University of Miami College of Engineering alumni from across the decades gathered on campus to kick off homecoming weekend. Graduates spanning from the 1960s to the most recent class were welcomed back by faculty and students for a morning of connection and recognition.
The morning's highlight was the keynote address delivered by Jose Mas, chief executive officer of MasTec, Inc. and a University of Miami alumnus. Mas, who has transformed MasTec into one of North America’s leading infrastructure companies, captivated the audience with insights from his career and deep ties to Miami’s growing tech landscape.
During his remarks, Mas discussed MasTec’s role as a leader in building critical infrastructure nationwide. He outlined the company's efforts to upgrade the wireless network from 2G to 5G, including the expansion of cell sites to meet the growing demand for data. He also emphasized the importance of investing in the energy grid, particularly in renewable energy.
Mas stressed the company’s mission to adapt to the increasing demand for energy, stating, “We are about to engage in an era where there is a tremendous use of energy. It’s going to put a big burden on us to come up with solutions.”
Awarding Excellence
Mas also presented the Alexander Orr, Jr. Award for Excellence in Teaching to Vincent Omachonu, chair of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. This prestigious award, established by the family of the late Alexander Orr Jr., recognizes faculty members for their dedication to teaching and shaping future generations of engineers. Omachonu’s contributions to the College of Engineering, both in the classroom and through research, were celebrated by faculty and alumni.
Another key moment in the program was the presentation of the inaugural Industry Humanitarian Award to Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) for its unwavering commitment to the community during recent hurricanes. Michael Jarro, vice president of distribution operations at FPL, accepted the award and emphasized the company’s ongoing efforts to serve and protect South Florida communities. Dean Pratim Biswas expressed the college’s pride in recognizing the outstanding contributions of its corporate partners.
The breakfast continued with a series of awards celebrating alumni achievements. Daniela Martinez, president of the Alumni Association Board, announced the Young Alumni of the Year Award to Nicholas Karpathy, BSCE ’19, MSCE ’19, and the Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award to Roberta Goode, BS ’86, MSBE ’92, acknowledging engineering graduates who have made remarkable contributions to their fields and the university community.
The event concluded with a scholarship presentation to current students Ashlyn Winslow, Andrea Godoy, and Ethan Yang underscoring the alumni association’s commitment to supporting the next generation of engineers.
