Editors’ Picks: Our favorite stories of 2015

As FIU celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding, 2015 proved to be an amazing year for the university – from an immigration town hall featuring President Barack Obama to groundbreaking research initiatives to our athletic teams bringing home conference championships.

Before we look ahead to 2016, we want to take one last look back and share some of our favorite stories of the past year. We’ve compiled them below and hope you enjoy.

Happy New Year, Panthers!

1. President Obama addresses FIU community during nationally televised town hall on immigration

President Barack Obama participated in an immigration town hall meeting at Modesto A. Maidique Campus Feb. 25, 2015. The event was organized by Telemundo and MSNBC and hosted by anchor Jose Diaz-Balart.

FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg opened the event saying Miami – and FIU – were the most appropriate places to host a discussion on immigration.

“We live it every day,’’ Rosenberg said. “This is the place that has discussed and debated immigration more than any other… and we are thrilled to be a part of this conversation with the president of the United States, Barack Obama.’’ Read More >>

2. FIU continues to combat sea level rise with launch of Sea Level Solutions Center and new web app

With rising seas threatening coastal communities all across the world, FIU has launched the Sea Level Solutions Center to help people understand, adapt and persevere. Ecologist Tiffany Troxler serves as director. Read more >>

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication in conjunction with Geographic Information Systems Center developed a web app, known as the Sea Level Rise Toolbox, which helps Miami-Dade residents visualize the possible impact of rising seas in South Florida on their neighborhoods. Read more >>

3. The mystery of Owa Ehan building solved

Mark Finlayson, an assistant professor in the School of Computing and Information Sciences, helped FIU News solve one of the oldest mysteries at FIU: What language is Owa Ehan and what is its true meaning? Read more >>

4. FIU ranked 64th on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers

FIU was named one of “America’s Best Employers” by Forbes. The university ranked third among the 19 Florida-based employers recognized, and ninth in the education category. On the overall list of 500 employers, FIU is ranked 64th. Read More >>

5. The revival of FIU’s Nature Preserve

In 2010, faculty, staff and more than 2,500 student volunteers began the process of reviving the FIU Nature Preserve. Today, it is a place that the entire community can enjoy and utilize daily. Read more >>

6. Canines trained to detect disease in avocadoes

Currently, five canines are undergoing training to detect a deadly fungus attacking South Florida’s avocado industry.

Biologist DeEtta Mills along with Provost — and chemist — Kenneth G. Furton are leading a unique detection program that deploys specially trained canines to detect a deadly disease in historic avocado trees. Read more >>

7. Alumnus adapts Gloria Estefan’s songs for Broadway musical

Manny Schvartzman ’09, a School of Music graduate, worked for more than a year on ON YOUR FEET! – a new musical based on the life of seven-time GRAMMY winning, international superstar Gloria Estefan and her husband, legendary producer-musician-entrepreneur Emilio Estefan. Read more >>

8. You know you’re an FIU Panther when…

Whether you’re returning to campus for another semester or just starting your journey at FIU, there are dozens of little experiences that will define your time at our university. In this video, we highlight the Top 10 experiences that let you know you are an FIU Panther. Watch here >>

9. What makes a math person?

You’re either a math person or you’re not – at least that’s what we’ve always heard. But a National Science Foundation-funded research conducted by Professor Zahra Hazari shows that’s not really the case. Read more >>

10. FIU law graduates rank first in Florida Bar passage rate

In 2015, FIU College of Law graduates earned the top bar passage rate in Florida, 89 percent passing the exam that allows them to practice law in the state. Read more >>

11. Hollo School of Real Estate ranked No. 1 nationally, No. 2 globally

The College of Business’ Hollo School of Real Estate ranked No. 1 in the United States and No. 2 globally for its faculty’s real estate research in a study that will be published in the Journal of Real Estate Literature this month. Read more >>

12. Swimming and diving, baseball and men’s soccer win Conference USA championships

In 2015, three FIU teams brought home Conference USA championships and represented the university in the NCAA tournaments in their respective sports.

In February, the swimming and diving team made history in by becoming the first Athletics program to win a Conference USA championship since the university joined the conference in 2013. Then in May, the baseball team shocked the conference in the championship tournament to become the first No. 8 seed to ever win the C-USA championship tournament and earn a bid to the Coral Gables NCAA Regional. Finally, the men’s soccer team won their first conference tournament and NCAA Tournament bid since 2004 after beating Marshall in November.

13. FPL, FIU partner to build innovative solar research facility

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and FIU announced a new partnership to build a commercial-scale distributed solar power facility that will both generate electricity for FPL’s 4.8 million customers and serve as an innovative research operation. Read more >>

14. College of Medicine professor named one of ‘100 Inspiring Women in STEM’

In its September issue, Insight into Diversity magazine – the oldest and largest diversity publication in higher education – recognized the accomplishments of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields with its 100 Inspiring Women in STEM Award; one of this year’s recipients is Professor Aileen M. Marty, M.D., of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Read more >>

15. Study to explore cocaine’s impact on liver disease progression in people with HIV

Given the advances of the last two decades, HIV is no longer a death sentence for most patients. However, for drug users – especially cocaine users, and hepatitis C- (HCV) infected patients – HIV is still life threatening. This problem is being tackled by a team of experts lead by Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work professor Marianna K. Baum. Read more >>

16. Journalism students document history, voices of Liberty City

Getting students out of their comfort zones – and challenging preconceived notions of communities like Liberty City – is exactly what digital media Professor Moses Shumow was hoping to accomplish with Liberty Square Rising – the final project for his Broadcast & Digital Media Studies capstone course. Read more >>

17. $20 million gift transforms School of International and Public Affairs

FIU named its School of International and Public Affairs in honor of Ambassador Steven J. Green. Green – along with his wife Dorothea Green, daughter Kimberly Green and the Green Family Foundation – gave a $20 million gift to help propel the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs forward as one of the world’s top academic centers dedicated to international understanding, economic development, peace and security. Read more >>

18. Tech Station represents the future of tech education

Designed for students from the School of Computing and Information Sciences (SCIS) – part of the College of Engineering and Computing – Tech Station will help them learn about the tech industry in a dynamic way. Read more >>

19. Wertheims’ philanthropy spurs collaboration between FIU, UF

South Florida optometric physician and philanthropist Dr. Herbert Wertheim, a Horatio Alger Medal recipient, has become one of the most important supporters and financial contributors to Florida’s public universities. In doing so, he hopes to spur closer collaboration between FIU and UF, magnifying the societal benefit to Florida and the nation. Read more >>

20. First generation students receive Golden Gift scholarships

Forty-four first generation students who live near FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus (BBC) are now Golden Gift Scholars. The scholarship fund is a project of the BBC Vice Provost’s Council, a group of community and business leaders committed to supporting programs on the campus. Read more >>