More than 19,000 University employees and their families and friends attended the Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day held on Saturday, April 30, at the Miami Marlins game.
The evening, hosted by University leadership, was filled with festivities for the entire family as employees and their guests enjoyed a pregame party on the West Plaza at loanDepot Park. Crowds gathered to send appreciation notes to fellow ’Canes, enjoy live music, and share photo opportunities with Billy the Marlin, Sebastian the Ibis, and The Miami Maniac.
Throughout the game, several employees—who had marked career milestones—participated in unique and exclusive on-field fan experiences. Those who celebrated 10 and 25 years of service at the University joined members of the LGBTQ Faculty-Staff Network, Women’s Commission, Women in Academic Medicine, Veterans Unite, and Ubuntu Employee Resource Groups, as well as Title IX Coordinators to carry the U.S. flag during the national anthem performance. Several employees celebrating 25 and more years of service took a pregame photo on the field alongside University president Julio Frenk; Jacqueline Travisano, executive vice president for business and finance and chief operating officer; Dr. Henri Ford, dean and chief academic officer for the Miller School of Medicine; and Rudy Fernandez, executive vice president for external affairs and strategic initiatives and chief of staff.
“The dedication of our faculty and staff is the driving force behind our greatest achievements,” said Frenk. “I am grateful that the University community is able to come together to recognize the tenacity and spirit with which we have faced the global challenges and opportunities of the past few years—together.”
Kent Schomber, senior mail clerk, who celebrated 35 years at the U, got the honor of kicking off the game with the "play ball!" announcement.
During an on-field presentation, the Bruce & Cynthia Sherman Foundation, owners of the Marlins, bestowed the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute with a $500,000 check to fund new research initiatives.
Evening celebrations ended with a win for the Miami Marlins over the Seattle Mariners, 3-1.
