In the 31 years since it was established, the Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series (DALS) has honored a stellar collection of University of Miami alumni: acclaimed entrepreneurs, lawyers, scientists, journalists, a Broadway producer, and even a future president of the University.
On March 3, this signature event returns, as the University’s Alumni Association proudly recognizes Kim Stone, member of the Board of Trustees and chief executive officer of the Washington Spirit, for her exceptional leadership and enduring impact on professional sports.
Since joining the Spirit in January 2024 as the club’s first CEO, Stone has overseen a period of remarkable growth, working alongside team owner Michele Kang to ambitiously rewrite the playbook for sports management and position the Spirit as one of the most forward-looking organizations in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Stone’s career, which includes 23 years with the Miami HEAT, has been defined by her ability to lead through complexity and deliver results at scale, consistently guiding organizations through periods of growth and transformation.
DALS was the brainchild of Stu Bloch, B.A. ’64, and Julia Chang Bloch, former ambassador to Nepal. Their generosity helped launch DALS in 1995, and the lecture series’ future was secured in 2023 with the announcement of a planned $1 million bequest from the Blochs.
Bloch has been a tireless champion of his alma mater ever since he arrived as a first-year undergraduate in 1960, and he and Ambassador Bloch—the first Asian American to hold such rank—have lived lives of service, advocacy, and barrier-breaking achievement.
As Stu Bloch has often said, DALS is about more than his and Ambassador Bloch’s belief in the transformative power of education. It is also an enduring expression of pride in the University:
“As we grant these awards, it makes alumni know they went to a University they can be proud of, and it lets students know that they went to a University where they can achieve something significant. And it lets those who are thinking about going to university that Miami is the place to go—they produce great people.”
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Nominate a distinguished University of Miami alum
Do you know of someone who graduated from the University and who has been a changemaker, trailblazer, or made a meaningful impact in their community or profession? We welcome nominations for the Distinguished Alumni Award, bestowed at a future edition of the Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series.
