The Ronald W. Reagan Presidential House opened on December 2, 2001 near the east edge of the University Park campus of FIU. Reagan House is named in honor of our nation’s 40th president. Originally called University House, it was renamed as part of a bill passed by the Florida Legislature in 2007, which named 11 other buildings throughout the State University System. FIU alumnus and State Representative David Rivera ’96, sponsored the bill which designated the residence with its new name.

At present, the house serves as the home of FIU President Modesto A. Maidique and his wife, Nancy. There, they have hosted hundreds of distinguished guests, friends and supporters of the University, including religious leaders such as His Highness the 14th Dalai Lama and heads of state such as Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and the President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel.

The 12,700 square feet U-shaped structure began as a sketch President Maidique made on a napkin. It was designed by Raul Rodriguez of Rodriguez & Quiroga Architects Chartered and funded by the FIU Foundation. The two-story structure is composed of an events center for the university community on the ground floor, and a residence for the University President and family on the second floor.