December 2017 in photos: Gasparilla Bowl, commencement, cook-off


By Joel Delgado ’12, MS ’17

Panthers, 2018 is almost here! But before you start making resolutions and looking up the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne, let’s relive some of the most memorable moments from December. Our favorites captured by FIU photographers included more than 5,000 students graduating, the football team invading to St. Petersburg, Fla., to play in the Gasparilla Bowl and robots roaming the Engineering Center.

Feeling nostalgic about all of 2017? Check out all our favorite FIU images this year on the “Month in Photos” series page.

Happy New Year!

Senior running back Alex Gardner dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the Panthers’ record-breaking 63-45 victory over UMass at Riccardo Silva Stadium on Dec. 2. The Panthers set program records in points scored in a single game (63) and total offensive yards (674) and tied the program record for most wins in a season (8). The next day, the team found out they were headed to St. Petersburg for the Gasparilla Bowl. Photo by FIU Athletics

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Roary shows off his dance moves in St. Petersburg at the Gasparilla Bowl on Dec. 21. FIU football faced the Temple Owls at Tropicana Field in front of a national audience with thousands of Panther fans making the trip to cheer on the team in their first bowl appearance since 2011. Photo by Kristen Mayoral

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This never gets old! More than 5,000 students graduated at one of FIU’s 10 fall commencement ceremonies held Dec. 14 – 17 at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Photo by Carl-Frederick Francois

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Shane Mosko spent 30 days in a coma after a car accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. He regained the ability to walk thanks to an exoskeleton – a robotic suit powered by a small backpack with motors in the knee and hip joints to direct movement and two walking sticks to aid his balance — developed by Ekso Bionics. Mosko defied expectations and graduated on Dec. 17 with a marketing job at Ekso Bionics. Photo by Doug Garland

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It’s may I be excused for the rest of my life. And yes, you may! Here are some of our favorite graduation caps spotted during our Fall 2017 commencement ceremonies. Photos by Carl-Frederick Francois

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Ready, set, cook! Deborah Garcia prepares spicy duck breast served on a bed of roasted carrots during the 2017 Taste of FIU Cook-Off. Photo by Carl-Frederick Francois

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Aargh! Student competitors transformed mBots – educational robots used to learn programming – into mini pirate ships that could navigate autonomously and receive last-minute route information via Bluetooth at the College of Engineering’s fourth annual robot competition Dec. 1.


To view more of our favorite FIU images, visit our “Month in Photos” series page