On Saturday, June 21, President Donald Trump announced that the US military coordinated successful airstrikes utilizing B-2 stealth bombers on three of the Iranian regime’s nuclear facilities.
But despite the partisan divides, the nation is grappling with one question – what next? Trump announced a ceasefire just a few days after the strikes, which showed the power of strategic American Diplomacy. However, with both countries seemingly breaking the ceasefire, these next moments should not be about fear, but a call for prudent action.
Various lawmakers have reacted to the strikes, including Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Senator Rick Scott of Florida, who commended the president’s decision. However, members of both parties have criticized the move, particularly Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green who said it was not America’s fight and 2028 presidential hopeful Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who even called for the impeachment of Trump over the strikes.
Moving forward, Trump needs to continue applying precise, intelligence-led action against defined targets, such as the remaining nuclear facilities which have already been pointed out, and the eventual ceasefire rather than open ended conflicts.
The president cannot declare war, thanks to Article 1 Section 8 of the U.S. constitution. But he can authorize a military strike on a target as commander in chief. This is the exact power a president should have, despite claims that Trump’s actions violate the constitution. Trump has done nothing illegal nor unconstitutional, and in fact, he has done everything within his power that is granted to him by the constitution.
For Florida, the repercussions of the conflict are tangible. A B-2 stealth bomber was spotted performing a flyby over the Miami skyline during the Air and Sea show on Memorial Day weekend – reminding citizens and the rest of the world of the formidable might of the American military. While claims that Iran wants to invade the Sunshine State have been debunked, the impact from the conflict is still very real, with UM feeling it in our own backyard.
22 University of Miami students on an internship program in Israel also found themselves caught in the escalating crossfire. With missile sirens in the background, the students were forced to flee their complex in Tel Aviv to the Neveg Desert, where they took a ship to a Cyprus port and were then able to fly home.
Gov. Ron DeSantis displayed remarkable state leadership when his office arranged for rescue flights to evacuate approximately 1,500 Jewish Americans from Israel back to Florida, including the 22 UM students. The flights were also chartered through Cyprus. This vital operation was executed through the Florida Division of Emergency Management, bringing relief to countless families. The governor also personally greeted evacuees at Tampa International Airport, displaying compassionate and hands on leadership.
Johan Perez, a resident of Miami Dade County, noted how DeSantis displayed the kind of leadership that this moment calls for.
“The governor showed the kind of compassion that we want from our leaders,” Perez said, “especially in a time where our politicians try to divide us.”
However, as Israel and Iran continue to fight, the U.S. must also continue to bring peace efforts to the table in order to ensure peace and deter conflict in the middle east. In his part, the president has played it well. Trump took out a major part of Iran’s nuclear armament, which cripples a danger that could put not just Israel or America, but the whole world at risk, and made the effort to bring peace to the region.
As the nation moves forward, the strategy must be clear: peace through strength and diplomacy. While it may be easy for elected officials in positions of privilege to criticize the hard choice President Trump and his administration made, it is also important to remember that the president would not do this unless it ensures the safety of not only American citizens, but also for citizens around the world.
As UM students headed home for the summer, Kai Trump, one of our future athletes, made headlines for a scary reason. On June 3, a 23-year-old man hopped the gates of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate for a second time, wanting to speak to the president and marry his eldest granddaughter and UM golf commit.
The UM community must do its part to let Kai Trump be a student, allowing her to attend class and experience a normal college life. The disturbing incident reflects an unfortunate trend in which the families of presidents become targets of public scrutiny, stalking or worse.
Malia Obama, Barack Obama’s eldest child, faced with a similar situation when she worked as an intern in the Tribeca office in New York. Chelsea Clinton, the only child of Bill Clinton, was called a “dog” at 13 by the late conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh. The Bush twins, Jenna and Barbara, also faced intense scrutiny during their father George W. Bush’s two terms. The girls were both in college at the time and their activities were heavily documented.
Kai initially first gained public attention last year when she spoke highly of her grandfather during the Republican National Convention. Despite her debut being political, her content was mostly related to her lifestyle, including golf training, DC trips and other vacations, shying away from the family’s political spotlight.
It’s important to remember that we are all human. People like Kai, and other political relatives deserve the same respect, privacy and security as everyone else.
This latest stalking incident is a stark reminder that the university must also be as cooperative as possible with Trump’s security team in order to ensure her safety on campus.
Students should welcome her to the ‘Canes community with open arms, but should also respect her privacy. Doing things like letting her sit with you at lunch or walking with her to class can make her feel right at home
The University of Miami is no stranger to high-profile students, and the school prides itself on being a welcoming and inclusive campus. Let’s rise to that standard by giving Kai Trump the chance to be a member of the Hurricane family, free from the burdens of unwanted attention. We should respect her privacy both on and off campus, as well as supporting the university’s efforts to ensure her safety in light of the alarming breach at Mar-a-Lago.
If we truly believe in community and respect, let’s show it. Let’s leave Kai Trump alone.
Sabrina Carpenter’s new album art for ‘Man’s Best Friend’ created the latest social media divide, spurring debate between fans and critics alike. One side argues that the album cover, which features the singer in a short black dress on her knees reaching out to a (presumed) man in a suit while he clutches a fistful of her hair, is degrading to women. People have left comments on her Instagram saying “the image isn’t very empowering to women.”
Others on X have pointed out the album cover clearly has a satirical tone, playing on the term “bitch” regularly being applied to women. Fans are confused and don’t know which way to sway.
I do, however, know the following: money talks.
Carpenter isn’t begging for attention or playing into the patriarchy. Rather, she is carefully crafting a conversation built to generate buzz for her album, and in turn, revenue.
The 26-year-old American Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and actress is known for her big doe eyes and platinum blonde hair. These, along with her short stature give her a certain sense of innocence. Carpenter’s “horny choreography” and figure hugging outfits showcased at her live performances both intrigue audiences and cause us to scratch our heads.
All of this appeals to America’s guilty pleasure: good girls gone bad. The public focuses on the more sexual aspects of her performance and music. Carpenter is the mirror, showing us our own dirty thoughts and reflection. If controversy is currency, it makes sense that she would use it to her advantage. It is a classic strategy in terms of garnering liquid and social capital.
I understand some feel that Carpenter’s art sets women back. A large part of the modern feminist movement involvesde-centering men and not dressing or acting for the benefit of the male gaze.
In a New York Times article, Stella Bugbee says Carpenter’s cover art is “very pornographic.” Admittedly, seeing a woman in a position that could be described as degrading doesn’t scream “I am woman, hear me roar.”
Some of Carpenter’s fans feel differently.
Ariana Glaser, a UM student and fan of Sabrina’s work for over a decade, feels that “it’s pretty obvious that the album is not catering to men the way people would like to pretend it is … Sabrina has NEVER pandered to men.”
Sabrina isn’t performing for the male gaze. She is merely capitalizing on what both the public and the algorithms focus on.
So, if Sabrina isn’t undoing years of feminism, is she catapulting it forward?
Maybe not, but with its general lack of intersectionality and inclusiveness, feminism has more to worry about than the cover art of a traditionally beautiful white woman.
I believe the cover to be satirical and Sabrina is in on the joke. Men refer to women as “bitches” and dogs as “man’s best friend.” Both revolve around male ownership. Looking at the camera, Sabrina invites the viewer to guess what happens next. Maybe she uses her feminine wiles to get what she wants from the man in the photo. Maybe she is literally taken for a walk. Some fans are speculating that she is the ‘man’ pulling her hair since we can’t see ‘his’ face. Unless she gives us a clear cut answer, we’ll never know.
The point of the cover art is to start a dialogue, one that translates to likes, views, shares and ultimately dollars. The singer has revamped the discussion of female empowerment while increasing curiosity related to her album “Man’s Best Friend.”
Engagement is the new currency. With over 4.5 million likes on her Instagram post announcing the album, Sabrina likely hears public discourse as background noise while sipping her espresso and counting her coins.
It is common for college students to secure summer internships, maybe even one in a different state. What is not common is to have your internship site become a war zone almost overnight.
For 22 University of Miami students, their summer in Israel has been spent waking up to missile sirens, running to shelters to escape rocket fire and preparing for emergency evacuations.
The young travelers were three weeks into their eight-week Onward Israel internship program when they were caught in the crossfire of a war in the Middle East. Now, they are unable to evacuate the country because of a complete closure of the Israeli and Iranian airspaces. All flights at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport are cancelled indefinitely.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reported that he believed Tehran was “marching very quickly” towards the development of a nuclear weapon. In response, Israel launched a preemptive strike on Iran last week to prevent further development of uranium-based infrastructure.
Iran and Israel have since traded repeated strikes, including strikes on the cities of Tehran, Tel Aviv and Haifa.
At the time of publication, at least 24 Israelis and 639 Iranians have been killed, according to NBC News.
The Onward program initially housed participants in Tel Aviv, but relocated them to a more secure location in the Negev Desert after Iranian missiles struck Israel. After the young adults, including the author of this article, were sheltered in place in a hotel there for five nights, they left Israel on a cruise ship to Larnaca, a port on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. The students will fly back to the U.S. from there.
As of Friday, June 20, Birthright Israel has not given the Onward Miami cohort information about their upcoming flight.
Ethan Goetz, a junior and chair of programming at UM Hillel, said that it was jarring going from the center of the conflict in Tel Aviv to a more remote location in the Negev.
“When we got to the [desert hotel] and we didn’t wake up from sirens after the first night, it felt really weird. In Tel Aviv, we woke up late at night, 1 a.m., 2 a.m. [and] 5 a.m. from sirens,” said Goetz. “Going to the [desert hotel], I felt safer but less connected to the reality of the conflict.”
Before the conflict erupted, the students hoped to further their professional development, build friendships and form a connection with Israel and their Jewish identity. The Onward program operates under the umbrella of Birthright Israel, a larger nonprofit that brings Jewish people ages 18-26 on a 10-day free trip to the Jewish homeland.
UM Onward participants have spent more than a month in Israel, initially as a part of UM Hillel’s Birthright trip, then accepting Onward’s internship placements. More than 2,800 students on Birthright Israel programs have been affected by the evacuation.
The Onward cohort from the Miami-Dade area included 33 participants, composed of students at the University of Miami and Miami residents who attend other Florida schools.
Miami-Dade Onward cohort gathers before they are unexpectedly forced to evacuate. // Photo credit: Daniella Krasney.
“The University of Miami continues to monitor the situation in Israel and is in constant contact with the facilitators sponsoring the student’s visit to Israel. We are also continuing close communication with state officials to ensure the safe return of the students,” the University of Miami said in a statement.
“The University was notified on June 13 that approximately two dozen University students are currently in Israel, participating in educational programs, including Birthright and Onward Israel, that are not sponsored by or operated by the University. However, the University immediately engaged with campus partners, including Hillel, and state officials to ensure that safe travel for our students back to the United States has been secured.”
University of South Florida junior Noam Benartzy said the program’s cancellation is a massive letdown.
“I’ve been planning to do Onward this summer since I was a senior in high school,” said the Aventura native. “I’m devastated because the program meant so much to me, and to be in Israel is a feeling that we can never take for granted as Jews.”
Benartzy’s sister, who currently lives in Tel Aviv, went into labor while the group was in the Dead Sea.
“My sister gave birth and I had to miss it because the program said it wasn’t safe to be in Tel Aviv anymore. And she gave birth in a hospital basement,” the junior said. “The attacks have already taken so much from me. I feel like everything I had worked for was for nothing.”
Screenshot of Scanner app shows all missile strike alerts in the last 24 hours as of Friday, June 6 at 6:20 p.m. Israel daylight time. // Photo credit: Daniella Krasney.
Other students faced similar disappointment and fear.
Ava Perloff, a junior at the University of Miami, was working as a research assistant for the Regenerative Biology and Immunology Department at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, a city 12 miles south of Tel Aviv. Perloff said that following drone attacks, she was shocked to learn that the research center was targeted by Iran.
“I woke up to the news of my work being bombed. The place that became my home for the summer had been destroyed from ballistic missiles,” Perloff said. “What if I was in the building?”
Perloff is a Persian Jew whose family is from Iran. She expressed the dangers of the Iranian regime as echoes of a familiar past.
“The same regime that forced my mother and her family in 1978 to flee from Tehran, Iran has threatened our lives once again,” she said. “Truthfully, my family never fully escaped the dangers of the regime.”
Sydney Bederman is a junior at UM and has been documenting her journey in Israel since the beginning of the program. She says that social media is a strong way to stay connected and educate others.
“None of my home friends are Jewish, so I hope that my platform informs them and other non-Jews about what’s happening in Israel,” she said.
From bomb shelter footage to beach days, Bederman’s TikTok page, @sydney_bederman has garnered more than 700,000 views and 500 comments on her travel-style posts. She said that her content attracted pro-Palestinian users, turning her apolitical content into a breeding ground for political engagement.
“People have been leaving comments like ‘Free Palestine’ even before the conflict with Iran started,” the junior said. “There are so many, and my content is not political at all.”
The Miami Hurricane’s TikTok reporting on the developing crisis drew similar responses.
“Lol why would they even go there… anyways free Palestine,” one user commented on The Hurricane’s TikTok page.
Zander Rappaport, the IACT coordinator at the University of Miami Hillel, says that this political environment is exactly why bringing young Jews to Israel is important.
“People see what’s going on and ask, ‘Why would anyone go to Israel right now?’ But that question misses the point. Students don’t go just for a vacation – they go because Israel is part of who they are,” Rappaport said. “They’re not tourists; they’re young Jews looking to build a real connection to their heritage, their history and their people. That connection doesn’t disappear when things get complicated – if anything, it becomes more real.”
“These programs aren’t just about seeing a place. They’re about helping young Jews understand what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves,” Rappaport said.
Daniella Krasney, author of this article, stands in the lobby of her internship’s building. // Photo credit: Daniella Krasney.
Florida Gov. Ron De Santis has arranged one chartered flight from Cyprus to Tampa, Fla. for Birthright participants that landed Thursday. This comes as U.S. diplomats were already evacuated Wednesday via land routes to Jordan and Egypt. No UM students were on this flight.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management said in a Facebook post that they are “actively coordinating efforts to assist Americans seeking evacuation from the hostile situation in Israel.”
Birthright Israel has said it will cover all costs associated with accommodations, transportation and travel.
Despite the uncertainty, the Miami Onward group remains optimistic for the future. Goetz said that he feels closer to his peers than ever.
“I think this trip has bonded us,” Goetz said. “As American Jews, we don’t really know any of this firsthand. Experiencing it and living it has shown me and the group what Jewish resiliency really means and how strong of a people we are.”
Birthright CEO Gidi Mark issued a statement when the organization initially sent its first fleet of students on the ship bound for Cyprus.
“Today we witnessed the true spirit of Birthright Israel – not only as an educational journey, but as a global family committed to the safety and well-being of every participant,” Mark said in the statement. “Our team continues to work around the clock to secure solutions for the remaining participants still in Israel.”
UM students hold up the “U” on Tuesday, June 17. // Photo courtesy of Daniella Krasney.
These students may be facing uncertainty, but Benartzy said these lived experiences aren’t simply setbacks, but a way for students to connect and resonate with their Jewish identity.
“We’re escaping this country in fear the same way our ancestors have in their homes time and time again,” Benartzy said. “This is a moment in history that won’t be forgotten by me, my family or any Jew.”
Sebastian the Ibis made mascot history on Tuesday morning, joining the Mascot Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on Good Morning America. UM’s iconic ibis is one of five professional and collegiate mascots recognized this year and one of 33 that have been inducted since 2005.
Sebastian also appeared on the 2020 and 2024 MHOF ballots but did not surpass the 60% of votes required for induction.
This year, more than 125,000 people voted for their favorite mascot during May’s two-week voting period. The MHOF Executive Committee also casted a vote weighing six times that of the public vote.
Mercer Peakes, a rising junior studying finance, is surprised that Sebastian was not honored sooner in his career.
“It took them way too long to recognize Sebastian,” Peakes said. “He is one of the most iconic mascots in college athletics. I am happy that he beat out many other big names in the mascot world, such as the Oregon Duck and Big Al for the honor.”
According to the MHOF website, the initiative aims “to recognize and honor the best of the best mascot characters and programs in existence.”
To qualify for nomination, a mascot must be 10 years old and leave an impact in sports and in their community.
Caitlyn Freitas, a rising senior studying political science, is excited about Sebastian’s flight to the hall of fame.
“UM has such a unique atmosphere that is hard to encapsulate, but Sebastian represents it perfectly. He commands crowds and always gets us excited about the game,” Freitas said. “It’s incredible that such an important part of our school is being recognized in this way.”
Sebastian’s flair and “C-A-N-E-S” spelling performance have remained constant since his debut in 1956. With his recent engagement to Gigi the Ibis in the Bahamas, Sebastian has been ruffling feathers on the sidelines and on social media, helping secure his spot in the MHOF.
As Sebastian soars to new levels of fame, fans can continue spotting him at games and around campus, including his regular stops at Lake Osceola for high-fives.
22 University of Miami students are awaiting evacuation in Israel due to rising tensions between Iran and the Jewish state.
Participants were three weeks into an Onward Birthright Israel program, an eight-week internship in Tel Aviv. Students were relocated to a more secure location on Saturday, June 14, after escalating strikes between Israeli and Iranian forces.
“The University of Miami was notified on June 13 that approximately two dozen University students are currently in Israel, participating in educational programs, including Birthright and Onward Israel, that are not sponsored by or operated by the University,” the University of Miami said in a statement. “However, the University immediately engaged with campus partners, including Hillel, and state officials to ensure that safe travel for our students back to the United States has been secured.”
All flights arriving and departing Israel are cancelled indefinitely. Students are scheduled to board a boat from Israel to Cyprus later this week where they will be flown back to the U.S. Participants have not received information regarding their return flights.
“This process could take a number of days, but you will be supported throughout the journey,” Birthright Israel Onward said in an email to participants and families. “What stands foremost in our minds is bringing you home safely — and we’re doing everything possible to ensure that.”
Thousands of people across South Florida and Miami-Dade County took to the streets to participate in the “No Kings Day” protest on Saturday. However, Millions more people participated in more than 2,000 protests across the country.
The No Kings protests on Saturday directly followed the protests against the Trump administration’s immigration policies and actions, particularly those in Los Angeles. Organizers planned the mass No Kings protest to fall on President Donald Trump’s birthday parade and the Army’s 250th anniversary.
The name “No Kings Day” comes from Trump’s Truth Social post celebrating his attempt to end congestion pricing in New York City.
Trump’s post read, “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!”
There were 70 official protests across Florida. Protesters in Miami gathered around the Torch of Friendship on Biscayne Blvd. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. On Miami Beach, protesters gathered at Pride Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m..
Approximately 2000 people took part in the protest around the Torch of Friendship.
For rising UM sophomore Ariana Glaser, Trump’s post is one of the many reasons why she decided to join the protest in her home state of New York.
“I think Donald Trump feeds off of weakness – he feeds off of making civilians feel powerless,” she said. “But by going to these protests and using our voices, we take some of that power back.”
Glaser is not the only one who feels strongly about the Trump administration’s actions. She was joined by about 200 other people in Patchogue, N.Y. despite the rain. Although each sign was different, the message was the same.
“Everyone there was united by love for our country and what we believe it once was, what it still could be,” Glaser said. “It was all just people standing together in the face of fascism.”
While Glaser was joined by people from all walks of life such as teachers, retirees and veterans, there was a notable lack of young people at her protest and many others across the nation.
“I’d say there were a fair few (young people), even a couple of really young kids,” Glaser said. “There were definitely more older people though.”
Despite this, Glaser is relieved that the older generation is still taking a stand.
The Patchogue protesters and others across the country protested peacefully. Some organizers even coordinated with law enforcement to ensure a safe and peaceful demonstration.
Before the No Kings protests, multiple police departments across South Florida issued ground rules for what would and would not be tolerated from protesters. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also reminded citizens of the state’s law against riots.
This is an extension of Florida’s “stand your ground” law. This justifies civilians using force, but not deadly force, when they or their property is threatened.
Gov. DeSantis said “If you drive off and you hit one of these people, that’s their fault for impinging on you. You don’t have to sit there and just be a sitting duck and let the mob grab you out of your car and drag you through the streets. You have a right to defend yourself in Florida.”
This intense effort to ensure that the organized protests would be safe and peaceful is in response to the recent anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles.
Most protests, including those held in South Florida, remained peaceful.
Trump has made no comment regarding the protests other than not feeling like a king in the days leading up to his birthday and the protests. However, he has promised to expand the immigration crackdown in Democratic-led cities since the protests.
DII National Champion, a two-time ACC Champion, and the Hurricanes javelin record holder, Devoux Deysel can add DI National Champion to his list of accomplishments on his resume. This weekend in Eugene, Oregon, the senior took home the national title and, along with that, a few other firsts. He’s the first ever to win the javelin title both at the DI and DII level, the first Hurricane to claim outdoor NCAA gold since Davian Clarke did so in 1996, and the first ACC representative to take the javelin title since 2006. He led the way for the ‘Canes in a weekend where several other members cemented themselves as All-Americans.
Deysel has consistently topped the men’s field in the javelin, a trend he’s set since arriving from Angelo State two years ago. In those two years he’s shattered Miami’s records during the outdoor season. In his first-ever meet as a Hurricane, he topped a 25-year-old record set by Hurricanes Hall of Famer Ed Reed in 1999. From there he made his way to an ACC Championship gold and then an NCAA bronze.
But Deysel was not satisfied and came through his senior season with a vengeance. Gold’s in all his regular season appearances; he continued to push his record further. Another ACC gold followed up by a solid performance at the East Trials set him up for another chance at claiming that NCAA gold.
It didn’t take long for Deysel to make his statement on the national level. On his first throw the javelin hit the mark at 81.75 m, and no one would come close to competing. Two meters (about 9 feet) better than anyone in the competition, Deysel ended his senior season at the top of the podium with a gold medal around his neck.
Deysel wasn’t the only Hurricane to take home some personal glory. On Friday the ‘Canes took home two second-team All-American nods in the discus and the high jump. Desmond Coleman represented Miami in the discus and earned his first career All-American nod. After fouling on his first attempt and landing at the mark of 56.04, Coleman’s final throw landed at the 58.58 m mark, his second best throw of the season. This launched him up the leaderboards and into the 11th spot to earn his All-American spot.
Kennedy Sauder later that day followed him up, earning his third career All-American nod. Landing his first attempt at 2.10 meters, Sauder would earn a second team nod as well.
The women rounded out the success for the ‘Canes with some big performances that came together on Saturday. Earlier in the evening Christina Warren took to the triple jump, and on her second jump she landed at the 13.03 m mark, good for second team recognition.
On the track, Miami had two more big appearances to end their weekend. Junior Sanaa Hebron pulled double time again for Miami as she ran in both the 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay, helping Miami qualify for the finals in both. In the hurdles she placed fourth overall and second in her heat at 55.73 to qualify for finals, where she earned first-team All-American recognition. At 55.46 seconds, she placed fourth, just 0.26 short of third place.
With the relay women, she was joined by Serena Tate, Gabriella Grissom, and Alyssa Robinson. The group during the semis earned a finals spot after posting the fifth-fastest time in school history at 3:28.61, the sixth-best in the qualifying round, and ended eighth in the finals Saturday.
It was a long year for the Hurricanes, both through their indoor and outdoor seasons. With several All-American nods, ACC Championship victories, and crowning a national champion, this Hurricane’s squad is continuing to get better. The clock for next year is already ticking, and with several big-name Hurricanes heading into their senior seasons, next year could be another big one for the ‘Canes.
In this special summer exclusive interview for Catch Up Canes, Sophia interviews recent PhD graduate, Nkosi Muse, from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, about his outstanding publication on heat hazards, which won him the Annual Best Student Publication Prize.
Prefer a different platform? We’ve got you covered.
Diane and Gerald “Jerry” Cook made a multimillion-dollar commitment to the University of Miami through their estate plans, establishing the Cook Endowed Presidential Impact Fund.
The unrestricted fund will support high-priority initiatives on the Coral Gables Campus, allowing future generations to benefit from the same sense of community and purpose that Diane found during her 30-year career at the U.
“I wanted to support the University in perpetuity, and this enabled me to do that,” Diane said. “I cut my teeth on endowment management – advising existing endowments and determining the best way to use our resources – so I understood just how valuable this money could be.”
Diane’s insight into how beneficial this money could be to the University of Miami comes from her distinguished career at UM, where she served as vice president, treasurer and secretary to the Board of Trustees. Although she spent the majority of her career in the Sunshine State, Diane did not begin her education in the South.
Long before she became a University of Miami executive and champion of innovation, Diane was a high school student in South Bend, Ind., dreaming of attending Notre Dame. However, the university was not admitting women in the late 1960s. So, she chose Purdue University, her father’s alma mater, where she met the love of her life and aspiring aviation student, Jerry Cook.
“Our roommates were dating,” she said. “So I got to know Jerry over bridge games, since my roommate was eager to learn.”
She graduated in 1972 with top honors and a business degree. The following year, Diane and Jerry got married and soon after the wedding they moved to Florida for Jerry’s career in the airline industry.
Her connection to the city started to grow in 1978, when Jerry’s colleague from Air Florida welcomed the couple to the city with a dinner party.
At the party, Diane met faculty members from what is now known as the Miami Herbert Business School. The faculty quickly recognized her intellect and encouraged her to pursue an MBA.
She completed her degree in 1980 and, by then, was working as a financial analyst in the University of Miami treasurer’s office.
“It was a good fit,” Diane said. “I had a great boss in Steve Ashman, hard challenges I could handle, everything just clicked. I also learned how important it is to have a village around you.”
Her tight knit community at UM quickly became a second home while helping her recover from Hurricane Andrew’s destruction in 1992.
“My husband was out of town at the time, so I was alone because of Hurricane Andrew,” Diane said. “The University showed me a lot of care and concern, offering handymen to board up my windows and giving me a cell phone to manage in the aftermath.”
She did not hesitate to help her community as well, even while she was recovering from the aftermath of the hurricane.
“I remember offering my home to a colleague who lost everything. I said, ‘Bring your wife, bring your dog, bring your parrot; my house is yours.’”
She earned a reputation for precision, dependability and pushing boundaries with innovation.
“I pitched new ideas to the board, memorized every fact and figure for my presentations, I oversaw all financial transactions, I fought for innovative retirement plan changes,” she said. “It eventually became the hallmark of my professional reputation — what I promised, I delivered.”
Diane received numerous honors over the years, including the May A. Brunson Award for helping women embrace computer technology, the President’s Medal for meritorious service and induction into the Iron Arrow Society, the University’s highest honor.
Jerry passed away on Sept. 4, 2024 with Diane at his side. He was a passionate innovator and a devoted family man, often describing himself as “the guy who fixes problems.”
In light of his death, the Cook family’s estate plan outlines that the Cook Endowed Presidential Impact Fund will be distributed to the University of Miami. Estate plans are designed for people to outline how they wish for their assets to be divided. These plans are useful in life and also ensure that the person’s wishes are carried out upon death.
Diane retired from UM in 2010, but her commitment to the institution continues through her donation. For Diane, this gift reflects a life shaped by service and community.
“Retirement has been a novel experience for me: I get a great night’s sleep every day; I hadn’t done that in years,” she said. “Life is good.”
Lance Kreitzer’s five years at the University came to an end when he graduated last month. The meteorology major and Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadet said he was excited to graduate but was even more excited for his commissioning ceremony on May 10.
“I’m looking forward to graduating because it’s something I’ve been working toward for five years,” Kreitzer said. “I couldn’t be commissioned without earning my degree, but I’m looking forward to my commissioning more because I’ll be starting the career I’ve dreamed of having since middle school.”
Kreitzer will leave for his first base assignment in June as a weather officer at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. He waited 10 months to find out he got his dream job in his desired location.
Lance Kreitzer (far right) and his fellow classmates at Homestead Air Reserve Base for a KC-135 incentive flight, on April 10, 2024. // Credit: Courtesy of Lance Kreitzer
Raised in St. Petersburg, Fla., Kreitzer discovered his passion for meteorology when he was 10 years old by watching the reality television show “Hurricane Hunters.” The show, produced by The Weather Channel, follows the Air Force Reserve Squadron based in Biloxi, Miss., as they fly through hurricanes to gather meteorological data. Kreitzer said the crew inspired him to pursue that career.
“Watching the crew fly through hurricanes and remain cool as clams stuck out to me,” Kreitzer said. “They did it to learn how to better protect people. I really wanted to do that.”
When he was 12, Kreitzer joined the Civil Air Patrol, a non-profit organization that serves as the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. There, he learned how to march and other Air Force customs. Kreitzer volunteered with the Civil Air Patrol for nine years and said the experience prepared him for UM’s Air Force ROTC program.
When Kreitzer first began his college search, he narrowed his focus to Florida institutions that had both a meteorology program and an Air Force ROTC program. Florida State University and UM were his top choices. He said his family influenced his decision.
“UF and FSU are longtime rivals,” Kreitzer said, referring to University of Florida and Florida State University. “Many of my relatives went to UF, so their distaste for FSU helped sway my decision.”
In addition to his family, Kreitzer’s tours of the Coral Gables campus and Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science made him choose UM.
“Seeing how nice the facilities were and meeting staff who were excited about me joining the program sealed the deal for me,” he said. “Plus, it’s fitting that I’d be a Miami Hurricane since I was fascinated with hurricanes as a kid.”
In fall 2020, Kreitzer started as a meteorology and marine science double major. He said transitioning from high school to college was harder than he expected. His sophomore year, Kreitzer dropped his marine science major, leading him to stay at UM for a fifth year.
“That was really discouraging for me, but God always has a plan,” Kreitzer said. “Looking back, I’m glad I stayed an extra year because this year I’ve grown the most as a person and leader.”
Kreitzer has held several positions in the ROTC program. He served as a finance officer, weather officer and wellness officer. This year, he served as a flight commander to 10 cadets. Additionally, he woke up at 4:30 a.m. twice a week for physical training sessions. Kreitzer said balancing his duties with his course load was challenging but worth it.
Lance Kreitzer posing in front of the American flag for his official headshot. // Credit: Courtesy of Lance Kreitzer
“I got to network with weatherpersons and explore the Air Force,” Kreitzer said. “Last spring, I went on an incentive flight out of the Homestead Air Force Base. I watched jets do aerial refueling under me while I was in a Boeing KC-135. I’m really glad to be a part of this.”
As Kreitzer reflected on his time at UM, he had some parting words for the cadets.
“People ask, ‘how can you be an officer if you’re scared of things?’” Kretizer said. “My grandparents have a fridge magnet with a John Wayne quote that says, ‘Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.’ There were times I thought I wouldn’t graduate. I was scared, but I kept going until the job was done, and now I crossed the finish line.”
“Are you a homosexual?” That was the first thing comedian Ruben Rabasa heard when he arrived in America. “Are you a communist?” was next. He had a pretty rough welcome. Rabasa wants people to have a better one on their next summer trip to Miami.
“In 1980, I came back [to Miami] because that’s where my people are,” Rabasa said. “I love the water, the water in New York and California was too cold, so Miami was great.”
Learn Rabasa’s tips for an unforgettable (and safe) time in the 305. You don’t want to make the same mistakes he did. Trust me.
“In Cuba, I almost got hit by a shark,” Rabasa said. “ I like to swim out.”
First, see the renowned Cuban jokester before you land. He has airplane flicks that will bring Miami to your cramped seat like “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and “Thelma.” But you need to download some of his best work before you take off.
Tim Robinson’s Netflix series “I Think You Should Leave” showed Rabasa to the world as Focus Group Man #1. His character’s obsession with a small, stinky car that has a wheel which stays in the car instead of flying out made Robinson the straight man for once.
Seeing Focus Group Man #1 can get you prepared for Miami natives. Finding a Focus Group Man #1 at South Beach is easy. Taking him to a great Cuban restaurant is harder. Especially if you don’t know your French like Rabasa.
“When you hear the name of the Cuban restaurant, ‘Versailles,’ I thought it was French,” Rabasa said. “Then I went to another one that said ‘Romeu,’ I thought it was Italian, it’s Cuban food.”
Easy mistake. But there’s no joke when it comes to their ropa vieja and pollo a la plancha. Their ventanita is Rabasa’s window into his home. Now, he’s working to move that window into theaters.
He’s taking his one-man show that premiered in 2022 at GableStage, “Rubenology: The Making of an American Legend,” to the next level. Rabasa is building a crew to adapt a different comedy script, “They Fall in Love With the Moon,” that further expands on the immigrant experience of diving into a new world.
With Coral Gables fans young and old rushing to their seats for “Rubenology,” Rabasea knows Miamians will feel seen in. He works to make “They Fall in Love With the Moon” another reminder about why cities like Miami are one of a kind.
Stay up-to-date on Rabasa’s projects and laugh out loud sketches to see the most of the sunny city. He makes them speak to every heart and language.
“No matter what you do, you can always translate everything,” Rabasa said.
Enjoy Miami and experience everything, Rabasa-style.
