Student Food Pantry at BBC upgrades to new space thanks to generous donation amid pandemic

The BBC Student Food Pantry upgraded to a new space this year, thanks to the support of a lifelong learning student named Herb Gruber and his partner, FIU alumna Donna Steffens ’06. The new pantry, already open for business, is located at Wolfe University Center 256 and, like its MMC counterpart, is open to all […]

FIU Business alumna’s scholarship endowment will support diverse, female future accountants

FIU College of Business alumna Jacqueline Cecile Williams ’94, CPA, recently made a planned gift to FIU that will establish a scholarship to help bolster the future pipeline of minority, female accountants in South Florida. Inspired by the financial support and guidance she received as a student preparing to break into the accounting industry, Williams […]

Business alumni leverage industry experience, FIU education to shift company focus to include pandemic response

Carlos Duart ’94, MS ’99 and Tina Vidal-Duart ’02, MIB ’04, president and executive vice president, respectively, of CDR Maguire, leveraged their contacts and industry experience to help advise and coordinate relief efforts on a major scale. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, College of Business alumni Carlos Duart ’94, MS ’99 and Tina Vidal-Duart ’02, […]

Two-time alumnus, FIU parent discusses family’s Panther legacy, why he gave to student emergency relief fund

Two-time alumnus Josue Raudales ’97, MS ’05 is a proud FIU Panther and an FIU parent, as well. Raudales was an international student from Honduras and a member of the Honors College during his time at the university. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from the College of Engineering & Computing and […]

A community of supporters bolsters South Florida hospitality industry, including alumni-owned restaurants and bars

For alumna Heather De La Torre and her husband Jesus, owners of Jr’s Gourmet Burgers in Miami Springs, business is a family affair. The “mom-and-pop” restaurant celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year, and the couple thinks of their small, close-knit staff as kin. But, like many restaurants nationwide, the COVID-19 pandemic dealt Jr’s a tough […]

FIUstrong: Providing emergency relief for students during the pandemic

The university is raising funds for students suffering financially during the health crisis. When FIU student Gabriella Llaña lost her job during the pandemic, she feared she might lose her apartment, too. Living alone, she wasn’t sure how she would afford rent. With support from the FIUstrong disaster relief initiative, the university was able to […]

Mentorship inspired him to become a thriving entrepreneur. Now this alumnus is paying it forward

–By Brittany Torres Rivera for FIU News Joel Gandara is the CEO and founder of Morro Capital, a privately-owned e-commerce apparel company with a portfolio of more than 20 men’s apparel brands. He immigrated to the U.S. from Cuba in 1980 on an overcrowded boat full of hopes and dreams. Having always had an entrepreneurial […]

FIU expands 3D-printed PPE initiative to local fire-rescue departments with gift from alumnus, President’s Council member

FIU’s College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts has expanded its initiative to produce 3D-printed personal protective equipment (PPE) for those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported by a gift from FIU President’s Council member Angela Martinez and FIU alumnus Raul Chavez ’80, the college 3D-printed 1,000 protective face shields for local fire-rescue departments. […]

#FIUstrong activated: Here’s how you can help in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian

The following message regarding relief and recovery efforts post-Hurricane Dorian was sent from the Division of External Relations, Strategic Communications & Marketing to the university community on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, at 6 p.m.      September 3, 2019  Dear FIU family, Many members of the university community are looking for ways to help our […]

Recent grad creates Global Learning scholarship in memory of her brother

–By Isabel Gamarra for FIU News For Danielle Lyn, Global Learning was the most meaningful experience at FIU. It gave her a space to talk to others; a passion in life; and a community of like-minded individuals who were committed to making the world a better place. “Global Learning pushed me to try an array […]