Fall Commencement at Florida International University (FIU), held on December 13, 2010, began a new phase for those graduating—approximately 584 students in the R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business and approximately 300 students in the Alvah H. Chapman Graduate School of Business. Among the undergraduates, Adriana M. Ross maintained a 4.0 and nine others achieved a 3.9. GPA.
Executive Dean Joyce J. Elam spoke at both ceremonies, praising the soon-to-be alumni for their accomplishments, which bring honor to them and to the College of Business Administration. She also shared the strong rankings the college continues to capture— evidence of the value of their degrees—and reminded them that the college and university will continue to be a resource for them.
Students honored as Worlds Ahead Graduates.
Five students from FIU Business were among the Worlds Ahead Graduates, recognized for their leadership, service and academic achievements.
An undergraduate 4.0 student, Andrew Carbon (MSHRM ’10, BBA ’06), recipient of the Ira Clark Jackson Graduate Scholarship from Jackson Health System to pursue his master’s degree, was at the top of his graduate group with a 3.96 GPA. Recently promoted to supervisor of admission and registration at Miami Dade College North Campus, he is teaching an online human resource management class at FIU.
Emmanuelle Laham (BBA ’10), who came to the United States from Haiti in 2005, returned there in the summer of 2010 to help her father, a Haitian engineer, rebuild what was left of the city after the devastating 2010 earthquake. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in business administration.
Volleyball player Yarimar Rosa (BBA ’10), is the only four-time All-American in FIU sports history. A native of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, she ended her college career as FIU’s all-time leader in career kills (2,083) and career digs (1,053). She will work toward an international and professional volleyball career in Puerto Rico.
Giancarlo Russo (BBA ’10), former president of the American Marketing Association chapter at FIU, worked as a summer intern for Switchboard of Miami and, as a result, the chapter is currently working on a philanthropy project for Switchboard. He plans to pursue a master’s degree in business administration or marketing.
Rowena Zacharia (MSF-MIB ’10), was born in India, raised in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and dreamed of studying in the United States. For two years, she worked in the State Farm Financial Literacy Lab as a graduate assistant, training students and faculty how to use financial programs. She plans to enter the job market as a full-time employee for a business consulting group.
Congratulations to the college employees who earned degrees.
Eleven current members of the business school’s staff completed their rigorous degree programs in parallel to meeting their job demands.
Tania Frederic Abouzeide, Master of Science in Counselor Education, program coordinator, International Graduate Programs
Brittany Gonzalez, Bachelor of Business Administration, financial student assistant, Finance Administration Office
Melissa Hew, Evening MBA, financial aid manager, Finance Administration Office
Stephen Peter Loynaz, Master of Science in Counselor Education, program assistant, Graduate Accounting Programs
Ailyn Moreno, Bachelor of Accounting, student assistant, Finance Administration Office
Jacqueline Moreno, Master of Science in Higher Education Administration, academic advisor, Undergraduate Advising
Leisy Ponce, Bachelor in Business Administration, student assistant/secretary, School of Accounting
Rosangel Quintero, Professional MBA, senior manager, Executive and Professional Education
Yolanda Rodriguez (BS ’07), Professional MBA, assistant director, advancement & operations, Department of Advancement, Alumni and Corporate Relations
Anita Sambor, Evening MBA, program coordinator, International Graduate Programs
Yanyn San Luis, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, student and alumni relations coordinator, Department of Advancement, Alumni and Corporate Relations
College awards posthumous degree to Adam Daniel Hurd.
Periodically, the college awards a BBA posthumously to students who are very close to gradation but die prior to completing all their studies. Once such student was Adam Daniel Hurd, an undergraduate majoring in Management Information Systems. He passed away on June 24, 2010 after a brief battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He had an earned grade point average above 3.6, was a talented electronic musician and budding artist with a keen interest in aesthetic photography, especially while traveling. In addition to being a full-time student, he was employed full-time in a local law firm. He leaves behind his son, William, his parents, Michael and Sandra Hurd, and a brother, Ryan. He was engaged to Andrea Lauzon (BBA ’09) and was very close to her parents, Tim and Nina. He is also survived by grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.
