FIU inducts 10 community leaders as Honorary Alumni

“Their contributions to this university and this community have been far-reaching and we are honored to have them become part of our family,” said FIU President Modesto A. Maidique.

By Martin Haro

A group of community leaders who did not graduate from FIU but have supported the university was inducted into the FIU Alumni Association as Honorary Alumni on June 30.

The luncheon held at the Ronald W. Reagan Presidential House was attended by seven of the 10 state and local leaders who have made significant contributions to FIU and their community.

Among those who received the recognition of the Honorary Alumni Certificate at the inaugural ceremony of the new blue-and-gold tradition were Jeffrey Atwater, the president of the Florida Senate; John Dasburg, chairman, CEO and co-owner of ASTAR Air Cargo; U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart; Albert Dotson Sr., chairman and CEO of Puryear, Inc.; Noel Guillama, founder, chairman, president and CEO of The Quantum Group of Companies; Benjamín León Jr., chairman and CEO of León Medical Centers; and Miami-Dade County commissioner Natacha Seijas.

Not in attendance but also designated as Honorary Alumni and recipients of lifetime membership to the Alumni Association were Betty Chapman, a longtime champion of FIU; Dany Garcia; founder and CEO of JDM Partners, LLC; and Florida Board of Governors member Carolyn Roberts.

“I am overwhelmed by this recognition,” said Seijas after the ceremony. “FIU is the center of our community and our children are well taken care of here, so I am honored by this and by being surrounded by people I greatly admire.”