Meet the 2026 Honorees
Each year, UH Alumni recognizes a distinguished group of individuals whose leadership, service, and professional excellence reflect the very best of the University of Houston.
Join us for the 71st Annual Alumni Awards as we celebrate this year’s honorees and their impact across industries and communities.
Friday, May 29, 2026
The Revaire | Houston, Texas
Distinguished Alumni Award
Ruhana Chikatla (’10)
Ruhana Prasad Chikatla is a senior federal technology and engineering leader whose career spans multiple domains, such as national defense and public health. Currently, she serves as the senior IT and engineering portfolio lead for the Executive Office of the Digital and Enterprise Services Program at the U.S. Department of the Navy, where she leads large-scale data center modernization, readiness and risk governance initiatives. While with the Navy, Chikatla played a key role in the development of the department’s first server farm and data center handbook, which significantly strengthened national infrastructure resilience across the U.S. Department of Defense. Previously, during her time with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, she advised the 19th U.S. Surgeon General, contributed to the U.S. National Health Security Strategy, produced communications for the U.S. National Biodefense Strategy and coordinated directly with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization on mission-critical operations. In total, Chikatla’s career has been defined by service and national impact.
Nathan Hale Fowler (’96, Hon.D. ’25)
Nathan Fowler, M.D., is an internationally recognized oncologist and biomedical innovator whose career has advanced cancer treatment through creativity and compassion. A former professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center, he helped pioneer the shift away from traditional chemotherapy in blood cancers. He designed and led several landmark studies resulting in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of novel therapies, which are now used to treat cancer worldwide. He currently serves as chief medical officer at BostonGene, where he is helping transform cancer care again using artificial intelligence to better understand tumors to design the next wave of cancer drugs. Fowler is also the founder of the Halo House Foundation, the largest facility in the United States to provide affordable housing to cancer patients and their families, delivering more than 95,000 nights of care since opening. A proud UH alumnus, he continues to give back as an educational adviser to the College of Education and the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine.
Barbara (Hon.D. ’21) & Andy (’68, Hon.D. ’21) Gessner
Barbara and Andy Gessner are transformational philanthropists whose generosity has reshaped nursing education at the University of Houston. Their $20 million gift led to the naming of the Andy and Barbara Gessner College of Nursing and supports scholarships, faculty and research addressing the critical nursing shortage. Inspired by the legacy of their mothers, who were both nurses, the Gessners’ giving reflects a lifelong commitment to education and compassionate care. They have supported UH since 1995 across academics, athletics, student success and leadership initiatives. Their legacy is defined by the lives changed through opportunity they’ve helped to create.
Sam Schreiber (’74)
Sam Schreiber has built a distinguished career in banking, finance and economic development. He currently serves as a senior adviser at Trustar Bank in Washington, D.C., following executive leadership roles at Chain Bridge Bank, Wachovia/Wells Fargo and Texas Commerce Bancshares. Schreiber has also served on prominent boards, including the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., and as chairman of the Greater Washington Board of Trade. At the University of Houston, he serves on the Board of Visitors and is chairman of the C. T. Bauer College of Business Board, helping guide the future of the University’s academic and business leadership. A proud UH alumnus, he continues to represent the University through his professional leadership and civic engagement.
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals for their loyalty and efforts to further the goals and support of UH Alumni programs.
Richard Whiteley (’93, J.D. ’99)
Richard Whiteley is a highly respected attorney and chair of Bracewell LLP’s construction litigation practice group. His work spans complex commercial litigation, arbitration and trial advocacy, with expertise across construction, intellectual property, real estate and business disputes. Whiteley has authored numerous articles on construction law and industry best practices. He currently serves as the president of the University of Houston Law Foundation Board, is member and former president of the University of Houston Law Alumni Board and previously served seven years on the UH Alumni Association Foundation Board of Directors. His leadership and service have strengthened UH’s legal community and alumni network alike.
Jeremy Wladis (’86)
Jeremy Wladis is a nationally recognized hospitality entrepreneur and founder of The Restaurant Group. A graduate of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership, he has developed acclaimed restaurant concepts including Firehouse, Avenue, Harvest Kitchen, Dahlia Lounge, Fuel Pizza, Fred’s, Good Enough to Eat, Nina’s and Scarlet Lounge. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine and Gourmet. For more than 30 years, Wladis has supported UH through the UH Alumni Association Foundation – New York Alumni Network, hosting alumni events, watch parties and student engagement opportunities. He is on the boards of the Young People’s Chorus of NYC, Lifeforce in Later Years (NYC) and various restaurant organizations. His service reflects a deep commitment to community, connection and Cougar spirit.
BILLIE SCHNEIDER OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARD
The Billie Schneider Outstanding Volunteer Award recognizes individuals who exemplify a spirit of volunteerism and advance the mission of UH Alumni.
Maria Jorgelina Foglietta Barrett (’05)
Maria Jorgelina Foglietta Barrett is a dedicated volunteer and longtime leader of the UH Alumni Association Foundation – New York Alumni Network. A former manager for the UH women’s swimming and diving team, she has spent more than a decade building community among UH alumni in New York City. Through watch parties, service projects and alumni events, Barrett has helped create one of UH’s most active out-of-state networks. Born in Buenos Aires and fluent in Spanish, she brings a global perspective to her leadership. Her passion and consistency embody the true spirit of Cougar volunteerism.
70th Annual Alumni Awards Gala Video
Past Honorees
| James L. Sibley (F.S. ’49) 1949 | Ernest Mayeux (F.S. ’52) 1951 | Jack Valenti (A.S. ’42, B.S. ’46, H ’02) 1952 |
| Sherwood Crane 1953 | Johnny Goyen (’47) 1954 | William W. Sherrill (F.S. ’50) 1955 |
| Charles A. Saunders (’45) 1956 | Joel H. Berry, Jr. (’42) 1957 | Harry H. Montgomery, Jr. (’40) 1958 |
| Thomas Menefee (F.S. ’42) 1959 | John J. Toomey (’50, J.D. ’69) 1960 | Ralph Poling (’56) 1961 |
| Walter M. Rainey, Jr. (’49) 1962 | Roger W. Jeffery, Sr. (F.S. ’38) 1963 | Judge Roy Hofheinz 1967 |
| John McGivney (’47) 1968 | Congressman Bob Casey 1969 | Dan Rather (F.S. ’57) 1969 |
| Arleigh Templeton (M.Ed. ’50, Ph.D. ’60) 1969 | LeRoy Melcher, Sr. (’33) 1970 | Hon. Welcome Wilson, Sr. (’49) 1970 |
| Harry H. Hedges, Jr. (’40) 1971 | Elsa Rosborough (’46, M.L. ’63) 1971 | Larry Blyden (’47) 1972 |
| Judge Bill Elliott (J.D. ’51) 1972 | Reverend Rene H. Gracida (’50) 1972 | Guy V. Lewis (’47) 1973 |
| Judge Wendell A. Odom (J.D. ’51) 1973 | Judge Criss Cole (J.D. ’54) 1974 | Howard W. Pollock (J.D. ’69) 1975 |
| John B. Van Ness (’51, ’56) 1975 | Byron G. “Pappy” Bond (’50) 1976 | Rabbi Hyman Judah Schachtel (Ed.D. ’48) 1977 |
| Roy Wiese (’54) 1978 | Dave Williams 1978 | Robert W. Baldwin (’47, ’49) 1979 |
| Archie Bennett, Jr. (’62) 1979 | Elvin Hayes (’85) 1980 | Hon. Leonard Rauch (F.S. ’47, H ’07) 1980 |
| Richard “Racehorse” Haynes (J.D. ’56) 1981 | Kenneth Reese (’54) 1981 | Hon. Charles B. Marino (’50) 1982 |
| Kathryn J. Whitmire (’68, M.S. ’70) 1982 | Peter H. Roussel (’65) 1983 | Judge Shearn Smith (’51, J.D. ’69) 1983 |
| Judge Ruby Kless Sondock (’59, ’61) 1983 | E. Virginia Barnett (MBA ’56) 1984 | Hon. John E. Kolb ( J.D. ’55) 1984 |
| Hon. Charles E. McMahen (’62, H ’02) 1984 | Hon. Kenneth L. Lay (Ph.D. ’70) 1985 | Vassar Miller (’47, M.A. ’50) 1985 |
| Mickey L. Herskowitz (’56) 1986 | Kenneth L. Schnitzer 1986 | James C. Shindler (’57) 1986 |
| Ned Battista (’62, M.M. ’64) 1987 | Roy H. Cullen, Jr. (’57) 1987 | Jack M. Rains ( J.D. ’67) 1987 |
| Duane B. Adams (’54) 1988 | Joseph Rodney Canion (’66, M.S. ’67) 1988 | Larry W. Gatlin (’70) 1988 |
| Sam P. Douglass (’54) 1989 | Dr. Louis Green (’47) 1989 | Wilhelmina Cullen Robertson (’44) 1989 |
| Victor Costa (’58) 1990 | Hon. C.F. Kendall, II (’60, J.D. ’69) 1990 | Robert W. Lawless (’64) 1990 |
| Congressman Tom DeLay (’69) 1991 | Hon. John J. Moores (’70, J.D. ’75, H ’95) 1991 | Leonard Rosenberg (J.D. ’53) 1991 |
| Katherine Mize (’61, M.A. ’65) 1992 | Jim Nantz (’81) 1992 | Don D. Sykora (’57) 1992 |
| Carl Lewis (F.S. ’82) 1993 | Hon. John O’Quinn (’65, ’67, J.D. ’69) 1993 | Shirley Rose (’60, M.Ed. ’69, Ph.D. ’73) 1993 |
| Bernard Harris (’78) 1994 | Tom Jarriel (’56) 1994 | Regina Rogers (’70) 1994 |
| Valerie King Freeman (’70, M.Ed. ’72) 1995 | Congressman Gene Green (’71) 1995 | Hakeem Olajuwon (F.S. ’84) 1995 |
| Doug Drabek (F.S. ’83) 1996 | Elizabeth D. Rockwell (F.S. ’42, H ’99) 1996 | Jane Cizik (’83) 1997 |
| Hon. Gene McDavid (’65) 1997 | Hon. Morrie Abramson (’56) 1998 | Emyré Robinson (’70) 1998 |
| Hon. Mary E. Bacon (J.D. ’72) 2000 | Kenneth L. Barun (’81) 2000 | Burdette W. Keeland (’50) 2000 |
| B. Montgomery Pettitt (’75, Ph.D. ’80) 2000 | Judge Vanessa Gilmore (J.D. ’81) 2002 | Cynthia Woods Mitchell (’43) 2002 |
| Dominique Sachse (’90) 2002 | Melvyn Wolff (’53) 2002 | Hon. Michael Cemo (’68) 2003 |
| Hon. Vidal Martinez (J.D. ’77) 2003 | Kathryn “Kaye” Stripling (’67, Ed.D. ’85) 2003 | Leroy Burrell (’94) 2004 |
| Rose Cullen (F.S. ’57) 2004 | Charles Matthews (J.D. ’70) 2004 | Anastacio Mindiola (’02) 2005 |
| Hon. Margaret Spellings (’79) 2005 | Herman Suit (’48) 2005 | Patricia Potter Wilson (Ph.D. ’85) 2005 |
| Carol L. Lewis (’89, ’92) 2006 | Jack Moore (’77) 2006 | Senator John Whitmire (’75) 2006 |
| Gerald McElvy (’75) 2007 | Hon. Martha Wong (’76, Ed.D. ’83) 2007 | Dorothy E.F. Caram (Ed.D. ’82) 2008 |
| Marvin D. Nathan (’65, J.D. ’69) 2008 | Col. Barrye L. Price, Ph.D. (’85) 2008 | Christopher Theofanidis (’90) 2008 |
| Karen W. Katz (MBA ’82) 2009 | Miguel R. San Juan (’74) 2009 | Alvin L. Zimmerman (’64, J.D. ’67) 2009 |
| Richard Coselli (’55, J.D. ’58) 2010 | Elizabeth Ghrist (M.Ed. ’67) 2010 | Jim Perdue (’61, J.D. ’62) 2010 |
| David Bertman (M.M. ’98) 2011 | Cheryl Creuzot (’81, J.D. ’92, M.L. ’99, MBA ’12) 2011 | Leroy Hermes (’66) 2011 |
| Beth Madison (’72) 2011 | Durga Agrawal (M.S. ’69, Ph.D. ’74) 2012 | Brett Cullen (’79) 2012 |
| Lt. General Robert Milstead (’74) 2012 | Dorothy T. Nicholson (’77) 2012 | Dennis Quaid (’74) 2012 |
| Robert Wuhl (’76) 2012 | Roger Birkman (’47, M.S. ’47) 2013 | Alonzo Cantu (’78) 2013 |
| Loretta Devine (’71) 2013 | Dr. Dennis Golden (’76, O.D. ’77) 2013 | Vicki & Nick (’73) Massad 2013 |
| Richard Rawson (’72) 2013 | Doug Brooks (’75) 2014 | Rafael Ortega (’81, MBA ’85) 2014 |
| Andre Ware (’96) 2014 | Philip Zelikow (’77, J.D. ’79) 2014 | Aylwin Lewis (’76, MBA ’90) 2015 |
| Bill Worrell (’69) 2015 | Rushion McDonald (’83) 2015 | Ken Bailey (’69, J.D. ’72) 2015 |
| Dominic Ng (’80) 2015 | William Brookshire (’57) 2016 | Billy Ray Brown (’85) 2016 |
| Alan Gershenhorn (’82) 2016 | Pamela O’Rourke (UHCL ’95) 2016 | The Honorable Jarvis V. Hollingsworth (J.D. ’93) 2017 |
| J. Downey Bridgwater (’84) 2017 | Star Jones (J.D. ’86) 2017 | The Honorable Melissa Noriega (’77, M.Ed. ’83) 2017 |
| Wade Phillips (’70) 2017 | The Honorable Sylvester Turner (’77) 2017 | Spencer Armour (’77) 2018 |
| Otis Birdsong (’77) 2018 | James H. Greer (’54) 2018 | Dr. Laura Murillo (’89, M.Ed. ’98, Ed.D. ’03) 2018 |
| Marvin Odum (MBA ’95) 2018 | Thasunda Brown Duckett (’96) 2019 | Hanneke Faber (’90, MBA ’92) 2019 |
| David Ashley White (’68, M.M. ’74) 2019 | Honorable Jim P. Wise (’66) 2019 | Jim Culpepper (’67) 2020 |
| Alex Lopez Negrete (F.S. ’81) 2020 | Howard Lorch (’67, M.Ed. ’68) 2020 | Robert D. Planck (’71) 2020 |
| Alois Blackwell (’78) 2022 | Karen Dufilho (’91) 2022 | Bonnie Dunbar (Ph.D. ’83) 2022 |
| Elizabeth Killinger (’91) 2022 | Dave Smalley (’79) 2022 | Brent Spiner (F.S. ’71) 2022 |
| Steve Stephens (’80) 2022 | Judy (J.D. ’89) & Mark D. (’84) Cook 2023 | Dwight E. Davis (’00) 2023 |
| David Marrs (’89) 2023 | Mark Berman (’78) 2024 | Senator Carol Alvarado (’92) 2024 |
| The Honorable Alfred Bennett (’88) 2024 | Don Chaney (’86) 2024 | Kenny Rogers (’58) |
| Julieta Villarreal Garcia, Ph.D. (’70, M.A. ’72) | Cindy Lewis (’93) | Katherine Center (M.A. ’98) |
| Eliza C. Paul (M.S. ’88) | Billy Stritch (FS ’81) |
| Murray Stinson (FS ’68) 1994 | Jim Wiseheart (’61) 1995 | Pleas Doyle (’57) 1996 |
| Billie Schneider 1997 | Stephen Harcrow (’69) 1998 | Janet A. Blair (’83) 2000 |
| Judie (’95) & Glenn (FS ’68) Lilie 2002 | Joanne ( J.D. ’85) & Larry (’68, J.D. ’70) Doherty 2003 | Josanna (‘80) & Hon. Thaddeus “Bo” (‘67) Smith 2003 |
| Richard Coselli (’55, J.D. ’58) 2004 | Graham Painter (’72) 2004 | Shirley (FS ’82) & Matthew (’59) Provenzano 2004 |
| J. Downey Bridgwater (’84) 2005 | Sharon Stinson 2005 | Cathy Coers Frank (’80) 2006 |
| Francie Willis 2006 | Margaret Bock (FS ’57) 2007 | Sonny Messiah-Jiles (’74) 2007 |
| J.W. “Willie” Burns (’58) 2008 | David M. Doll (’88, M.B.A. ’92) 2008 | Chris Mims (’87) 2008 |
| Linda (’64) & Stanley (’60, J.D. ’62) Binion 2009 | Elaine (’82) & Tommy (’80) Ebner 2010 | George Leroy Hall (’56, ’77, M.S. ’11) 2010 |
| Robert Planck (’71) 2010 | Judy (’68) & Ken (FS ’65) Baxter 2011 | Mike Holley (’90) 2011 |
| Audray McMillian (’84) 2012 | Ron Page (’80) 2012 | Rick Bowen (’88, M.B.A. ’91) 2013 |
| Lance “Hopper” Livingston (’66) 2014 | Rick Noriega (’84) 2014 | Laurie Rutherford (’86, M.B.A. ’91, M.S. ’04) 2015 |
| Nancy and Dale (’70) Lowe 2016 | Dr. Demetrius “Dee” Pearson (Ed.D. ’90) 2016 | Kim (’81) & John (’82) Clarke 2017 |
| Kimberly (‘93) & Trey (‘92, M.B.A. ‘02) Wilkinson 2018 | James Holmes (‘86) 2018 | Preston Johnson, Jr. (FS ’87, UHCL M.B.A. ’83) 2019 |
| Fermeen Fazal (’96, ’97, J.D. ’00) 2020 | Sharmagne Taylor (’86) 2020 | Steve Goodman (’83, M.S. ’85) 2022 |
| Eugenia (’85) & David Blomstrom (’61) 2023 | Charles D. Dorn (’80) 2024 | Katina Jackson (’90) 2024 |
| Brent Chinn (FS ’82) | Richard Weil (’78) |
| Don McKusker (’50) 2003 | Becky Hyatt (’93) 2004 | Sherman Smith, Jr. (’76) 2005 |
| Jeffrey D. Fuller (’95, M.Ed. ’07) 2006 | Cynthia Oliver Coleman (’71) 2007 | Alton “Red” Veselka (’77) 2008 |
| Perry Pace, III (FS ’68) 2009 | Patty Godfrey (’89, M.B.A. ’97) 2010 | Joe Green (’80) 2011 |
| Judy Chong (’69, ’76) 2012 | Yuen-Yee Ma (M.B.A. ’77) 2013 | Amanda Heath (’02) 2014 |
| Dr. Sharon Spillman (’97, M.Ed. ’03, Ed.D. ’11) 2014 | John T. McNabb 2015 | Drue DaSilva (’93, M.S. ’99) 2015 |
| Barbara Parrott McGinity (’74, M.S.W. ’00) 2016 | Margarita Barcenas (UHD ’92, M.B.A. ’03) 2016 | Nicolas Brines (’92) 2017 |
| Charlene Johnson (‘91) 2018 | Michael Alcorn (’07) 2019 | Edward Carrizales (’13) 2020 |
| Leslie (’93) and Philip Schulze (’94) 2022 | Michael Ramos (’00) 2023 | Kaitlyn Palividas (’17) 2024 |
| Chris Gervasio (’17, M.S. ’18) |
| Robert W. Baker 1969 | Max Levine 1969 | Hon. Colonel W. B. Bates 1970 |
| Hon. Mrs. Ray Dudley 1971 | Harry H. Fouke 1971 | Dr. Philip G. Hoffman 1971 |
| Robert W. Kneebone 1972 | C.F. McElhinney 1973 | Hon. Aaron J. Farfel 1974 |
| Bessie M. Ebaugh 1975 | L. Standlee Mitchell 1975 | Mrs. Gus Wortham 1976 |
| Hon. Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Roy Cullen 1977 | Mrs. Marty Harris 1978 | Don D. Jordan 1979 |
| George P. Mitchell 1979 | Bill Yeoman 1979 | Eric Hilton 1980 |
| A.A. White 1980 | John R. Butler, Jr. 1981 | Dr. Barry Munitz 1981 |
| George A. Butler 1982 | Hon. Mack H. Hannah, Jr. 1982 | Frell L. Albright 1983 |
| Elliott A. Johnson 1983 | Roland S. McGinnis 1983 | William T. Slick (FS ’63) 1985 |
| Stewart Orton 1986 | Hon. John T. Cater 1988 | Hon. James L. Ketelsen 1990 |
| Hon. Corbin Robertson, Sr. 1991 | John Walsh (FS ’73) 1992 | Robert C. Lanier 1993 |
| Rev. William Lawson 1994 | Dean John M. Ivancevich 1995 | Max Watson 1996 |
| Dr. & Mrs. Glenn Goerke 1997 | Tom Tellez 1998 | Lee W. Hogan 2000 |
| Cheryl L. Thompson– Draper 2000 | Charles T. Bauer 2002 | Lucile B. Melcher 2002 |
| Hon. Wilhelmina “Beth” Robertson 2003 | Hon. Tilman Fertitta (FS ’78) 2004 | Hon. William P. Hobby 2004 |
| Gasper Mir, III 2005 | Robert Mosbacher, Jr. 2005 | Dena Lewis 2006 |
| A.J. Yeoman 2006 | Jim McIngvale 2007 | Bill Moffit 2007 |
| Dr. Carolyn Farb, h.c. 2008 | Carey C. Shuart 2009 | Bruce Williams 2010 |
| John Hofmeister 2011 | Lillie Therese Robertson 2012 | Meredith Mitchell Dreiss 2013 |
| University of Houston Student Body 2015 | Michael “Doc” O’Shea 2017 | Ted L. Estess 2019 |
| Stephanie “Steph” Sherrodd 2019 | Dr. William Munson 2020 | Garnet Coleman 2022 |
| Karen & Kelvin Sampson 2024 |
| Jim Parsons (’96) 2010 | Carlos de Aldecoa Bueno (’97) 2011 | James Hong (’05) 2012 |
| Hon. Jacqueline Baly (’90) 2013 | Robert Flores (’92) 2015 | Lisa Cushing (’01) 2016 |
| Erik Barajas (’99) 2017 | Clara Hough (‘02) 2018 | Alexander W. Obregon (’09, M.B.A. ’14) 2019 |
| Justin Yu (’07) 2020 | Mayra Moreno (’07) 2022 | Armando Lucio Walle (’04, J.D. ’14) 2023 |
| Natara Holloway Branch (’98) 2024 |
| Katie Kalenda Daggett (’99, M.A. ’03) 2010 |