Honors and Scholars Gala

 

In April, the DRC presented its first annual Honors and Scholars Gala at the Rusty Pelican with 143 attendees.  Awards were given to corporate representatives and FIU staff who have helped us make our campuses more disability-friendly:  Vivian Bier of Ryder System, Inc.,; Isabel Fernandez of Wachovia Bank; Dr. Ivelaw Griffith, Jr. of the Honors College; Peter Knezevic of Rusty Pelican; and Dr. Clifford Perry of College of Business Administration.  Fundraising to help support the efforts of DRC and provide scholarships for graduate students included a very enjoyable silent auction of art, long weekends in Curacao and the Bahamas, diving/snorkeling trips, deep sea fishing charter trip, local weekend stays at nice hotels, dinners, sports memorabilia, swim with dolphins, jewelry, etc.  The event netted over $30,000.  You'll want to be there next year for sure!

 

Joseph Bevilacqua's group from American Medical Response

Winner Isabel Fernandez with her friends

Isabel Fernadez at the Wachovia table

Aventura Hospital staff members

Vivian Bier of Ryder System with her mother

Art work by student Ivonne Irias and a master, Romero Britto

Bartender smiles

Beautiful Biscayne Bay

Dean Clifford Perry receiving his award

Dean Ivelaw L. Griffith of the Honors College could not be present so his wife accepted his Starfish Award

Isabel Fernandez of Wachovia Bank lights the night with her smile as she accepts her Starfish Award from Dr. Julio Garcia, Director of Disability Resource Center

Vivian Bier, Ryder System, winner of the Starfish Award

Joseph Bevilacqua presenting

Division of Students Affairs smiles for the camera

The Juan Wong entourage at the Juan Wong table

Dr. Garcia and his mother

Looking at Downtown Miami

John Bonanno, Assitant Vice President and his wife

Dean Perry of the College of Busniess Administration

Darren(left), Michelle(Center) and Kiwan(right)

Dancing the night away

Extraordinary set of wheels: (l to r) Darren Gregory (student), Juan Womg. (donor and scholarship donor), Ileana Rodriguez (student), Karen Garcia-Jimenez (Dr. Garcia's daughter), and Dr. Julio Garcia, Director of Disability Resource Center

Dr. Garcia and wife Betty with their new Britto painting

Dr. Jones and her table smilling

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Velazquiez at the A & A Arnold & Associates table with Xavier and Michele Williams (Program Coordinator), and Beth Davis-Wellington, attorney.

Dr. Vincent Lago 's table

Rusty Pelican Ballroom

Dr. Garcia looking at paintings before auction begins

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