The UHAA is proud to announce its honorees for the 70th Annual UH Alumni Awards. This year’s honorees include distinguished individuals recognized for their professional achievements, service and dedication to UH. UHAA will celebrate these remarkable individuals at its 70th Alumni Awards ceremony on May 17, 2025. More information on this years honorees and event details can be found at https://houstonalumni.com/events/alumni-awards/.

“As we mark the 70th anniversary of our alumni awards program, I continue to be amazed at the incredible achievements, levels of service and volunteerism of our alumni. With over 325,000 alumni, you can imagine how deep the pool is of incredible candidates for these awards. And, like we always say, we love all our Cougars year-round, but for this one night, these are a few of our favorites.”

– Mike Pedé, UH AVP for Alumni Relations

Award recipients include:

Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes individuals whose professional accomplishments bring credit to the University of Houston.

Julieta Villarreal García, Ph.D. (’70, M.A. ’72)
García was the first Mexican American woman to serve as president of a U.S. university, transforming higher education through her leadership at UT Brownsville and UT Rio Grande Valley. Honored by President Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, she is widely regarded as one of the nation’s foremost academic innovators.

Cindy Lewis (’93)
Lewis is the co-owner of Lewis Jewelers, a renowned Houston institution known for its excellence and community impact. Under her leadership, the business has thrived for over 44 years, supporting numerous local and national charities, with a strong focus on empowering future generations.

Katherine Center (M.A. ’98)
Known as the “queen of comfort reads,” Center is a New York Times bestselling author whose novels have captivated millions. Works like “Happiness for Beginners” and “The Lost Husband”— both adapted into hit Netflix films — along with “The Bodyguard,” “Things You Save in a Fire” and more, are celebrated for their humor, heart and wisdom.

Eliza C. Paul (M.S. ’88)
Paul is a trailblazer in civil engineering and former TxDOT Houston District Engineer, where she oversaw multibillion-dollar projects, including the $11 billion I-45 North Houston Highway Improvement Project, the largest in TxDOT history. With over 36 years of engineering experience, she has shaped Texas infrastructure and mentored future leaders in the field.

Billy Stritch (FS ’81)
Stritch is a Grammy-winning songwriter, acclaimed jazz pianist and singer who began his career at the University of Houston. Co-founder of the vocal jazz trio Montgomery, Plant & Stritch, he has collaborated with legends like Liza Minnelli and Tony Bennett, earning global acclaim for his mastery of the Great American Songbook.

Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals for their loyalty and efforts to further the goals and support of UH Alumni Association programs.

Brent Chinn (FS ’82)
Chinn, director of sales for Aqua 1, Inc., has over 30 years of experience in water treatment, earning the Emmet J. Culligan Award three times and induction into the Culligan Hall of Fame. A former UH quarterback, he has spent 25 years mentoring athletes, supporting UH Athletics and raising scholarship funds. Chinn served as president of the UH Alumni Association Foundation Board and is a board member for UH Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Richard Weil (’78)
Weil, CEO of National Restaurant Consultants (NRC), is a leading voice in the food service and hospitality industry. A passionate supporter of UH’s Hilton College, he has significantly advanced best practices in his field while mentoring future leaders.

Billie Schneider Outstanding Volunteer Award

The Billie Schneider Outstanding Volunteer Award recognizes individuals who exemplify a spirit of volunteerism and work to advance the mission of the UH Alumni Association.

Chris Gervasio (’17, M.S. ’18)
Gervasio is a strategic finance leader and co-president of the UH Young Alumni Network, where he drives alumni engagement through mentorship, events and community-building. A proud advocate for UH, he embodies the Cougar spirit in his leadership and professional excellence.