A palpable sense of anticipation and belonging was in the air in ’Canes Communities this July and August, as incoming first-year and transfer students were welcomed into the Hurricane family at 10 Summer Send-Off events across the country.
The events gathered nearly 650 University of Miami alumni, parents, and friends and offered incoming students an opportunity to meet and network with local alumni, new classmates, and University staff before their arrival on campus.
Frank Jimenez, B.S. ’86, a member of the University’s President’s Council and past president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and his wife Debbie, hosted 30 new ’Canes and their families at their home outside Chicago. Jimenez was impressed by the caliber of the incoming students. “Debbie and I were so delighted to meet and host Chicago-area incoming students and their families.,” Jimenez said. “Engaging with these impressively talented students re-affirmed our conviction that the university’s brightest days are ahead.”
A northern Virginia country club was the venue for the Washington D.C. Summer Send-off, hosted by Keith Taylor, B.B.A. ’81. Guest speakers Sharod Hinton, B.B.A. ’18, and Jared Lee, B.A. ’22, both Young Alumni Leaders Council members, provided valuable insights into the student experience at the U.
Taylor said he was thrilled at the opportunity to host: “I was happy to see the large turnout, and really enjoyed the intriguing conversations with our incoming students—and their parents!”
Parents enjoyed the Summer Send-offs as much as the students and hosts did. Alisa Kremer-Parrott, whose daughter is an incoming first-year student, was delighted by the Palm Beach Send-off: “It was a wonderful soiree, and it was heartwarming to see all the freshmen making connections. Our daughter’s smile was evident, and that was everything to us. Thank you!”
