50@50: FIU in ’72


To celebrate the university’s 50th anniversary, FIU News is sharing 50 moments in FIU’s history as part of our “50@50″ series.

fiu in 72

FIU in ’72 was the goal.

From the day the university was founded in 1965, FIU faculty, staff and administrators worked diligently to make the dream of public higher education in South Florida a reality by the fall of 1972.

To raise awareness and support throughout the community, the university developed the FIU in ’72 campaign. Founding President Charles E. Perry worked with The Miami Herald, leveraging the power of the press to bring the FIU story to the community. He also insisted students participate in the decision-making process of the university. As early as 1970, the president sent out a letter to prospective students, inviting them to meet with him and soliciting their input for FIU’s master plan.

In addition, bumper stickers were printed, and they soon became topic of conversation around South Florida, which was hosting the 1972 Democratic National Convention. Rosa Jones, who retired in 2012 after 40 years of service to FIU as vice president of Student Affairs and a founding faculty member, shares why folks were in intrigued in the audio clip below.

On Sept. 14, 1972, FIU in ’72 became a reality. Opening ceremonies were held in front of Primera Casa – the only major building on campus, designed to house the library, media center, food services, bookstore, academic advising, registration, financial aid and athletic programs.

The first class of nearly 6,000 students was as diverse as the local community. On opening day, Perry said, “It is the nature of a university always to be building – the mind, the body, the spirit. Florida International was conceived to serve mankind by constantly searching for truth and a better life.”

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