2011 Torch Awards honors outstanding FIU alumni


The 10th annual Torch Awards Gala March 19 was, as FIU Alumni Association President Joaquín “Jack” González ’97 promised, “a very special evening.”

Not only did the FIU family come together – dressed to the nines – at the fabulous JW Marriott Marquis in downtown Miami to celebrate the achievements of 19 outstanding alumni, the evening served as a different kind of fundraiser for the future FIU Alumni Center at Modesto A. Maidique Campus.

For the first time, Panthers were able to directly donate to the effort right then and there, by texting “ALUMNI” to 27722. Each text represents a $10 donation and everyone is encouraged to contribute and, of course, spread the word among friends and family (messaging and data rates may apply).

The highlight of the gala was the presentation of the Torch Awards, which, once again, recognized a distinguished group of individuals, including Honors College grad Cesar A. Gonzalez ’97, chief of staff for Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart; and College of Business Administration alumna Monique Hamaty-Simmonds ’96, president and CEO of Tortuga Imports, Inc., who received the Charles E. Perry Young Alumni Visionary Award.

Stan Hills ’86 received the Community Leadership Award. The College of Engineering & Computing grad and chief of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said the honor – and the thought of his year of grad – made him feel “old, but proud.”

“It’s pretty amazing how much FIU has changed and grown,” he said. “It’s gone from a little commuter college to a first-class university, Division I school, and I think it’s got better days ahead of it still.”

This year, the FIU Alumni Association honored:

Distinguished Alumni Awards:

Anabella Vogeler Smith ’81, Principal-Director of Interior Design, Zyskovich. Nominated by: College of Architecture + The Arts

David Cohen ’86, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, The New York Mets Baseball Club. Nominated by: Athletics

Alfredo Cepero ’88, MAcc. ’90, Audit Partner, BDO. Nominated by: College of Business Administration

Cristine E. O’Hara ’99, MS ’04, Teacher, Miami Dade County Public Schools – Palmetto Middle School. Nominated by: College of Education

Javier Rodriguez ’90, Executive Director, Miami-Dade Expressway Authority. Nominated by: College of Engineering and Computing

Cesar A. Gonzalez ’97, Chief of Staff, Congressman Mario Diaz Balart. Nominated by: Honors College

Adam Mark Stewart ’03, Chief Executive Officer, Sandals Resorts. Nominated by: School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Rainier Gonzalez, Esq. ’95, Chief Executive Officer, Pacer Corporation. Nominated by: College of Law

Capt. Jacinto J. Garrido ’86, MSN ’94, Captain, Chief of Special Operations, Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs, Enforcement-Health Services Corps. Nominated by: College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Krista Casazza Ph.D. ’06, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Alabama at Birmingham. Nominated by: Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work

E.R. Bert Medina ’84, Senior Vice President and Operating Manager, Telefutura. Nominated by: School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Allan Phipps MS ’00, Teacher, Broward County Public Schools – South Plantation High School. Nominated by: College of Arts and Sciences

Alfredo J. Hernandez, M.D. ’96, Gastroenterologist, Pedro J. Greer Jr. MD & Associates PA. Nominated by: College of Medicine

 

Charles E. Perry Young Alumni Visionary Award

Monique Hamaty-Simmonds ’96, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tortuga Imports, Inc. Nominated by: College of Business Administration

 

Community Leadership Award

Stan Hills ’86, Chief, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. Nominated by: College of Engineering & Computing

Tony E. Crapp Jr. ’95, City Manager, City of Miami. Nominated by: College of Arts and Sciences

 

Outstanding Faculty Award

Steven Oberbauer, Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, FIU. Nominated by: College of Arts and Sciences

 

Outstanding Achievement Award

Carmen Reinhart ’78, Professor and Economist, University of Maryland. Nominated by: College of Arts and Sciences

 

FIU Service Award

Albert E. Dotson Sr., Chair, FIU Board of Trustees

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