Miami Dade College Foundation raised more than $2 million for the second year in a row at its sold-out 2018 Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, Apr. 3, also breaking records for highest sponsorship and attendance.
The funds raised will be used for scholarships for current and future Miami Dade College students.
MDC’s president, Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, announced the record-breaking results during the ceremony at the Hilton Miami Downtown.
More than 1,000 guests attended the event and 109 individuals and organizations from the community were sponsors, including one of the college’s greatest benefactors, The Mitchell Wolfson Sr. Foundation. Other top sponsors included OHL-Arellano, City National Bank, Lennar Foundation, Leon Medical Centers, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. The full sponsor list and additional information can be found at www.mdc.edu/halloffame.
The MDC Alumni Hall of Fame, MDC Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser, also celebrates the accomplishments of distinguished alumni who are impacting their field and the community. The 2018 inductee class is no exception, with esteemed leaders that that span a variety of industries, from music and broadcasting to banking and public safety. To date, more than 350 alumni have been inducted.
2018 MDC Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees:
Accounting — Luis E. Diaz, managing partner, Sharff Wittmer Kurtz Jackson & Diaz PA;
Architecture — Caridad Hidalgo-Gato, principal, KVH Architects PA;
Banking — Carlos R. Fernandez-Guzman, president and CEO, Pacific National Bank;
Education — Madeline Pumariega, chancellor, Florida College System;
Engineering — Ignacio Ares, PE, principal engineer, Florida Power & Light Company;
Journalism-Broadcast — Donny Hudson, vice president/general manager, Spanish Broadcasting System;
Law — Marilyn Blanco-Reyes, vice president, Legal & Regulatory/Government Affairs, FedEx Express Latin America/Caribbean Division;
Marketing — Michelle Martinez Reyes, chief marketing officer, Greenspoon Marder;
Medicine — Geden Franck, MD, MS, Sports Medicine Fellow, University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute;
Music — Harry Wayne Casey, KC & The Sunshine Band;
Psychology — Samantha Carella, PsyD, ABPP, psychologist/co-owner, Pediatric Psychology Associates;
Public Safety-Police — Jorge R. Colina, Chief of Police, Miami Police Department
Public Service — Peter Antonacci, Secretary of Commerce/CEO, Enterprise Florida Inc., and
Real Estate — Luis Machado, CEO, Renegade Investments Inc.
