Creative Writing alumnus published in noir anthology

T-Bird, a short story set in the world of underground poker games by Creative Writing alumnus John Bond MFA ‘01, has been published in Miami Noir, an anthology from Akashic Books edited by Les Standiford, director of the Creative Writing Program.

The Creative Writing Program also is pleased that T-Bird has been chosen as one of the 20 best mystery stories of 2006 and will be included in the Houghton Mifflin anthology Best American Mysteries 2007, which is due for release this fall.

Miami Noir also includes The Timing of Unfelt Smiles by John DuFresne, professor in the English Department/Creative Writing Program. The anthology can be found at major bookstore like Barnes & Noble or at independent bookstores like Books & Books.

Auditions open for Romulus Hunt

This May, the College of Architecture and the Arts will stage performances of Romulus Hunt, a family opera by Carly Simon, featuring designs by Romero Britto, directed by Phillip Church and conducted by John Augenblick. The performances will benefit CHARLEE Homes for Children and the Girls Advocacy Project, and will take place in the Wertheim Performing Arts Center Concert Hall at University Park.

The Romulus Hunt project will host open auditions throughout South Florida in search of a 14-year-old young man to sing the title role of Romulus Hunt. If you know of any young talented male singers connected to the Golden Panther family and who would like the opportunity to try out for the part, contact Theater & Dance Associate Professor Phillip Church at 305-348-3358 or churchp@fiu.edu.

Alumni updates

The Coral Gables-based accounting firm Jordan Castellon Ricardo LLC has named Audie W. Alsopp MS ‘00 as tax manager and Emil Sotolongo ’93 as audit supervisor. Alsopp, in addition to having a master’s of science degree in taxation from FIU, is a certified public accountant and a member of several associations, including the National Association of Security Dealers. Sotolongo is a member of several organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Susana Cetta MS ‘95 recently joined Palmer Trinity School as the director of parent relations, following a stint as the director of operations at Kids Hope United, Florida Region. Since 1991, she has worked in the non-profit field in various administrative positions, and has primarily worked in child welfare. She has a master's degree in mental health counseling from FIU and is a licensed psychotherapist. A resident of Palmetto Bay, Cetta also is a member of the board of directors for Neat Stuff, a non-profit organization that provides new clothing to 8,000 needy children in Miami each year. On a related note, the board of directors of Neat Stuff has named Franklin Monjarrez ’98, MSW ’01 as its new executive director. Both of the Miami resident’s degrees are in social work.

Miami-based Diaz Cooper Advertising recently appointed Ana Feliciano ’00, MS ‘04 to oversee the account services advertising team. Feliciano, a resident of Kendale Lakes, has a master's degree in integrated marketing communications and a bachelor's degree in communications, both from FIU.

Jose Izquierdo ‘00, a registered nurse, recently was appointed director of Emergency Room Services at North Shore Medical Center. He previously served as acting administrative supervisor and interim director of Emergency Department Services at North Shore. Izquierdo earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida International University's School of Nursing in 2000.

Bachelor’s of arts in international relations and political science recipient Lorna Kernizan ‘89 was appointed administrator at Miami Lakes Surgery Center, a new ambulatory surgery center located at 15501 N.W. 67th Ave. in Miami Lakes. Kernizan previously served as administrator of Weston Regional Health Park, assistant administrator at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center and associate vice president of Operations at Cedars Medical Center.

Alumni chapters need volunteer help

From social networking events and game-watching parties, to community service projects and family picnics, FIU Alumni Association chapters help keep alumni connected to each other, to their community and to FIU. Alumni chapters locally and across the country need volunteers to carry on the FIU tradition.

Members of the FIU Alumni Association can help their local chapter in a number of ways, as:

• Social planning coordinator: Planning social events such as FIU athletic event TV watch parties, happy hours, athletic migrations, chapter picnics and other social/athletically oriented events designed to acquaint members with one another, the university, and the Alumni Association;
• Service planning coordinator: Planning service/academically oriented activities and programs. These may include a scholarship program, student recruitment activities, career networking activities, community service projects and other activities and events designed to provide service to the university and the community at large;
• Membership coordinator: Recruiting alumni and friends to become active participants in chapter programs and events and promoting membership in the Alumni Association; and
• Communications coordinator: Promoting all chapter events and activities. This may include editing a chapter newsletter, providing information to the Alumni Association for a chapter mailer and maintaining a chapter web page.

If any of these volunteer opportunities interest you or if you know of an alum or friend of the university who may be interested, contact the alumni chapter leader directly by visiting www.fiualumni.com and clicking on the “Alumni Chapters” link, where you also can find a complete listing of alumni chapters. If none of the coordinator positions fit your skills or desires, contact the chapter to inquire about other opportunities for volunteers.

Special Lion King tickets offer

Alumni Association members will have a chance to experience the phenomenon of Disney’s The Lion King once more, when the Broadway productions returns to South Florida after a sold-out premiere in 2002, for performances at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, on April 19-June 3.

A limited number of seats have been reserved for Alumni Association members for Sunday, May 27, at 6:30 p.m. for $70.25, $62.75 or $47.75 (plus $1.50 service charge). To purchase tickets, visit www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/groupsales and enter the password FIUALUMNI. For information on VIP packages, call 1-800-647-6877.

Do not miss this chance to marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by award-winning director Julie Taymor, whose visual images for this show you will remember forever. The Lion King thrills to the pulsating rhythms of the African Pridelands and an unforgettable score, including Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning song ”Can You Feel The Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life.”

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.