The John E. Onachilla Endowment

John Onachilla

A 1977 graduate of the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU), John E. Onachilla has no doubt that his planned gift of $877,000 will advance the academic mission of the School. This generous estate commitment will create the John E. Onachilla Endowment in support of hospitality and tourism management students for decades to come. According to John, "The planned gift is my way of saying thank you to FIU for starting me on my career in the hospitality industry. Hopefully other alumni or friends of the University will realize that a monetary gift benefits FIU and furthers the education of current or future students."

Retired after a 37-year career in the hospitality industry, John spent four years in the US Air Force and two years in the Air Force Reserve following his high school graduation in 1968. From 1973 to 1975, he attended Northern Virginia Community College in suburban Washington, DC, and then spent two years at FIU from 1975 to 1977. Following his graduation from FIU, John worked for Radisson Hotel and Avis Rent-A-Car in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul, MN area. After moving back to Washington, DC in 1981, he spent the next 25 years in the travel industry with three agencies working in the back office/accounting department.

Today, John volunteers at the non-profit organization "Give Kids The World" and at the main branch of the public library in Kissimmee, Florida, where he now lives. He has been a member of the FIU Alumni Association for many years and has participated in football homecoming festivities.

John has been a member of the Panther community long enough to appreciate the tremendous growth of the University. In his words, "It's always great to go back to FIU and marvel at how the University has grown.... FIU has meant a sense of pride to me over the years due to the fact it started me on my hospitality career.... I've always gotten a positive response from people I've met [who know] that I'm a graduate of the hospitality program."

John's support of the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management reflects his commitment to the value of public higher education and his dedication to the School's mission. His endowed estate gift will ensure that his legacy continues to benefit future leaders of the industry, in perpetuity.

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Join John E. Onachilla in investing in the future of FIU by making a planned gift to the University. Contact us to get started.