Relive the special moments from our premiere as we honored our 2020 Shining Knights. You can view the honorees in the UCF Advancement Exposure gallery below or watch the entire ceremony again on Facebook or YouTube.
The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest award UCF Alumni bestows on a graduate of the university.
Honorees exhibit the following characteristics:
Our 2020 Honorees are:
Linda Gooch is the coach of UCF’s cheerleading team and head coach of UCF’s Spirit Program – including the cheerleaders, KnightMoves Dance Team and UCF mascot Knightro.
While attending UCF, Gooch was encouraged to try out for the cheerleading team and joined in the fall of 1980.
Highlights of Linda’s experiences include:
Orlando native, Anna Eskamani, has worked relentlessly to protect all members of her community through effective advocacy, bold leadership, and smart management.
Highlights of Anna’s experiences include:
The John C. and Martha Hitt Honorary Alumni Award is the highest award UCF Alumni bestows on a friend and supporter of the university.
Honorees exhibit the following characteristics:
Our 2020 Honorees are:
Karen Manglardi is dedicated to serving UCF and her community. She is involved in a number of charitable endeavors and derives enormous satisfaction from those relationships.
Highlights of Karen’s experiences include:
In 2015, Sonja Nicholson sold her boutique real estate business, RE/MAX Park Avenue in Winter Park, Florida, previously known as Rose Properties Inc. She is married to Tony Nicholson, an honorary alumni award winner in 2018. She previously served on the UCF Board of Trustees and on the board of directors for the Golden Knights Club.
Highlights of Sonja’s experiences include:
Margery Pabst Steinmetz is an entrepreneur, seasoned consultant and educator. Along with her late husband, Mark, a financial and global business professional, Margery founded The Pabst Charitable Foundation for the Arts in early 2003 with a mission to support artists and art forms for community of life.
Margery married Chuck Steinmetz in April 2014. The couple combined their foundations in 2018 to co-find the Pabst Steinmetz Foundation and together, support the University of Central Florida in a variety of ways.
Highlights of Margery’s experiences include:
The Young Alumni Award is the highest award granted to a graduate from the most recent class of 30 Under 30 Alumni Awards recipients.
Honorees exhibit the following characteristics:
Our 2020 Honoree is:
Kristina Merritt is the manager of legal services at Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, where she tackles a variety of projects from insurance issues to managing new franchises.
Highlights of Kristina’s experiences include:
The Distinguished Student Award is given to a currently enrolled Knight who is dedicated to maintaining a lifelong relationship with UCF, demonstrates outstanding academic achievement, inspires leadership within their co-curricular activities and positively impacts the UCF community.
Our 2020 Honoree is:
Jordan Bubar is a College of Business senior from Jacksonville, Florida. Studying Marketing, he is also a member of the Professional Selling Program. He is interested in pursuing a career in sales with a technology company, leveraging innovative solutions to promote business growth and efficiency.
Highlights of Jordan’s student involvement experiences include:
Thank you to all of the participants in the U Can Finish Virtual 5 Mile & 2 Mile.
John Lewis: Good Trouble tells the story of Congressman John Lewis, an American hero who spent his life fighting for voting rights and racial justice. As he put it, making ‘good trouble’.
Supporting Diversity at UCF
Your personal philanthropy serves a vital role in UCF's diversity initiatives. Please consider a one-time or monthly recurring gift to support important enrichment programs designed to improve equity and inclusion within the UCF community.
We had a wonderful chat with an inspiring group of alumnae from a variety of industries at our ChargeOn Panel: Alumnae Leading the Charge. We learned how UCF has played a in role in their lives, how they have overcome obstacles and what advice they have for the future. UCF Alumni is proud to feature the following alumnae:
Emcee:
Panelists: