One of the most hopeful seasonal markers in South Florida—versus hurricanes, for example—is the spring graduation of college students. On April 26, 2010, that positive event transformed approximately 733 students in the Landon Undergraduate School and approximately 295 in the Chapman Graduate School into the newest alumni of the College of Business Administration at Florida International University (FIU).
Joyce J. Elam, executive dean, spoke at both ceremonies, recapping recognition the college has recently received in important rankings as well as highlighting notable student achievements. She also urged the soon-to-be graduates to use their time to “build something of lasting value.”
Four students from the business school were recognized as Worlds Ahead Graduates for their “leadership qualities, desire to change lives and academic achievements”:
Chris Houseman (BACC ’10), who will be interning this summer with PricewaterhouseCoopers
Larry Ramos (BBA ’10), an international business major slated to complete his bachelor’s degree in international business at Harvard University as part of an exchange program for top students
Kenneth Metral (MSMIS ’10, MBA ’10), a 22-year-old who plans to apply his two graduate degrees to a career in technology with a view to building his own company
Natalia Ugaz (BBA ’10) who majored in international business and management, and just completed an internship at Discovery Channel
Business school employees receive diplomas and certificates.
A number of hard-working staff members added to their workload by being FIU students while fulfilling their job requirements.
Enrique Carrasco (BBA ’05), Downtown MBA, admissions evaluator, Graduate Admission Office
Jorge Echevarria, Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in finance, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, student assistant, Graduate Admission Office
Michelle R. Joubert, Downtown MBA, assistant director, Advancement, Alumni and Corporate Relations
Anneli Hilpinen (BBA’06), Evening MBA, manager, Ernst & Young Student Learning Lab
Amelia Honores, Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in finance, senior office assistant, Department of Finance and Real Estate
Mina Hosseini, Executive Master of Science in Taxation, graduate advisor, School of Accounting
Melissa Izquierdo, Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in management, corporate relations and stewardship assistant, Advancement, Alumni and Corporate Relations
Margie Leonard, Master of Science in Higher Education Administration, undergraduate advisor, College of Business Administration
Alfonso Lovo (BBA ’05), Master of International Business, senior computer support specialist, Network Support Group, Technology Center
Yusimit Martinez, Evening MBA, program coordinator for international programs (Master of International Business and International MBA)
Carlos Ordoqui, Executive Master of Science in Taxation, graduate advisor, School of Accounting
Crystal Pena, Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in marketing, OPS, Department of Management and International Business
Maria Ysabel Pradilla Picas, Master of International Business, 4.0 GPA, currently working in the International Programs Office, performing the duties of program coordinator
Cristobal Ruiz, Bachelor of Science, majoring in recreation and sports management, office assistant, Department of Finance and Real Estate
In addition, Alma Resien-Puerto, lab supervisor, Capital Markets Lab, received a paralegal certificate and a certificate in law office management from FIU’s Legal Studies Institute.