FIU graduates bring home the pride during alumni reunions

By Deborah O’Neil

This fall, dozens of alumni came home to share memories and school pride at reunions organized by the FIU Alumni Association.

Jesse Leon, Carlos Becerra, Alfred Mitat, Frank Consuegra, Robert Fernandez, all part of the fraternity Sigma Alpha Mu, hung out with Roary at the Greek Alumni Reunion.

Fifty-six graduates of the Class of 1984 and earlier were inducted into Silver Pride during Homecoming Weekend. Also that weekend, more than 150 former fraternity and sorority members attended the Greek Alumni Reunion in Coral Gables. And in December, 31 former presidents of Student Government and the Alumni Association joined President Mark B. Rosenberg for a new event honoring FIU’s past presidents.

The reunions reconnected old friends and stirred memories for the graduates. Many found themselves in awe of all the changes that have occurred on FIU’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus.

“When I started there were no permanent buildings on the campus,” said Frederica Neal ’81, MBA ’85. “When I got here, I didn’t recognize anything.”

Neal was a mother with three children when she went to college. At the time, she was grateful that FIU offered flexibility for a busy parent. “My professors allowed me to bring my 3-year-old to summer school. I thought it was very special.”

Former SGA President Jorge Espinosa ’83 recalled that his administration was the first to hold a sit-in protest in the office of the president. “We sat down for an hour and sang songs because they had canceled performances of bands in the quad at the insistence of somebody on the faculty.”

At the reunions, Rosenberg called on alumni to meaningfully re-engage with the university. He reminded them that alumni offer what FIU didn’t have when they were students – an influential body of graduates who can help the university advance.

“Here’s what I need from you: I need pride. I need swagger. I need your commitment to tell the story about FIU,” he told the past presidents.

To see highlights of the Silver Pride Reunion and the Past Presidents Luncheon, click on the videos below: