UCF’s first president and a Disney executive were among those honored for their professional achievements and commitment to serving the community at the UCF Alumni Association’s 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 Champion’s Award, which is given to those who have been extraordinary partners with the Alumni Association. He was awarded a replica of the “Victory Knight” statue that is in front of the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award, the association’s most prestigious award, was given to Jayne Parker, ’83, executive vice president and chief human resources officer for the Walt Disney Company. Parker earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees at UCF, 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 President’s Advisory Council, chaired the President’s Leadership Council and worked as an undergraduate admissions advisor. She is currently enrolled in law school.
Also honored were Larry Chastang, ’80, and Andrea Lockheart Cardona, ’03. Chastang received the Service to UCF Award for his many years of volunteer work with the College of Business Administration and UCF’s 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, ’04, an attorney with Eraclidea, Johns, Hall, Gelman, Johannessen & Goldman, LLP; Robert Venditti, ’01, author of the graphic novel The Surrogates; G. Thomas Bland Jr.,’75 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, company operations director at Seasons 52.