A student celebrates right after getting her diploma at the Florida International University graduation on Sunday, April 30, 2023. More than 6,000 FIU students will graduate in spring 2023.
Carl Juste
cjuste@miamiherald.com
This week will be one of the busiest at the main campus of Florida International University: From Sunday to Thursday, more than 6,000 students will graduate this spring semester.
Ten commencement ceremonies will take place during those five days at Ocean Bank Convocation Center, the arena located at the Modesto A. Maidique campus in West Miami-Dade. The first two ceremonies took place Sunday.
Here are some photos of the second ceremony Sunday night — the first of three for the College of Arts, Sciences & Education:
Posing with the Panther
Laura Flores, 24, screamed “Muchachos, we did it!” as she leaned on the emblematic Panther statue outside the center and threw up two fist pumps. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology. “It was very difficult to graduate. I had to pay out-of-pocket and work multiple jobs to do this,” she said. “It’s my greatest accomplishment.” Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Flores, a Colombian native who lives in downtown Miami, celebrates her graduation. “I’m way too excited,” she said. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Michelle Mendez hugs her father, Martin Mendez, as her stepmother, Ivette Gomez, takes a photo. With her newly acquired degree in interdisciplinary studies, the 27-year-old graduate wants to launch a career in human resources. “This is spectacular. It’s so joyful; it’s no nice to see everyone,” Gomez said. “And were so proud of her.” Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
A lit ceremony
A panoramic view of a commencement ceremony, the second of 10, at Ocean Bank Convention Center at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus on Sunday, April 30, 2023. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Students wait to be called on stage. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Attentive students sit on the front row at a graduation ceremony at the Ocean Bank Convention Center at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus on Sunday, April 30, 2023. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Students make a line, walking toward the stage. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Caps with a message
A student flashes a Tron-themed cap at graduation, after the science fiction film about a video game. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Naika Mildort, a member of the Honors College, got a bachelor’s in biochemistry because she dreams of becoming a doctor. The 20-year-old powered through college by getting some credits while still at Everglades High School in Miramar. She decorated her cap with her major and a cup of coffee to honor the best friend that helped her with her one-hour commute from her home in Broward to FIU nearly every day. “It was very draining, but I managed because I had coffee,” she said with a grin. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
A students rocks a hopeful cap during the second of 10 ceremonies at FIU this spring. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Special moments
Eddy Alfonso Maqueira, who graduated from FIU with a doctorate in biochemistry, is honored at commencement Sunday. He researched in bacterial DNA gyrase that could improve treatments for many bacterial diseases. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
FIU President Kenneth Jessell also credited coffee in his speech: “You were able to go to college in Miami with cafecito readily available at all hours — and I mean all hours,” he joked as the crowd cheered. Jessell leads FIU, the largest public university in the area with about 56,000 students, since 2022. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Myles Solomon, 23, graduated with a degree in civil engineering and wants to work in that field, but he also manages his own business selling graphic designs, @swaaggy.std on Instagram. Solomon, from Miramar, busted a move on stage as soon as he got his diploma. “It was a last-minute thing,” he said. “I was like, I worked really here so why not have some fun now and really celebrate this.” Right after he danced, Jessell followed along. “I put a smile on my face and I like that i put a smile on his and others’ as well,” Solomon added. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Lidia Kos, associate dean of the university’s graduate school, smiles widely as the Student Government President Cristhofer Lugo, delivers his speech during commencement. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
This story was originally published April 30, 2023 at 10:41 PM.
Jimena Tavel covers higher education for the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald. She’s a bilingual reporter with triple nationality: Honduran, Cuban and Costa Rican. Born and raised in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, she moved to Florida at age 17. She earned her journalism degree from the University of Florida in 2018, and joined the Herald soon after.
