Image of Everglades Hall courtesy of Creative Commons
Written by Isabella Frias/Contributing Writer
Panther alumni have marked their paw print on the University; now they’re being recognized for it.
With music jams from the FIU Marching Band, the cheerleading team, the Golden Dazzlers dance team, the Student Alumni Association will honor four alumni who have well-represented the University for this year’s Trail of the Torch.
Along with Roary, the University mascot, they will follow each alumnus with a torch from one point to another until they reach a final stop in front of the steps of Primera Casa. PC is the first campus building since 1969.
The event is FIU’s largest on-campus tradition that kick-offs the fall semester, according to the SAA website. Mark Rosenberg, President of the University, is expected to give a school year commencement speech.
The Alumni Association hopes that FIU students will continue to be involved and connected to the University after graduation.
“We want to celebrate the new school year by lighting the torch of knowledge. We want everyone to celebrate and have all the organizations out there,” said Kandys Temes, President of the SAA.
The event will be hosted at the FIU Housing Quad near the campus residence halls where the alumni will be first introduced.
Stephanie Almeida, a senior marketing major and an FIU Dazzler, said the Golden Dazzlers love feeling the passion and excitement of the FIU community at Trail of the Torch.
“We always do our best to bring that Dazzling Panther pride and professionalism every time we perform,” said Almeida.
“It’s always an exciting community of staff and students who are proud to be FIU panthers and who are passionate about passing on the torch,” Almeida said.
The torch represents knowledge, opportunity and service, which highlights the qualities of the selected alumni who were chosen by a committee of faculty. Those selected will not know they are chosen until Wednesday at the Graham Center Pit.
The nominations took place through an online application where each candidate applies for four different representative categories — Greek Life, Athletics, academically excelling and a student that has a desire to mark a paw print at FIU.
According to Temes, the four alumni will highlight the main slogan of the event: “Will you carry the torch?” The slogan asks what it really means for the individual to carry the torch, Temes said. “…how [you will] leave your paw print at FIU [and] what will you do to make your year special,” she said.
There will be live entertainment and food. With a swipe from a student OneCard at the SAA tent, students will receive giveaways.
Students will also receive a passport and a wristband as they trail throughout the main campus. With ten stamps from different tents at the event, they will receive exclusive anniversary FIU@50 t-shirts at the end of the trail.
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