The Student Club, the first student union, opens

Al Carapella is first UM football player to be named All American

The Ring Theater moves to a tent on the Main Campus; previously housed in coffin tower in Anastasia Building

Religious institutions open student buildings on campus

University of Miami Art Gallery opened in Merrick Building as first art museum in community

The architecture program, reduced in cost-cutting measures in the mid-1930s, re-emerges in the new College of Engineering as the department of architectural engineering

1951:

University of Miami celebrates its Silver Anniversary

1952:

Honorary degree to Marjory Stoneman Douglas

UM student publications rated All American in 3 divisions

President Bowman F. Ashe, first and only president of UM, dies unexpectedly in December

First school of medicine in Florida is established at UM; classes held in Veterans Administration Hospital (Biltmore Hotel)

Joe and Emily Lowe Art Gallery dedicated; building designed by Miami architect Robert Little

1953:

Dr. Jay F. W. Pearson, former science professor and administrator for UM, named second president of the university

Groundbreaking for Ashe Administration Building

1954:

UM football on NCAA probation for 3 years

First building for the School of Law constructed on the Main Campus; this and subsequent law buildings largely constructed from fund contributed by Baron de Hirsch Meyer

Eaton Hall opened as a residence hall for women

UM debate team ranked the best in the country, winning almost every championship in the nation

1956:

Mary B. Merritt Panhellenic Building built to house sororities; currently houses both sororities and fraternities that have no national houses on campus; named for first Dean of Women

UM purchases Don Carlos Apartments for international student housing; later renovated to become Student Health Center

Department of Nursing graduates first students

1957:

Albert Pick Music Hall created as result of $100,000 gift from Alfred Pick Foundation

Honors program established

School of Business Administration accredited by Association of Collegiate Schools of Business

1958:

First master plan for campus revealed; modern style replaces Denman Fink’s original Mediterranean concept

Anotonio Ferre Building constructed; used for Graduate School faculty offices and student study carrels

Mahoney and Pearson 12-story dormitories opened

1959:

Groundbreaking for new library building

Doctoral programs in 10 departments initiated

Medical Research Building completed; first building constructed by UM on Jackson Campus

J. Neville McArthur, founder of McArthur Dairy, donates $1 million for construction and equipping of Engineering Building

President Pearson forms short-lived University College, a two-year program meant to compete with junior colleges; funding for this project finances the Learning and Instructional Resources Center (known as LC or LIRC Building) where televised instruction sessions were held