Amelia Fontana, left, and Maria Islam smile on a ride in the middle of campus during the University of Miami Centennial celebration on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, on Foote University Green at the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus.
Alie Skowronski
askowronski@miamiherald.com
A sea of green and orange flooded the Foote Green at the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus on Tuesday as pop hits blared from the stage and shrieks of joy came from nearby carnival rides, all to celebrate the school’s 100th birthday.
Hundreds of students, alumni, university faculty and staff came in waves to the grand centennial celebration. A Ferris wheel, giant slide and several spinning contraptions were just one part of a carnival packed with food stalls, face painting and photo-ops with Sebastian the Ibis and new mascot Gigi.
The University of Miami signed its charter in 1925 and welcomed its first class of students in 1926. The university began as two schools: the Conservatory of Music, which was later renamed the Frost School of Music, and the evening division. Now, it includes 12 schools and colleges with more than 19,000 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 180 majors and programs, and more than 200,000 alumni.
Chris Rhoades brought his brother, an alum, and his friend, a fellow student, to celebrate the university’s birthday. After racing down the giant slide, the trio grinned.
“This is definitely one of the best events they’ve had, you know, outside of [UM] making the Final Four,” said Rhoades, a senior who hadn’t realized the university was only 100 years old.
Elena Rovira, who graduated in 2011 and later from graduate school in 2017, describes her family as avid Canes fans. She met her husband, a fellow UM alumnus, at a university tailgate, and brought their 5-year-old daughter Maddie to the centennial. She hopes one day her daughter and 3-year-old son will become Canes.
“It’s been really fun and I’m happy so many people came,” said Rovira, who works in UM’s Human Resources department. “I love being a Cane.”
The carnival was just the appetizer to the centennial celebration, whose main event was a concert with a star-studded bill of UM alumni culminating in a fireworks show over Lake Osceola in front of the Donna E. Shalala Student Center.
A crowd gathered to listen to the concert which included Bruce Hornsby performing “The Way it Is;” Jon Secada performing “Just Another Day;” Joshua Henry performing “The Room Where it Happens” from “Hamilton;” and Idarose performing “Glimpse of Us.” All are UM graduates.
People walk around during the University of Miami Centennial celebration on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, around the Lakeside Patio at the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
A group of sophomore friends hold up the U during the University of Miami Centennial celebration on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, on Foote University Green at the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Elena Rovira, right, alumni, poses with her daughter, Maddie, 5, and mascot Sebastian and Gigi, his partner, inside the U during the University of Miami Centennial celebration on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, on Foote University Green at the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Amelia Fontana, left, and Maria Islam smile on a ride in the middle of campus during the University of Miami Centennial celebration on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, on Foote University Green at the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Chris Rhoades, senior, center, Camden Slinger, senior, left, and Paul Rhoades, alumni, ride down the slide during the University of Miami Centennial celebration on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, on Foote University Green at the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Kevin Malave, left, and Catherine Bizet hold hands while riding the Reckless ride during the University of Miami Centennial celebration on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, on Foote University Green at the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus. “We came out to show some school spirit and enjoy the atmosphere,” said Malave. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Mikenzie Juskalian, the featured twirler, performs during the University of Miami Centennial celebration on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, outside on the Lakeside Patio at the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Teilil Garcia-Gonzalez, current student, smiles while getting a Hurricanes-colored seashell painted on her face during the University of Miami Centennial celebration on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, outside on Foote University Green at the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Joe Echevarria, president of the University of Miami, speaks during the University of Miami Centennial celebration on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Lakeside Patio on the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
A fireworks show lights up the sky to end the University of Miami Centennial celebration on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, around the Lakeside Patio at the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
This story was originally published April 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
Miami Herald Cops and Breaking News Reporter Devoun Cetoute covers a plethora of Florida topics, from breaking news to crime patterns. He was on the breaking news team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2022. He’s a graduate of the University of Florida, born and raised in Miami-Dade. Theme parks, movies and cars are on his mind in and out of the office.
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