The FIU Alumni Association: Engaging Donors Through Educational Travel

Featured left to right, Bill, Angela and Raul

Lifetime members of the Alumni Association at Florida International University (FIU), Raul Chavez, '80 and his wife, Angela Martinez, love to travel. Through the Association's Golden Panther Getaway program, they combine their passion for traveling with their advocacy of FIU's mission.

Recently Chavez and Martinez pledged a planned gift to the University in support of the Alumni Association. A reflection of their dedication to the Association, the gift is one of the largest planned commitments made in the history of FIU. The donation will provide a flexible source of funding to advance the Association's mission, supporting student scholarships, construction of the FIU Alumni Center and outreach programs such as Golden Panther Getaway.

Since their first Panther Getaway on a European cruise in 2006, the couple has embarked on four journeys with the Alumni Association, including trips to China and the Middle East. Each Golden Panther Getaway cruise features an FIU professor who gives guest lectures about the various destinations, a unique opportunity to enrich the travel experience. The program supports student and alumni initiatives, enabling participants to advance FIU's mission through educational travel.

Raul is a 1980 graduate of FIU who received a bachelor's degree in Health Services Administration. He has served the Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue Department for 35 years, training first responders in communities around the world. Raul is very appreciative of what FIU has made possible for him: "FIU gave me the chance to get educated, pursue a career and help others in need. Because of this, I am leading the life that I want and it's time to give something back so that others can have the same opportunity."

Angela is a clinical and organizational psychologist based in Cutler Bay, Florida. She has grown to love FIU as if it were her own alma mater: "Raul and I attend as many events and programs as we possibly can. We have especially enjoyed the travel programs where we have met other FIU alumni, made many new friends and together seen so many wonderful places in the world. The people at FIU are so open to new ideas and have a real 'yes we can attitude' that I believe is extremely important to educating our youth and to the welfare of our nation."

Bill Draughon, FIU Alumni Association Executive Director, considers Raul and Angela as not only enthusiastic supporters of FIU but also great friends: "I first met Raul and Angela at the FIU Silver Pride celebration. Since then I've seen how they have become engaged in so many aspects of FIU and how meaningful the University has become for them. They are truly examples of Panther Pride."

Raul and Angela join the growing ranks of FIU's Legacy for Learning leadership. They look forward to meeting fellow supporters such as Marylu Miller, '90 who recently made the largest estate commitment ever pledged by an FIU alumnus. Such connections exemplify the power of the FIU Alumni Association to engage extended members of the Golden Panther family, creating a global network of alumni and friends united by a commitment to the transformative power of an FIU degree.

Create Your Legacy

Join Raul Chavez and his wife, Angela Martinez in investing in the future of FIU by making a planned gift to the University. Contact us to get started.