The fulfillment of a long-held vision for the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs was celebrated at the November 18 ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for its new building. The addition of a “West Wing” to its original facility unites most of the school’s eight departments and 18 international centers, institutes and programs under one roof.
The school’s new five-story, 85,000-square-foot building (SIPA II) is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, event spaces, classrooms and offices. The structure and the Green School’s original building, which opened in 2010, now constitute the Green School Complex.
“This magnificent new building is helping us fulfill the vision and promise of the Green School,” Dean Shlomi Dinar said at the ceremony, attended by many members of the Green School family as well as university leadership, donors, friends and public dignitaries. “More than just a structure, it provides students and faculty more opportunities to connect and collaborate, thereby lifting learning, scholarship and research.”
Ribbon cutting for the new building
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Congressman Carlos Gimenez and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz presented a copy of the U.S. Congressional Record entry marking the opening of the building, the excellence of the school, and the philanthropy of Ambassador Steven J. Green, Dorothea Green, Kimberly Green and the Green Family Foundation. |
Ambassador Steven J. Green |
“The Green family’s dedication to our university spans more than four decades,” he said. “You have helped shape our campus and the lives of countless students, faculty, staff and community members. This (building) is a space that embodies your vision – a place where students from every background and nation come together to engage, learn and pursue solutions to global challenges.”
Ambassador Green was honored with a new tradition to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the fields that the school encompasses: the Green School Medallion.
“I can’t think of a better legacy than the Green School,” said Ambassador Green. “We think this school has a great future. I come here to get inspired by the young people. … I come here and see these faces of young people with hope and dedication.”
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Cathy Hackl MA ’04 |
Keynote speaker Cathy Hackl, an alumna who received her MA in International Studies in 2004, discussed the future of technology’s impact on public policy and governance, which are areas of focus at the Green School. She has achieved great success in the technology and innovation spaces and is a highly respected global business executive, tech futurist and media personality. |
The Green School’s expanding campus presence and its dedication to excellence align with Ambassador Green’s vision for a globally recognized school of its kind. Designed by renowned architect Yann Weymouth – best known for his collaboration with I.M. Pei on the Louvre in Paris – the building features spacious, light-filled areas that connect indoor and outdoor spaces. Weymouth designed it to reflect the school’s interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.
Scenes from the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Click above to watch the video.
The new building houses the dean’s office and key academic units, including the Departments of History and Modern Languages, as well as the Kimberly Green Latin American & Caribbean Center, the Maurice A. Ferré Institute for Civic Leadership, the Mohsin & Fauzia Jaffer Center for Muslim World Studies, the European & Eurasian Studies Program, the Václav Havel Program for Human Rights & Democracy, and the Model UN team headquarters. Its International Pavilion has become the central stage for many of the Green School’s prominent events. The soon-to-be-completed fourth floor will house the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy and the Department of Economics.
SIPA II was funded by a partnership of philanthropy and state support, with $15 million contributed by Ambassador Steven J. Green, Dorothea Green, Kimberly Green and the Green Family Foundation, and an additional $12.7 million from the Florida Legislature.