FIU

In this first-person piece, FIU student Teddisha Mackey shares her experience at the unveiling of the Mary McLeod Bethune statue in the Capitol and the accompanying Florida Statewide Summit on Equity In Education hosted by FIU in DC. Who is Mary McLeod Bethune? Bethune was an American educator, philanthropist, humanitarian, womanist and civil rights activist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We then toured the capitol and headed to the Mary McLeod Bethune Symposium in the Congressional Auditorium. James El Clyburn, and so many more shared their gratitude for Dr. Bethune, and how we can continue her legacy.

FIU is among 20 of the nation’s top research universities that have formed the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities to increase opportunity for those historically underserved by higher education. “Hispanics are the largest minority group in the United States and are now 17% of the workforce, yet they continue to be underrepresented in higher education. “We believe we are stronger together than as individual institutions acting alone.”The HSRU Alliance aims to achieve two key goals by 2030:Double the number of Hispanic doctoral students enrolled at Alliance universities, andIncrease by 20% the Hispanic professoriate in Alliance universities. A second initiative, funded by the National Science Foundation, expands opportunities for Hispanic students in computer science. i Federal Department of Education IPEDS data for Fall 2020.ii National Science Foundation, Higher Education Research and Development Survey, 2020 ____________________________________

FIU is powering the next generation of foreign affairs professionals. FIU alumni have forged careers at all levels of the federal government in Washington, D.C. and students are increasingly capturing the attention of recruiters and agencies as the intelligent, diverse representatives that the government needs. This alumni network also forms the foundation from which the university is able to provide additional mentors and support to FIU students. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Brian P. McKeon came to the university and met with students and researchers. He is a prime example of FIU students landing significant positions in government thanks to preparation they received at the university.

On the latest episode of This Week in South Florida, host Glenna Milberg speaks with FIU law profession Howard Wasserman, South Florida nurse Monica Skoko Rodriguez and South Florida educator and author Marvin Dunn.

Erika FletcherSam Drumheller (left) and Hunter Cooley (right) heading to the dugout during the game against FIU on April 29, 2022.

FIU professors were highlighted during the week of April 25-29 on Academic Minute, which features daily segments where researchers from colleges and universities around the world discuss their work. The week’s program featured:MondayAnthony Dick, a developmental science and cognitive neuroscience professor, who is part of the Center for Children and Families at FIU, discusses how increased exposure to media coverage of disasters can lead kids to have post-traumatic stress symptoms. WednesdayAsia Eaton is a feminist social psychologist and associate professor of psychology in the College of Arts, Sciences & Education, who directs the Power, Women, and Relationships Lab at FIU. She discusses FIU community-based research that reveals that a “culture of care” at homeless shelters is the key to addressing the very complex problem of homelessness. Produced by WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Academic Minute airs on 70 stations around the United States and Canada.

FIU will celebrate the graduation of over 6,200 students at Spring Commencement on April 30 – May 1 at FIU Stadium. They are among standout graduates who will be recognized as Real Triumphs Graduates. Shining examples of what makes FIU special, Real Triumphs Graduates are brilliant students who go above and beyond their educational requirements to make an impact in their community through research, entrepreneurship or leadership. “Our excellent graduates are deserving of the highest praise as they utilize their education to propel them to fulfill their potential,” said FIU Interim President Kenneth A. Jessell. “Our Real Triumphs Graduates are particularly impressive as they do their utmost – some overcoming insurmountable odds – to make the world better.”Real Triumphs Graduates include:

Public urban research universities continue to face a host of challenges from senior leadership transitions to mergers to shifts to performance-based state funding. Through strategic and tactical efforts, the Frontier Set participating universities and partnering organizations explored the why and how of institutional transformation. FIU’s roadmap focused on the university’s response to the state’s performance-based funding (PBF) model. Nearly 30 states have some form of performance-based state funding formula, tying state funding to student outcomes such as graduation, retention, and costs to students. In April, USU will release the open access learning module in which participants can highlight the critical elements and principles of institutional transformation.

Thanks to members of Congress, who in a bi-partisan effort supported the university’s initiatives, and the work of FIU advocates, the university has been designated by federal law to receive $5.5 million in new direct earmarks to fund key research and initiatives with community impact. This is the first time since 2009 that Congress pursued providing earmarks, formally referred to as Community Funding Projects, to institutions or initiatives, and FIU was at the top of the list. That means Congress voted to provide funding for specific FIU projects. The university is among the higher education institutions that will receive the most individual earmarks in the United States in this budget. They supported our projects because they believe in our mission to find solutions to some of the most pressing problems affecting our community.

Many of South Florida COVID testing, treatment and vaccination sites are closing as demand drops and federal funds run out.

Bre Beck (left) and Rita Pleskevich (right) share a moment during FAU's senior celebration ceremony before the match against FIU on March 2, 2022. Beck and Pleskevich were the only seniors on the team by the end of the season.

Head Coach Dusty May waits outside the tunnel before the match against FIU on March 3, 2022. May is 3-1 at FIU during his time at FAU.

The win clinches head coach Dusty May’s fourth consecutive winning season at FAU.

A three-year study by FIU and Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) has discovered pharmaceutical contaminants in the blood and other tissues of bonefish in Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. “Pharmaceuticals are an often overlooked dimension of water quality and their presence in South Florida bonefish is cause for concern. Researchers also found pharmaceuticals in bonefish prey — crabs, shrimp and fish — suggesting that many of Florida’s valuable fisheries are exposed, and not only the bonefish fishery. Pharmaceutical contaminants originate most often from human wastewater and are not sufficiently removed by conventional water treatment. “These troubling findings underscore the urgent need for Florida to expand and modernize wastewater treatment facilities and sewage infrastructure statewide,” said McDuffie.

Mark Rosenberg still insists personal health issues for he and his wife are why he’s stepping back.

Green School of International & Public Affairs as a senior fellow. He will lecture on national security and leadership, as well as mentor students through the university’s intelligence fellowship and global affairs programs. As commander of U.S. Southern Command, Faller, 60, oversaw U.S. military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean from November 2018 until he stepped down in October 2021. At FIU, Faller will work closely with the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy, as well as the Center for Leadership. Senior fellows at the Green School devote their residence at FIU to research, teaching and creation of new engagement opportunities for students.

After the bridge collapse, authorities and developers in Texas and Indiana looked more closely at work performed by companies under the FIGG banner, found problems, and removed them from their projects. Not Florida.

Mike MacIntyre, formerly the head coach at Colorado and San Jose State, was named Florida International University's sixth head coach in program history, replacing Butch Davis.

One of the biggest benefits of coaching at a school in the heart of South Florida is the plethora of talented high school players, something Cristobal is keenly aware of. “It’s such a densely populated, talent rich area…there’s a reason the entire country comes here to try to get the talent. It’s time to make sure the talent stays home, ” Cristobal said. It’s clear he has a plan laid out to successfully recruit the most talented players. “You’ve got to make sure they understand how they fit into your program.

Some of the graduates will be recognized as Real Triumphs Graduates for their stellar academic achievements and work on finding solutions to real world problems. “It’s an honor to celebrate these fall graduates who exemplify the best of our university,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. On Sunday, Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. he graduates with a Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from the College of Engineering and Computing. Moses graduates on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. with a Ph.D. in psychology from the College of Arts, Sciences & Education. On Sunday, Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m., Farhangdoust graduates with a Ph.D. in structural engineering from the College of Engineering and Computing.

On Tuesday, FIU announced that Scott Carr had been named the school's new AD.

FPL and FIU unveiled an innovative microgrid. In the event of an outage due to severe weather, the FIU-FPL microgrid will be capable of supplying backup power to FIU’s engineering campus for roughly 24 hours depending on electrical usage. The facility will enable FIU faculty and students to conduct cutting-edge research and will enable FPL to learn more about microgrids – which could create a smarter, stronger, more resilient grid. Connect To Your Customers & Grow Your Business Click Here

Florida International began a search for a new athletic director after Pete Garcia announced Wednesday that he is resigning following 15 years on the job.

Caribbean and Central American nations are vulnerable to dangerous storm surge and coastal flooding from hurricanes, but many of these nations have limited surge and flood mapping capabilities and forecast systems able to take advantage of the latest technologies. To help solve this pressing real world problem, FIU will continue assisting NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC), which in 2016 initiated the Caribbean Coastal Inundation and Forecast Demonstration Project (CIFDP-C) to develop improved and cost-effective products for storm surge monitoring and warning for Caribbean island-nations and Central American coastal areas. The new project will expand that assistance to 24 additional nations in the Caribbean and Central America. “It is an honor to continue and expand the work with the National Hurricane Center of my late mentor and friend Professor Zhang. Improved storm surge mapping saves lives, we all know this, and it drives our program,” said principal investigator Yuepeng Li, director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research with FIU’s Extreme Events Institute who will lead the FIU team and assist the Storm Surge Unit at the National Hurricane Center in this collaborative effort.

This marks the Owls’ third consecutive loss at home.

Caribbean and Central American nations are vulnerable to dangerous storm surge and coastal flooding from hurricanes, but many of these nations have limited surge and flood mapping capabilities and forecast systems able to take advantage of the latest technologies. To help solve this pressing real world problem, FIU will continue assisting NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC), which in 2016 initiated the Caribbean Coastal Inundation and Forecast Demonstration Project (CIFDP-C) to develop improved and cost-effective products for storm surge monitoring and warning for Caribbean island-nations and Central American coastal areas. The new project will expand that assistance to 24 additional nations in the Caribbean and Central America. “It is an honor to continue and expand the work with the National Hurricane Center of my late mentor and friend Professor Zhang. Improved storm surge mapping saves lives, we all know this, and it drives our program,” said principal investigator Yuepeng Li, director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research with FIU’s Extreme Events Institute who will lead the FIU team and assist the Storm Surge Unit at the National Hurricane Center in this collaborative effort.

1 institution for awarding bachelor’s and master’s degrees to Hispanic students and in the top 10 for 13 academic programs by Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine. “At FIU, we are proud of our role in educating Hispanic students and helping them launch meaningful careers. That’s the foundation we are built from.”FIU awarded more bachelor’s and master’s degrees to Hispanic students during academic year 2019-2020 than any other institution in the U.S., according to Hispanic Outlook. 3 four-year university for its 2019-2020 total enrollment of Hispanic students. Over a dozen academic programs were ranked in the top 10 for serving Hispanic students, including:

The Miami Hurricanes swimming and diving team traveled to University Park in Miami on Saturday to take on the Florida International Panthers and left with a pivotal 162.5-137.5 victory. The meet was the season opener for both teams. “Hats off to FIU, they had some great races and a lot of great detail out of their team,” head swimming coach Andy Kershaw said. “It’s such a credit to the vibe they’ve created and the bond they’re creating,” Kershaw said. Miami was led in this race by their top entry of Cera, seniors Carmen San Nicolas and Sydney Knapp, and freshman Jacey Hinton.

FAU and UAB last met in the C-USA Championship game in 2019, where the Owls dominated 49-6 against the Blazers.

The Owls are looking to keep the momentum going after a dominating performance against FIU.

Sports Editor Richard Pereira, Photo Editor Eston Parker III, and contributing writer Kevin Garcia talk about FAU’s fifth consecutive Shula Bowl victory over FIU, FAU men’s soccer maintaining their best start since 1991, their preseason predictions for the 2021-22 NBA season, and more!

The Owls concluded their first conference game with a Shula Bowl win.

On the latest episode of This Week in South Florida, hosts Glenna Milberg and Michael Putney are joined by Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, North Miami City Councilmembers Alix Desulme and Mary Estime-Irvin, Haiti Consul General in South Florida Stephane Gilles, and FIU infectious disease expert Dr. Aileen Marty.

It will include space for alumni to meet and network, areas for hospitality executives in residence, mentor/mentee collaboration and student hospitality clubs. The Chaplin School was the first to offer a Certificate in IoT in Hospitality, and FIU was first in the nation to offer an IoT bachelor’s degree. Among the school’s first graduates, McKibbon, who graduated in 1975 and studied under Angelo, has worked in the hospitality industry since he was a teenager and is the third generation to run McKibbon Hotel Group, which was founded in 1926 and is now known as McKibbon Hospitality. “We are proud to count John among the most distinguished graduates of the Chaplin School, and his investment in the Chaplin School will prove transformational for hospitality education and the industry,” said Michael Cheng, the school’s dean. His success in the hospitality field demonstrates the impact an FIU education can have on our graduates’ lives.

78 among public universities in the nation, according to the 2022 National University Rankings released Monday. FIU’s improvement is the greatest in Florida and third in the nation among public universities. FIU also ranked among the top five public universities for social mobility for the first time and held on to the No. This rise in our reputation is driven by our passion for impact.”Measures of student success weigh heavily in the U.S. News ranking formula. Over the past seven years, FIU has made investments and implemented dozens of evidence-based, innovative programs resulting in dramatic improvements in student success.

On the latest episode of This Week in South Florida, hosts Michael Putney and Christina Vazquez speak to Rep. Ted Deutch, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, FIU Associate Dean Dr. Cheryl Holder, Rep. Anthony Sabatini and Rep. Robin Bartleman.

FIU’s Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom will host a group of distinguished public servants to lead seminars on public leadership, decision-making, and free market policymaking. The semester-long Senior Leadership Fellows program will bring the inaugural cohort of fellows – including a former Latin American president, vice president, and U.S. Congressman – to participate in talks and panel discussions, be available to meet with and mentor students, and serve as a resource for the university community. “I could not be more honored to welcome such an accomplished group of inaugural Senior Leadership Fellows to FIU,” said Carlos Díaz-Rosillo, founding director of the Adam Smith Center. The three inaugural resident Senior Leadership Fellows will participate in a conversation with the university community about the Adam Smith Center, the fellowship, and the fellows’ vision for their stay at the university.

Reports came in over the Labor Day holiday weekend of people seeing dozens of dead fish floating at the surface or gasping for breath in the Biscayne Bay.

The Green School is first in Florida to be accepted as full member of the Association of Professional Schools of International AffairsAdvertisementFIU’s Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs has been named a full member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA), making it the first university in Florida to achieve the prestigious designation and one of only 25 U.S and 40 APSIA member schools in the world. Created in 1989, APSIA brings together the leading graduate schools of international affairs worldwide, with the goal of improving global affairs education and advancing international understanding. International member schools include the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Korea University’s Graduate School of International Studies, the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Ritsumeikan University’s Graduate School of International Relations in Japan, Sciences Po’s Paris School of International Affairs, and the Stockholm School of Economics, among others. “Congratulations to Dean John Stack, the faculty and the student body of FIU’s Green School of International and Public Affairs on the entry to APSIA.

FPL is also working with FIU on cutting-edge research to protect the reliability of our energy supply during future severe weather events. In other words, a microgrid can operate independently from the larger grid. The larger grid is an interconnected system that delivers electricity to our homes, businesses and even college campuses. So, in the event of severe weather, the FIU-FPL microgrid would be able to supply uninterrupted power to our engineering campus. It’s essential for leaders in education, energy and other bastions of innovation to work together to envision a clean and reliable energy supply.

Just talk to the Coral Gables Woman’s Club about their recent Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger. It started out with the usual banter by birthday boy Steven Bradley, owner of Clutch Burger, and music by DJ Germain. An hour into the party, the rain came down forcing everyone inside with their soggy bingo cards. Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre on Coral Gables is reopening its Mainstage series this summer with ¡FUÁCATA! From classical music concerts to those with music from movies, this promises to be a great festival.

AdvertisementFIU will celebrate the graduation of thousands of students in three outdoor ceremonies Aug. 4-6, 2021, including graduates who will be recognized as Real Triumphs Graduates for their achievements in the classroom and in their fields. “We are so proud of them.”More than 5,500 students will graduate – a summer record. Commencement ceremonies will be held at 7 p.m., Aug. 4 – 6 at FIU Stadium on FIU’s MMC campus. Real Triumphs Graduates this summer include:Kazue Orikasa Lopez, who transferred to FIU from Miami Dade College with a full-tuition scholarship, works to invent new materials to transform cardiovascular care and help NASA function better in aerospace. Next, Sanchez plans to continue his research at FIU and is applying to medical school with the hope of conducting research that could save lives.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)—an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—has renewed a four-year $1.9 million grant to help FIU increase the number of social workers and counselors trained in providing culturally and linguistically appropriate integrated behavioral health care for medically underserved populations and communities in South Florida. FIU’s Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program (BHWET-Pro) will annually mentor 26 fellows through coursework at FIU and clinical internships with community partners, and provide fellows with tuition waivers and stipends. Eric Wagner, professor at Stempel College’s School of Social Work and FIU-BHWET-Pro’s principal investigator, shared that the quality of care provided by interprofessional teams is greatly enhanced when teams include social workers or counselors. Social workers and counselors trained in integrated behavioral health care for medically underserved populations will help eliminate health disparities experienced by ethnic, racial and sexual minority groups. “Most of these primary care settings are not particularly well-prepared to treat the behavioral needs of underrepresented minority populations,” Wagner said.

World-renowned civil engineer Allyn Kilsheimer investigated the 9/11 Pentagon attack and will now try to determine why the Champlain Towers South condo in Surfside suddenly collapsed.

AdvertisementFIU has earned the highest score among public universities in the state according to the Florida Board of Governors performance-based funding scores announced today. In Florida, state universities are evaluated on key metrics including four-year graduation rate, retention rate, cost of attendance to students and employment of recent graduates. “The hard work of our students, faculty and staff over the past few years has paid off,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. FIU earned 97 points, the highest score in the history of the Performance Based Funding (PBF) Model. FIU showed significant advances in several key areas: four-year graduation rate (6.5 percent improvement), six-year graduation rate for students who are awarded a Pell grant in their first year (3.5 percent improvement), and the number of post-doctoral appointees (7 percent improvement).

Middle school students across Miami-Dade County are embarking on a summer learning program to learn about STEM. It’s called the Verizon Innovative Learning Program — and it’s finally all in-person.

AdvertisementThe FIU Board of Trustees on Wednesday unanimously approved a one-year extension to President Mark B. Rosenberg’s contract. The extension follows a “superior” rating for Rosenberg’s accomplishments and leadership during the 2019-2020 academic year, determined at a previous meeting. The Florida Board of Governors, which is expected to consider the contract for approval at its June meeting, limits contract extensions for sitting university presidents to one year. Among Rosenberg’s accomplishments over a one-year period:FIU’s four-year graduation rate for full time students increased to the highest rate in the history of the university at 49 percent. Percent of graduates with bachelor’s degrees employed and/or continuing their education one year after graduation increased to more than 72 percent.

AdvertisementPhilanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott and husband Dan Jewett have announced a $40 million gift to FIU. The gift is unrestricted and will be used to support student success programs. Approximately 85 percent of FIU students are minorities and more than 66 percent are Hispanic. “This generous gift is a game-changer for FIU and our students’ success for generations to come,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. The Scott gift contributes to the university’s Next Horizon campaign.

The graduation rate for FIU’s Hispanic students was 2 percentage points higher than the overall graduation rate from 2015 to 2018. FIU is the number one institution awarding bachelor’s degrees to Hispanic students in the U.S.Hispanic students at FIU have earned a higher percentage of bachelor’s degrees (3.4%) in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) areas than non-Hispanic students. FIU remains the largest producer of Hispanic STEM undergraduate and graduate degrees in the U.S.Not only do FIU’s Hispanic students graduate at a higher rate, but they also transcend generational challenges. Taylor was accepted into the SSS program her first semester at FIU, and now works there as a student employee. FIU was awarded the Seal of Excelencia in 2019 for its success in educating Hispanic students.

AdvertisementThe FIU Board of Trustees on Wednesday unanimously voted to give President Mark B. Rosenberg a “superior” performance rating for his accomplishments and leadership during the prior academic year. With a “superior” rating, board members agreed President Rosenberg exceeded performance expectations on a consistent and uniform basis and made a unique or significant contribution well beyond performance expectations through remarkable achievement and a pacesetting performance. Percent of graduates with bachelor’s degrees employed and/or continuing their education one year after graduation increased to more than 72 percent. Median wages of graduates with bachelor’s degrees employed full-time one year after graduation also increased by $1,200. “This year we overcame unprecedented challenges, graduated more students than ever and improved our national rankings in several key areas.”

NAFSA, the world’s leading nonprofit association for international education, has awarded FIU the 2021 Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization, recognizing its efforts in making international education part of the university experience. The award distinguishes overall excellence in integrating international education throughout all facets of university and college campuses. The late Senator Paul Simon, a strong advocate for international education and cross-cultural learning, is also the namesake of the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act. Institutions selected for the Simon Awards will be featured in NAFSA’s report, Internationalizing the Campus: Profiles of Success at Colleges and Universities, to be published this fall, and honored during International Education Week in November. To learn more about NAFSA’s Senator Paul Simon Awards, visit www.nafsa.org/SimonAward.

On Tuesday, March 9, Academic Minute ran a segment featuring FIU medical student and researcher Chitra Gotluru. Gotluru and Allison Roach, fourth-year medical students at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, reviewed more than 100 studies and the Global Health 50/50 database and found that women who have just given birth or are menopausal are at a higher risk of dying from COVID-19. Click here to listen on Academic Minute:Produced by WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Academic Minute airs on 70 stations around the United States and Canada and features researchers from colleges and universities around the world discussing their work. Segments also are shared through Inside Higher Ed.

If you live in South Florida, you’ve probably seen iguanas running around in your yard before. But it’s hard to remember seeing one at a baseball game. At least, that was before Sunday’s game at FIU. AJ Ricketts was on the play-by-play call and he joined Local 10 to discuss the “iguana interruption.”

Starting in the fall of 2021, FIU is offering a master’s degree in the Internet of Things (IoT) that will prepare graduates for careers in the ever-evolving tech industry, including smart homes, smart grid, smart transportation and smart medical devices. As part of FIU’s College of Engineering & Computing degree offerings, the graduate program aims to prepare students for jobs in IoT hardware, programming, cybersecurity, communications and entrepreneurship. Graduates of the degree program will be equipped to implement IoT technologies used in daily life, including electric and smart cars, homes, medical devices and city infrastructure. The curriculum further expands on FIU’s bachelor’s degree in Internet of Things, which the university launched in the spring of 2018, becoming one of the first in the nation to offer a bachelor’s degree in the IoT area. “The Internet of Things is changing the way the world works,” said John L. Volakis, dean of the College of Engineering & Computing.

The Group’s Newest Concept Forte by Chef Adrianne, is the latest collaboration with the beloved celebrity Chef is Set to Open on Miracle Mile...

Aaron is head of the digital department at Miami's Community Newspapers. To have your stories considered for publication, feel free to email Aaron directly: aaron@cnews.net

PortMiami, one of the top ports in the U.S., processed 113,835 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in January 2021, an increase of 21.02 percent from...

In recognition of this gift, FIU will name the Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences in the College of Engineering & Computing (CEC). Together with the Knight Foundation and our local and state elected officials, we are seizing this opportunity,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. Of the Knight Foundation’s investment, $3.5 million will outfit 20,000 square feet of interactive research and teaching space with best-in-class computing and prototyping equipment. FIU is a top 50 public university with multiple national rankings in tech and engineering education and an award-winning student organization focused on technology. “This grant will allow us to build the Knight Foundation School into a top-ranked school in the state,” said Kenneth G. Furton, Provost and Executive Vice President of FIU.

Aaron is head of the digital department at Miami's Community Newspapers. To have your stories considered for publication, feel free to email Aaron directly: aaron@cnews.net

FIU’s Wall of Wind (WOW), a large-scale hurricane simulator capable of generating 157-mile-per-hour wind speeds with rain intrusion, received a $5.62 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to continue as a national “Experimental Facility” under the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure program. The funding will support WOW’s service to the U.S. scientific research community into late 2025. The Wall of Wind has a 12-fan 8,400 horsepower system and was inaugurated in August 2012 by FIU’s International Hurricane Research Center on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew’s devastating passage through South Florida. There are only eight NSF-supported Experimental Facilities in the United States, and only two for wind engineering. The earlier award cemented FIU’s place as a hub for research into making homes, businesses, and communities safer in extreme wind events.

FIU’s Wall of Wind (WOW), a large-scale hurricane simulator capable of generating 157 mph wind speeds with rain intrusion, received a $5.62 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to continue as a national “Experimental Facility” under the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure program. The funding will support WOW’s service to the U.S. scientific research community into late 2025. The Wall of Wind has a 12-fan 8,400 horsepower system and was inaugurated in August 2012 by FIU’s International Hurricane Research Center on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew’s devastating passage through South Florida. There are only eight NSF-supported Experimental Facilities in the United States, and only two for wind engineering. The earlier award cemented FIU’s place as a hub for research into making homes, businesses, and communities safer in extreme wind events.

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Joining the latest episode of the This Week in South Florida podcast are FIU infectious disease expert Dr. Aileen Marty, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried, Feeding South Florida President Paco Velez, and journalists Nancy Ancrum from the Miami Herald and Steve Bousquet from the Sun Sentinel. Subscribe to the weekly TWISF Podcast on iOS or Android

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Joining the latest episode of This Week in South Florida are FIU infectious disease expert Dr. Aileen Marty, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried, Feeding South Florida President Paco Velez, and journalists Nancy Ancrum from the Miami Herald and Steve Bousquet from the Sun Sentinel. The full episode can be viewed at the top of this page.

MIAMI – Florida International University’s football game Friday night against Marshall has been postponed because of a “lack of available scholarship student-athletes,” the school announced. FIU says the decision follows Conference USA’s guidelines for dealing with the virus “which require a threshold for the game to be played safely. The shortage is due to quarantining of COVID-19 positive tests and contact tracing, as well as injuries.”A new date for the game will be announced at a later time, the school says. FIU is 0-3 this season and also had its Oct. 17 game postponed because of coronavirus cases within the football program. The next scheduled game is Nov. 7 at UTEP.

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___California’s men’s basketball team is pausing workouts after an unidentified player tested positive for COVID-19. ___The NFL and its players' union say eight players and 11 other personnel tested positive in the latest round of screening for COVID-19. Coach Dan Mullen, at least two assistants and more than two dozen players tested positive following a road trip to Texas A&M earlier this month. FIU has seen more than 30 players miss time this season because of positive coronavirus tests or a need to quarantine after potential exposure. Last Sunday’s game between Lens and Nantes was postponed after 11 Lens players and two staff members tested positive for COVID-19.

MIAMI – FIU has announced that they have postponed Saturday’s scheduled game at Charlotte because of a rise in COVID-19 cases. The school released the following statement on their website:“FIU’s game scheduled for this Saturday, Oct. 17 at Charlotte has been postponed due to an increase in COVID-19 positive results within the FIU football program. Out of an abundance of caution, all team activities have been paused.”

MIAMI – The Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s office announced a new effort to protect South Florida’s LGBTQ community. This comes following a new study revealing a startling amount of hate crimes targeting the group. Now a new FIU study is giving insight into just how severe the issue of crime against members of the LGBTQ community in Miami-Dade County really is. Most victims of reported hate crimes in Miami-Dade County tend to be young and Black, and offenders tend to be older and Hispanic. “The phycological, the emotional, the physical trauma that is experienced, now we have the benefit of this research,” said Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle.

Two games are all that separate Local 10 sports director Will Manso from sports reporter Clay Ferraro entering rivalry weekend. The road team has won each of the past four Egg Bowl games between Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Virginia and Virginia Tech will not only play for the Commonwealth Cup. The Apple Cup between Washington and Washington State is always entertaining. How will Oregon respond in the Civil War against rival Oregon State after an upset loss at Arizona State that cost the Ducks a chance at making the playoff?

Local 10′s Will Manso and Clay Ferraro break down UM’s breakdown against FIU for one program’s most embarrassing loss, and the most amazing win for the other. SUBSCRIBE to the Miami Sports Pod - iTunes | Android:30 Credit to FIU on a big win1:20 What went wrong for the Canes on Saturday night? 2:30 The game wasn’t the real story… Manny called it a low point4:00 Why did the Canes come out so unprepared9:00 FIU looked like the team that wanted it more12:00 UM is a broken football program14:00 Blake James is on the hot seat18:00 Can Manny be the guy to get UM back? 22:00 Former players understand what they had was special25:00 Why do fans have such unrealistic expectations33:00 Congrats again to Butch and FIU

There will be no separation in this week’s Local10.com college football picks. 2 Ohio State is a prohibitive favorite against Penn State, but don’t discount the Nittany Lions. 2 Ohio State in 2016, knocking the Buckeyes from the ranks of the unbeaten. Those Buckeyes went on to make the College Football Playoff. That’s where the Hurricanes will try to keep their winning streak going against FIU, coached by former Hurricanes head honcho Butch Davis.

Jarren Williams #15 of the Miami Hurricanes throws a pass against the Louisville Cardinals. But none of those players who eventually spent time in the NFL had the day freshman quarterback Jarren Williams had against Louisville. With a 38-31 win at Boston College, Florida State made Haggins 3-0 over the past three seasons as interim head coach of the Seminoles. Gutsy call propels Timber Creek to victoryAfter scoring a touchdown with 45 seconds remaining in the game, Timber Creek in suburban Orlando still trailed DeLand 21-20 in a Class 8A, Region 1 quarterfinal game on Friday. Instead of playing for a game-tying extra point, Timber Creek put its season on the line by going for a 2-point conversion.

Jarren Williams #15 of the Miami Hurricanes reacts after throwing his sixth touchdown of the game against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - Jarren Williams set a new Hurricanes single-game record with six touchdown passes in Miami's dominating 52-27 win over Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium. He finished the game 15 of 22 for 253 yards and those record six touchdowns. Meanwhile, Miami won a third straight game and improved to 6-4 on the season and 4-3 in the ACC. Williams regained his starting job from N'Kosi Perry in a win at Pittsburgh and hasn't looked back in leading the Canes on a much-needed winning streak.

AP Photo/Brett CarlsenMURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Terelle West, Asher O'Hara and Jayy McDonald all rushed for over 100 yards as Middle Tennessee dominated the third quarter to upset Florida International 50-17 on Saturday. Middle Tennessee (3-5, 2-2 Conference USA) lost four of its last five games prior to demolishing FIU (4-4, 2-3), which was on a three-game win streak. O'Hara accounted for three scores, as he threw for one and ran for two more while amassing 159 yards rushing. McDonald rushed for 138 yards and one score -- a 92-yard dash late in the final quarter. They recovered four fumbles while limiting the Panthers to 89 yards rushing for the game.

Local 10 News reporters Ian Margol and Liane Morejon are going to ride and die with the Hurricanes this season. Both are picking Miami to win at Pittsburgh, even after the Hurricanes were upset by Georgia Tech at home last weekend to fall to 3-4. Local 10 sports reporter Clay Ferraro may surprise a few with his pick of Michigan over Notre Dame, but it's wise not to underestimate the Wolverines when they're playing at the "Big House." Right now Clay and Local 10 sports director Will Manso are all tied up for first place in the Local10.com weekly college football picks, though Ian isn't too far behind. Liane will likely need a November of surprises to keep her in the race.

Cracks in complicated engineer's design the "probable cause" of FIU bridge collapse, National Transportation Safety Board states at hearing in Washington, D.C. Copyright 2019 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.

The group is all in on the trio of teams from South Florida, but the same can't be said about Florida State. The Seminoles are a unanimous pick to lose at Wake Forest this weekend. They should be able to withstand a struggling Georgia Tech squad Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium. But he won't make any headway this weekend with identical picks. Liane Morejon is hedging her bets on Michigan as she tries to narrow the gap between first and last place.

The Gators and Seminoles may be rivals, but they've got something in common this weekend -- they're both playing the underdog roles. For the second consecutive weekend, Florida has to prove its worth in a Southeastern Conference battle of undefeated teams. Meanwhile, unranked Florida State will have a tall task at the other "Death Valley" against No. The group was unanimous in picking the Tigers (as in, the Tigers of LSU and of Clemson) to beat the Sunshine State teams. But the majority of the group still seems high on Miami, despite a sloppy performance at home last weekend.

The college football prognosticators are unanimously picking seventh-ranked Auburn to beat No. The group is all in on the Wolverines, although Ian said he'd favor the Hawkeyes if they were playing at home. Ian and Liane are picking one-win UMass, led by former Florida State offensive coordinator Walt Bell, to beat the Panthers at Riccardo Silva Stadium. But Will and Clay are believers in Butch Davis' Panthers, at least for this weekend. The Huskies are just 1-3 this season and have lost each of their last three games.

Mike Ehrmann / Getty ImagesMIAMI - Miami-Dade police are investigating a social media threat made against fans at the upcoming Miami-FIU football game at Marlins Park. According to Andy Slater, the threats were posted to the Facebook page of the Miami Marlins. "Death threats coming to all people that live in Miami" was one of the reported posts, while the other was "someone might bomb the city." The Hurricanes and Panthers are scheduled to face off at the stadium on Nov. 23. A representative with Miami-Dade County's Division of Homeland Security confirmed the department is looking into the threat and is "working closely with other agencies to ensure the safety of all."

- Justin Henderson rushed for 141 yards and three touchdowns, Bailey Hale tied a program record with five field goals and Louisiana Tech beat Florida International 43-31 on Friday night. Hale kicked field goals of 41, 25 and 29 yards in the fourth quarter to give Tech a 36-24 lead with 2:17 remaining. FIU snapped Tech's 16-0 scoring run with an 8-play, 72-yard scoring drive to get within 36-31 with 51 seconds left. J'Mar Smith was 27-of-41 passing for 290 yards for Louisiana Tech (3-1, 1-0 Conference USA), which entered ranked 26th in the nation for passing offense at 294.7 yards per game. Hale also made five field goals last season against North Texas.

Things are about to get real. That means that Will and Clay are tied at 25-5 overall headed into the fourth full month of the college football season. Perhaps if Texas A&M knocks off Auburn, as Clay has prophesized. Or maybe Michigan will stun Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium, as Liane has projected. Liane also picked the Florida State tailspin to continue, losing to Louisville at home.

Local 10 sports reporter Clay Ferraro has a -game lead on sports director Will Manso headed into the third full weekend of the college football season. Everyone missed on Miami's 28-25 loss at North Carolina, dropping the Hurricanes to 0-2 for the first time since 1978. In addition to picking FIU and Miami to win, she also put her faith in USF, which lost a close contest with Georgia Tech. After two straight weekends of unanimous stock in Florida State, the Seminoles have lost favor with this group headed into their Atlantic Coast Conference opener at No. Saturday's games are seemingly much clearer cut, as the only difference of opinion is Stanford at UCF and FAU's trip to Ball State.

Local 10 sports reporter Clay Ferraro has an early lead on the rest of the group leading into the first full weekend of college football. Clay was the only person to pick Florida to beat Miami last Saturday in Orlando, although it nearly didn't happen. 8 Gators edged the Hurricanes 24-20 thanks to 10 sacks on redshirt freshman quarterback Jarren Williams. The threat of Hurricane Dorian forced the game between Florida State and Boise State, originally scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday in Jacksonville, to move to Tallahassee. Otherwise, all the picks are the same.

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. - With Hurricane Dorian on a potential path toward Florida, this Saturday's season opener between Florida State and Boise State is very much in doubt. 2004Florida State at MiamiRobert Laberge/Getty Images Miami Hurricanes running back Frank Gore runs with the football as Florida State Seminoles linebacker A.J. Gore scored the winning touchdown in overtime as Miami won 16-10 at the Orange Bowl, Sept. 10, 2004. To accommodate the makeup game, Florida had to drop its previously scheduled non-conference game against Presbyterian, leaving the Gators with just five home games. As a result, Florida State had a 21-day layoff (the longest in school history) between games.

FIU quarterback James Morgan against the CanesMIAMI - FIU quarterback James Morgan picked up an honor on Tuesday. Morgan was one of 30 quarterbacks named to the 2019 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List. In his first season at FIU, Morgan earned C-USA Newcomer of the Year. He threw for 26 touchdowns and a passer efficiency rating of 157.6Copyright 2019 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.

Click below to find your nearest theater and show times:http://www.fandango.com/moviesintheatersSportsThere is a football trifecta in South Florida this weekend. Miami fans can take solace in the fact that the Hurricanes will be back at Hard Rock Stadium when they face Duke at 7 p.m. Saturday. Miami Hurricanes quarterback Malik Rosier throws the ball prior to the game against the Savannah State Tigers on Sept. 8, 2018 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. EntertainmentThose of you with a nautical nose should head to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, running all weekend long. Joel McHale brings his standup routine to the Palm Beach Improve in West Palm Beach.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – An attacker severely beat two Miami-Dade County high school students with a tree branch early Monday, family members said. Miami-Dade County Public School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said FIU police will be providing extra security on campus after the attack. "It's not like they were hanging out in some secluded, you know, bad area, so that's what's scary for me," James' mother, Tara James, said. James Critz was severely beaten with a tree branch on his school campus. University officials said parking services aides are available at the campus to accompany students and staff members to their vehicles.

FIU is heading to the St. Pete Bowl on Dec. 20 following an 8-4 regular season. It's the second straight appearance for the Panthers. The Panthers, coached by Mario Cristobal and led by all-purpose threat T.Y. Hilton, defeated Toledo 34-32 in last year's Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. This year's bowl will be televised at 8 p.m. on ESPN.