Merrick, Dooly, Frost and Richter are names we hear every day here at the University of Miami. These names are slapped onto the buildings that might be where you suffer through your 8 a.m.’s, but they are more than just classrooms and study spots. Each one carries the legacy of Miami’s founders, visionaries and philanthropists who shaped both the U and the city around it. From George to Otto, the names on your syllabus are the same names that built Miami’s story.
Merrick
On Feb. 4, 1926, the cornerstone of The Solomon G. Merrick Building was laid, making it the first building of the University of Miami. This building holds not only classes for the School of Education and Human Development, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Miami Herbert Business School; it also holds a name with a rich history, connecting UM and the founding of Coral Gables.
After George Merrick, the founder of Coral Gables, donated around 160 acres of land and $5 million to jumpstart the University of Miami, he decided to name the first major building after his father, Solomon G. Merrick. The Merricks were central to making Coral Gables what it is today, bringing to life their vision of Mediterranean-style architecture and UM.
Dooly
After WWII, the first permanent academic building on UM’s Coral Gables campus was built. Originally called the “Memorial Classroom Building,” each classroom was intended to be dedicated to various University benefactors.
Oscar E. Dooly was a University of Miami board trustee from 1944 until 1970, serving as chair of the board for seven years. The building’s central lecture hall was later converted into the Bill Cosford Cinema, a movie theater free for students and campus favorite for indie films and festivals. Even the design was ahead of its time, with angled classrooms built to avoid being blinded by the early morning Florida sun.
Frost
Fast forward to today, and no name resonates across Miami’s cultural map quite like Frost. Dr. Phillip Frost, a physician-turned-entrepreneur, and his wife Patricia, a devoted philanthropist, have made their mark on everything from science to the arts. At UM, their name crowns the Frost School of Music, one of the nation’s most respected programs, and the Frost Institute for Chemistry and Molecular Science, home to UM’s award-winning research program.
But the Frost legacy does not stop there – it extends to Miami’s Frost Museum of Science and Florida International University’s Frost Art Museum, all tied to the couple’s generosity. Their influence has made the city of Miami not just a beach vacation or party center, but a hub for innovation and culture.
Richter
Lost on campus? Chances are you have used the tallest building at UM, the Otto G. Richter Library, as your guiding landmark. In 1926, UM started its library with only 250 donated books and a dream, going decades without a dedicated building. By the 1950s, this lack of a library was seen as a “stigma” for the university.
But in 1959, UM received an $8.7 million gift from Otto G. Richter, a businessman and philanthropist. This gift finally funded the construction of a full-scale library — the 192,000-square-foot building we see today. The library houses the Cuban Heritage Collection, the largest archive of Cuban diaspora materials outside of Cuba.
Shalala
The Donna E. Shalala Student Center has the honor of not only being connected to Starbucks, but being named after an awardee of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights.
Donna E. Shalala served as the President of the University of Miami from 2001 to 2015, transforming UM into a respected research institution. Under her leadership, UM launched two Momentum fundraising campaigns that brought in over $3 billion for scholarships, research, and facilities, reshaping the university’s role in higher education.
Shalala’s impact goes far beyond Coral Gables; she served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Bill Clinton for eight years, becoming the longest-serving HHS secretary in U.S. history. She also represented South Florida in Congress from 2019 to 2021 and previously led the Clinton Foundation, where she oversaw global health and development initiatives.
Herbert
Only two buildings on our campus are named after a love story: the Patti & Allan Herbert Wellness Center and Business School. Patti McBride and Allan Herbert first met in 1954 on the University of Miami’s Coral Gables Campus, where they were both business students. After graduating, both Patti and Allan emerged as prominent figures in business and philanthropy within the Miami community. Allan Herbert carved out an impressive career in the insurance industry, while Patti Herbert made a name for herself in real estate at the Grubb and Ellis commercial real estate firm.
In 2019, the UM School of Business’ name was altered to recognize a monumental $100 million pledge from University of Miami alumni Patti and Allan Herbert, marking the largest individual contribution in the University’s history. Nearly 20 years ago, the Fate Bridge, across Lake Osceola, was born from Patti Herbert’s wish to honor her husband Allan on their 42nd wedding anniversary.
Next time you rush past these buildings on your way to class, remember that their names aren’t just plaques on the wall; they’re stories of visionaries, leaders, and dreamers who helped shape both UM and Miami itself. From love stories to legacies of philanthropy, each name carries with it a piece of history that continues to influence the campus we call home today.
words_sofia cole. photo_ethan dosa. design_joel wainberg.
This article was published in Distraction’s Fall 2025 print issue.
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