Four alumni and a university professor were honored at the University of Houston-Clear Lake’s 2016 Alumni Celebration at Space Center Houston. Here, UHCL President William A. Staples, from left, joins the honorees for a photo — Evelyn Miralles (Distinguished Alumna), Christine “Christy” Harper (Distinguished Alumna), Lisa A. Jones (Outstanding Professor), Kristi Koncaba (Early Achievement) and Robert C. Hasson Jr. (Marilyn S. Sims Leadership Service Award).
Five professionals were honored as exemplary leaders in their fields at University of Houston-Clear Lake’s annual alumni awards.
Held at Space Center Houston, the reception and dinner celebrated all of UHCL’s graduates and singled out five “who have made a significant contribution to service in the classroom, on campus, and out in the local community,” said Patrick Lawrence Cardenas, assistant director of Student Life, chair of the Alumni Association Executive Council and the event’s master of ceremonies.
Distinguished Alumni Awards went to Christine (Christy) Harper, manager of Human Factors Strategic Research and Initiatives at HP Inc. (B.S. ’92 BS, M.A. ’94), and Evelyn Miralles, principal engineer innovator and business technology strategist at CACI International, NASA Johnson Space Center (B.A. ’92 BA, MBA ’12).
The Early Achievement Award was presented to Kristi Koncaba, president and chief operating officer of Houston-based Texan Bank (B.S. ’97, M.A. ’05).
Robert C. Hasson Jr., principal of Park View Intermediate School in Pasadena ISD (M.S. ’96, Ed.D. ’11) was the recipient of the Marilyn S. Sims Leadership Service Award, named for a longtime UHCL alumna known for her lead-by-example stewardship.
The annual Outstanding Professor Award went to Lisa A. Jones, associate professor of Multicultural Education from UHCL’s College of Education.
Nominations come from UHCL alumni, faculty and staff, and the community at-large. Applications are available all year at http://www.uhcl.edu/alumni/association. Application deadline is set in the spring semester of each year in order to be considered for the next celebration, which is held in the fall.
