Torch Awards Gala raises more than $50,000

Held at the Graham Center Ballroom at University Park, the gala is the Alumni Association’s social event of the season.

By Martin Haro

More than 400 FIU alumni, students, faculty and administrators gathered with donors, friends and families on Feb. 28 to pay tribute to distinguished alumni and members of the FIU community at the 8^th Annual Torch Awards Gala. The 2009 ceremony featured a performance by 2008 “American Idol” finalist Syesha and raised approximately $30,000 in cash for the future FIU Alumni Center and $20,000 in in-kind gifts.

Among this year’s Torch Award recipients were Eddie León ’93, MFA ’98 (Charles E. Perry Young Alumni Visionary Award), Jorge J. González ’88 (Community Leadership Award), Rocco M. Angelo (Outstanding Faculty Award) and FIU President Modesto A. Maidique (Wachovia Outstanding Achievement Award).

The following Golden Panthers received Distinguished Alumni Awards:

• Monica López de Victoria ’02, College of Architecture and the Arts
• Dr. Guang-Ping Gao ’91, College of Arts & Sciences
• Marcos Pérez ’90, Athletics
• María C. Alonso ’91, College of Business Administration
• Mabel Morales ’94, College of Education
• María D. Fernández-Porrata ’84, College of Engineering and Computing
• Delegate Kirill Reznik ’95, Honors College
• Richard Brilliant ’93, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Johnny Díaz ’96, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
• Carlos Martínez ’85, College of Law
• Karen L. Levin ’95, College of Nursing and Health Sciences
• Frank V. Sacco ’78, Robert Stempel College