.: Sunblazers return for the first Silver Pride Induction Ceremony and Reunion.

Juliana and Gregory Lee (BBA ’75) take in every little bit of the reunion, tailgate party, and game.

On Saturday, November 18, 2006, during Florida International University’s homecoming festivities, more than 200 alumni came back to campus to take part in  a special ceremony in their honor—for blazing the trail for today’s students—and for the university’s first-ever alumni reunion for classes ’71-’81.

After attending the ceremony organized by the Alumni Association, college alumni joined Executive Dean Joyce J. Elam, Business Alumni Chapter President Manny Matalón (MACC ’03, BACC ’00), founding faculty members, and other administrators to celebrate their and the college’s many successes.

“It was so nice to meet these amazing alumni, who are longtime community members and who were visibly thrilled to see how much their college and university have grown,” Elam said. “They were so engaged and excited to be back at our school that many of them joined the association and Business Alumni Chapter and registered to attend our “Night in Paradise” event on November 22. One of them even bought his “star” for our Wall of Stars, which will be displayed in our new building complex when it opens next fall. It was great to see the university through their eyes.”

Alumni who attended also stayed for the FIU Alumni Association’s tailgate party and, of course, for the Panthers’ homecoming game.