University of Miami Fall Commencement 2011

• 

  Approximately 850 students graduated at the University of Miami fall 2011 commencement ceremony, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at the BankUnited Center, at 1245 Dauer Drive. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

• 

  Shawn Rosen-Holtzman, right, and Judy Schaechter, second from right, both graduating with MBAs, applaud Steve Ullmann, Grand Marshall and School of Business Administration, as he passed them after the 2011 commencement ceremony at University of Miami's BankUnited Center, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011. Friends, family and visitors watched 850 students from 57 countries receive their diplomas. Multiple Emmy-winning anchor and UM alumna Jacqueline 'Jackie' Nespral spoke to the graduates. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

• 

  Edward James McNamara IV, center, received his Juris Doctor at the University of Miami fall 2011 commencement ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at the BankUnited Center. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

• 

  Vanessa Duran, right, 21, School of Business graduate, shaking the hand of UM's President Donna Shalala, left, and thanking her family, for their support, during the 2011 commencement ceremony, at University of Miami's BankUnited Center, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011. Duran's family; came from Caracas, Venezuela. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

• 

  Sebastian the Ibis congratulates the 850 students graduates at the University of Miami fall 2011 commencement ceremony, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at the BankUnited Center. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

• 

  Grand marshall Steve Ullmann, left, of the School of Business Administration at the University of Miami, holds the ceremonial mace during the opening of the university's fall 2011 commencement ceremony, where approximately 850 students graduated on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at the BankUnited Center. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

• 

  President Donna Shalala, right, leaves the ceremony with guest speaker and alumna Jackie Nespral. Approximately 850 students graduated at the University of Miami fall 2011 commencement ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at the BankUnited Center. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

• 

  Kristal Hechavarria, 24, center, takes a picture with students from Booker T.Washington High School who she mentored while teaching there. Hechavarria graduated from the University of Miami on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at the BankUnited Center. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

• 

  Kristal Hechavarria, 24, left, waits for her graduation from the University of Miami to begin on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011. Hechavarria mentored a group of students from Booker T. Washington HIgh School while teaching there. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

• 

  Gerardo Escalera, 17, standing with arms out, left, and fellow students from Booker T. Washington, all members of a group called Young Hood Graduates, cheer for their mentor, Kristal Hechavarria, who graduated from the University of Miami on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at the BankUnited Center. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

• 

  Michael, waving to the video camera, and Corinne Komarnicki, were among the 850 students who graduated at the University of Miami's fall 2011 commencement ceremony, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at the BankUnited Center. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF