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University of Miami

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This is an article about the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. For the article on Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, see Miami University.

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The University of Miami (also commonly referred to as "UM" or simply "The U") is a private university, founded in 1925, with its main campus in the city of Coral Gables in metropolitan Miami, Florida.

The university is typically ranked one of the top academic institutions in the United States. This was most recently exemplified in U.S. News & World Report's annual ranking of United States colleges and universities for 2005, which ranked the University 55th nationally. The University of Miami is particularly well known for its programs in business, marine biology, medicine and music, which rank among the very best in the nation. In 2004, the average weighted grade point average for students granted admission to the university was 4.0 and the mid-range SAT score was 1360. Sixty-three percent of University of Miami students ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class.

The current president of the university is former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Donna Shalala.

Overview

File:UMiamiLakeOsceola.jpg
A view of Hecht (left) and Stanford (right) Residential Colleges, located on the banks of Lake Osceola at the University of Miami

The University of Miami has a student body of over 15,000, and its campus spans 240 acres (1 km²) in Coral Gables. Several university satellite campuses are located in South Florida, most notably the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science on Virginia Key, and the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, which is located at Jackson Memorial Hospital in the city of Miami. The University of Miami is the largest private employer in South Florida.

The school colors are orange, green and white, which represent the different parts of the orange blossom tree.

The university is also home to the Iron Arrow Honor Society, one of the most selective and prestigious student honors organizations of any major U.S. university or college.

In 2004, the University of Miami's Convocation Center was the site of the first nationally televised U.S. presidential debate of the 2004 U.S. Presidential election, featuring President George W. Bush and his ultimately unsuccessful challenger, John Kerry.

Organization

The university is organized into eight colleges:

  • School of Architecture
  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • School of Business Administration
  • School of Communication
  • School of Education
  • College of Engineering
  • Luther Campbell School of Music
  • School of Nursing and Health Studies

The university also has three graduate-level schools:

In addition, there is a Department of Continuing and International Education.

Athletics

File:UMiamiLogo.gif
The distinctive 'Split-U' logo, the official logo of University of Miami athletic teams

For a more in-depth article on the university's football program, see: Miami Hurricanes Football.

The University of Miami has one of the most successful athletic programs in major collegiate sports. The university's sports teams are called the 'Miami Hurricanes' and compete in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Its traditional athletic rivals include the Florida State University Seminoles and the University of Florida Gators. Team colors are green, orange, and white, and the school mascot is 'Sebastian the Ibis'. The ibis was selected as the school's mascot because, according to legend, it is the last animal to flee an approaching hurricane and the first to reappear after the storm, making it a symbol of leadership and courage. Many refer to Miami simply as "The U," as the school's logo is a simple green and orange letter "U". The logo is among the most recognizable in college athletics.

Miami has been particularly dominant in football, where the Hurricanes have won five Division I national championships (1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, and 2001). With four of Miami's five national championships coming in an eight year span from 1983 to 1991, that period in college football is sometimes dubbed "The Decade of Dominance." All five of Miami's national championships have come since 1983, making it the most successful college football program of the past 25 years (Nebraska is second during that time span with three national championships). Miami has also produced two Heisman Trophy winners, Vinny Testaverde in 1986 and Gino Torretta in 1992. The current head coach of the football team is Larry Coker. The team plays its home games at the historic Miami Orange Bowl, located off-campus, in the city of Miami.

File:UMiamiIbis.jpg
Sebastian the Ibis, the official mascot of the University of Miami

Miami is also the preeminent college football program in terms of producing NFL talent: Miami holds the record for most players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft (six in 2004), as well as most first round draft picks in a two-year period (11 in 2003 and 2004) and most first round draft picks in a three-year period (15 from 2002 to 2004). Since the 2002 draft, an astounding 33 Hurricanes have been selected in the NFL Draft.

In addition to its success on the gridiron, Miami has one of the top baseball programs in the nation. Hurricane baseball teams have won four national championships (1982, 1985, 1999 and 2001) and are a mainstay at the College World Series, having reached the event 21 times, all coming since 1974.

Because of Title IX restrictions, as well as the fact it is a private school, the university only fields a total of 15 teams. In addition to football and baseball, men's teams compete in basketball, cross-country, tennis, track and field, and diving. Women's teams compete in basketball, cross-country, golf, rowing, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

Points of interest

Notable alumni

Arts & Entertainment

Athletics

Business

Law

Politics

Television

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