May 16, 2018

Dear University of Miami Community,

Last week, 4,808 ‘Canes became alumni of the University of Miami. This marks a moment of tremendous individual achievement and transition of new knowledge and talent into the world. The power of the global ‘Canes community is the most inspiring evidence for me of the critical importance of our mission at the University of Miami.

Together, we are setting ambitious personal and institutional goals for our future and it is this bold ambition that defines us as ‘Canes.

I am proud to share that on May 4, our Board of Trustees approved the detailed set of strategies, the Roadmap to Our New Century, which will guide UM’s growth nationally and globally as we move toward our centennial in just seven years.

As a community, we have accomplished a great deal this year:

• We broke ground on the Phillip and Patricia Frost Science and Engineering Building, a big step forward in advancing scientific research that will tackle the world’s challenges. UM also began a partnership with the Frost Museum of Science that will translate complex science through support for exhibits and public programming.
• Leaders representing 11 institutions throughout the continent gathered at UM and agreed to partner in a Hemispheric University Consortium. Our strategic location at the crossroads of the Americas gives us a unique opportunity to forge connections across the globe and build Miami as a hub of the hemisphere.
• The opening of the Kislak Center created a stunning home for learning and discovery to serve researchers from around the world. The center houses the landmark Jay I. Kislak Collection of the Early Americas, Exploration, and Navigation, which includes some of the most prized artifacts of the early history of the Americas.
• The University of Miami Health System launched the 5 to Thrive initiative to measure continuous innovation as a preeminent academic health system for the 21st century.
• After a thrilling and successful season, the Athletics Department won the NCAA Team Works Helper Community Service Competition Award for their community outreach efforts. Once again, our student athletes embody the best in athletics, academics, and service.

In addition to impressive institutional achievements, the UM community continued to show the world the heart of what it means to be a ‘Cane. From the swift operational decisions that helped our campuses evacuate in the face of Hurricane Irma, to the caring response to neighbors in Miami and beyond who suffered losses during Hurricane Maria, UM met adversity with strength and generosity. When public conflict challenged our ability to engage in national discourse on public issues, I repeatedly saw students, faculty, and alumni come together to learn, listen, and seek common ground for solutions to our shared challenges.

We have achieved so much, but our work continues. Be sure to look out for many other exciting signs of progress in the fall:

• The University of Miami continues to be a magnet for top talent from around the world. Dr. Henri Ford will become the new Dean of the Miller School of Medicine and Dr. Laura Kohn-Wood will be the new Dean of the School of Education and Human Development.
• Our campus will begin a major transformation as we build out the Student Housing Village, which will offer 12 acres of 25 interconnected buildings and outdoor space for living and learning.
  
  
• Our Miami Hurricanes will begin practicing at the Carol Soffer Football Indoor Practice Facility in the fall of 2018, strengthening our student-athletes' ability to perform and compete at the highest levels.
• The University of Miami will host the primary debates for the 2018 election of Florida’s governor. We are proud to be the venue for civil and respectful discourse as our state chooses its next executive.

These and many other achievements are part of what makes our institution an exemplary university. Each of these remarkable accomplishments are made possible through the talent and commitment our students, faculty, and staff. The hard work you do every day is showing results in all dimensions of our work. Thank you for your tireless dedication to our institution and community.

We Are One U,