UHCL celebration recognizes outstanding profs, alumni

October 26, 2021 | UHCL Staff

Over 200 University of Houston-Clear Lake alumni and friends gathered for a celebratory awards event recognizing exceptional alumni and professors on Oct. 16. This year's Alumni Celebration, entitled "Let's Soar," retroactively honored the 2020 awards recipients who could not be celebrated in person last year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

UH-Clear Lake Interim President Richard Walker said he was fortunate to be able to join the university when such a significant event was occurring.

"On this special night, we honor and recognize our university's achievements as well as the outstanding contribution of our alumni and faculty," he said. "Our honorees' support, care and abiding faith in our university makes us stronger and more distinctive. We look forward to keeping UHCL an attractive educational destination as a tribute to their efforts."

Professors Mike McMullen and Brian Stephens received Outstanding Professor honors, while Dr. Seun Adigun, who graduated in 2017 with her Dual Doctor of Chiropractic and Master of Science in Exercise and Health Sciences degrees, received the Early Achievement Award.

Adigun is a two-time Olympian, representing Nigeria in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and again in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Double-UHCL-alumna and President of Quest Business Strategies Kimberly Campbell, who is also a UHCL Distinguished Alumna, was one of two recipients of the Marilyn S. Sims Leadership Service Award. "This leadership award is available to all of you," Campbell said. "All it takes is your time, talent or treasures. Every organization needs a well-balanced mix of these three vital gifts. Impart the knowledge you already have and share the treasures you already hold and offer them to our students."

Randy Garcia, a triple-UHCL alumnus, was the posthumous recipient of the second Leadership Service Award. Garcia was the chief information officer of OCTG, LLP, a Houston-based oil and natural gas company. In August 2020, Garcia died of COVID-19.

The 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient was Brandon Capetillo, who currently serves as mayor of Baytown. Capetillo received his bachelor's from UHCL in 2000 and is a corporate quality manager for Airgas, an Air Liquide company that provides specialty gases to various industries and markets.

"I'm excited to keep advocating for university initiatives, and I'd like to encourage all alumni to get involved as well," Capetillo said. "I'm looking forward to staying engaged with UHCL going forward."