{"id":10410,"date":"2016-04-08T09:25:59","date_gmt":"2016-04-08T09:25:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fiualumni.com\/?p=10410"},"modified":"2018-05-08T20:54:26","modified_gmt":"2018-05-08T20:54:26","slug":"annual-torch-awards-gala-celebrates-15th-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fiualumni.com\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/index.php\/2016\/04\/08\/annual-torch-awards-gala-celebrates-15th-anniversary\/","title":{"rendered":"Annual Torch Awards gala celebrates 15th anniversary"},"content":{"rendered":"

The annual Torch Awards<\/b><\/span><\/a> celebrated its 15<\/span>th<\/span> anniversary March 19 with a gala honoring distinguished alumni in the FIU community.<\/span><\/p>\n

The event, held at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, raises money for the university\u2019s Alumni Center Building Fund<\/b><\/span><\/a> and its First Generation Scholarship Fund<\/b><\/span><\/a>, which benefits students who are the first in their families to attend college.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis event is very important for FIU because it provides us an opportunity to recognize our outstanding alumni that are really impacting not only the local community but the world in terms of what they\u2019re doing,\u201d said Duane Wiles, executive director of the FIU Alumni Association<\/b><\/span><\/a>. \u201cIt really helps move the needle for the university when we recognize our grads for all the great things they are doing and will continue to do for FIU.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This year, the FIU Alumni Association honored Darlene Boytell-Perez ARNP \u201989, MSN \u201996 as its 2016 Alumna of the Year. An advanced registered nurse practitioner and philanthropist, she is a two-time graduate of the university.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSince this is an institution that gives back continuously, it only makes complete sense that\u00a0you give back to something that nurtures you and feeds you,\u201d says Boytell-Perez of the pivotal role FIU has played in shaping her life.<\/span><\/p>\n

For Jonathan Cameron \u201907, a graduate of the Honors College<\/b><\/span><\/a> and a certified financial planner, receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Honors College was a tremendous honor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI owe so much to the Honors College,\u201d Cameron said. \u201cBecause of the mix of the different types of classes and professors, and the different students from different fields, I was able to get various perspectives, which is more like real life at the end of the day. So I\u2019m really blessed to be here tonight and to receive this award.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Inaugural poet Richard Blanco \u201991, MFA \u201997, who presented his piece \u201cOne Today\u201d at President Barack Obama\u2019s second inauguration, was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from School of Environment, Arts and Society<\/b><\/span><\/a> in the College of Arts, Sciences & Education<\/b><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve grown up with FIU since I was a little kid, so it\u2019s wonderful to see how the school has blossomed into this incredible institution,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

The gala\u2019s reception featured a performance by student Monique Abbadie, a singer and contestant on season four of NBC\u2019s \u201cThe Voice,\u201d and the night ended on a high with music and dancing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLook at the amazing accomplishments of the alumni we are honoring tonight. They\u2019ve done well, and they\u2019re doing good,\u201d said President Mark B. Rosenberg in his keynote address at dinner. \u201cIndeed all of our awardees have demonstrated the importance of paying if forward using their success to make a difference in this world and leaving this world a better place than they found it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This year\u2019s honorees included:<\/span><\/p>\n

Alumna of the Year<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n