FIU to graduate more than 4,300 this spring

One family will take home three degrees

MIAMI – Meet Zoraya Arguello and her children Ruddy and Jessica Arguello, each of whom has earned bachelor’s degrees in English, finance and social work, respectively.

Jessica, Ruddy and Zoraya Arguello

The Arguellos will be among thousands of FIU graduates at six commencement ceremonies that will take place Mon. and Tues., April 26 and 27 at the U.S. Century Bank Arena, located on the Modesto A. Maidique Campus in West Miami-Dade County. The ceremonies mark a new beginning for graduates and celebrate the accomplishments of alumni and members of the community who have made significant professional contributions. Among them: Danny Pino, of CBS’s Cold Case fame, who earned his bachelor’s from FIU in 1996.

“Commencement is the best time of year at a university,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. “The Arguellos’s dedication and that of so many like them who have worked hard, made sacrifices and are already having an impact, make FIU worlds ahead.”

Kenneth Metral, for example, is graduating with two master’s degrees – in business and engineering — at age 22. Amy Wolfson, who is receiving a master’s degree in African and African diaspora studies, has poured her energies into Haiti’s development and understanding the role of the Haitian diaspora in the country’s future. Christopher Houseman gave up a good-paying job to complete his bachelor’s in accounting. Evelyn Patricia Davila overcame personal hardships and family tragedy to pursue her education all the way through to a doctorate. This spring she will receive her Ph.D. in epidemiology and biostatistics. These graduates’ leadership qualities, desire to change lives and academic achievements distinguish them as Worlds Ahead Graduates.

Like them, the mother of two who will graduate with her children says the sacrifices have been well worth it.

“I’m so incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together,” said Zoraya, 48, who works in the department of social work at FIU and had a hand in introducing her daughter to a field of service, which suits her personality perfectly. “It has been a tough road but so worth it!”

Ruddy, now 24, came to FIU first. He arrived in 2003 as freshman looking to study engineering. Around that time, Zoraya took a job in the admissions office and started flirting with the idea of finishing a degree she had started years before. Then Jessica joined them on campus and together with her brother encouraged Zoraya to take the plunge into academics.

Though challenging, the experience has brought surprising rewards.

“Through this process each of us has grown into the adult we aspired to be,” said Jessica, 23. “Yes, even my mom has grown and opened herself to the world in ways she did not do before.”

For mom, who plans to start working on her Masters, going back to college provided a window into her children’s world. “I have been able to fully experience my children as adults, which sometimes parents don’t get to do. And I’m delighted with what I have found.”

Zoraya, Ruddy and Jessica  have been given special permission to participate in one commencement ceremony as a family. They will accept their diplomas at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 27.

The full commencement schedule, including honorees at each ceremony, is as follows:

MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2010

Ceremony 1:  10:00 a.m.

School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
College of Education

Honoree: Richard Brilliant, MS ’93, is vice president and chief audit executive of Carnival Corporation & plc. Brilliant will receive the FIU Medallion – Outstanding Alumnus award.

Ceremony 2:  3:00 p.m.

College of Business Administration
Landon Undergraduate School of Business

Ceremony 3:  7:30 p.m.

College of Business Administration
Chapman Graduate School of Business
College of Engineering and Computing

Honoree: Gustavo Roig is professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at FIU. Professor Roig will receive the FIU Medallion – University Service award.

TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2010

Ceremony 4:  10:00 a.m.

Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work
College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Honorees:
Steven Leifman is a Miami-Dade County Judge. Judge Leifman will receive the FIU Medallion – Cal Kovens Distinguished Community Service Award.
Jennifer Mwaisela MBA ’05, was associate vice president for risk management and environmental health and safety at FIU.  Mwaisela will be awarded the FIU Medallion – University Service, posthumously.

Ceremony 5:  3:00 p.m.

College of Arts and Sciences (except SIPA)

Ceremony 6:  7:30 p.m.

College of Architecture and the Arts
College of Arts and Science (SIPA only*)

Honorees:

Morris Broad is vice president and director of The Ruth K. Broad Biomedical Research Foundation. Broad will be awarded the FIU Medallion – Cal Kovens Distinguished Community Service Award.

Danny Pino ’96, is an actor. Pino will receive the FIU Medallion – Outstanding Alumnus award.

For more details about FIU’s spring commencement and honorees, please visit http://commencement.fiu.edu/

Media Contact: Maydel Santana-Bravo at 305-348-1555.

—FIU—

About FIU:
Florida International University is one of the 25 largest universities in the nation, with nearly 40,000 students. More than 100,000 FIU alumni live and work in South Florida. Its colleges and schools offer more than 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations and law. As one of South Florida’s anchor institutions, FIU is worlds ahead in its local and global engagement, finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. The opening of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine in August 2009 has enhanced the university’s ability to create lasting change through its research initiatives. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu.