2020-21 Alumni of the Year

Arizona Alumni salutes University of Arizona alumni for their achievements, public service, advocacy for education, volunteerism and service to students, the colleges and the university.

 

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Pamela Turbeville

Pamela J. Turbeville '72

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Pamela J. Turbeville ’72 is a senior executive with a noteworthy career leading Fortune 500 companies in the telecommunications, chemical and manufacturing industries. Currently, she is the co-founder and CEO of i-cal, a biotech industry start-up that is committed to affordable and accurate medical care technology with point-of-care diagnostics integrated with smartphone-based analytics disease support.

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Heather Lenkin

Heather Henricks Lenkin '76 '79

College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture

Heather Henricks Lenkin ’76 ’79 is an internationally recognized landscape designer with a passion for built environments who works tirelessly to protect cultural and historic resources in her volunteer efforts. She provides multidisciplinary perspective and invaluable leadership experience to several international and national organizations, including the University of Arizona.

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Humberto Lopez

Humberto S. Lopez '69

Eller College of Management

Humberto S. Lopez ’69 is an established business leader in commercial real estate currently serving as chairman of the board at HSL properties, a company he founded in 1975. A generous philanthropist and founder of the Center for Opportunity, Lopez’ philanthropic endeavors support areas related to education, health and welfare.  

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Tom Peterson

Tom Peterson '74

College of Engineering

Tom Peterson ’74 is an engineering leader with significant national standing in the field on policy and higher education that supports fundamental and transformative research. Peterson has served in several leadership roles including dean of the UArizona College of Engineering and provost and executive vice chancellor of the University of California, Merced. 

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Lindsay Utz

Lindsay Utz '03

College of Fine Arts

Lindsay Utz ’03 is an award-winning freelance documentary film editor who tells important stories through film and a founding member of the School for Theatre, Film and Television Industry Council, which helps to shape the next generation of graduates and strategic opportunities for the program. 
 

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Colien Hefferan

Colien Hefferan '71

W.A. Franks Honors College

Colien Hefferan ’71 is an academic researcher and administrator with a passion for research, education and conservation who is dedicated to supporting responsible and sustainable food production practices that support the physical and economic health of the public. As director of the U.S. National Arboretum, she has been dedicated to nurturing global partnerships to mobilize and share knowledge and expertise in these areas. 

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Jessica Polsky

Jessica Michelle Polsky '98

College of Humanities 

Jessica Michelle Polsky ’98 is a successful actress, model and dancer, and a cultural ambassador who works to bridge and strengthen industry ties between Italy and the U.S. As a mentor and coach to performers of all ages, she regularly gives back to the College of Humanities by mentoring students and advising faculty on the skills taught and how they apply to a global workforce.

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Dev Stahlkopf

Dev Stahlkopf '99

James E. Rogers College of Law

Dev Stahlkopf ’99 is executive vice president and chief legal officer at Cisco who is passionate about diversity and innovation in the legal profession with demonstrated leadership across cutting-edge issues of law and management, including corporate responsibility and diversity initiatives specifically related to paid time off for contractors.

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Theresa Cullen

Theresa Cullen, M.D., M.S. '83

College of Medicine - Tucson

Theresa Cullen, M.D., M.S. ’83, an internationally recognized thought leader in biomedical informatics, was recently appointed Pima County public health director and vice president of Pima County’s Back to Business task force. Dr. Cullen has led national scale transformative efforts to improve health and health care with a focus on Native Americans, veterans and other underserved populations.

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Agnes Poore

Agnes C. Poore '72

College of Nursing

Agnes C. Poore ’72, co-founder of Casa De La Luz Hospice, is a clinical manager, administrator, mentor and an impressive leader with a profound influence on health care and health care-related business in Tucson. Poore has worked to provide clinical opportunities for students and graduates through internships, employment and scholarships.   

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Jack Jewell

Jack Jewell '81 '84

James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences 

Jack Jewell ’81 ’84 is an accomplished UArizona graduate with 74 patents and over 150 publications. He created the world’s first practical vertical-cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), the most commonly used laser today. He gives back to the James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences through scholarships, an endowed research award and through the Jack Jewell endowed chair program.

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John Ware

John "Andy" Ware '67 (1943-2021)

College of Pharmacy

John “Andy” Ware ’67 was a well-respected and trusted community pharmacist who enhanced the field for over three decades. He became a businessman who owned and operated a commercial greenhouse nationwide. Ware attributed all his success to the education he received at the College of Pharmacy and we send our deepest condolences to his family and friends

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Marina Waters

Marina Hadjioannou Waters '03 '04

Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health

Marina Hadjioannou Waters ’03 ’04 is a community leader who advocates for health equity with an emphasis on language rights and is a driving force in creating access for multicultural, multilingual, multiethnic and underprivileged communities in Indiana. 

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Elizabeth Turtle

Elizabeth P. Turtle '98

College of Science

Elizabeth P. Turtle ’98 is a globally recognized and top planetary scientist with leadership roles in the planetary science community. The first female principal investigator in NASA’s New Frontiers program, she is currently leading the Dragonfly mission schedule to launch an aerial vehicle to Saturn’s moon Titan in 2027.

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Regina Romero

Regina Romero '01

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences 

Regina Romero ’01 is the first woman and only Latina mayor of Tucson, and the only Latina mayor among the 50 largest U.S. cities. She has put plans into action to help keep Tucsonans and all Arizonans healthy and safe. While responding to the immediate challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, she has managed to launch exciting new projects and initiatives to position the city for a strong recovery.

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