Miami, May 20, 2025 – Miami Dade College (MDC) will honor a new class of outstanding alumni at its 23rd MDC Alumni Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 30, at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel. Working media is welcome.
MDC’s annual Hall of Fame ceremony recognizes alumni who are civic and business leaders in the community and across the globe, while raising vital funds to support student scholarships. Since 2003, more than 419 alumni have been inducted, representing various industries including aviation, business, engineering, entertainment, hospitality and more. As the signature fundraising event of the Miami Dade College Foundation, MDC’s Alumni Hall of Fame directly supports scholarship opportunities and academic programs that empower the next generation of Miami’s leaders.
The 2025 MDC Alumni Hall of Fame honorees are:
Aviation
Maxine Rodriguez
First Officer
American Airlines
Business
Andrew Gonzalez
Founder & CEO
Night Owl Cookies
Economic Development
Gordon Eric Knowles
President & CEO
Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce
Engineering
Jason Quiroga
Systems Integration, Quality Engineer III
Blue Origin
Entertainment
Lili Estefan
TV Host
Univision Network
Entrepreneurship
Felipe Valls
Owner
Valls Group, Inc.
Financial Services
Manuel J. Escobio
Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor
Merrill Private Wealth Management
Non-Profit
Juan Martinez
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Public Service
The Honorable Kevin M. Cabrera
U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Panama, U.S. Department of State
WHAT: 23rd MDC Alumni Hall of Fame Ceremony
WHEN: Friday, May 30, Cocktail reception – 6:30 p.m. / Ceremony – 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Loews Coral Gables Hotel, 2950 Coconut Grove Dr., Coral Gables
About the Miami Dade College Foundation
Founded in 1965, Miami Dade College Foundation raises essential private funds to support scholarships, academic programs, and support services so MDC students have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. MDC Foundation also supports world-class arts and cultural programming at MDC that enriches the community. In 2023-24, MDC Foundation distributed $34.9 million to benefit MDC’s programs and students. Known as Democracy’s College, MDC changes lives through accessible, high-quality teaching and learning experiences that prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce. MDC is one of the largest and most diverse institutions in the nation. The college’s eight campuses offer more than 300 distinct degree pathways, including several baccalaureate degrees in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, biological sciences, engineering, data analytics, information systems technology, education, public safety, supervision and management, nursing, physician assistant studies, film, among others. For more information about the MDC Alumni Hall of Fame, please visit www.mdc.edu/halloffame.
MDC Foundation Contact: Dr. Stephanie Zapata, Director of Communication and Digital Engagement, 305-237-3240, szapata1@mdc.edu.