What’s brewing with new Alumni Coffee Club?

By all accounts, the first gathering of the College of Business Administration Alumni Coffee Club was a rousing success—so much so that plans for the second one are already in the works for sometime this autumn.

The 45 alumni sipped cappuccinos and flavored coffee while listening to Joyce J. Elam, executive dean, who welcomed the group and spoke about the college’s vision for the future and the role alumni can play in turning that vision into reality.

tn_CoffeeClubJoyce — Joyce J. Elam spoke to the group.

According to Michelle Joubert (MBA ’10), assistant director, advancement, alumni and corporate relations, the event gave alumni an opportunity to connect with Dean Elam, tour the business building on the Florida International University (FIU) campus and learn about more ways to become involved with one of the many alumni groups.

Representatives from the Business Alumni Chapter, Accounting Alumni Council, Real Estate Alumni Affinity Council and Chapman Executive Women’s Association attended the coffee club gathering.

“We had an overwhelming response to this fun, informative event,” Joubert said. “Better still, it helped us fill several open alumni board positions.”

tn_CoffeeClubGroup — Turnout for the event was high, with representatives from four separate business alumni groups attending.

Alumni fuel the future.

Michael Arguez (BBA ’09), vice president, Business Alumni Chapter, sees the Alumni Coffee Club as a great way to share with the alumni community the incredible rate of expansion and innovation the college has recently experienced despite the stagnant economy.

“Dean Elam has done an incredible job in building and strengthening the quality and reputation of the college within our community and at the national and international level,” Arguez said.

He believes alumni play an increasingly significant role in the college’s ongoing success.

“The highly motivated and determined Business Alumni Chapter Executive Board continues to assist members’ professional development, while focusing on building a stronger, united alumni base,” Arguez said. “We can reinforce our presence in today’s competitive market by connecting more than 42,000 business alumni and encouraging lasting business relationships and friendships. Activities like the coffee club support our Business Alumni Chapter goals: to promote professionalism, integrate value-added business programming into events and build alumni pride and awareness in our community.”