From left:  Representing U.S. Century Bank, Dante Salas, Josue Rios, Karla Perenzuela, Ruth Jímenez, and Frank Fernandez; Business Alumni Chapter President Manny Matalón, and Larissa Ramos, director of development, FIU Honors College

More than 100 alumni from the business, real estate, law, and Honors College chapters gathered on March 27, 2007, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the exclusive Havana Club for a Networking Happy Hour where drinks and hors d’oeuvres were graciously provided by U.S. Century Bank and the Havana Club.  Raffle prizes were donated by U.S. Century Bank and Florida International University’s (FIU) Alumni Association.

“The venue’s panoramic views coupled with its Miami flair made it the perfect place for our alumni to make friends and engage in business conversations,” said George Corton, director of development for the College of Law. “It set the tone for many more events to come.”

Larissa Ramos, director of development for the Honors College, said, “Our collaboration represents an effective and productive model for alumni relations partnerships among the university’s schools and colleges.”

Several alumni in attendance echoed that sentiment, and one mentioned that she appreciated the diversity of backgrounds of those present, which offered “an opportunity for an attorney to network with a real estate developer, a banker and an artist, all at once!”

“With so many wonderful events being offered in our beautiful city, it made sense to collaborate, share resources, and create a unique event that would truly offer spectacular networking,” said Monique Catoggio (EMBA ’03), director of alumni and partner relations in the college. “I think we were successful, and we look forward to working more closely with the university’s many affinity groups and alumni chapters to organize meaningful events and programs in the future.”