University sees steady increase in alumni donations

Anna Radinsky/Staff Writer

The FIU Alumni Association has reported that alumni have donated $600,000 more in 2016-2017, compared to 2015-2016.

Alumni’s donated $8.1 million in 2016-2017 compared to $7.5 million in 2015-2016, according to an email sent to Student Media by Duane Wiles, the associate vice president of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving. Wiles is also the executive director of the Alumni Association.

Half of the $600,000 increase has been because of gifts of $100 or less, which added up to more than $300,000 in funding for the University, Wiles email read.

“Each year, every gift, regardless of the amount, improves the FIU experience for our students,” the email states.

The University depends on donations to influence its national ranking and support students to become future leaders.

Donations from alumni and students are used to fund scholarships, academic programs, technology upgrades, facility enhancements, athletics and other benefits for the University. Students and alumni can invest in specific areas of FIU that are most meaningful to them.

The Alumni Association encourages students, faculty, staff, donors and alumni to participate in events and activities that inspire donations.

FIU Student Ambassadors, “the student arm” of the FIU Foundation & Alumni Association, are student leaders that engage with fellow students, donors and trustees to give a student perspective on philanthropy, according to the email.

Isabella Ortiz, a Student Ambassador and sophomore majoring in international business, credits the FIU Alumni Association for giving her the experience needed to be the current Vice President of Sponsorship and Fundraising.

“I have fallen in love with my FIU because of the diversity, constant innovation, and never-ending opportunities that continuously grow,” said Ortiz.

Ortiz and other Student Ambassadors attend cultural and communal festivities and concerts, lectures of alumni professionals from all fields: mock job interviews, career fairs, and other activities that allow them to interact with many.

During graduation time, Student Ambassadors will be encouraging Class Gifts throughout the campuses to impact generations of students coming after.

Class Gifts are donations that members of a graduating class give to support the University. Donations can be as low as $5 and all donors will receive a commemorative ribbon pin to wear at their Commencement, according to FIU Foundation, Inc.’s website.

After students graduate they automatically become members of more than 254,000 alumni at the FIU Alumni Association at no cost, according to the email.

Ten notable alumni were recognized for individually giving over time $1 million: Michael Mendez 2003; Albert Maury 1996; Chad Moss 1995; Richard Brilliant 1993; Raul Chavez 1980; Gerald Grant Jr. 1978; Marcia Strait 1977; Humberto Cabanas 1976; Richard Strait 1976 and Diane Faulconer 1974.

“Philanthropy has a priceless value that I have witnessed can only truly be measured by the impact in which it makes,” said Ortiz.

No matter how much donated, every alumnus gets access to benefits and services of the Alumni Association—career development, networking, volunteer opportunities, national discounts and more.

For those interested in learning more about the Alumni Association or about the Student Ambassador Program, visit https://fiualumni.com.

 

Feature Image by Anna Radinsky/PantherNOW.