Florida State University to recognize distinguished honorees during Homecoming weekend

As Florida State University celebrates its 175th anniversary with an expanded Homecoming weekend Nov. 19-22, the university will recognize 21 outstanding alumni and supporters during the weekend’s signature award ceremonies. 

“This year’s honorees represent the reach and impact of the Florida State University community,” said Sarishni Patel, Assistant VP for Annual Giving and Regional Advancement Programs. “Through their leadership, service and commitment to excellence, they remind us what it means to carry the Seminole spirit into communities and professions around the world.” 

The FSU Alumni Awards ceremony will take place Thursday, Nov. 19, at Goodwood Museum & Gardens. The event will honor recipients of the Reubin O’D. Askew Young Alumni Award, Grads Made Good, Inspire Award, Circle of Gold and Bernard F. Sliger Award. 

On Sunday, Nov. 22, the Emeriti Alumni Society will honor recipients of the Dean Eyman Distinctive Service Award and Commitment to Excellence Award during its annual Induction Brunch and Awards Ceremony at the FSU Alumni Center. 

For more information and to register for the FSU Alumni Awards, visit the FSU Alumni Awards registration page. To learn more and register for the Emeriti Alumni Society Induction Brunch and Awards Ceremony, visit the event’s registration page.  

FSU Alumni Awards: Thursday, Nov. 19 

The Reubin O’D. Askew Young Alumni Award honors alumni age 35 or younger whose achievements exemplify outstanding professional success and a commitment to service. The 2026 Askew Award honorees are: 

• Christian Caban (B.S. ’17) serves as chairman of the Leon County Commission and chairman of the Tallahassee State College District Board of Trustees. An entrepreneur and public servant, he has employed more than 1,000 FSU students through his hospitality businesses and has championed initiatives supporting infrastructure, economic development, community safety, rural services, school bus stop lighting and tornado relief for residents and small businesses. 

• Stefano Cavallaro, Esq. (B.S. ’15) is a trial attorney at Carlton Fields in Tampa, where his practice focuses on business litigation, construction and real estate. A former student body president and member of the university’s Board of Trustees, he later served as a Marine Corps judge advocate and special assistant U.S. attorney, building a career marked by leadership, public service and extensive courtroom experience. 

• Ebo Entsuah (B.S. ’16, J.M. ’20, Ed.D. ’26) is director of philanthropy for Special Olympics Florida Foundation, where he leads fundraising and partnership efforts to advance the organization’s mission statewide. A former Clermont city councilman and public affairs executive, he has managed municipal, legislative, education policy and government relations initiatives, and his leadership has been recognized through honors including Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow, Volunteer Florida gubernatorial appointee and Florida Politics 30 Under 30 Rising Star. 

The Grads Made Good Award, presented in partnership with the FSU Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), recognizes alumni who have made outstanding contributions in their fields. The 2026 Grads Made Good Award recipients are: 

• Monica Cepero (B.S. ’90, MPA ’92) serves as county administrator of Broward County, the nation’s 17th-largest county, overseeing nearly 7,000 employees, a population of more than 2 million residents and an $8.8 billion budget. With more than 35 years of public-sector leadership experience, she has held key roles in local and state government, including serving as an adviser to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and leading major government operations, policy and strategic initiatives throughout Florida. 

• Carol Marbin Miller (B.S. ’81) is deputy investigations editor at the Miami Herald, where her reporting has driven major reforms in child welfare, juvenile justice, healthcareand protections for vulnerable Floridians. A nationally honored investigative journalist, she has received the Goldsmith Prize, George Polk Award, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award and other top honors, with two Pulitzer Prize finalist projects to her credit. 

• John Medina Sr. (B.S. ’87) is president and CEO of First Federal Bank, a $4.5 billion-plus community banking institution serving customers across the United States. A former Army Reserve and Florida Army National Guard officer, he has led statewide banking operations, served major civic and business organizations and remained deeply connected to FSU through alumni leadership, student engagement, veterans support and university philanthropy. 

• Dallas Raines (B.S. ’76) is chief meteorologist for ABC-TV in Los Angeles and has spent five decades in broadcast meteorology. A certified broadcast meteorologist and American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval recipient, he began building his career through FSU’s meteorology, radio and television opportunities and has earned multiple honors, including Golden Mike Awards, Associated Press recognition and international recognition for weather presenting. 

• Altrichia Wilcox (BSW ’09) is an entrepreneur, public relations manager and founder and executive director of Mentoring Agency for Maternal Adolescents Inc. A former teen mother turned mentor and advocate, she has built a career empowering young mothers, launching a swimwear brand featured through a national Cosmopolitan collaboration and speaking at major events including Essence Festival, FSU’s Women’s Student Union Leadership Conference and Black Enterprise’s Women of Power Summit. 

The Inspire Award recognizes graduates who have distinguished themselves as leaders in their professions while serving as role models for current and future students. The 2026 Inspire Award honoree is: 

• Shamarial Roberson (B.S. ’08, MPH ’09) is founder and CEO of DSR Consulting and Management LLC and founder and president of the DSR Public Foundation. A former deputy secretary for health at the Florida Department of Health, she brings deep expertise in public health strategy, epidemiology, maternal and child health, emergency preparedness and program evaluation, leading cross-sector work that strengthens health systems and improves outcomes for families and communities. 

The Circle of Gold honors alumni and friends of the university who, through their service and achievements, personify the university’s tradition of excellence. The 2026 Circle of Gold inductees are: 

• Melanie Griffin, Esq.  (B.S. ’03, MBA ’06, J.D. ’06) serves as secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, where she leads Florida’s regulation of more than 1.7 million licensees across more than 30 industry fields. A triple FSU graduate, former corporate attorney and longtime university volunteer, she has served on the College of Law Board of Visitors, J.D. Advisors Program, Herbert Wertheim College of Business Board of Governors and Student Affairs Development Council, and has been recognized as an FSU commencement speaker, Notable Nole, Inspire Award recipient and Herbert Wertheim College of Business Recent Alumni Achievement Award honoree. 

• Francis Nardozza (B.S. ’77) is chairman and CEO of REH Capital Partners LLC, a national real estate and hospitality investment and advisory services firm. With more than 48 years of experience and more than $15 billion in advised transactions, he is recognized nationally and internationally for expertise in real estate and hospitality investment, mergers and acquisitions, strategic advisory services and long-standing service to FSU through the Real Estate Center, Dedman College of Hospitality and FSU Foundation. 

• Jay Steele (B.S. ’90), J.D., CPA is founder and former CEO of Steele Consulting LLC, a tax consulting firm serving Fortune 1000 companies. Before founding the firm, he advised Fortune 500 companies nationwide through Big Four accounting firms, helping improve operations and increase profitability. He continues to serve FSU as an FSU Foundation trustee and a member of the Herbert Wertheim College of Business Board of Governors. He is a former chair of College AIM, an Atlanta-based organization that expands college access for high school students. He also serves on the board of SolomonEdwards, a consulting firm specializing in banking and financial services, and is a partner in New River Gorge Development Company, which develops commercial properties in southern West Virginia. 

• Donn Szaro Sr. (B.S. ’72), honored posthumously, and Jo Ann Szaro built a life rooted in curiosity, service, adventure and a shared love for Florida State University. Raised in rural southeast Kentucky before moving to Florida, Jo Ann carried an early connection to the outdoors into a lifelong love of travel and exploration. Donn spent 34 years at EY, where he built the firm’s national health care practice into a billion-dollar business, later helping lead the turnaround of Jackson Health System as chief strategy officer, while remaining deeply involved with FSU through the President’s Club, Herbert Wertheim College of Business Board of Governors, Alumni Association and Seminole Boosters leadership. 

The Bernard F. Sliger Award, the Alumni Association’s highest honor, is named for FSU’s 11th president and recognizes a lifetime of service to the university. The 2026 honorees are: 

• Mark Hillis (B.S. ’64) and Nan Casper Hillis (B.S. ’76) are dedicated alumni, banking leaders and longtime university supporters whose service and philanthropy have advanced programs across business, academic affairs, nursing, athletics, alumni engagement and student success. Mark, a retired U.S. Marine Corps major and former SunTrust Bank executive, has served on numerous FSU boards including the Board of Trustees, and councils and received honors including the Circle of Gold, Emeriti Alumni Society Commitment to Excellence Award, Greek Life Hall of Fame, Faculty Senate Mores Torch Award, Real Estate Network Award, College of Nursing Dean’s Award and induction into the Herbert Wertheim College of Business Hall of Fame.  Nan, a retired senior vice president and chief strategy officer of Prime Meridian Bank, has helped shape FSU’s future through decades of board service, campaign leadership and university engagement. Her FSU honors include the Circle of Gold, Faculty Senate Mores Torch Award, Inspire Award, Real Estate Network Award, Greek Hall of Fame and induction into the Herbert Wertheim College of Business Hall of Fame.   

Emeriti Alumni Society Induction Brunch and Awards Ceremony — Sunday, Nov. 22 

The Commitment to Excellence Award honors individuals who have shown a long-standing devotion to FSU and personal achievements that reflect honor for the university. The 2026 Commitment to Excellence Award honorees are: 

• Barbara Palmer (B.S. ’70, M.S. ’74) became FSU’s director of women’s intercollegiate athletics in 1977, leading the development and management of the university’s women’s athletics program. Her advocacy helped expand FSU’s women’s athletics budget from $163,000 to $1.6 million and supported scholarship growth statewide. She later served as associate vice president for governmental relations and held senior state leadership roles, earning honors including induction into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame, FSU Athletic Hall of Fame and FSU Circle of Gold. 

• Davis Gaines (B.A. ’76) is an acclaimed stage and screen performer best known for playing the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera more than 2,000 times on Broadway, in Los Angeles and in San Francisco. A Phi Beta Kappa FSU graduate, he has performed across Broadway, national tours, regional theater, film and television, sung for six U.S. presidents and major symphony orchestras and established the Davis Gaines Endowed Scholarship in Music Theatre at FSU. 

• Wayne Wallace III (B.S. ’74) is a Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force veteran, longtime FSU supporter and former Tallahassee Seminole Club leader. A political science graduate who credits FSU faculty and the GI Bill with shaping his education, Wallace has served the university through alumni club leadership, scholarship fundraising and ongoing work with the Veterans Alumni Network and the Student Veterans Center. 

The Dean Eyman Distinctive Service Award honors faculty or staff for providing exemplary service to students and contributing to the greater development of the university. The 2026 Dean Eyman Distinctive Service Award honorees are: 

• Yvonne Brown is a longtime FSU supporter, honorary alumna and retired executive whose career included leadership with the Internal Revenue Service, private tax consulting and commercial real estate finance. She has served on numerous FSU boards and councils, including the FSU Foundation Board, National Campaign Committee, Planned Giving Council, Undergraduate Studies Development Council, Seminole Boosters Board of Directors and FSU Libraries Advancement Board, and she remains active in Tallahassee civic organizations. 

• Ryals Lee Jr. has spent decades documenting and serving Florida State University, including 14 years as the football program’s memorabilia coordinator. A Tallahassee native, Leon High School graduate and former kicker for Bobby Bowden’s first two FSU teams, he began covering Seminole athletics as a freelance photographer in 1982 and later served in multiple roles in the FSU Photo Lab, including director, photographing generations of student-athletes, coaches, staff and university moments. 

About the FSU Alumni Association
The FSU Alumni Association works to create meaningful connections between alumni and Florida State University, strengthening the alumni network and supporting students on campus every day. All graduates of FSU are members of the FSU Alumni Association; no dues are required. Alumni are encouraged to stay connected through the Alumni Association’s career resources, networking opportunities, mentorship programs, travel benefits and more. Learn more at alumni.fsu.edu.