Montague and Dr. Moore—were the most accessible and caring during my time at Miami and after. I still see their warm classroom smiles and hear their prescient and powerful advice.” – Kerry Dutter, M.S.Ed. ’09

“As part of my Ph.D. program, I was a teaching and research assistant for the European Union Center at the University of Miami and I helped organize and teach a summer study abroad program in Barcelona, which later resulted in me bringing the Gaudí Exhibition to Miami as a consultant.” – Melanie Goergmaier, Ph.D. ’20

“Everything! It was arguably the best time of my life—studying, fellowship, social life, South Florida: I could go on.” – Kevin M. Ross, B.S. ’81

“Thursday beer on the slab (now the Bass Bricks) with legendary law school faculty like Minnette Massey.” – Lawrence Kolin, J.D. ’94

“Emceeing the pep rallies while my frat brother and roommate Jim Fleming led the cheerleaders.” – Jay Bouton, B.Ed. ’68

“My fiancé, Nancy Emerson (now my wife of 56 years), and I took the class, Marriage and the Family in 1967. She did all the assignments for both of us and received a B grade. I received a C grade. I guess it was a very useful class, since we have been married for a very long time!” – Harrabey Friedman, B.Ed. ’68, M.Ed. ’73

“On football Saturdays, the entire campus would be focused on watching the game as if it were a religious event.  If we had a home game back then, all the students would take the Metrorail to the Orange Bowl to witness our usual thumping of an opponent on the way to two national championships during my four years on campus. The student section was always lively and raucous!” – Bill Karnes, B.B.A. ’92

“During my sophomore year I met another biology major student during our comparative anatomy class. We fell in love during the long hours spent in the lab studying the anatomy of sharks and mudpuppies. We are celebrating our 32nd wedding anniversary this May.” – Diana Fernández Viscarra, B.S. ’90

“I loved the vibrant campus and made lifelong friends while living on campus.” – Melissa Burt DeVriese, B.A.I.S. ’00

“My work at the law library for 40 years on the most beautiful campus in Coral Gables, my walks through our amazing arboretum and around Lake Osceola, and being president of the UM French Club and president and scholarship chair of the UM Honor Society for married women students. ... Last but not least, forming my own University of Miami legacy: my four kids, my ex, and I are all alumni. Go Canes!” – Rosemarie Valdes, B.A. ’92

“I made some lifelong friends by joining Alpha Kappa Psi, the business fraternity. Pledging that fraternity definitely made my four years at the U very memorable.” – Jacqueline Alvarez-Gautney, B.B.A. ’83, M.Pr.A. ’84

“The best part of my experience at UM was making lifelong friendships. I looked forward to going to class because, in addition to learning, I was collaborating with some of the best people I know.” – Stephany Musino, M.B.A. ’17

“Sorority life—I loved being with my SDT sisters, loved the dorms, and just meeting new friends.” – Shari Fayer, ’03

“The people! I loved the campus and weather but the people I met there were the special sauce of the U.” – Chris DeRosa, B.M. ’89

“Beautiful campus, great music program, and in 1991 I witnessed us winning the national championship in football! Gino Torretta was the Heisman Trophy winner!” – Dan Abdel-Kader, B.M. ’95

“I arrived on campus in August 1983. As a Connecticut native, I didn’t even know that the University had a football team. ...  I have so much pride being a student at the University of Miami during their first national championship run. And my four years on campus learning, cheering on our sports teams, and making lifelong friends was the greatest period in my life. I cherish every memory.” – Chris Zajda, B.S.C.E./B.S.A.E. ’87

“Give back to your school when you graduate. Act as role models. Use your undergraduate and graduate degrees for causes that make everyone’s life better. Make UM proud. Make yourself proud!” – Sharon B. Kolsky, M.S.Ed. ’79

“Study hard—enjoy the campus— make good friends. They will last a lifetime.” – Mel Mann, B.B.A. ’75

“The knowledge you will gain will bring awesome professional opportunities!” – Ann-Lynn Denker, Ph.D. ’89

“Everything is about motivation and passion for the profession chosen to study. It is OK if you change majors, with the purpose of finding what really triggers your satisfaction of doing your future job.” – Ramon Molina, B.S.I.E. ’12

“Go to all the sporting events—and take civil engineering.” – Timothy Bergin, B.S.C.E. ’62

“Make sure to enjoy the gorgeous campus and give thanks every day that you are there.” – Karen Davis, M.S.Ed. ’13

“Have conversations with everyone—other students, teachers, librarians, admin, etc. There is so much knowledge to be gained, and so many friends to be made. This is the one time in your life when you can focus on engagement and not have to worry about much else. Try new things, speak up, and take risks!” – Evan Bobo, M.Arch. ’19

“DO IT ALL! Enjoy your classes, make new friends, get involved in a club, a sorority or fraternity, take advantage of everything that is going on on campus. There is so much happening at the U!” – Sheila Green Goodman, B.A. ’60

“Smile and say ‘hi’ walking across campus.” – Sandy Inson Reiseman, B.A. ’56

“Travel and be curious!” – Mark B. Baker, B.B.A. ’68

“There's always something happening on campus and you should take a breather to enjoy it. It helps make the best memories.” – Frances Freire, B.B.A. ’07

“The years go by faster than you can imagine. Embrace the moment you are in and find a balance between the joy of youthful experiences and the hard work it takes to be a successful student.” – Chucha Barber, B.A. ’75

“Have an open mind and prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. You will be challenged and you will learn, but most of all you will make connections with others that will last forever!” – Marko Marcinko, B.M. ’93

“You can make lifelong friends. For the most part, everyone is from someplace far away and you become family with your friends.” – Jacki Unger, B.Ed. ’72