David Blount thought the Master of Science in International Real Estate (MSIRE) program at Florida International University (FIU) was exactly what he wanted. Little did he know, the opportunity was going to become even better.
“I’m working at an engineering consulting firm and want a master’s degree to become better-rounded and to move more into the development aspect of the business,” said Blount, a Miami resident with a civil engineering degree from Purdue University. “The MSIRE program in FIU’s College of Business has the courses I want and lets me earn my degree by taking classes two evenings a week. A perfect fit.”
Blount’s decision to begin the program in August 2012 became even smarter when he learned he was one of three FIU students receiving a sizable scholarship from the Florida chapter of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) in conjunction with the SIOR Foundation.
“I’m incredibly honored to receive funding from such a prestigious organization,” he said.
Alumni connection helps FIU students.
Blount, along with graduate students Zavier Moreno (BBA ’12) and William Lee (BBA ’06), were honored at a scholarship ceremony on August 17, 2012.
From the SIOR Florida Chapter, scholarship chairman Jose Juncadella (BBA ’81), past president Michael Silver, current president Jim Steinbauer (BBA ’84) and members John R. Steinbauer and J.R. Steinbauer Jr. congratulated the students.
“Our chapter, along with the SIOR Foundation, awards scholarship money annually to students at one particular university,” Jim Steinbauer said. “While we make sure to ‘spread the money around,’ typically the current chapter president selects which university will receive the money. I was happy to choose FIU.”
On hand to thank SIOR were William Hardin, the college’s director of real estate programs; Matthew Rothstein, marketing and development manager of the MSIRE program; and Yolanda Rodriquez (MBA ’10, BS ’07), assistant director, operations, advancement, alumni and corporate relations.
SIOR is the leading professional commercial and industrial real estate association, with more than 3,000 members in more than 29 countries. The Florida chapter has 165 members.
