News: Alumni Engagement

Dean Grinvald, Justice Douglas, and Will Sykes stand by law school signage
Campus News |

William T. and Brianne M. Sykes donate $60,000 to William S. Boyd School of Law pre-law program in honor of Justice Michael L. Douglas.

Joyce Mack and her daughter Marilynn smile for a photo
51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó History |

The philanthropist and her family bet on 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó's success with contributions to help establish the campus, build the Thomas & Mack Center, and advance the law school.

couple at desk filled with holiday cards
51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó History |

Faculty/staff donations to the annual holiday card tree fund have been providing scholarships for over 50 years.

Wearing a dark blue suit and blue tie, 2024 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Randy Garcia poses with his hands in his pants pockets in front of logo for his company, the Investment Counsel Company
People |

After founding an investment firm, Randy Garcia has generously (and gratefully) invested in his alma mater. 

man posing by red metal pillars
People |

As a 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó student, Izack Tenorio learned from friend and mentor Patrick T. Smith about the importance of giving back. Now the four-time Rebel graduate is getting the award named in Smith's honor.

Wearing a blue checkered blazer, blue checkered dress shirt and gray pants, Joe Murphy, winner of the 2024 Silver State Award, poses in the shop at Murphy Electric
People |

After launching his electrical contracting business, Joe Murphy plugs into his spirit of generosity to support 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó.

51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó professor Federick Ngo on campus while sitting on a bench with his right raised and his right foot on the bench
People |

51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó Professor Federick Ngo earns high marks for his devotion to teaching and to breaking down barriers that hinder college access and student success.

Wearing a dark suit and sunglasses, 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó Graduate College Alumnus of the Year Lonnie Wright poses on campus with a We Are 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó sign in the background
People |

From scholarship athlete and three-time graduate to educator and tireless advocate, Lonnie Wright embodies the Rebel Spirit like no other.

51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó School of Dental Medicine Alumnus of the Year Dr. Benjamin Barborka leans his left arm against a dental patient's chair inside an exam room at his 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÃâ·ÑApp office
People |

After several years in the IT industry, the School of Dental Medicine’s Alumnus of the Year finds his true calling as a practitioner, educator, and innovator.

51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó alumna Raquel Shohet Floyd poses in a light blue dress with the sun setting in the background
People |

The Engineering Alumna of the Year builds her own construction management company — and keeps her alma mater in mind every step of the way.

Wearing black medical scrubs, Dr. Chase Shropshire poses with his arms crossed in a mock hospital triage area at the 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó School of Medicine
People |

Even well into his undergraduate studies, Chase Shropshire didn't envision a career in medicine. Now he’s the School of Medicine’s first Alumnus of the Year.

51³Ô¹ÏÍøÍòÄÜ¿Æ´ó alumna Aileen Pastor relaxes on a park bench on campus with her feet up
People |

Urban Affairs Alumna of the Year — and die-hard Rebel — Aileen Pastor parlays her internship into a career with the Regional Transportation Commission.