Every year, in the business and philanthropic world, there are societies that feature high-profile industrial titans, who are evaluated based on their triumphs until they become deserving of the most coveted honor, belonging to the Hall of Fame.
Since 1960, Miami Dade College has kept its doors open to all those seeking an education and an opportunity that changes everything. For several decades, our formula for success and the perseverance of our students have paid off. There have been so many stories at the College, which began with that young man who did not dare to dream of university. And that years later, he achieved his title and was up to the challenge.
Miami Dade College once again honors a new group of notable community leaders at its 22nd Anniversary MDC Alumni Hall of Fame Gala at the Loews Hotel in Coral Gables. Like every year, it is a great event where we receive prominent leaders and personalities from our community.
Notably, since 2003, more than 410 alumni have been inducted into the MDC Hall of Fame, which is also the flagship event of the Miami Dade College Foundation, raising essential funds that support scholarships, academic programs and services for students. For every dollar invested in students, they triple their lifetime earnings.
This year, 10 new alumni were recruited from the business, educational, health, media, non-profit organizations, government and public safety sectors, including Vania Laguerre, senior vice president and local market executive at Bank of America; Mari Tere Rojas, School Board President, District 6, Miami-Dade County Public Schools; Stephanie Ann Pérez, pharmacist, Publix Supermarkets, Inc; José “Pepe” Dans, president of WOW Marketing and his wife Heide Dans, vice president of the Marketing agency as well as Jesús Lebeña, senior vice president, Corporate Operations of MasTec Communications Group; James R. Haj, President and CEO of The Children’s Trust and Alex Mena, Executive Editor of the prestigious newspapers The New Herald y The Miami Herald. Public security includes Raied S. Jadallah, chief of the Miami-Dade County Fire and Rescue Department; as well as Ashley V. Gantt, state representative for District 109 of the Florida House of Representatives.
Our most sincere congratulations. We are proud of each of you and hope that you continue your legacy as an example for future generations. We are all MDC, #IAMMDC #BeMDC.
