Honors and Awards
University of Houston-Clear Lake alumni continue to play an important role in the community and each year the university strives to recognize those alumni by presenting the UH-Clear Lake Alumni Association Awards. The award recipients are recognized annually at the Alumni Celebration.
2024 Alumni Award Nomination Deadline: May 31, 2024
Distinguished Alumni Award
The purpose of the Distinguished Alumni Award is to honor University of Houston-Clear Lake graduates or recipients of a teacher's certification who have made substantial contributions to society and whose accomplishments within their careers have brought significant credit to the institution. The Distinguished Alumni Award has been presented by the UHCL Alumni Association since 1984.
2024 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Jason Curtis, '07 BS
Jason Curtis, '07 BS earned his degree in Behavioral Sciences of Sociology in 2007 and has since applied his studies of Sociology and Criminology in his profession with the Houston Police Department ever since.
Read More About Jason Curtis
After earning his Bachelor of Science in Sociology in 2007, Jason Thomas Curtis has more than 17 years of experience with Sociology in the Houston - Clear Lake Area. As a Senior Police Officer for the Houston Police Department, Jason helped develop the Differential Response Team unit at the Clear Lake Division. During Jason's career at the Houston Police Department, he earned his Master Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and the Certification as a Police Instructor. During Jason's time at the Houston Police Department, he worked as an investigator, mentor, and instructor in the Clear Lake Area.
Jason's role as a DRT Unit Senior Officer has been instrumental in his desire to help the community. Jason has worked with the Southbelt area and assisted in the development of homeless coalitions within the City of Houston. Jason has volunteered his time to the Clear Creek Independent School District on family and community engagement educational initiatives: the Watch Dogs Program and Dads of Great Students. Jason also assisted Dr. Everette Penn from the University of Houston-Clear Lake with the T.A.P.S. program. The T.A.P.S program’s focus is to enhance and build a more trusting relationship between teens and police in the Houston area.
Jason has been heavily involved within the community. He has worked with Southeast Memorial Hospital to be the location for the Positive Interaction Program to bring educational insight and trends in the community, as well as special presentations to educate the public on different areas of the Police Department, the National Night Out program, Community Meetings with local H.O.A.'s from Clear Lake City Community Association, and the Bay Oaks Association.
Jason has received several awards throughout his career including DRT Officer of the Year Award, Police Officer of the Year Award, Distinguished Service Award. Jason has been recognized in the Southbelt Leader Newspaper, the Bay Area Houston Magazine, and the Space Center Rotary Club.
As a Wisconsin native, Jason Curtis relocated to the Houston area at a young age, he grew up in the local area. He was educated in the CCISD school system. After graduating high school from Clear Brook, Jason decided to pursue his undergraduate degree at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. He has been married to his wife, Christine Curtis, for 22 years and has three beautiful children, Christian, Chloe and Peyton. In Jason's spare time, he loves spending it outside exercising, writing, and being with his family.
Mitali Paul, '05 MHA/MBA
Mitali Paul, '05 MHA/MBA has been serving as the Department Administrator for Surgery at Houston Methodist since 2019. Mitali is also a member the HADM Alumni Steering Committee keeping alumni engaged with students and has established the Paul-Baskaran Scholarship Endowment.
Read More About Mitali Paul
Born in Germany and raised in India, Mitali Paul has two decades of experience in the healthcare industry. She is Administrator with Department of Surgery at Houston Methodist. Previous roles include opening a 41-bed inpatient rehabilitation facility, Sugar Land Rehab Hospital (now PAM Health Sugar Land) as CEO, and Vice President with Wiederhold & Associates. Mitali is also Adjunct Faculty at Texas Woman’s University for the Graduate Healthcare Administration program and an Instructor for the Physician Leadership & Management Certificate program for the University of Houston Clearlake.
In prior roles, Mitali served as the CEO of Select Specialty Hospital and held leadership positions with Harris Health System, and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Mitali graduated from the University of Houston, ClearLake with a master's in healthcare and business administration and has a master's in hospital administration from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, India. In 2022, she completed a Certificate in Strategic Management from the Wharton School of Business.
A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives since 2011, Mitali currently Chairs the Management Series Editorial Board for ACHE National, Education & Events Committee and is Board Member for SouthEastTexasChapter.
Katherine Rodriguez, '01 BS
Katherine Rodriguez, '01 BS earned her degree in Accounting and is the Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer and Advisory Board member for Galveston-based, Moody National Bank. She currently serves on the Smith-Hutson Endowed Chair of Banking Advisory Board at SHSU and was appointed to the Dallas Federal Reserve's Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council.
Read More About Katherine Rodriguez
Katherine Rodriguez is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Moody National Bank. Moody Bank is based out of Galveston and is a privately, family held 117-year-old institution with $1.7 billion in assets. Moody has 15 locations, primarily in the surrounding Galveston/Houston area and has Austin and New Braunfels locations.
Katherine came to the bank from a Big 4 public accounting firm in Houston, TX. She has been with the bank for 20 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Houston-Clear Lake and a Master of Business Administration in Banking and Financial Institutions from Sam Houston State University. Katherine is a Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Global Management Accountant and Certified Internal Controls Auditor.
Katherine is very active in her chosen industry serving in the past on the Board of Directors of the Texas Bankers Association and chairing the Texas Bankers Association’s Bank Leadership Council. She has participated in the Federal Reserve Banking on the Leaders of Tomorrow Program, the Texas Bankers Association's Management Development Program and served on the American Bankers Association's Emerging Leaders Council. She currently serves on the Smith-Hutson Endowed Chair of Banking Advisory Board at Sam Houston State University and the Federal Reserve Community Depository Institution Advisory Council.
Katherine has received several awards throughout her career including College of the Mainland Foundation's Board Member of the Year Award, the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health Community Service Award and College of the Mainland Distinguished Alumni Award.
Past Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
2023
Myrna Baker, '85 BBA
Marci Contreras, '05 BS
Kate Lightfoot, '03 MBA
2022
Kathleen McAllister, '89 BS
2020
Brandon Capetillo, '00 BA
2019
Phyllis M. Saathoff-Oliver, '85
2018
Joyce Delores Taylor '04 MA, '06 MA, '08 MA
Michael Marquez, '99 MS
Kenny Koncaba, '90 BA
2017
Estella Hernández Gillette, '86 BBA, '94 MA
Denise S. Navarro, '86 BA, '91 MBA
Michael Squyres, '93 BA
2016
Christine (Christy) Harper, '92 BS, '94 MA
Evelyn Miralles, '92 BA, '12 MBA
2015
Anita Fogtman, '85 BA
2014
Carolyn Ann Lightfoot, '90 MA
Kevin C. Wooten, '76 BA, '78 MA
2013
E. Michael Fincke, '01 MS
Charles F. Hall, Jr., '97 MBA
Natalie V. Saiz, '91 MA
Diane Davies Vest, '87 BBA
2012
Cris C. Daskevich, '97 MHA/MBA
Douglas W. Hiser Jr.,'96 BA
Juan Manuel Traslaviña, '87 BS, '93 MS
2011
Craig A. Cordola, '98 MHA/MBA
Bernard A. Harris, Jr., '99 MBA
Stephen K. Jones, Jr., '96 MHA/MBA
E. J. "Joe" King, '77 BS
2010
Cynthia L. Howard, '81 MS
Lee M. E. Morin, '09 MS
Rebecca Lynn Reitz, '90 BBA
Marilyn S. Sims, '88 BS
Greg Smith, '84 MS
Maura Walsh, '83 MA
2009
Richard H. Anderson, '77 BS
Christopher J. Culbert, '86 MS
2008
Russell P. Austin, '80 MA
Dilhar Mihidu De Silva, '91 BS, '94 MS
Preston Johnson, Jr., '83 MBA
Michael L. Landolt, '85 BS
Katherine Keys Reeves, '98 BBA
2007
Marilyn Kurtz Lunney, '93 MA
Keith A. Parrott, '95 MHA
Rosalind Calvert Perez, '93 Mid-Management Certificate
2006
Robert C. Garcia, '76 BBA
Lucille Pack Gedies, '93 MBA
Darla Schneider McKitrick, '92 MS
2005
Arnold Adair, '88 Mid-Management Certificate, '99 Superintendent Certificate, '10
Ed.D
Kimberly Campbell, '87 BBA, '92 MBA
Randy Garner, '86 BS, '89 MA
Charles A. McClelland, Jr., '00 MA
2004
Teresita Z. Hernandez, '80 MS
Leslye King Mize, '80 MA
Janet (Pepperday) Kelly, '85 MS
2003
Guion S. Bluford, Jr., '87 MBA
Emmeline Dodd, '80 MS
Sandra Mossman, '87 Mid-Management Certificate,
'87 Supervisor Certificate
2002
Marjorie H. Jacobson, '84 BA
Frank Perez, '82 MA
Jennie Ward Robinson, '92 BS
2000
J. Pamela Culpepper-Cronk, '80 BS, '83 MA
1998
Tina Farrell, '85 MA, '93 Mid-Management Certificate, '09 EdD
Russell Meyers, '86 MS
Patricia Potter Wilson, '79 MS
Victoria I. Yamasaki, '88 BS
1997
Gerald J. Clause, '78 MS
Dawn M. Korman, '81 BS
Katherine Tamer, '77 MS
1996
Mary E. Ainslie, '75, BBA, '78 MS
Sandra Johnson, '82 MBA
1995
Michael Merkel, '90 BA, '94 MA
1994
Linda Wooten Robinson, '78 MA, '82 Mid-Management Certificate,
'86 Supervisor Certificate
1993
Susan Garman, '89 BS
David T. Vandewater, '77 MS
Ann Wismer-Landolt, '77 MS
1992
Raymond J. Khoury, '80 MS
Jane B. Reeves, '81 MS
1991
Steve Phelps, '80 BBA
1990
Charles A. Biggs, Sr., '84 BA, '87 MA
1989
Story Musgrave, '87 MA
1988
Micheal A. Reeves, '77 MS
1987
Peggy (Lathlaen) Channing, '82 MS
1986
William Gresco, '80 MS
1985
Kippy Payne Caraway, '77 BA, '85 MA
1984
Elizabeth Finck Leibfried, '79 MA
Marilyn K. Wiley, '82 MBA, '83 MS
Early Achievement Award
The Early Achievement Alumni Award is granted to University of Houston-Clear Lake graduates or recipients of a teacher's certification, currently age 45 or younger, for significant accomplishments in business or professional life. The Early Achievement Award was first awarded in 2005.
2024 Early Achievement Award Recipient
Dr. Subhan Tabba, '19 MBA
Dr. Subhan Tabba, '19 MBA is an Associate Program Director at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Tabba serves as a Delegate for the American Medical Association Resident and Fellows Section and is a member of the Texas Medical Association Board of Trustees.
Read More About Dr. Subhan Tabba
Dr. Tabba is an alumnus of the University of Houston-Clear Lake, where he obtained a Master of Business Administration degree coupled with a Medical Doctorate degree from The University of Texas Health Sciences Center McGovern Medical School. He then completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas Hospital.
Beyond his academic achievements, Dr. Tabba has dedicated his professional endeavors to the convergence of public health, healthcare administration, and advocacy for marginalized communities. His commitment materializes through impactful leadership roles and advocacy triumphs, notably reshaping policies at the local, state, and national levels since 2018. His unwavering dedication has earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious National Minority Quality Forum 40 Under 40 in 2024, American College of Physicians Herbert S. Waxman Chief Resident Scholarship in 2024, the Andy Diehl On Being a Doctor Award in both 2022 and 2023, and the Texas Medical Liability Trust Scholarship in 2019.
Presently, Dr. Tabba is serving as an Academic Hospitalist and Assistant Program Director. As a recent graduate of the Texas Health Dallas Internal Medicine Residency Program, Dr. Tabba brings a unique understanding and perspective to education. He is committed to advancing the field of Medicine through research and advocacy and instilling this passion in budding physicians. Outside of his professional pursuits, he cherishes moments with family and friends, indulges in travel, and enjoys the sport of pickleball.
Past Early Achievement Award Recipients
2023
Jennifer Cervantes, '16 BSW
2022
Deniss Edwards, '98 BS, '98 BS, '00 MA, '03 MA
2020
Seun Adigun, D.C., M.S., M.Ed., OLY '17 MS
2019
Mary Anne Brelinsky, '00
2017
Michael D. Larrañaga, '98 MS
2016
Kristi Koncaba, '97 BS, '05 MA
2015
Katherine Becker, '03 BS, '06 MHA/MBA
Marla Davis Chandler, '96 BA, '01 MS
Kanchana Weerasinghe, '98 BS, '00 MS
2013
M. Shane Spees, '97 MHA
2012
Mitali Paul, '05 MHA/MBA
2011
Nefertari Brown Mundy, '06 MS, '09 MS
Christa English George, '95 BA
2010
James G. Springfield, '91 MHA
2009
Corey J. Wilson, '02 BS
2007
Sameer Pande '02 MS
2006
Chris Wagner '02 MS
2005
Cris Curnutt Daskevich '97 MHA/MBA
Marilyn S. Sims Leadership Service Award
Established in 2004 and renamed in 2014, the Marilyn S. Sims Leadership Service Award is presented to an alumnus/a whose exceptional contributions to University of Houston-Clear Lake and its community strengthens and supports the values and the mission of the institution. It is presented to persons whose special qualities and accomplishments merit university recognition.
Marilyn S. Sims Leadership Service Award Nomination Criteria
Past Marilyn S. Sims Leadership Service Award Recipients
2023
Brenda Cothran, '80 BS, '85 MS
2022
Melissa Vela, '14 BS
2020
Kimberly Campbell '92 MBA, '87 BBA
Randall "Randy" Garcia '12 MHA, '96 MBA, '88 BS
2016
Robert C. Hasson Jr., '96 MS, '11 Ed.D.
2014
Ann Hammond, '82 BBA
2010
Joyce Delores Taylor, '04 MA, '06 MA, '08 MA
2007
Cheryl Evans, '82 MA
2005
Kimberly Barfield, '01 BS
2004
Marilyn Lunney, '93 MA
Outstanding Professor Award
The purpose of the Outstanding Professor Award is to honor University of Houston-Clear Lake professors who embody the fulfillment of learning and discovery by utilizing innovative teaching methods to inspire students and building a sense of community among students through active involvement with student organizations, shared governance and mentoring. Honorees share a passion for the university, its mission and the potential for change through education. The Outstanding Professor Award has been presented by the UHCL Alumni Association since 2006.
2024 Outstanding Professor Award Recipient
Dr. Sadegh Davari
Dr. Sadegh Davari has led many important responsibilities at UHCL, including Professor of Computer Science, Chair of the Computer Science Program, Chair of Computing and Mathematics Division, Interim Dean, Member of SACS Compliance Certification Committee, and more.
Read More About Dr. Sadegh Davari
Dr. Sadegh Davari, a Professor of Computer Science and the Chair of Department of Computing Sciences at UHCL is retiring on August 31, 2024, after more than 38 years of academic experience.
His service experience includes serving 7 years as department chair, 6 years as division chair and 3 years as interim dean. He has managed 7 large federal and state grants as a PI or co-PI worth over $10 million. He has over 40 peer-reviewed journal and conference publications.
His areas of research include Real-Time Systems, Distributed Systems, and STEM Education. He has supervised 14 MS thesis projects to completion. He has taught 5 different undergraduate level and 7 different graduate level courses.
Among other distinguished recognition and awards, Dr. Davari is the co-inventor of a patent on bandwidth allocation for token ring networks and the author of the best paper award of the 12th IEEE International Conference on Distributed Computing Systems. He has received UHCL President’s Distinguished Teaching Award.
Past Outstanding Professor Award Recipients
2023
Dr. Mary Short, Professor of Clinical Psychology, and Director of Clinical Training,
College of Human Sciences and Humanities
2022
Robert Phalen, Ph.D., CIH, FAIHA, Professor of Occupational Safety and Health, College
of Science and Engineering
2020
Michael McMullen, Professor of Sociology, College of Human Sciences & Humanities
Brian Stephens, Associate Professor of Biotechnology and Biology, College of Science
and Engineering
2019
Vance Etnyre, Professor emeritus of Management Information Systems, College of Business
2018
Dorothea C. Lerman, Professor of Psychology and Director, Center for Autism and Developmental
Disabilities, College of Human Sciences and Humanities
Jana M. Willis, '97 BA, '99 MS, Department Chair of Literacy, Library and Learning
Technologies, Professor of Instructional Design and Technology, College of Education
2017
Daniel Silvermintz, Associate Professor of Humanities, College of Human Sciences and
Humanities
2016
Lisa A. Jones, Associate Professor, Multicultural Education, College of Education
2015
Ashish Chandra, Healthcare Administration, School of Business
2014
Ken Black, Professor of Decision Sciences, School of Business
Stephen M. Cherry, '00 MA, Assistant Professor of Sociology, School of Human Sciences
and Humanities
2013
John Gorman, Professor of Literature, School of Human Sciences and Humanities
2012
James C. Benson, Associate Professor of Legal Studies, School of Business
Kim A. Case, Associate Professor of Women's Studies and Psychology, School of Human
Sciences and Humanities
2011
Kwok-Bun Yue, Professor, Computer Science and Computer Information Systems; Chair,
Computing and Mathematics Division; School of Science and Computer Engineering
2010
Denise McDonald, Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, School of Education
2009
Caroline M. Crawford, Associate Professor of Instructional Technology, School of Education
Gretchen Mieszkowski, Professor of Literature, School of Human Sciences and Humanities
2008
Richard Puzdrowski, Associate Professor and Chair of the Division of Natural Sciences
2007
Naveed Saleem, Professor and Chair of Management Information Systems
2006
Charles McKay, Dean (retired), School of Science and Computer Engineering