FIYou: Fernando Ottati


Fernando Ottati Picture CROP.jpgName: Fernando D. Ottati

Hometown: Montevideo, Uruguay

Job Title/Department: Graphic Artist, Campus Life & Comics Club Advisor, Student Organizations Council

Campus: BBC

In a nutshell: I am in charge of the creation of posters, flyers and all types of collaterals for the events the Office of Campus Life organizes for our students. I also have the great pleasure of being the advisor of the award-winning Comics Club at FIU.

Number of years at FIU: Two years as a staff member, but my relationship with the university started back in 2005 when my sister enrolled at FIU.

What do you enjoy most about your job?: I really enjoy creating eye-catching designs that can help students learn about the numerous events the Office of Campus Life organizes for them. I also appreciate guiding and encouraging the Comics Club members in their mission to promote comic books and comics-related activities on campus.

What do you think students and your fellow faculty/staff should know about your department?: I would like students to know we create monthly calendars with campus events, and that there are a large number of leadership opportunities available to them in the different student organizations. I would also like to encourage fellow faculty and staff members to become involved by attending our activities and lectures.

Where is your favorite spot on campus? Why?: The bay! Being able to go kayaking from your own campus is priceless!

What is one thing you wish everyone knew about FIU?: That we are the largest Hispanic-serving university in the United States and that we are indeed international, having students from China, Venezuela, India, Colombia, Peru and the Dominican Republic, among others.

How is FIU “Worlds Ahead”?: FIU is a vibrant, international, community focused, and ideally located institution that allows students, faculty and staff to exceed expectations.

Family snapshot: My parents, Jorge and Susana, are professors and journalists. I have one older brother, Jorge, who does the play-by-play announcing of soccer games at beIN SPORTS, and a younger sister, Daniela, who is on her way of obtaining her Ph.D. and all four of her degrees at FIU!

Word that best describes you: Creative!

First paying job: Illustrating tales for a Uruguayan children’s magazine when I was 14.

Favorite TV show: Arrow, Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD, The Mentalist, American Ninja Warrior, The Tomorrow People, and any show that relates to superheroes.

What is playing on your iPod?: Reggaetón, especially Daddy Yankee, Wisin, Yandel, and Alexis & Fido, who were here recently at BBC for SPC’s Pachanga by the Bay concert. Also, Pitbull, a Miami favorite.

Your proudest accomplishment: Receiving a proclamation from the city where I reside, Aventura, winning the first prize of a prestigious international poster contest. At FIU, it has been recently winning the SOC award for “Best Club Advisor” and a Student Affairs “Bright Idea” Award for the creation of the Comics Club.

What do you do when you are not working at FIU?: I enjoy sports like running, swimming, biking, and tennis, and you will also find me at the BBC gym training or at the BBC court playing basketball. I also like to watch NBA and soccer games and I am more than ready to cheer on the Uruguayan national team at this summer’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil. I dedicate part of my time to reading comics in English, Italian and Portuguese, and drawing caricature-portraits for celebrities.