UNIVERSE^® Pageant that will air live on NBC (8-11 p.m. ET) and will simulcast in Spanish on Telemundo. The event will be televised in approximately 190 countries and territories (valued at $1 million) and will put a global spotlight on FIU. The event is also expected to raise over $330,000 for FIU.
 
To date, FIU Athletics and the Miss Universe Organization have raised and received first generation scholarship pledges of $140,000 ($75,000 from the Miss Universe Organization), which has the potential to be matched by the state of Florida for a total of $280,000.
 
"This world-class event has benefited our university in so many ways," FIU Executive Director of Sports and Entertainment Pete Garcia said. "We thank Paula Shugart [Miss Universe President] and the Miss Universe Organization for the significant global visibility and student scholarships. The latter was enhanced by Gabriella Isler [the current Miss Universe] who hosted a fundraising event last Saturday which received pledges of $65,000 towards first generation scholarships. This event has also provided tremendous opportunities through internships available to our students, giving them a chance to learn from a top-level organization."
 
FIU Athletics is also expected to bring in revenues from the event on Jan. 25 through concession, parking and ticket sales projected to be between $50,000-$70,000. 
 
"Having one of the world's premier events utilize FIU Arena, opens the door for so many other great opportunities," Garcia said. "This will give FIU Arena the chance to host more concerts, shows and other outside events which will benefit FIU and the South Florida community."
 
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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium.
 
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offer more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes $8.9 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded over 200,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, FIU@I-75, and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has over 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.