ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½βs first president and a Disney executive were among those honored for their professional achievements and commitment to serving the communityΒ at the ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ Alumni Associationβs Black & Gold Gala.
More than a dozen alumni were recognized at the annual awards ceremony, which is part of Homecoming week.
President Emeritus Charles Millican was presented with the Championβs Award, which is given to those who have been extraordinary partners with the Alumni Association. He was awarded a replica of the βVictory Knightβ statue that is in front of the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award, the associationβs most prestigious award, was given to Jayne Parker, β83, executive vice president and chief human resources officer for the Walt Disney Company. Parker earned her undergraduate and masterβs degrees at ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½, and she has overseen thousands of cast members around the world at Disney.
Stephanie Koffler, a 2010 graduate active in campus involvement, volunteerism and community service, received the Distinguished Student Award. She served on the Student Body Presidentβs Advisory Council, chaired the Presidentβs Leadership Council and worked as an undergraduate admissions advisor. She is currently enrolled in law school.
Also honored were Larry Chastang, β80, and Andrea Lockheart Cardona, β03. Chastang received the Service to ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ Award for his many years of volunteer work with the College of Business Administration and ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½βs Global Perspectives Office. Lockheart Cardona was given the Community Service Award for her work with Florida Four-Legged Advocates, which provides therapy dogs for children and teens who are victims of sexual crimes.
Additional award winners are: Vanessa De La Rosa Lipsky, β04, an attorney with Eraclidea, Johns, Hall, Gelman, Johannessen & Goldman, LLP; Robert Venditti, β01, author of the graphic novel The Surrogates; G. Thomas Bland Jr.,’75 Β and ’79, chairman of the board at AquaFiber Technologies; Susan Moxley, ’82 and ’88, superintendent of Lake County Schools; Guillermo Novo, ’84, vice president of Dow Polyurethanes; Sherrie Sitarik, ’93, CEO of Orlando Health; Dr. Carmelo Licitra, ’75, Florida Infectious Diseases Group, P.A.; Virginia Giroux, ’89, deputy director of training at FDA/Center for Drug Evaluation and Research; Michael Griffin, ’84, vice president of communications at Walt Disney World Resort; and Jeff Carcara, ’92,Β company operations director at Seasons 52.