Coral Gables, Fla. (February 23, 2016) – Amidst a celebration of the archives, artworks, books and artifacts of the University of Miami’s Cuban Heritage Collection (CHC), UM President Julio Frenk and his wife, Dr. Felicia Knaul, director of the Miami Institute for the Americas and professor of the Miller School of Medicine, will be welcomed by members of Miami’s Cuban-American community with a special dinner hosted by the Amigos of the CHC on Tuesday, March 1.

“What better way to welcome our president to this community than in a celebration of this magnificent collection,” said Sergio M. Gonzalez, senior vice president, University Advancement and External Affairs. “The CHC serves as an exceptional reservoir of cultural enrichment that serves scholars, students, and the general community.”

Frenk, who was born in Mexico and served as minister of health for his native country from 2000 to 2006, believes the lessons of history are important. In his inaugural address, he charted a plan for the University’s future which embraced its history and highlighted its location. As part of a larger vision, he wants to create The Hemispheric University – an academic institution that thrives on its broad partnerships with the Americas.

The CHC is poised to play an important role in building those bridges. Housed in the Roberto C. Goizueta Pavilion in the second floor of the Otto G. Richter Library, it is the premier collection of research materials for Cuban and Cuban-American studies. It contains the most comprehensive library of manuscripts, rare and contemporary books, and unique materials for the study of Cuba, its history, its people, and its culture. Hundreds of students, community members, and scholars visit the collection each year to conduct research.

Aldo Leiva, president of the Amigos Board, the fundraising arm of the CHC, who along with board member Aida Levitan helped organize the fundraising dinner, said that the board was overjoyed to welcome the new president.

“We proudly welcome President Frenk, who has been entrusted to lead the University of Miami, and further build upon its solid foundation as a center of academic excellence that attracts world-class students and faculty,” he said. “We are confident that under his leadership, the CHC will continue to serve its important mission.”

The dinner, An Evening with the Cuban Heritage Collection: Welcoming President Julio Frenk and Dr. Felicia Knaul, at the Newman Alumni Center on UM’s Coral Gables campus, is a fundraiser for the prestigious collection. The proceeds will go toward meeting The Goizueta Foundation challenge, which will contribute $1 million to the University to establish The Goizueta Foundation Endowed Fund for the Cuban Heritage Collection. To meet this challenge, the CHC must secure $500,000 in support.

Sponsors for this event include Mariita and George Feldenkreis; Fragomen, Del Rey, Bersen & Loewy, LLP; Leon Medical Centers; NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises; Ambassador Paul L. and Trudy Cejas; Century Homebuilders Group, LLC; FedEx Express, Latin America and Caribbean Division; Cuban American National Foundation; Enrique J. Sosa, Ph.D; Hogan Lovells, LLP; Iusfinder Abogados, Madrid; Knight Foundation; Professional Bank; The Bared Family Foundation, Inc.; U.S. Century Bank; Bacardi U.S.A., Incorporated; Cubanisimo Vineyards; and Trias Flowers.