About forty of Florida International University’s alumni who work at Burger King’s headquarters in Blue Lagoon gathered to celebrate their alma mater and to network with university administrators in attendance. The event, organized by the university’s Office of Alumni Relations and hosted by Burger King, was supported heavily by the college, which partners with Burger King in various ways.

Corporate Day, which took place on October 19, 2006, provided alumni with an update on where the university and the college are today. Speakers included Alumni Relations Vice President Bill Draughon, College of Business Administration Executive Dean Joyce J. Elam, and Chapman Graduate School of Business Dean José de la Torre.

Making the event even more personal was business alumnus and Burger King’s Vice President of Human Resources José Tomas, an avid supporter of the college. Tomas was the chairman of the Chapman School’s Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM) Advisory Board for several years and remains an active member. He also heads the corporation’s recruitment activities, which provide our students with an array of career opportunities. Tomas shared his love for the university and encouraged alumni to join the Alumni Association and become active alumni—a role which has brought him much satisfaction.

“Working with the Alumni Association to host Corporate Days is a strategic tactic for us,” said College Alumni and Partner Relations Director Monique Catoggio (EMBA ’03). “Because the majority of our alumni remain in South Florida after graduating, we find numbers of them working for our major local corporations, firms, and financial institutions. Having strong relationships—on many different levels—with these companies benefits us in so many ways. We truly value these partnerships.”