Every year, the Distinguished Alumni Awards recognizes alumni and friends of UTA who have represented or advocated for the University in their professional and civic achievement and community engagement. The 2018 Distinguished Alumni Awards presented by Oncor anchored a week of Homecoming festivities, capturing the Maverick spirit that endures well beyond collegiate days.
Gov. Greg Abbott receives his President’s Medal with UTA President Vistasp Karbhari.
Alumna Maria Mejia accepts her award.
Among the honorees was Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who was the second person in University history to receive the UTA President’s Medal. Gov. Abbott studied finance at UTA from 1976 to 1978. He was recognized for his decades of public service and for the value he places on his education at UTA.
Other honorees included Mike Dolabi, who studied at UTA and is now the president and owner of National Autobody Parts Warehouse; Kevin Le (’99 BS, ’01 MS, ’05 PhD), co-founder and chief technology officer of Luraco Technologies; Maria Mejia (’02 BBA), senior vice president and chief financial officer at Ulterra Drilling Technologies LP; and Matthew Foster (’11 BA, 13 MPA), a U.S. Army veteran who serves as director of external and legislative affairs for AT&T. Foster received Distinguished Recent Graduate recognition.
Rounding out the honorees was Follett Higher Education Group. At UTA, Follett has established several student resources, including the Follett Academic Center in College Park Center and the Follett Student Leadership Center. Follett’s partnership with the University has made higher education more accessible for students and increased their rate of success while attending UTA.
