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MIAMI (March 18, 2009) – The challenge: to create a design for a 50,000-square-foot alumni center to be built by the new football stadium at FIU’s University Park.
The students had to follow specific requirements for their designs: a place to depict the history of the university, a lounge, ballrooms and classrooms. They also were challenged to use green elements.
Thirty-four first-year architecture students submitted designs and three were chosen for a chance to have their ideas incorporated into the building that is going to be the gathering spot for more than 130,000 FIU alumni.
A seven-member panel, made up of alumni, administration officials and alumni center donors, met and picked the three best designs. The winners were Geraldine Pena, Andrew Santa Lucia and Susan Aguerri. They each will receive a $500 cash prize.
“These students impressed the committee,” said Sandra Gonzalez-Levy, vice president of university and community relations. “This was a unique opportunity to give practical experience to these aspiring architects and they took full advantage of it.”
The next step is to hire an architect to create the final design. A fundraising campaign to fund construction is already under way.
The construction of the alumni center is an important step for the university and the alumni association, which was ranked first in membership growth in a survey of 76 major universities in 2008.
“This is a message to our alumni that this is their home away from home,” said Associate Vice President of Alumni Relations Bill Draughon. “This should be the place where tours start on campus.”
Not only did students get the opportunity to give their input into a future center- the competition also provided opportunities for the winning designers to showcase their work.
“This was quite a learning experience,” Pena said. “One of the most valuable things I learned in this competition is that if you work hard, it pays off in the end.”
Media Contact: Jean-Paul Renaud at 305-348-2716.
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About the FIU Alumni Association
The Florida International University Alumni Association is a membership organization whose mission is to serve the community of FIU alumni, students, and friends by providing lifelong connections to FIU. Membership in FIUAA is a great way for you to show your school pride and establish a lifelong relationship with the university. All graduates, students, parents, and friends of FIU can join the Alumni Association with either an annual or lifetime membership. Get involved and become a member today at www.fiualumni.com.
About FIU:
Florida International University was founded in 1965 and is Miami’s only public research university. With a student body of more than 38,000, FIU graduates more Hispanics than any other university in the country. Its 17 colleges and schools offer more than 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations and law. FIU has been classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a “High Research Activity University.” In 2006 FIU was authorized to establish a medical school, which will welcome its first class in 2009. FIU’s College of Law recently received accreditation in the fastest time allowed by the American Bar Association.
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