Miami Dade College Alumni Hall of Fame Awards
MDC Foundation Raises Record $2.1 Million to Benefit Students


Miami Dade College Foundation raised a record $2.1 million to benefit student scholarships during its sold out 2017 Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, April 18, making it the most successful event in its 15-year history.
The event also saw its highest attendance and sponsorship to date— with more than 1,000 attendees and a record 98 sponsoring organizations. The funds raised by MDC Foundation will be used for scholarships for current and future students.
MDC’s President Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón announced the record-breaking results of the fundraiser during Tuesday night’s ceremony at the Hilton Miami Downtown. Hall of Fame sponsorships totaled $1.1 million. During the event, Dr. Padrón announced two surprise donations – bringing the grand total to $2.1 million. The Mitchell Wolfson Sr. Foundation donated $1 million and Florida Blue donated $100,000 – all to benefit students.
This year’s top benefactors to the MDC Alumni Hall of Fame include RICOH Inc, Grupo Mezerhane, Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra (MBAF), OHL-Arellano, Leon Medical Centers, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, and The Lennar Foundation. The full sponsor list can be found online at www.MDC.edu/HallofFame.
The MDC Alumni Hall of Fame is MDC Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser. Each year, Miami Dade College celebrates the accomplishments of successful alumni from a wide range of careers. The 2017 inductee class is no exception, with distinguished leaders who have impacted their fields and have positively represented MDC in their community. Past inductees include actor Andy Garcia, publisher Jerry Powers, retired journalist Tony Segreto, prominent attorney Cesar Alvarez, music industry mogul Emilio Estefan, Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Nilo Cruz, and star athlete and former Dolphin receiver Nat Moore, to name a few.
For more information about the MDC Alumni Hall of Fame, and to make a donation, visit www.mdc.edu/halloffame.
Lloyd Knight and Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón
Krystal Lanier speaking
WSVN's Belkys Nerey and Alex de Armas with Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón.
Rosa Maria Plasencia and Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón
Carlos A. Penin, Joe Arriola and Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón
James Louis speaking
MDC Mascot "Finn" and James Louis
Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón speaking
Gloria Leon, Laura Marks, Zulay Ciffoni and Maria Del Busto
Zoe Lukov and Vanessa Selk
Armando J. Bucelo and Lenore Rodicio
Thomas Bowman, Esther Jacobo, and Javier & Jennifer Ley-Soto
José A. Vicente, Dr. Jeanne Jacobs, Marili Cancio, Lenore Rodicio and George Andrews
Penny Shaffer
Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón introducing honorees
Mark Cole, Armando J. Bucelo, Julie Grimes, Steve Rothhaus and Rick Soria
Vivian & Jimmy Quiroga with Annabelle Adams
Penny Shaffer and Pat Meier
Armando J. Bucelo, Julie Grimes, Aurelio Fernandez and Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón