Aventura Marketing Council members recently had the opportunity to learn about a “new era” of academic excellence when Ronald L. Book, P.A. hosted Florida International University’s new president Dr. Mark B. Rosenberg, formerly chancellor of the State University System.

Business and community leaders, gathered at the Kovens Conference Center for the Chairman’s Roundtable luncheon, were welcomed by AMC Chair Cliff Schulman of Greenberg Traurig, a good friend and colleague of both Rosenberg and Book –an FIU alumni.

Ronald L. Book, P.A. is considered one of the top governmental affairs lobbying law firms in Florida with dual offices in Aventura and Tallahassee offering legislative and executive branch lobbying services to clients including many Fortune 500 businesses, government and nonprofit organizations as well as professional sports teams.

“Challenges posed by Florida’s economy make this an important time to have a higher education system encouraging people to bring new business to generate the growth of existing businesses,” Book said.

After providing an overview of “what’s going on in Tallahassee,” Book introduced Rosenberg, who first came to FIU in 1976 as a political science professor. In 2005 he left the post of FIU provost to become chancellor of the State University System. In April of this year, Rosenberg was selected as the university’s new president, succeeding Modesto A. Maidique.

Shortly after returning to FIU, Rosenberg emphasized, “I will work day and night to tell the story of this university and raise the funds necessary to accelerate our momentum as a leading research university.”

Outlining his goals on a “Hit the Ground Running” mission statement, main priorities include: Revitalizing and expanding financial base; achieving results-oriented student-centered academic excellence; enhancing quality and impact of research and creative initiatives; and engaging the community.

“FIU is going to be the source of new jobs and competitiveness in this ‘knowledge economy’ of the twenty-first century,” Rosenberg said. “Over the next ten years, FIU will spend $10 billion on instruction and research; graduate about 100,000 new students; and build about $500 million in new facilities. FIU will generate 5,000 new jobs when we hit $250 million in sponsored research (currently at $100 million).

“We’re going to spend a lot more time building partnerships with key government agencies, non-profits and private companies seeking win-win partnerships. In the health area, we’re very proud that our new medical school has an incredible partnership with Jackson North.”

More good news for FIU is the creation of a new School for the Environment and Society on the Biscayne Bay Campus. FIU is the youngest university awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most distinguished academic honor society; U.S. News & World Report ranks FIU’s undergraduate international business programs among the top 15 in the nation and their graduate programs among the top 25; graduates of FIU’s College of Law led the state with their pass rate on the Feb.2009 Florida Bar Exam; and The Golden Panthers women's volleyball team captured the SBC East Division title and an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.

“As the new president of FIU, I have every intention - with the very capable group of people who work with me and with you as members of our community - not only to get the job done but to exceed expectations,” Rosenberg said. “I’m excited because we’re ready to work with you to make this a better FIU.”

For more information about Florida International University, visit fiu.edu; to learn more about Kovens Conference Center facilities for corporate and social events, visit  kovens.fiu.edu. To contact Ronald L. Book, P.A., phone: 305-935-1866.