(left to right) Honors College Dean Ivelaw L. Griffith, Gerald C. Grant, Jr. and
Associate Vice President of Development Sumner Hutcheson

(Miami, FL.) May 9, 2006 -- FIU Alumnus Gerald C. Grant, Jr., ‘78, ’89, an Honors College Community Advisory Board member, has pledged a $100,000 gift to FIU’s Honors College to endow study-abroad and research scholarships for highly motivated students in the College.  The gift will qualify for a 50 percent match, as part of the state’s Major Gifts Matching Program. When added to the endowment it would create a scholarship fund of $150,000.

Grant is the Branch Director of Corporate and Individual Financial Planning of AXA Advisors' South Florida Branch, where his practice focuses on providing estate planning wealth accumulation and protection, retirement planning and other financial services. In 2005 he was named by AXA as a recipient of its 2005 Southern Regional Honor Associate Award, one of 10 honors the company has given since he joined it in 1995.

As a community leader whose philosophy of helping people is reflected in his active civic involvement, Grant serves on the FIU Council of 100, and the advisory boards of The Honors College, the Miami-Dade Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and Tools for Change, among other organizations. Additionally, he serves as a mentor to community adolescents, including FIU Honors College senior Ritch Williams.

On Tuesday, May 2nd, the University honored Grant for his commitment to FIU and The Honors College with an FIU Medallion. The high honor was bestowed by President Modesto Maidique during the 2006 Commencement ceremonies. Grant’s wife, Jennifer, daughter Jasmin and son, Gerald III, were among family members and friends who attended the ceremony.  

Grant received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration from FIU. “A number of professors at FIU made a significant impact in my professional development.  To show my appreciation, I am making a financial contribution to FIU to assist deserving students,” said Grant. He has expressed that this gift is the first step toward an even more significant contribution he wishes to make to the University.

Honors College dean, Ivelaw Griffith, applauded Mr. Grant for his gift, noting "Gerald is a superb Partner-in-Excellence. His tangible demonstration of a commitment to support access and excellence is both laudable and worthy of emulation by others. We look forward to being able to boost the educational investment in future students because of his financial investment in them."

If you would like to make a gift to The Honors College, contact our Director of Development, Larissa Ramos, at 305-348-1256 or make a gift online by clicking on the link below.  Be sure to select "Honors College" in the designation box. http://advancement.fiu.edu/giving.htm