January 2021 in photos: Back on campus, MLK celebration and students speak about the new semester

The first month of 2021 brought sweet sights for Panther eyes. It offered opportunities for students to begin a new semester and come together in socially distanced ways, including a welcome back concert and other campus festivities. The month also saw the university mark its 30th Annual MLK Commemorative Celebration, a collection of activities that invites the community to unite for conversation and thoughtful action.

Here are some of our favorite moments from Janurary, as captured by FIU photographers Margi Rentis '17 and Vince Rives '17.

This year, the commitee that plans the Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration secured Bernice King to speak to the university community. For more information on how a group of Panthers is working to honor MLK's legacy at FIU, check out our full story.

Students were back on campus this month and ready to hit the ground runnning. Photographer Margi Rentis caught up with some Panthers to take their photos and ask how they were doing. (Click on individual photos above to see what each student had to say.) 

Panthers shared a moment of reflection as they commemorated the 400,000+ lives lost due to COVID-19. Addressing a socially distant assembly in the GC Pit, President Mark B. Rosenberg, Vice President Elizabeth Bejar, Dr. Eneida Roldan and SGA President Alexandra Valdes promoted continued vigilance even as they memorialized those who succumbed to illness. Photo by Margi Rentis