Homecoming Football Game Set for Nov. 19

Not even Hurricane Wilma can stop the spirit of the Golden Panthers. The FIU Homecoming Game has been rescheduled for Saturday, Nov. 19, when Golden Panthers Football faces Western Kentucky. Alumni are invited to come home and show their Panther pride.

Game Day activities kick-off at 2 p.m. with the annual Float Parade in Tamiami Park. The celebration continues in the Alumni Tailgate Tent located in the north side of the stadium at 4 p.m. The Office of Alumni Relations and the Alumni Association invite alumni, their family and friends to enjoy lunch, music, giveaways and many more activities as the Golden Panthers count down to the start of the game.

Homecoming week, originally planned to begin the day before the storm hit South Florida, will precede the big game from Nov. 14-19.

"If there is one week that the entire university has to showcase its spirit and tradition, it is this week," said Brian Swensen, a senior and overall director of the Homecoming Committee. "It's also the one opportunity for the past generations to come back and see who the current generation is and for everyone to see how FIU has progressed since '72."

This year's theme, Evolution of the Panther, is designed to showcase the various mascots of FIU and the progress the university has made. The various events hosted during the week will each represent the decades through which FIU has grown.

"It brings together current students and alumni and gives all of us an opportunity to really show our FIU spirit and pride," said Andrea Gaspardino, associate director of Campus Life and Homecoming advisor.

"Since I've been at FIU, I've always wanted to see people attend the games," said Swensen.

And that is the ultimate goal, filling the stands. The Golden Panthers, now 1-5 with two away games before Homecoming, will face Western Kentucky, and Swensen hopes they do it with the entire university community cheering them on.

FIU was originally set to play a homecoming game against Middle Tennessee but the game had to be postponed because of the hurricane. The game will be rescheduled for the first weekend in December; specific date and time to be announced.

NY Alumni Celebrate

FIU Alumni in New York City can take part in the celebration at an exclusive Alumni Reception that will take place at Slate/Plus-NYC located at 54 West 21 st Street, Manhattan, on Nov. 18 starting at 6 p.m. On Game Day, Nov. 19, NYC Panthers are invited to support the Men's Basketball team at Hofstra University at 4 p.m. in Hempstead, Long Island.

*For more information on FIU Homecoming, the New York City events or on how to purchase tickets for the game please visit www.fiualumni.com or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (305) 348-3334.

Mark your calendar

Homecoming Week: Evolution of the Panther
November 14 - 19, 2005
For a complete listing of campus events, visit: http://www.fiu.edu/~hc/.

Saturday, Nov. 19: Homecoming
2 p.m. - Homecoming Float Parade, Tamiami Park
3:30 p.m. - Alumni Association Tailgate at the Panther Pit
6 p.m. - Kickoff, FIU vs. Western Kentucky , FIU Stadium

Saturday, Nov. 26: FIU Football vs. Florida Atlantic
4 p.m. - Alumni Association Tailgate at the Panther Pit
6 p.m. - Kickoff, FIU vs. Florida Atlantic University

More than 500 students turn out for Trail of the Torch

FIU newest tradition is a huge success once again. In only its second year, the Student Alumni Association and Student Government Association co-sponsored Trail of the Torch event attracted more than 500 students - a 43 percent increase from last years' attendance. The event began with a candlelight procession at the Cage and culminated with the lighting of the school's Torch of Knowledge, Service and Understanding, established in 1972 in memory of the late Sen. Ernest Graham.

Students in attendance had an opportunity to network, hear the marching band, see the cheerleaders and Dazzlers in action, enjoy free food, refreshments, giveaways, and top the night off with a Slip-and-Slide Foam party.

The goal of the Trail of the Torch event is to inspire unity between new and current students, alumni and the FIU community at large. To view photos from the event Click Here.

We are proud to announce that our Student Alumni Association won a national CASE Circle of Excellence Gold Medal Award for "Best Student Involvement Programs and Projects" for last year's inaugural Trail of the Torch event. According to the Council of Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Trail of the Torch was the best overall student program in the country.

Discount offered for Festival of the Trees

Tickets to one of FIU’s most anticipated annual holiday events, the Festival of the Trees, are on sale to Alumni Association members at a significant discount off the regular price. Under the auspices of FIU’s Interior Design program, the popular event features a display of imaginative tree designs from dozens of South Florida’s premier design professionals.

This year’s creations, which will be on display from Dec. 2-28, 2005, will be unveiled at a lively Preview Gala on Thurs., Dec. 1, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The event will feature live music, beverages and a lavish buffet.

Tickets to the Preview Gala are $40 for members of the Alumni Association, a substantial discount off the regular price of $50. Net proceeds from the event will benefit the Gloria Blake Interior Design Scholarship Fund at FIU’s School of Architecture.

As always, the exhibition (and Gala Preview) will be at One Brickell Square, 801 Brickell Ave., Miami. The exhibition is free and open to the public, including nights and weekends.

For further information, call Geisha Garcia at FIU: 305-348-6101.

Alumni Career Fair attracts hundreds of Golden Panthers

The Alumni Association and Career Services joined forces on Monday, Sept. 12, to bring back by popular demand the Alumni Career Fair. The fair was a huge success with more than 400 alumni and 50 employers from around the country in attendance.

The evening began with a cocktail reception at the President's House for employers. Participants then moved over to the FIU-University Park Graham Center Ballrooms where alumni were invited to shop around and meet with various employers. Companies such as Burger King Corp., Carnival Cruise Lines, Odebrecht, IBM Corp., Protiviti, American Express and Enterprise Rent-A-Car were on site to hire FIU alumni. Light refreshments were provided and the Business and Honors College Alumni Chapters were present to promote their programs. To top off the night, FIU throws, FIU Fossil watches and many more great door prizes were given out.

If you didn't get a chance to join us this time, we hope to see you next time! Keep an eye on our events calendar for the next event.

Greek Alumni Reunion rescheduled for Dec. 14

Bring your jerseys, your spirit and your memories; it's time for the 3rd annual Greek Alumni Reunion. On Wednesday, Dec. 14, represent your organization and reunite with old friends, brothers and sisters as the Greeks come together at the Omni Colonnade in Coral Gables. Join us for another successful reunion from 7-9 p.m.

For more information, please contact the FIU Alumni Association at 305-348-3334 or email alumni@fiu.edu .

The Omni Colonnade is located at 180 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables.

For driving directions, please visit the hotel web site at: http://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/default.asp?topic=location&h_id=8 .

To view the 2003 and 2004 reunion photos click on the links below:

2004 photos
2003 photos