FIU President Modesto Maidique stepping down

FIU President Modesto A. Maidique

Florida International University President Modesto A. Maidique, the longest serving university president in Florida, on Friday announced he will step down once a successor is appointed.

Maidique made the announcement at a Board of Trustees meeting at FIU University Park. The university’s Board of Trustees will appoint a committee to carry out a national search for its next president. Maidique will remain until a new president is chosen.

“It is with mixed emotions that I announce my decision to step down as president of Florida International University,” Maidique said. “It has been my pleasure to confer degrees to more than 100,000 students. During my two decades at FIU, it has been transformed into a major urban public research university. That was my original dream. Now is the right time for me to move on to a new phase in my life and dedicate more time to my family, teaching and research. This will mean new challenges, pursuits and endeavors both inside and outside the classroom, but my heart will always be with FIU.”

Maidique, who was appointed president in 1986, is the second longest-serving research university president in the nation.

“President Maidique has made FIU an indelible part of our community,” said Board of Trustees Chairman David R. Parker. “Under his leadership FIU has made incredible progress and enhanced its reputation on a national scale. His vision and tireless dedication have helped to make us what we are.”

Maidique’s 22-year tenure has been marked by tremendous growth and expansion at FIU, which has tripled in physical size. Under his leadership, the university also has more than doubled enrollment to more than 38,000 students, added 22 new doctoral programs and 18 undergraduate programs, and has seen research expenditures grow from about $6 million to nearly $110 million.

During his tenure, the university also has established accredited Colleges of Law, Engineering, Architecture and Public Health. In August 2009, the FIU College of Medicine will welcome its first class of 40 students from a pool of 3,000 applicants.

To see a video of the momentous announcement, please click here.

FIU accomplishments under President Modesto A. Maidique

• During President Maidique’s tenure, the university has added 22 new doctoral programs. Research expenditures have grown from about $6 million to nearly $110 million.
• Physical space at FIU campuses has grown from 54 buildings comprising about 2 million gross square feet in 1987 to 109 buildings totaling almost 7 million gross square feet today.
• FIU established its Honors Program in 1990. The program grew into the Honors College, which was established in 1997.
• FIU’s School of Architecture opened in 1996. Today, it is one of the most diverse schools of architecture in the nation and among the most competitive at FIU when it comes to admissions.
• FIU became the youngest university invited into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious honor society, in 2000.
• Also in 2000, FIU attained the highest ranking in the Carnegie Foundation classification system, that of “Doctoral/Research University-Extensive”.
• The FIU College of Law welcomed its first class in 2002. Today, the College of Law consistently ranks among the top in the state with its graduates’ bar exam results.
• FIU played its first collegiate football game in 2002 and became a Division I-A team three years later. In September 2008, FIU inaugurated a brand new football stadium.
• FIU signed a historic agreement with the University of Tianjin, China, in 2003 to offer a full BA program in hospitality management and tourism. The first class graduated in 2008.
• In 2006, the Florida Legislature granted approval for FIU to establish a College of Medicine. The medical school received preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education in February 2008 and will welcome its first class in August 2009. More than 3,000 potential students have applied to be part of the inaugural class of 40.
• In FY 2007-08, FIU reached all-time records, graduating more than 100 doctoral students and surpassing $100 million in endowment funds and more than $100 million in research expenditures as defined by the National Science Foundation.
• The College of Business Administration, established in 1972, has become a top college for international business education. Among the recognition it has received, publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Financial Times have ranked the college and its programs among the best in the United States and internationally. The College of Business Administration also is number one in the country in awarding undergraduate and graduate business degrees to Hispanics.