{"id":27001,"date":"2016-07-15T09:00:38","date_gmt":"2016-07-15T13:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/?p=27001"},"modified":"2016-12-15T13:26:09","modified_gmt":"2016-12-15T18:26:09","slug":"malcolm-butters-lifts-student-loan-burden-for-two-msire-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/2016\/07\/malcolm-butters-lifts-student-loan-burden-for-two-msire-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Malcolm Butters lifts student loan burden for two MSIRE students."},"content":{"rendered":"
\"From
From left to right, Jose M. Aldrich, William G. Hardin III, Richelle Wagner, Enrique Pineiro and Malcolm Butters.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Completing the demanding Master of Science in International Real Estate<\/a> program at the Hollo School of Real Estate<\/a> is a true achievement.<\/p>\n

Two brand-new graduates of the Florida International University (FIU) College of Business program received an additional reward for their hard work: checks for $11,700 as winners of the Malcolm Butters Real Estate Scholarship Award. The funds are earmarked to help defray student debt.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great to see the joy in their faces,\u201d said Butters, co-founder of Butters Construction and Development, who earned a master\u2019s degree from the school in 1984. \u201cTo me, FIU is a special place.\u201d<\/p>\n

The MSIRE graduation dinner and award presentation took place June 29 at Morton\u2019s The Steakhouse in Coral Gables. It was packed with graduates, guests and faculty members. The awards, given for outstanding academic achievement, commitment and leadership, were announced and presented by Butters himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh my gosh! Oh my gosh!\u201d were the astonished words of Richelle Wagner, who began her real estate career 15 years ago in the residential sector. The Atlanta resident was a fully online student.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don’t know how much this means to me,\u201d she said, after thanking Butters, her professors, and School of Real Estate Director William\u00a0G.\u00a0Hardin III. \u201cFor anybody who has been put in a box and told \u2018you can\u2019t do it,\u2019 — the only thing it takes is that you believe in yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wagner, a Louisiana native, put her skills to good use after Hurricane Katrina, helping families find new housing and restart their lives. While transitioning to the commercial sector she realized further education was key. \u201cThis program has changed my life,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m not the same person I was when I started.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enrique Pineiro, the other winner, is a returning Panther, having earned his BBA in 2003. Now director, property management and leasing at the Allen Morris Company, he\u2019s long been an industry leader and serves in professional and community organizations, including Miami-Dade County\u2019s Affordable Housing Advisory Board. He is also on the FIU Alumni Association board of directors.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very humble and grateful,\u201d Pineiro said. \u201cThis program has meant a lot to me; it has invigorated me in a new way.\u201d Pineiro thanked his professors and fellow students. \u201cI thank all my cohort, it\u2019s been wonderful having you in class.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Malcolm<\/p>\n

Giving to those in need.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Butters shared how FIU helped him achieve success, and why he is committed to helping others move forward with a lightened debt load.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe students from FIU are usually local, and take out student loans,\u201d he said. His award \u201cis a way to give back to the students.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wagner and Pineiro weren\u2019t the only winners. Assistant Professor Eli Beracha was given the Best Faculty award by both the Downtown on Brickell and online student groups; Assistant Professor Julia Freybote won the Best Course award for her Special Topics in Real Estate class from the Brickell students; the online group gave the same award to school director Hardin for his Advanced Investments class.<\/p>\n

The class of \u201816 has been particularly harmonious, noted Hardin. \u201cIt\u2019s an experienced group, they bring a lot to the table,\u201d he said. He noted that fully online students \u2013 such as award-winner Wagner \u2013 have been full participants in the program, which demands a high degree of teamwork.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see a lot of smiling faces,\u201d Acting Dean Jose Aldrich said to the diners. \u201cThank you for being a part of FIU,\u201d he added, urging them to keep in touch with the university and their fellow grads. \u201cIt\u2019s not just what you learn, it\u2019s who you meet.\u201d<\/p>\n