Pumariega Celebrated During Presidential Investiture Ceremony
Surrounded by family, friends and community dignitaries, Madeline Pumariega had the Presidential Medallion draped around her neck by former Miami Dade College interim President Rolando Montoya.
The symbolic gesture was the crowning moment during Pumariega’s Presidential Investiture Ceremony at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami Friday afternoon.
Described by some as the academic equivalent of a knighting ceremony, the event took place 11 months after Pumariega started as the College’s fifth president in its 61-year history.
“I’m just that girl from Hialeah, I’m just one of you,” Pumariega said during her investiture address. “I was fueled and inspired by our students, their persistence and resilience.”
The event was a star-studded affair that included Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Poet, Richard Blanco, Florida District 24 Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Florida District 39 Chair Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez and Florida College System Chancellor Kathy Hebda.
“Much was said today, and much was said last night, about her qualities that are easy to see. Her incredible drive, her infectious attitude that just electrifies everyone around her,” said MDC Board of Trustees Chairman Michael Bileca, the first to speak at the event. “She is truly a force of nature and she presents us with an incredible depth of knowledge about everything in the College.”
Other speakers included MDC Foundation Chairperson Alfredo Salas, Executive Vice President and Provost Malou C. Harrison, Levine Cava, Hebda, and Wolfson Campus Student Government Association President Isabella Cunningham.
“President Pumariega is a true representation of leadership, never taking the path of least resistance and always showing up when it’s time to build,” Cunningham said. “I know many of us feel represented and validated when they look upon you, President Pumariega, with pride and hope that you might be the first but certainly not the last.”
After Cunningham finished her remarks, Pumariega walked toward her, gave her a strong hug and smiled.
Pumariega was also congratulated in several videos by people who were unable to attend, such as Lieutenant Governor of Florida Jeanette Núñez and City of Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez.
During the ceremony, Levine Cava declared Dec. 10 as Madeline Pumariega Day on behalf of Miami-Dade County commissioners.
Pumariega started her duties as the College’s first-ever female president on Jan. 4.
She began her career at MDC in 1988 as a part-time assistant women’s basketball coach. During her 25 years at the College, she has also served as an academic advisor and adjunct faculty at Kendall Campus, dean of students at Wolfson Campus and dean of students and administration at Medical Campus.
As Wolfson Campus president from 2011 through 2013 she played an integral role in expanding the Culinary Institute and launching The Idea Center.
Pumariega has also served as chief executive of Take Stock In Children, chancellor of the Florida College System and executive vice president and provost at Tallahassee Community College.
The College started searching for a new president in February 2019 after Eduardo J. Padrón stepped down. Twenty months and two presidential searches later, Pumariega was selected.
“She has been a caretaker of a vessel of opportunity and a caretaker of our futures,” said Mark Richard, the former president and current counsel of the United Faculty of MDC. “We have the right college, mission and president. We leave you today madam president both personally and professionally with our trust.”
