Book your 2007 Golden Panther Getaway

Be a part of FIU’s Golden Panther Getaways, a new program that offers alumni and friends of the university the opportunity to enjoy world travel, fellowship and lifelong learning.

Upcoming Golden Panther Getaways include:

• “The Path of the Phoenicians”: A 10-day voyage, from Athens to Venice, scheduled for April 27-May 7 on Oceania Cruises;
  
  
• FIU Graduation Cruise: A three-day cruise of the Bahamas on board Carnival’s Fascination, scheduled for May 4- 7 (Cinco de Mayo Weekend);
  
  
• The 2nd Annual YUPA! (Young Urban Professional Alumni) Cruise: A seven-day cruise of the Western Caribbean on board the Carnival
  Triumph, scheduled for May 26-June 2; and
  
  
• “Scandinavian Splendors”: A 14-day voyage, from Stockholm to London, scheduled for June 30-July 14 on Oceania Cruises.

For more information on these Golden Panther Getaways, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 305-348-3334 or 1-800-FIU-ALUM.

Upcoming FIU Alumni Days

The Alumni Association, in partnership with the College of Business Administration, will be hosting an FIU Alumni Day (formerly known as a Corporate Day) with Ocean Bank on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 3:30 p.m. in the Ryder Building Lobby at University Park Campus. All Ocean Bank employees who are FIU graduates are invited to attend.

The Alumni Day will include a reception for attendees, as well as a hard hat tour of the Ocean Bank Auditorium located inside the new Business Complex and free game day tickets to see the Golden Panthers take on the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns in men’s basketball action at the Pharmed Arena at UP.

For more information – or if your company has 20 or more employees who are FIU graduates and interested in having an FIU Alumni Day – contact Jennifer Restrepo at 305-348-0159 or restrepj@fiu.edu.

Alumni updates

Terrazas International Group recently appointed Golden Panther Sebastian Barbagallo to lead the sales efforts for the company's Terrazas Coconut Grove development in Miami. Barbagallo, who lives in Miami, will graduate from FIU this spring.

Margaret Benua MS ‘89, a Coral Gables resident, was recently named general manager of the South Beach Marriott. The former resident manager for Eden Roc Renaissance Resort and Spa in Miami Beach, Benua has nearly two decades of experience in the hospitality field.

International business marketing graduate Fernando Ferro 06, a Deering Bay resident, recently joined GT Mortgage, Inc., as a loan officer. Ferro's focus is in physician clientele who require real estate, business acquisition, business line of credit and medical equipment loans. He has previous experience as a loan officer at Premier Mortgage and as a trainer at USA Mortgage.

Graduate send-off event a success

The Alumni Association, in collaboration with the FIU Barnes & Noble Bookstore, successfully hosted another university-wide Commencement Grad Send-Off event held last fall at all three University Bookstore locations (UP, BBC and Pines Center).

Over the seven-day period, graduates were able to purchase their Grad Pack, which included their regalia and the first-year membership in the Alumni Association, and order class rings and graduation announcements. Free refreshments, giveaways and door prizes were provided at the event.

More than 2,000 students stopped by and signed up to become a recent graduate member of the FIU Alumni Association and continue to “Feel the Pride.”

The Pino Center presents…

FIU Alumni are invited to attend events sponsored by the university’s Eugenio Pino & Family Global Entrepreneurship Center.

For a complete schedule of upcoming events and to RSVP, visit http://entrepreneurship.fiu.edu/rsvp_list.php. For more information about the Pino Center, visit http://entrepreneurship.fiu.edu/index.htm.

Snap and share in Panther Sites

FIU Alumni, remember to demonstrate your Panther Pride when you travel as you snap a picture of yourself and your family and friends wearing an FIU cap or T-shirt, waving an FIU flag or reading a copy of FIU Magazine – you may be chosen to appear in the Panther Sites section of the award-winning FIU Magazine.

To be considered, send your high resolution (300 dpi) pictures with a complete description to alumni@fiu.edu.

Send in your Class Notes

Help build a strong community of FIU Alumni by sharing your good news with your fellow Golden Panthers by filling out an online Class Notes form at www.fiualumni.com/classnotes.htm.

Send us information on your recent career appointments, awards, hires, promotions, births and marriages.

You may also send us your information by fax to 305-348-3636 (Attn: Class Notes). Electronic photos may be submitted in .JPEG or BITMAP formats to appear next to your entry as well by e-mailing alumni@fiu.edu. Remember to indicate in the e-mail with which class note the photo should appear, along with the full names and class years of all the individuals who appear in the photo.