Portrait of first alumna elected to Congress unveiled

D.C. Weekly Update: The FIU network in D.C. celebrates the Foreign Affairs Chairman portrait unveiling of Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen ’75, ’86 as President Mark B. Rosenberg showcases FIU’s leadership in sea level rise solutions at the White House.

Rep. Ros-Lehtinen poses next to her newly unveiled Foreign Affairs Chairman portrait.

Rep. Ros-Lehtinen’s Foreign Affairs Chairman portrait unveiled

On Nov. 19, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen ’75, ’86 helped FIU reach another historical first as her House Foreign Affairs Chairman portrait was unveiled in the nation’s capitol. Not only is Ros-Lehtinen the first Hispanic female and alumna elected to Congress, but as Foreign Affairs Chairman from 2011 to 2013, she held a position previously occupied by Benjamin Franklin and John Quincy Adams. 

It was a special occasion which featured some of the most prominent political personalities from across the aisle, including both Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. FIU also assured a strong presence at the portrait unveiling. More than 30 FIU alumni, students, faculty and staff were in attendance to celebrate the decorated history of the former House Foreign Affairs Chairman.

“Always gr8 2 welcome @FIU #students + #grads. Thx 4 the support + go #GoldenPanthers!” Ros-Lehtinen tweeted after the event.

Alumni, students and staff gather for a photo with Dexter and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

President Rosenberg joins 15 university presidents at White House discussion on climate change

FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg and Salome Garcia, a student and vice president of FIU Age of Aquarius, attended the American Campuses Act on Climate round table discussion in D.C. on Nov. 19.

The White House Council on Environmental Quality and the Department of State rallied leaders from higher education institutions across the nation to discuss what college campuses are doing to confront climate change and how they can amplify their efforts.

Among other initiatives, President Rosenberg emphasized FIU’s role in addressing the issue of sea level rise through the Sea Level Solutions Center.

“The basic message was that one size will not fit all in regards to climate change. Universities and colleges across this country are carrying out projects that fit their university and fit their region,” Rosenberg said.

President Mark B. Rosenberg and student Salome Garcia stop for a selfie before heading into a roundtable discussion about universities and climate change with the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

Because of her exemplary leadership and advocacy for the environment, Garcia was invited to attend. She helped to organize the Climate Reality Project’s Know Tomorrow and 24 Hours of Reality campus events at FIU.

The American Campuses Act on Climate round table discussion was strategically held a little more than a week before the 21^st Conference of Parties (COP21) convenes in Paris.

COP21 is a United Nations congregation of all countries that want to take action on climate change. The meeting will take place Nov. 30 through Dec. 11.

FIU staff participate in research briefings 

Eric Brewe, FIU Physics Education Researcher and Associate Director for Research at the STEM Transformation Institute, participated in STEMconnector’s “Disruptive Innovation in Higher Education Summit” Nov.9. Brewe presented at a panel discussion titled “Broadening Participation of Diverse Populations,” where he shared FIU’s success in engaging minority populations in STEM education – a source of talent that has predominantly remained untapped.

Director of the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship Studies, Brian Fonseca was also in the nation’s capital this week to present at the Center for Complex Operations briefing titled “The Changing Western Hemisphere.”

In addition to his presentation, Fonseca met with the U.S. State Department’s Office of Cuban Affairs Director Mark Wells to discuss his research in relation to the United States’ engagement with Cuba’s military.

Panthers spotted in D.C.

• Alexis Calatayud – Student Government President, FIU-MMC, Stephanie Doscher – Associate Director, FIU Office of Global Learning Initiatives and, Nicole Kaufman Glasgow – Vice Provost presenting at Ashoka U
• Sandra Gonzalez-Levy – Senior Vice President, FIU External Relations
• Terry Witherell – Vice President, FIU External Relations
• Lori-Ann Cox – Director, FIU Governmental Relations and Alumni Advocacy
• Luisa Havens – Vice President, FIU Enrollment Services
• Ayana Wilson – Associate Director, FIU Council for Student Organizations
• Marissa Luchessi – Assistant Director, FIU Council for Student Organizations

For more on FIU’s role in D.C. or to see what the office is involved with this fall, stay connected with FIU in D.C. on Facebook and Twitter:

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