What do movie star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, retired All-Star Yankees player Alex Rodriguez, and longtime Deputy Mayor of Miami-Dade County Alina Hudak have in common? They are all friends of the University of Miami. Here’s a look at some of the U’s most famous graduates and donors, and where they are now.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Before he became the highest-paid actor in the world, and before his pro wrestling career, “The Rock” was Dwayne Johnson, football player for the Miami Hurricanes.
During his four years at the University, the 6-foot-5, 290-pound Johnson played in 39 games and had 77 tackles, and he was a part of the 1991 national championship team, according to ESPN.com. After a back injury cost him a spot in the NFL, he turned to wrestling.
Today, Johnson reportedly earns $64.5 million a year, appearing in popular franchises like "Fast and the Furious" and "San Andreas," as well as the HBO series "Ballers," Disney’s "Moana," and the upcoming "Baywatch" and "Jumanji" films.
His future looks even brighter: he just may be the next President of the U.S. On July 12, a committee filed to draft Johnson for president in 2020.
Alex Rodriguez
You may know “A-Rod” from his feats on the baseball field or his high-profile romances with such celebrities as Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz, but you may not know that he has a special connection to the U.
The South Florida-raised baseball star donated $500,000 to the University of Miami School of Business Administration in February. The school unveiled the newly named Alex Rodriguez Courtyard across from the Ziff Graduate Building, reported The Miami Hurricane.
“Though Rodriguez left an opportunity to play for Miami baseball when he was drafted to the Seattle Mariners out of high school, he has been involved with the university since. His gift will go toward the Executive MBA Program for Artists and Athletes, which had its inaugural graduation class last year.”
Rodriguez currently serves as a special adviser to the New York Yankees. In March, he was a keynote speaker at the U’s Sport Industry Conference. Students of the University of Miami’s online Master of Education - Sport Administration program are given the opportunity to attend the conference each year, which attracts sport industry professionals from across the country.
Alina Hudak
Graduates of the University of Miami’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program praise its high-caliber, student-oriented faculty and curriculum. That includes alumna Alina Hudak, Deputy Mayor of Miami-Dade County, one of the largest urban counties in the U.S.
“My career started as a result of my time as a graduate student at the University of Miami. It truly defined me and helped to set me on a course that got me to where I am today,” says Hudak.
In her 32 years of serving Miami-Dade County, Hudak has been a trailblazer as the first woman to run a major operational department, the first Hispanic woman appointed Assistant County Manager and the first woman to serve as County Manager overseeing a government at that time of more than 27,000 employees in over 50 departments.
Hudak believes that public service is a calling, and tells those interested in pursuing it that “they will never find a more rewarding profession.” She says the preparation she received at the U “really set the stage for what has become an amazing career.” She recommends the MPA program to anyone who’s looking to make a difference in his or her community.
Interested in joining Miami's distinguished group of alumni while advancing your career and achieving your professional and personal aspirations? Contact an enrollment advisor at 800.411.2290 or learn more about the University of Miami’s online programs here.
