The University of Miami and City of Coral Gables held their annual joint Development Agreement meeting Thursday, November 2, at The Braman Miller Center for Jewish Student Life on the Coral Gables campus.
Led by Coral Gables Mayor Raúl Valdés-Fauli and University of Miami Board of Trustees Vice Chair H.T. Smith Jr., the two groups shared news during the past year about accomplishments throughout the city and on campus.
There were a lot of new faces in the crowd, with newly elected officials, city staff and UM personnel introducing themselves to the attendees.
On the city side, Valdés-Fauli was elected mayor in April, but he is a longtime politician in the city, previously serving as mayor, vice mayor and city commissioner. Those also reelected in April included Vice Mayor Patricia Keon and City Commissioner Vince C. Lago. Newly elected City Commissioner Michael Mena, a UM alumni, also attended.
Joining UM President Julio Frenk were members of his team, including Jeffrey Duerk, executive vice president and provost, and Jacqueline Travisano, executive vice president for business and finance and chief operating officer.
The meeting was the seventh since UM and Coral Gables formulated a 20-year development agreement in 2010 that guides the school’s growth and extends cultural, athletic, and academic programming to city residents.
