Alumni galvanized at annual meeting

FIU’s Alumni Association rallied the troops and saluted President Maidique during its annual gathering held at the Ronald W. Reagan Presidential House on May 21.

By Sissi Aguila

FIU Alumni Association President Jose M. Perez de Corcho ’93 says alumni need to be ambassadors for the university with their family, employers and community. “During these challenging times and with the budget crisis in Tallahassee, we must get the message out that FIU is a first-rate university and we expect to be treated as such,” said Perez de Corcho during the fourth annual Alumni Association meeting May 21.

Nearly 130 alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the university attended the meeting held in the Ronald W. Reagan Presidential House at University Park. The evening followed the tone set by President-designate Mark Rosenberg’s Alumni Panther Pride Challenge, in which he encouraged alumni who are not members of FIU’s Alumni Association to join. Rosenberg wants 2,000 new members by June 30.

Five years ago, the Alumni Association had 800 members. Today, under the direction of Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Alumni Relations Bill Draughon, the organization is approaching 19,000 and hopes to have 20,000 members by the end of the fiscal year.

“We need to come together as a community,” said Perez de Corcho. “It is important that FIU’s voice be heard and that the message get out to the community that South Florida would not be what it is today without FIU.”

For leading the charge and his enduring commitment to the university, FIU’s Alumni Association honored President Modesto A. Maidique with a glass tree sculpture by Fräbel. The gift, says Perez de Corcho, symbolizes the president’s resolve and dedication to the blue-and-gold community.

Jose M. Perez de Corcho '93, FIU President Modesto A. Maidique and First Lady Nancy Maidique

“Your strength, endurance and unwavering devotion have transformed our university and community. We thank you Dr. Maidique for everything you’ve done for our alma mater,” Perez de Corcho said.

“This is the last time Nancy and I will have the privilege of having you at our house. But this house will be occupied by someone that is like family to us,” said Maidique in his last address to the Alumni Association before embracing President-designate Rosenberg.