UMAA Alumni Awards
With University of Miami alumni living in all fifty states and 148 different countries, recognizing their outstanding accomplishments is a challenge. The UMAA awards program seeks out alumni who have been successful in their field or have made a significant impact through community service. The annual alumni awards also recognizes individuals and groups who have been actively involved with the University or Alumni Association during the year. The 2009 reception was held on April 30 at the Riviera Country Club.
2009 Alumni Awards Reception
Congratulations to the 2009 Award Recipients!
Edward T. Foote II Alumnus of Distinction
Award Description | Previous Recipients
Carolyn B. Lamm, J.D. ’73
Carolyn Lamm is being recognized for her outstanding professional achievement
in the field of law. She is the first University of Miami law graduate to serve
as President-Elect of the American Bar Association, the largest voluntary professional
association in the world. Set to be installed as President of the ABA in August
of this year, Lamm is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts
in international commercial litigation, arbitration, and trade. She has earned
numerous accolades including placement on various “top lawyer” lists and “Who’s
Who” publications over the years, including recognition in The National Law Journal’s
50 most influential women and the 100 most influential lawyers list. Her seasoned
career includes membership on the American Law Institute, American Turkish Chamber
of Commerce, American Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and the American Uzbekistan
Chamber of Commerce; membership on the ABA House of Delegates and the ABA Board
of Governors; and service as past president of the District of Columbia Bar.
Henry King Stanford Alumnus of the Year
Award Description | Previous Recipients
Mort Guilford, B.B.A. ’51, J.D. ’56
The UMAA holds in high esteem Mort’s continued support of the University through his varied leadership roles including past president of the Alumni Association, President’s Council member, former member of the Board of Trustees, and longstanding former member of the Citizens Board. He has represented the University exceptionally well over the years, before the Coral Gables City Commission regarding zoning and other real estate related issues, and through service in varied community organizations such as the Jackson Health System Public Health Trust and the Alma Jennings Foundation, which generously made several student scholarship contributions to the University thanks to his leadership. Mort’s great love and dedication to his alma mater has spanned several decades, and for this the Alumni Association recognizes him as this year’s Alumnus of the Year.
William R. Butler Community Service Award
Award Description | Previous Recipients
Samantha Dietz, Ph.D. ’04
Samantha has selflessly led the University’s School of Education efforts of transforming Overtown’s Town Park Village to help the residents achieve a community of well-being. She has not only spent countless hours painting, cleaning the streets, and rebuilding the landscape, but has also built the necessary bridges of personal connection and trust to support the residents as they take part in their neighborhood renovation. For her efforts in transforming not only the external surroundings of Overtown, but the spirits of its residents, the UMAA honors Samantha as this year’s Butler Community Service Award recipient.
Inside Out Award
Award Description | Previous Recipients
Anita Cava, Business Law Department, School of Business Administration, Director, Business Ethics Program, Co-Director, UM Ethics Programs
The UMAA is proud of Anita’s work with the University’s Business Ethics Program and is especially grateful for her efforts in coordinating the Ethics Film Series. Since 2006, the series has brought hundreds of alumni back to campus to engage in civic discussions with professors and students. For her tremendous efforts of reengaging alumni, the UMAA is proud to present Anita with the Inside Out Award.
Green: Outstanding Fundraiser
Award Description | Previous Recipients
Hilarie Bass, J.D. ’81, and Wayne Chaplin, B.B.A. ’79, J.D. ’82
Hilarie and Wayne will be honored for their efforts in leading the School of
Law Momentum campaign. These individuals led the School of
Law’s Momentum campaign and helped the school exceed its campaign goal by
an impressive $6 million plus dollars. In total, their efforts helped raise
more than $22 million. For their guidance and involvement in the University’s
development activities, the UM Alumni Association is proud to present UM
Trustees Hilarie and Wayne this year’s Green Award.
Orange: Outstanding Service
Award Description | Previous Recipients
Thomas R. Adams, B.B.A. ’57
Thomas has demonstrated continued leadership and involvement over the years through membership on the President’s Council and President’s Circle, participation as a reunion leader, service to the School of Business Administration, and generous financial contributions to various University concentrations including Athletics, Alumni Relations, and the Otto G. Richter Library. Thus, he will receive this year’s Outstanding Service Award.
White: Outstanding Affiliate Group
Award Description | Previous Recipients
S-100
Alumni Weekend Reunion Committee (Victoria Corrigan Fine, B.S. ’80, M.B.A.
’81; Edgar Fernandez, B.B.A. ’78; Lillian May, B.B.A. ’81, M.B.A. ’83; Marlene
May, A.B. ’82; Alicia Malave, B.B.A. ’81; Israel Perez-Siam, B.B.A. ’79,
M.B.A. ’85)
The S100/Cafeteria Reunion Committee was selected as this year’s 2009 White Award recipient. Thanks to the group’s efforts, via telephone, email and private pre-reunion events, a total of 300 alumni were reached to gather support for Alumni Weekend 2008. The group as a whole was successful in bringing back more than 50 alumni to campus for the weekend festivities, making the affinity group the largest on Alumni Avenue.
Outstanding Young Alumnus
Award Description | Previous Recipients
Christopher Zavatsky, B.S.C.E. ’07, B.S.A.E. ’07
Christopher is a recent graduate that has been greatly involved with the College of Engineering in various capacities including serving as a career mentor and a guest speaker at select events. He has also helped recruit and hire UM alumni within his professional field and has made generous financial contributions to the University’s Annual Fund. For all his efforts in support of the University of Miami, the UMAA is honored to present Christopher Zavatsky with this year’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.
Students of Distinction
Award Description | Previous Recipients
Sebastian Aspe, B.S.M.E. ’08, Joseph Dussling, Nicholas Heinz, and Daniel Martinez from the College of Engineering
Four individuals from the College of Engineering were chosen as this year’s Students of Distinction for their second place win in the NASA Aeronautics Contest. The team’s futuristic airplane design won national recognition by NASA and brought tremendous attention to the University. The group placed higher than any other UM team, in history, in NASA’s design competition. Entitled “The 2058 Aircraft: Quiet Ultra-Efficient Integrated Aircraft,” their design was created for potential use in 50 years.
National Outreach Banner Program
The National Alumni Club Banner Recognition Program is designed to motivate and reward alumni clubs throughout the country. Each alumni club that plans and executes events or programs in each of the five PRIDE areas during one fiscal year is rewarded with a national alumni club banner. The five PRIDE areas are: professional and social networking, recruitment of students and scholarship fundraising, Ibis sports-related programs, devotion to community, and education of alumni.
This year the University of Miami Alumni Association is pleased to award banners to the following alumni clubs for successfully programming in all five PRIDE areas:
Atlanta Hurricane and Alumni Club
Charlotte Alumni Club
Chicago Alumni Club
Greater Miami Alumni Club
Greater New York Alumni Club
Houston Alumni Club
Southwest Florida Alumni Club
Washington, D.C. Alumni Club
Honorary Alumna
Marta
Weeks, Immediate Past Chair, University of Miami Board of Trustees
In addition to the 2009 Alumni Award recipients, the Alumni Association honors Marta Weeks, immediate past chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, for her continued exemplary support to the University of Miami.
