FIU honors distinguished alumni at 8th Annual Torch Awards Gala

MIAMI (Feb. 19, 2009) – FIU will pay tribute to distinguished alumni and members of the FIU community at its 8^th annual Torch Awards Gala on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009.

 The Torch Awards are held in memory of Senator Ernest R. Graham, the forward-thinking champion, who helped create FIU 44 years ago. Recipients of the award are recognized for the positive impact they made on their profession, the community and the university.

 “The alumni and faculty who are selected represent FIU’s finest – they are our torchbearers,” said FIU alumni Jose Perez de Corcho.

The Torch Awards Gala is the highlight social event for the FIU Alumni Association and the university. The event will be held at the Graham Center Ballroom on FIU’s University Park, 11200 SW 8^th St, Miami. A cocktail reception will start at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards presentation at 7:30 p.m. 

The ceremony will include a performance by FIU alumna and American Idol finalist Syesha Mercado.

 “In a few short years this event has become a tradition among our alumni,” said Vice President for Community and University Relations Sandra Gonzalez-Levy. “As in years past, it will be an evening of pride for the Blue and Gold Panthers.”

Previous winners of the Torch Awards include: Carlos Migoya ’74, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen ’75, Adolfo Henriques ’76, Manny Diaz ’77, Manny Garcia ’90, Michael Lowell ’97, Regynald G. Washington ’74, Christine Kling ’88, Danny Pino ‘96, and Dr. Stephanie A. Burns ’77.

This year the FIU Alumni Association will honor the following individuals: 

• Distinguished Alumni Award

      Frank V. Sacco ’78, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work
      Maria C. Alonso ’91, College of Business Administration
      Karen L. Levin ’95, College of Nursing & Health Sciences
      Johnny Diaz ’96, School of Journalism & Mass Communications
      Maria D. Fernandez – Porrata ’84, College of Engineering & Computing
      Mabel Morales ’94, College of Education
      Kirill Reznik ’95, Honors College
      Carlos Martinez ’85, College of Law
      Richard Brilliant ’93, School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
      Dr. Guang-Ping Gao ’91, College of Arts & Sciences
      Monica Lopez De Victoria ’02, College of Architecture & the Arts
      Marcos Perez ’90, Athletics

• Charles E. Perry Young Alumni Visionary Award

            Eddie Leon ’93

• Community Leadership Award

            Jorge J. Gonzalez ’88

• Outstanding Faculty Award

            Rocco Angelo

• Outstanding Achievement Award

         President Modesto A. Maidique

Tickets are $250 per person.  Sponsorship opportunities are still available.  The Torch Awards are sponsored in part by presenting sponsor Wachovia Bank and supporting sponsors Preferred Care Partners, GEICO, The Miami Herald, and Oceania Cruises. 

For more information, e-mail Elena Balsinde at ebalsind@fiu.edu.

Media Contact: Jean-Paul Renaud at 305-348-2716

-FIU-  

About FIU:
Florida International University was founded in 1965 and is Miami’s only public research university. With a student body of more than 38,000, FIU graduates more Hispanics than any other university in the country. Its 17 colleges and schools offer more than 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations and law. FIU has been classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a “High Research Activity University.” In 2006 FIU was authorized to establish a medical school, which will welcome its first class in 2009. FIU’s College of Law recently received accreditation in the fastest time allowed by the American Bar Association.