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. This years reception was held on April 24 at the Riviera Country Club.
View Photos from the Alumni Awards 2008 Reception
Congratulations to the 2008 Award Recipients!
Edward T. Foote II Alumnus of Distinction
Award Description | Previous Recipients
Frank Angones, A.B. '72, J.D. '76
Frank Angones has been selected as this year’s recipient for his distinguished career in the field of law. Frank currently serves as the first Hispanic President of the Florida Bar, and has served in numerous bar positions, including president of the Dade County Bar Association and the Cuban-American Bar Association. He has served as a member on the Board of Governors of the Florida Bar, House of Delegates of the American Bar Association, and on the Board of Directors of The Florida Bar Foundation. He has been awarded with several honors including the Equal Opportunities in the Profession Award for his efforts in promoting diversity and equal justice in Florida; the UM School of Law Lawyer of the Americas Award; and Voluntary Bar Association Pro Bono Service Award for his work on behalf of the Counsel for Cuban Detainees. Frank is currently ranked as one of the top lawyers in the South Florida area and serves as the founding partner of Angones, McClure, and Garcia, P.A. in Miami, Florida. The UMAA is proud to award Frank with the Foote award for his outstanding professional achievement.
Henry King Stanford Alumnus of the Year
Award Description | Previous Recipients
Robert Mann, A.B. '70
Robert is the quintessential alumni leader who made his mark early in UM history as one of the original co-founders of the student-run radio station WVUM, of which he served as the first general station manager back in 1967. Today, Robert serves as an ambassador through his role on the University’s Board of Trustees, membership in Iron Arrow, and through his continued fundraising efforts on behalf of the University. He is consistently present at local and national alumni events, and is known to take the time to meet with alumni in the community to get them involved. The University of Miami Alumni Association is honored to present the Henry King Stanford Alumnus of the Year Award to Robert Mann for his thirty plus years of exemplary service to the University.
William R. Butler Community Service Award
Award Description | Previous Recipients
Lauryn Williams, B.B.A. '05
Lauryn is being recognized for her dedication to community service. Lauryn leads and participates in local youth fitness and educational programs, is a volunteer at a local elementary school to help deaf students learn English and math, and a regular participant in the Be a Champion youth outreach program. She has established the Lauryn Williams Dynamic Female Athlete Scholarship Fund to assist emerging female athletes and gives $1,000 to her scholarship each time she runs under 11 seconds in a 100-meter race. Further, a portion of the proceeds from her cereal Fast Flakes goes to her scholarship fund. She was recently awarded a gold medal by Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez for her community service and work with Fun by Kidz, an organization dedicated to giving abused and underprivileged children a taste of sports, arts, and culture. The University of Miami Alumni Association salutes Lauryn for her compassion and dedication to community service.
Inside Out Award
Award Description | Previous Recipients
Frank Haith, Head Coach, Men’s Basketball
Frank proudly serves as the head coach of men’s basketball for the University of Miami and is being recognized for not only his superior coaching skills that have brought widespread news coverage to the University, but for his efforts in rallying the University community in support of the team this past season. Coach Haith’s numerous accomplishments at UM include ushering Miami into the tradition-rich Atlantic Coast Conference, and recording the school's first National Invitation Tournament (NIT) win since 1963 and earning the first NIT road win in school history. Through his coaching and strategic vision, he has reengaged the UM community in men’s basketball and for this the UMAA is proud to present Frank Haith with the Inside Out Award.
Green: Outstanding Fundraiser
Award Description | Previous Recipients
Patricia, B.B.A. ’57, and Allan, B.B.A. ’55, M.B.A. ’58, Herbert
Patricia and Allan Herbert are being recognized for their superior leadership and involvement in the fundraising activities of the University. The Herbert’s met and fell in love at the University of Miami as students back in the 50s. In honor of their love they established the Love Bridge on the University of Miami campus to celebrate their love as well as the love of all couples that met at the University. Located on the walkway outside the University’s Wellness Center, the bridge not only serves to commemorate University found love, but proceeds from the Love Bridge support the ’Canes Health Assessment and Motivation Program (CHAMP) endowment established by the Herberts to bring a stronger sense of health and fitness awareness to the University community. For the Herberts’ establishment and continued support of the Love Bridge and brick campaign, their efforts in raising monies for student scholarships, and personal efforts in mentoring and endowing scholarships at the School of Business Administration, the Herberts are being recognized as this year’s Green: Outstanding Fundraiser Award recipients.
Orange: Outstanding Service
Award Description | Previous Recipients
Robert Denholtz, B.B.A. '71
Robert Denholtz is being recognized for his continued leadership and involvement with the University of Miami and the Alumni Association. Robert is a former Alumni Council member and Regional Director of the University’s Alumni Association, as well as an active business alumnus. His current involvement includes membership on the President’s Council, Miami Circle, and New Jersey Alumni Club. He has hosted and sponsored numerous events in his hometown, including the New Jersey Summer Send-Off reception which welcomes incoming students to the University through a private gathering of alumni, parents, and students. His tireless efforts and enthusiastic support on behalf of the UMAA, through his volunteer work, demonstrates his dedication to the University and thus the Alumni Association is honored to present the Orange Award to Robert Denholtz.
White: Outstanding Affiliate Group
Award Description | Previous Recipients
Miami Circle
Miami Circle is being recognized for promoting the University in such an outstanding manner. Miami Circle is a volunteer organization of University alumni and parent ambassadors, designed by the University of Miami’s Office of Admission, that serves to meet and recruit potential ’Cane students at national college fairs, information sessions, and events. The members serve as representatives of the University and the Office of Admission, informing potential students and their families of University benefits, providing campus tours, personal telephone calls, and letters. The UMAA salutes the Miami Circle, and all of its members for representing the University in such an outstanding manner.
Outstanding Young Alumnus
Award Description | Previous Recipients
Devang Desai, A.B. ’97, J.D. ’03
Devang Desai is being recognized for his superior involvement with the University both as both a student and alumnus. As a student Devang was involved in an extensive list of campus organizations including president of the Student Bar Association, membership in Iron Arrow, Society of Bar and Gavel, and Omicron Delta Kappa, and service as Interim Ombudsperson and Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs. Following graduation, love for his alma mater continued through service as a Legal Officer for Student Discipline through the Office of the Dean of Students, membership on the University of Miami School of Law Alumni Board, membership on the Greater Miami Alumni Club Board of Directors, and participation with UM Alumni Association ad hoc committees and task forces. He recently pledged $50,000 for an endowed University scholarship and pledged another $2,500 in scholarship monies to be granted next fall.
Nilson Mejia, B.S.N. ’06, M.S.N. ’07
Nilson Mejia has energized the School of Nursing and Health Studies alumni efforts by motivating graduates to join the alumni association, building bridges between alumni and current students, and encouraging them to contribute to the school financially. Under his leadership as president of the school’s alumni association, attendance at meetings has increased by 275% through a focus on young alumni, and his enthusiasm has pushed other alumni to spearhead new mechanisms to reach out to graduates employed at local hospitals. He is an active ambassador for the school in professional organizations including the Hispanic Nursing Association, serves as an ambassador for the school’s research initiatives as an assistant on health disparities projects, and has mentored students in the areas of graduate studies and research.
Students of Distinction
Award Description | Previous Recipients
Joshua Morales, School of Business
and Ryan Kairalla, School of Business
Joshua and Ryan are being recognized for their efforts in leading the UM Ethics Debate Group, at the School of Business Administration, which regularly attracts about 40 students to their weekly meetings. Their efforts resulted in a 2007 National Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl first place trophy.
Student Model United Nations Team
The University of Miami model United Nations team is being recognized for their achievements at the National Model United Nations conference in New York last spring that brought tremendous recognition to the University of Miami. The team consisted of 24 students whom represented the Republic of Cuba at the national conference in New York City to win five major awards including first place for Outstanding Delegation, Outstanding Position Paper, and three Best Committee awards. The UM delegation competed against more than 2,500 students from 181 institutions and 65 nations.
