The Presidential Debate at the University of Miami

About the University of Miami

Located in one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the world, the University of Miami is an integral part of the South Florida community, making enormous contributions to educational achievement, professional development, cultural enrichment, economic strength, health and wellness, and quality of life.

With UM’s selection as host of the first presidential debate of 2004, it is the first time that a Florida university has been chosen for such a prestigious event. From humble roots to its current well-earned international reputation for excellence, the University is poised to showcase Miami to the world and celebrate democracy and diversity.

The University of Miami is one of the largest, private research universities in the southeastern United States. It currently enrolls nearly 15,000 students in approximately 150 undergraduate, 130 master’s, and 60 doctoral areas of study. The University has a renowned School of Medicine and highly competitive School of Law. Students from every state and more than 100 foreign countries call UM home during the academic semesters.

The University has grown from its original campus in the City of Coral Gables to include the medical campus in downtown Miami, the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science on Virginia Key, and the South and Richmond campuses in southern Miami-Dade County. With more than 9,700 faculty and staff, UM is one of the largest employers in Miami-Dade.

The University of Miami is a research powerhouse, achieving international recognition for breakthroughs and advanced knowledge in diabetes, cancer, spinal cord injury, AIDS, marine science, and many other areas. Our centers of excellence are continually ranked among the nation’s best, including Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, and the Diabetes Research Institute. The research conducted here continues to impact people worldwide and to improve and enrich quality of life.

The University of Miami was chartered in 1925 by a group of citizens who saw the need for an institution of higher learning in their young and growing community. The South Florida land boom was at its peak, resources appeared ample, optimism flowed, and expectations were high.

By the fall of 1926, when the first class of 560 students enrolled, the land boom had collapsed, and hopes for a speedy recovery were dashed by a major hurricane. Such were the beginnings of what has since become one of the nation’s most distinguished private universities.

To learn more about the University of Miami, visit the University of Miami home page.