Rosenberg family donates $1M for FIU scholarships

FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg and his wife, Rosalie, recently announced their $1 million donation to FIU for first-generation scholarships during the launch of this year’s Ignite Campaign, designed to encourage faculty and staff to give back to FIU.

“As a first-generation college graduate myself, I understand what it means to receive financial assistance to achieve the goal of obtaining a college degree,” Rosenberg said. “Our hope is that this gift will support the next generation of researchers, leaders and entrepreneurs in preparing for the workforce and to help create good jobs.”

Rosenberg family donates $1M for FIU scholarships
Mark and Rosalie Rosenberg announce $1 million donation to FIU.

The Rosenberg gift is the largest made by an FIU president to the university. Rosenberg, a political scientist specializing in Latin America, is also the first FIU faculty member to ascend to the university’s presidency. The Rosenbergs are the proud parents of FIU alumni, Ben and Ginelle.

Rosenberg’s career began at FIU in 1976, when he was an assistant professor of political science. In 1979, he founded FIU’s Latin American and Caribbean Center (LACC), which today is known as the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center and is one of the nation’s premier federally supported research and teaching centers focusing on the region. He subsequently served as the founding dean of the College of Urban and Public Affairs, and as vice provost for international studies.

Additionally, Rosenberg helped lead the expansion and development of FIU into a major public research university currently ranked in the top tier (R1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity) by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. As provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs from 1998 to 2005, he spearheaded the establishment of the College of Law in 2002 and the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine in 2006.

Rosenberg was named president of FIU in August 2009. Under his leadership, FIU has increased enrollment to 54,000 students, improved graduation rates by 13 percentage points and hired 500 new faculty members. As president, Rosenberg has provided leadership which has helped grow the institution’s budget, improve student graduation and retention rates, expand internships for enrolled students, and coordinate FIU’s emergence as a leading producer of graduates in priority national and state areas focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Under his tenure, the university has been named as a Carnegie Engaged institution, and has developed partnerships with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, JPMorgan Chase, Florida Power & Light and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

“Dr. Rosenberg is committed to making FIU a solutions center for our community,” said Claudia Puig, Univision senior vice president and general manager for local media, and chair of FIU’s Board of Trustees. “He is driving the university to the next level by providing our students with the tools to succeed, and I’m grateful for the Rosenberg family’s generous contribution.”

In the South Florida community, Rosenberg is chair-elect of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce (GMCC). He also chairs the Academic Leaders Council (ALC) for the Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County’s official economic development organization, and serves on the board of City National Bank. In addition, he has been active with other civic organizations, including the Jewish Federation of Greater Miami and United Way.


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