www.mdc.edu/collegeforum | MIAMI DADE @MDCollege | /MDCollege | @MDCollege | Miami Dade College | /MiamiDadeCollege COLLEGE Miami Dade College’s distin-guished commencement speak-ers offered students valuable life lessons about perseverance, the importance of giving back, and the power of gratitude as the new graduates bid farewell to MDC and embarked on the next phase of their life journey. The speakers’ sage advice punc-tuated three energetic and uplift-ing ceremonies at loanDepot park, where students filling center field joyfully displayed their decorated caps and gowns and shared their collective pride at reaching such an important milestone. “Colleges are custodians of both the enduring traditions of learning, and of the transformative pow-er they bestow upon those who come to learn,” said MDC President Madeline Pumariega. “Today we celebrate the important ritual of commencement. We welcome you, our graduates, into the ranks of the f orum June 2024 • Volume 29 • Number 2 academy and as lifelong learners.” With loud thumping music, twirl-ing streamers and lively videos on jumbotrons, commencement was festive but also full of tradition, including the annual flag cere-mony that recognizes students’ home countries. In all, nearly 13,000 students representing 118 nationalities and speaking 23 languages received de-grees and certificates – an impres-sive reminder of the College’s reach across the state, nation and globe. The excitement was palpable as friends and family filled the stadium to cheer on their loved ones. “He worked so hard to get here and we are so proud of him,” said Martha Matias, whose son Sean Matias was honored with a schol-arship from the Board of Trustees for his exemplary academic success and leadership. “This is only the beginning for him.” Continued on page 12 Nearly 13,000 Graduates Celebrated at Three Spirited Ceremonies COMMENCEMENT 2024 MIAMI DADE COLLEGE and FIFA Announce Unprecedented Collaboration Miami Dade College will house the first FIFA exhibition in the U.S. as part of an unprecedented collaboration that will highlight the world’s most popular sport – soccer – and provide learning op-portunities for the College’s students. “As democracy’s college, MDC is the place where everyone comes for an opportunity,” said MDC President Madeline Pumariega, who was joined by FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the exciting announcement. “This collaboration is cre-ating hope and opportunity for our students and everyone in our community.” The exhibition will be housed inside MDC’s National Historic Landmark Freedom Tower, cur-rently undergoing a major renovation in advance of its centennial anniversary and re-opening in 2025. FIFA, which is the governing body of inter-national football, will loan important items from its museum in Zurich. Infantino said the exhibit will put a spotlight on the history and growth of soccer across the Americas and showcase import-ant FIFA events that have taken place in Miami over the decades. “Miami is a spe-cial city,” Infantino told a crowd of MDC and com-munity leaders and former soccer players, including legends Blaise Matuidi and Teófilo Cubillas. From left, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava; President “Miami is vibrant. Madeline Pumariega; FIFA Miami is young. President Gianni Infantino; Inter Miami is definitely Miami co-owner Jorge Mas; Miami Mayor Francis Suarez the capital of the world of fútbol .” On top of that, he added, MDC is “a vibrant college, open to everyone in the world with a fantastic and unique president.” The announcement came as Miami gears up for the 2026 World Cup , hosting seven matches including the Bronze Final Match. Continued on page 14 FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President Madeline Pumariega, center, and Honors College students
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