A pride of panthers: Eddie and Francis Hondal with sons Daniel (in white jersey), 7, and David, 9.

Francis ’87 & Eddie Hondal ’88 FIU Alumni Association Lifetime Members

Profession
Francis : Vice President & General Manager, International Dollar Card, American Express Company, Latin America & Caribbean Division

Eddie: Cardiovascular Product Specialist, Cardiovascular Division, Abbott Laboratories

FIU Degree/Affiliations
Francis : Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance ’87, Master of Business
Administration ’94

Eddie: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science ’88, Master of Science in Human Resource Development ’00, Director of FIU Alumni Relations 1993-’98, Director of FIU Football Development and the Law School Initiative 1998-2000, Executive Director, Golden Panther Club 2000-’02, Advisor, Sigma Phi Epsilon 1994-’02

Favorite memories of your time at FIU?
Francis : Some of the most vivid ones are in the library — where I met Eddie — cramming for midterms or finals or searching through microfiche (now I’m dating myself ).Also: Thursday nights at the “Rat,” [short for Rathskellar, the former student hangout] Phi Sigma Sigma sorority happenings, Accounting
and Finance classes.

Eddie: As a student, working with other FIU student ambassadors, including staying overnight in the Graham Center [formerly University House], when the Pope visited University Park [formerly Tamiami Park]. Additionally, being at the first basketball game at Pharmed Arena [back then, Sunblazer Arena]. As an employee, I enjoyed many satisfying moments, particularly getting alumni, students and staff energized about FIU.

How has your FIU experience helped you in life? In business?
Francis : I think FIU’s reputation as a solid university in the areas of Finance and Accounting created the opportunities for me early in my career. It gave me the core technical education, which gave me the confidence to transfer the theory to practice. It also provided the discipline required to manage a tough workload and to
balance multiple priorities and helped me establish the motivation for high performance and achievement.

Any advice you would offer to FIU students?
Francis : Establish goals and work hard at achieving them. Enjoy your college experience and appreciate your challenges to better prepare you for your future. Cherish your successes and build from them. Develop relationships and establish a strong network of contacts and friends.

Eddie: First and foremost, graduate! That degree will be a beacon of light that attracts success. Once you graduate, increase the value of your FIU degree by, one, keeping a high level of professionalism, integrity and ethics at work and, two, by “talking up” the Golden Panthers. When graduates who speak highly of their school are successful professionals, that makes the institution even better in the eyes of others. Additionally, get involved with FIU in some way. Start by joining the Alumni Association.

Why do you think it is important to be a member of the FIU Alumni Association?
Eddie: It is an investment in increasing the value of your degree. If all FIU alumni joined the Alumni Association, the additional membership funds could be put toward more events to promote the institution, and more dollars would be available to support the Alumni Association scholarship fund.

Proudest accomplishment?
Francis and Eddie: Raising two fun-loving and responsible boys, David and Danny.

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