Alumni celebrate Homecoming weekend at Silver Pride Reunion

More than 50 alumni participated in this year’s Silver Pride Reunion Weekend. The celebration kicked off with the Silver Pride Induction Ceremony Oct. 12, featuring an international brunch and champagne toast. Twenty alumni from the class of 1987 and past classes were recognized and inducted into the circle of the Silver Pride.

Gonzalo Acevedo, president of the FIU Alumni Association, had the honor of officially inducting the participants. “By this accomplishment,” he told them, “you represent the select group of distinguished graduates, whose personal stature and loyalty to this institution are second to none.”

President Mark B. Rosenberg reminded the graduates to, “have pride, tell the story, and support your FIU.”

For many participants, this was their first time visiting the campus in many years.  Diana Castellanos-Vogel ’87 came to FIU last year to see a friend graduate from the College of Law. “When I came, I was shocked,” she said. “The one building I recognized was the PC building.”

An interior design graduate, Castellanos-Vogel says she enjoyed her time as a student thanks to faculty members like Jaime Canaves. Her son, a senior at Gulliver Schools, is applying to FIU for next fall. “Hopefully he will get in,” she said. “My FIU education was a great experience.”

Some of this year’s Silver Pride attendees are now Panther parents. Blanca Mejia ’82 says her son Salvatore Frosceno is happy to be at FIU. The campus, she said, is a different place than when she attended. “I drive and I see how amazing the vision was that they had to make it grow. This is a top-notch university. Seeing how my son thriving here is amazing.”

Former Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor James Mau was the keynote speaker and provided the audience with the untold story of FIU’s history. Mau described FIU’s difficult ascent to success and highlighted President Rosenberg’s contributions.

After the Induction Ceremony, Silver Pride participants enjoyed a campus tour led by FIU Peer Advisor Jocelyn Alvarez. On Saturday, the Silver Pride participants were recognized in the Homecoming parade and later reconvened at the Homecoming Panther Pit Tailgate. All activities were leading up to the big Homecoming game, where the Silver Pride participants watched our FIU Panthers take on Middle Tennessee.

— Simone Worsdale ’10