In recognition of their support, Jorge and Darlene Pérez’s last name graces a beautiful art museum in downtown Miami. But did you know that their largesse extends, in a big way, to FIU?
Recently, the couple donated $1 million
to FIU’s Honors College. The largest gift in the college’s history, it created the Jorge and Darlene Pérez Scholars Endowment, which will support scholarships for high-achieving students in the college, particularly those intending to live and work in the South Florida community upon graduation.
The Honors College attracts students who are not only high achievers, but also leaders
in their respective high schools. Although they are specializing in specific fields across the university, the college brings them together to work and learn in a unique way. For example, a professor will design a class that sees biology and engineering majors rubbing elbows with sociology and English majors.
These collaborative environments encourage students to learn how to work
with those whose perspectives and expertise differ from their own. Through innovative surroundings like this, the college is educating its high-achieving students to be tomorrow’s leaders, ready to step out of their comfort zone in ways that the 21st century innovation economy demands.
“Jorge Pérez has been a leader in the business world, in the cultural world, and he helped remake the Miami skyline,” said Juan Carlos Espinosa, dean of the Honors College. “It’s only natural that he wanted to create leaders who would transform our city to the best that it can be.”
The Pérezes know the value of this kind of leadership. He is a billionaire who amassed his fortune as a real estate developer. An FIU alumna, she heeded the call of nursing and has devoted a career to caring for others and, now, as an adjunct clinical preceptor for the nurse practitioner graduate program at FIU, to mentoring and teaching those who would follow in her footsteps.
They also understand the merits of bringing together people from all backgrounds and experiences to create something
powerful at FIU. In 2006, the couple made a significant donation to the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences, an institution founded on meeting the needs of underserved populations. The gift supported the college’s general endowment, and named the Jorge M. and Darlene M. Pérez Nursing Laboratory. Boytell-Pérez earned both her undergraduate and MSN degrees there, and she continues to be an active member of the Dean’s Leadership Council.
“In addition to providing me with an incredible foundation upon which to build my career, FIU introduced me to lifelong mentors, incredible friends and exceptional students,” said Boytell-Pérez. “I remember my college years as some of the happiest of my life and so I feel compelled to help create and foster a similar learning environment for future students.”
This gift continues to offer support for the thousands of FIU nursing alumni providing healthcare for the South Florida community. With this new endowment for the Honors College, the Pérezes will do the same for a diverse group of future professionals who will tackle the problems of tomorrow.
“It gives me a great sense of pride to be able to help support one of South Florida’s flagship institutions,” said Pérez. “We are honored to be a part of FIU’s incredible family and look forward to continuing to work hand- in-hand to identify and empower the next generation of leaders.”
With support from donors like the Pérezes and innovative teaching methods from its colleges, FIU will undoubtedly continue to produce future professionals who will change South Florida – maybe even its skyline – in their own unique ways in the years to come.
“Through these donations, we have several examples of the power of philanthropy,” said Howard R. Lipman, CEO of the FIU Foundation, Inc. “Gifts like these provide crucial financial support to our students, as they continue to work to transform our community. We thank Jorge and Darlene for their continued support of FIU.”
This post “Celebrating a lifetime of giving: Jorge and Darlene Perez” was originally published in FIU Magazine.