Our connection with alumni is symbiotic

Eduardo Alvarez/ Contributing Writer

In alumni, we see our future selves. Their participation in student life gives context to our daily stress and reassures us that our work will soon pay off.

FIU graduates are a testament to the University’s richness and connection with the community: brief examples include renowned poet Richard Blanco — a favorite of mine — as well legendary actor Andy Garcia.

Whenever they return; as is the case of theater alumnus Yecid Benavides, whose work has broken box office records in Bolivia, the pleasure and reward is mutual.

As an alumnus, it’s always touching to revisit old memories and interact with people traversing through a conquered rite of passage — a sensation I’ve had the few times I’ve returned to my high school.

For students, it’s nothing less than a sneak peak at the light at the end of the tunnel; though alumni will often advise to love and appreciate every aspect of university, from finals week to the commencement ceremony.

As ambassadors in every field, alumni exert a quantifiable benefit on their respective universities. Such is the case, that most universities keep detailed statistics on their graduates. Their performance, more so than their graduating GPA, is the school’s true feedback.

Unsurprisingly, the world’s best institutions also maintain the most comprehensive alumni networks. Places like Harvard and Yale enjoy the strongest links with their graduates precisely because of the legacy projection that they  provide. Certain schools become legends because they are well represented. Needless to say, FIU is on the right track.

The fact that our newspaper has taken the initiative in promoting FIU’s alumni is proof enough of our collective effort in promoting the golden panthers.

But this is far from the extent to which the university feeds its alumni life.

Not only is there an elegant alumni center at our main campus, but there are events being organized all the time in view of strengthening their presence. Details of said events can be found on the FIU Alumni website.

Also included in their website is a phrase, which sums up the spirit of the alumni-student relationship: “Uniting the Past, Present, and Future of FIU.”

This is a privilege we should all appreciate because it affects us deeply. Let us be cognizant of this connection now as students, and even more so when we have graduate. The FIU experience should definitely continue long after we have been handed our diplomas.

 

DISCLAIMER:

The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of Panther Press Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.

 

Photo by Clint McKoy on Unsplash.

Be the first to comment on "Our connection with alumni is symbiotic"

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*