To celebrate the university’s 50th anniversary, FIU News will share 50 moments in FIU’s history as part of our “50@50” series. We begin the weekly series with audio from FIU Founding President Charles “Chuck” Perry.
In this archival clip shared by FIU Special Collections & University Archives, FIU’s Founding President Charles Perry speaks from the steps of PC to a crowd estimated at more than 2,000 on the university’s opening day, Sept. 14, 1972. Anticipation was so great that students not scheduled for classes for several days came out that morning to celebrate FIU’s opening.
[…] 50@50: Charles “Chuck” Perry on opening day of FIU […]
Great clip! The speech as given on the site of the old Tamiami Airport in Dade County on the steps on Primera Casa now the Charles E. Perry Building
Chuck was a visionary. He saw a great University and his vision has become a reality.
At age 17 that was a very special day for me witnessing the birth of an institution that South Florida greatly needed. Now after 42 years, I can look back and be very proud of being part of the story that still is changing for the betterment of its community. It certainly has been a Worlds Ahead ride!!!
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