Florida International University FIU Digital Commons FIU Magazine Special Collections and University Archives Spring 2002 Florida International University Magazine Spring 2002 Florida International University Division of University Relations Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/fiu_magazine Recommended Citation Florida International University Division of University Relations, "Florida International University Magazine Spring 2002" (2002). FIU Magazine. 9. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/fiu_magazine/9 This work is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Collections and University Archives at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in FIU Magazine by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SPRING 2002 F l o r id a International U n iv e r s it y For alumni and friends otFIU Miami’s public research university www.tiu.edu/orgs/fi^magl 1 GET READYTOROAR Strock and Golden Panthers preparejo launch FIU Football I ALSO IN ^ ISSUE: ^ New Board of Trustees advances FIU agenda Chapman Graduate School of Business dedicated Eradicating lead poisoning in the inner city Don Strock Fill Head Football Coach EDITOR’S NOTE It usually takes some time for new expressions to find their way into J A everyday conversation. We barely notice F l o r i d a I nternational U n i v e r s i t y that terms like “surfing the web” have Miami’s public research university entered our vocabulary. The latest term IN BRIEF............................................................................................................ 2 is “9/11 ” - although instead of slowly College of Law preparing to open in Fall 2002................................ 11 filtering into our speaking, it suddenly Outstanding faculty and administrators have been recruited for the new law school. and traumatically became part of our New FIU Board of Trustees advances FIU's agenda.......................12 speaking and much, much more. 9/11 With the dissolution of the state Board of Regents, the FIU Board of Trustees — the University’s is a dividing line, a moment defining new governing body — is determined to secure equitable funding for the institution. life before and after. New Chapman Graduate School of Business dedicated..............16 Sometimes it appears as if life will Named after Alvah H. Chapman Jr., one of the greatest leaders in the history of Miami, the school never be the same after we experience will spearhead the drive for the business school to become one of the best in the nation. tragedy. But slowly, in most instances, FIU campuses expanding, maturing to meet its mission..............18 time heals and life resumes. Like other The University is in the midst of a $214 million construction program. communities throughout our nation, Coach Strock and team prepare to launch FIU football............... 22 Excitement is growing throughout FIU as the countdown continues toward the first kickoff on students, faculty and staff' throughout Aug. 29, 2002. The announcement of the second recruiting class and the formation of the our FIU community joined together to marching band are among the latest developments. grieve and share their experiences of Alumnus builds Fox Sports Net news operation...........................26 Grammy Award-winning Steve Tello is senior vice president of the channel that reaches more than 9/11. And then, individually and 70 million homes. collectively, we moved forward. MFA student to have poetry book published................................. 27 The major stories in this issue look Jay Snodgrass, a student in the Creative Writing Program, will have his thesis project, Monster Zero, forward. With the dissolution of the state released later this year by Elixir Press of Minneapolis. Board of Regents, the FIU Board of Perspective: Don't let terrorists set the agenda...............................28 Tnistees is now the University’s governing Mohiaddin Mesbahi, FIU associate professor of International Relations, discusses how Sept. 11 body, and they re aggi'essively seeking more marked the end of the gulf between global and local politics. equitable funding for the institution. MBRS Program boosts entry of scientific research students..... 30 The new Graduate School of Business, The federally program engages students in hands-on research. named after Alvah H. Chapman, Jr., one Perspective: To clone or not to clone?............................................... 32 Rene Herrera, associate professor of Biological Sciences, probes the science, history and ethical of the most esteemed leaders in Miami issues involved in stem cell technology and cloning. history, is forging ahead with plans to Public Health professor strives to eradicate lead poisoning......34 become one of the best of its kind in the Janvier Gasana, conducts research on the preponderance of lead poisoning in the inner city and nation. And on August 29, the Golden established a foundation to combat the problem. Panther' football team, led by head coach FIU receives world's largest Cuban music collection.................. 36 A gift to the University, the Cristobal and Marisa Diaz Ayala Cuban Music Collection contains Don Strock, begins its first season of some 100,000 items that span the history of popular Cuban and other Latin music. intercollegiate competition. How socially responsible investing pays off...................................38 In several respects, this year represents Karen Paul, professor of Management and International Business, helped establish the Domini 400 the start of a new era for FIU and marks Social Index, one of the oldest and most successful investment funds that is limited to socially the approach of its 30th anniversary in responsible corporations. fall 2002. The events of recent months Journey from Faculty Scholar to Circuit Court Judge....................40 Alumna Cecilia Altonaga, who has served on the bench since 1996, explains why there’s “no higher (and FIU’s 30 years) remind us that ive privilege than to be a judge.” are shaped by a past we cant change. FIU alumnus leads the 'City Beautiful'.............................................. 42 With vision and determination, however, Don Slesnick felt that the politicians weren’t listening to the people — so the political neophyte ran we can change the future — something for his city’s highest office and was elected mayor of Coral Gables. FIU has proven time and time again. ALUMNI....................................................................................................... 44 On the cover: Golden Panther Edwin Pierre it85, Tight End • George Valcarce, Photographer Todd Ellenberzo Editor www.fiu.edu/orgs/fiumag TN BRIEFnews FIU MAGAZINE sible throughout the day and evening, and health pro­ EDITOR fessionals with the Employee Assistance Program DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS were also available. The Academy for the Art of Todd Ellenberg Teaching provided faculty, via univmail, with an out­ ASSISTANT EDITOR line that offered guidance in leading classes the day Karen Cochrane after the tragedy. All the University's athletic events DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS Bill Stahl were cancelled for the week. A host of student organi­ WRITERS zations have been raising funds for relief efforts. Todd Ellenberg Karen Cochrane President Maidique issued a universitywide email Susan Lichtman Michael Malone urging against unwarranted responses against Arab or Alexandra Pecharich Muslim fellow students, colleagues and other mem­ PHOTOGRAPHER/ bers of the University community, noting the "diver­ PHOTO EDITOR Michael Upright This memorial service at University Park concluded with the release of sity that makes this University and this nation strong." ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT balloons in memory of those who perished. The Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy and EXTERNAL RELATIONS Pauline W inick Citizenship Studies, the Transnational and Compara­ DIRECTOR, INTEGRATED FIU COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO tive Studies Center, and the Center for Leadership MEDIA GROUP Todd Martinez-Padilla Simmons AMERICA'S CRISIS Development and Civic Responsibility organized a teach-in and roundtable discussion on terrorism. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL It was a day of successive nightmares beyond Several ceremonies also were held to honor those UNIVERSITY anyone's imagination, a series of unprecedented lost in the attacks. A candlelight vigil was held at PRESIDENT moments and images that have forever changed our Biscayne Bay Campus and memorial services were Modesto A. Maidique nation and the FIU community. held on both campuses. At the University Park PROVOST AND EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Sept. 11, 2001, is a day that will remain forever event, attended by a standing-room-only crowd of ACADEMIC AFFAIRS Mark B. Rosenberg etched in the memories of all those who lived through more than 600, words of comfort and patriotic EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT it. Throughout the morning, the Media Relations hymns highlighted the service, which concluded BUSINESS AND FINANCE Paul D. Gallagher Office, where a bank of televisions and VCRs record outside with the release of hundreds of red, white media coverage of the University, was filled with and blue helium balloons in memory of those who VICE PRESIDENT ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND employees and students watching the attacks of the perished. "I think these tragic deaths occurred so all UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES Rosa Jones World Trade Center and Pentagon in shocked disbe­ of us, all of the nations of the world, can be free