Miami Dade College Golden Gala

“To place a value on what Miami Dade College has meant to this community would be impossible. But if one night could somehow signify the love and respect for MDC, then last night was surely that moment,” said a jubilant, grateful and nostalgic Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, who is not only the president but a product of Miami Dade College.
The tributes offered and the memories recalled at the Gala confirm an incomparable educational and cultural legacy. However, the 50th anniversary events celebrated this week were also about the future. Earlier in the week, MDC also opened its landmark smART exhibition and art sale, specially curated to showcase exceptional contemporary art from the Americas running through December 15, in support of scholarships for tomorrow’s MDC students.
Other leaders on the committee included Bernardo Acebal, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Emilio Azcárraga, Victor Balestra, Jon & Nancy Batchelor, David Bisbal, Norman and Irma Braman, Don & Maria Browne, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Tanya Capriles Brillembourg, Eligio Cedeño, Betty Chapman, Ella Cisneros, Armando & Margarita Codina, César & Pamela Conde, Fanny Dascal, Ernesto De La Fe, Fausto & Remedio Diaz-Oliver, S.A.R. Prince Dimitri of Yugoslovia, Plácido Domingo, Judy Drucker, Gloria Estéfan, George & Mariita Feldenkreis, Mike & Constance Fernández, former U.S. Senator Bob Graham, Alma Hernandez, Carolina Herrera, Tibor & Sheila Hollo, Stella Holmes, Alberto & Susana Ibargüen, Juanes, Jay & Jon Kislak, Rafael & Rebeca Kravec, Mario Kreutzberger (Don Francisco), David & Roberta Lawrence, U.S. Senator George Lemieux, Benjamín León III, J. Bernard Machen, Pedro Martin, former U.S. Senator Mel Martinez, Alvaro Martinez-Font, Eduardo and Athina Marturet, Loretta & Carlos Mattos, Arva & Robert McCabe, Steven & Solita (Gala Chair) Mishaan, Alonzo & Tracy Mourning, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Armando Olivera, Patricia Phelps Cisneros, Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado, Javier Salman, Gene Schaefer, Jon Secada, Penny Shaffer, Donna Shalala, Don Shula, Silvia Tcherassi, Harvey & Lois Watson, Lynn Wolfson, Irene Zingg and several others, and many were in attendance.
Sheila and Tibor Hollo
Silvia Rios-Fortun and Rigo Lesteiro
Victoria London and Dr. Sanford Ziff
César and Pamela Conde
Louis Wolfson III and Ellen Wolfson
MDC Board of Trustees Member Robert Fernández, Alyn Cruz Higgins
MDC Board of Trustees Chair Helen Aguirre Ferré and José Luis Ferré
Ana María and Ernesto De La Fe
Mercedes and Maurice Ferré
Carlos and Olga Saladrigas
Effie and Dr. Nelson Adams
Pedro and Mari Martín
Richard Milsten and Art Furia
Dr. Jeanne Jacobs, Phillip McKinnon and Aletha Player
Dr. Suzel Vázquez-Martínez, Roberto Martínez and Virginia Miranda-Martínez
Liz and Adolfo Enriques
Mayor Tomás Regalado with Solita and Steven Mishaan
David and Roberta Lawrence
Emilio and Gloria Estefan and MDC President Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón
MDC Board of Trustees Member Armando Bucelo and Beatrice Bucelo with MDC Board of Trustees Member Marielena Villamil
Jorge and Darlene Pérez with Silvia and Mauricio Tcherassi
Ambassador Paul Cejas and wife Trudy with MDC Board of Trustees Member Mikki Canton and Pablo Canton
Charles and Fanny Dascal
Lin Arison
Eliana and Eligio Cedeño
Al and Diana Cárdenas
Penny Shaffer and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Lynda Bell
Nancy and Jon Batchelor
Santiago Morales, Rosa Sugrañes and Alan Ojeda
Donna Shalala, Patricia Andreu and Sergio González
Consul General of Colombia Ángela Suárez and Sergio Estrada
Adriana Bermúdez, Nora Bulnes and Seydel Cabrera