UTEP Announces 2015 Gold Nugget Recipients

Since 1984, The University of Texas at El Paso has recognized exceptional graduates from each of its colleges and schools who have distinguished themselves in their professions and lives, given back to their communities and alma mater, and serve as an inspiration for future generations of Miners. These Gold Nuggets will be officially recognized during Homecoming festivities Sept. 27-Oct. 3.

“This year’s Gold Nugget honorees represent a range of fields, showing the breadth and depth of professional achievement at UTEP,” said Richard Daniel, Ph.D., associate vice president for university advancement and special projects, and executive director for alumni relations. “We are extremely proud of this group of alumni for their accomplishments and continued support of their alma mater.”

The 2015 Gold Nugget Award recipients are:

Sandra E. Braham

M.Ed. in Education Administration, 2002

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration, 2005

College of Education

Sandra Braham found success by helping others achieve better lives and credits UTEP for putting her on that path. Since 2007, she has served as CEO of the YWCA El Paso del Norte region, the largest in the nation with an annual budget of $32 million, more than 500 employees and services that impact more than 40,000 people.

Melissa Carrillo

B.A. in Journalism, 1989

M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies, 1999

College of Liberal Arts

In 2014, Melissa Carrillo celebrated her 15-year tenure with the Smithsonian Latino Center Institution. UTEP’s Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) program allowed Carrillo to further her studio work as a visual artist as well as empower her cultural studies expertise, leading her to an internship at the institution she has helped to expand to new audiences through virtual museums and web programs.

James B. Cearley III

B.S. in Geology, 1978

College of Science

As a first-generation college student from a military family, James B. Cearley III received a world-class education from the Department of Geological Sciences at UTEP. He went on to work for Chevron for 35 years, where he finished his career as a general manager and also played a significant role in deep-water oil discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico.

Irene Chavez

B.A. Political Science, 1978

College of Liberal Arts

Chavez’s determination helped her overcome detours and earn a bachelor’s in political science from UTEP. After working in health care to pay for tuition, she decided to pursue a health care career to make a difference in people’s lives. She excelled in the field, ascending to COO and later CEO of Providence Memorial Hospital before moving to Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center, where she currently serves as senior vice president and area manager.

Hilda C. Galvan

B.S. in Electrical Engineering, 1985

College of Engineering

As partner-in-charge at the Dallas branch of international law firm Jones Day, Hilda C. Galvan has represented clients in some of their most important lawsuits. Galvan has tried complex intellectual property cases before courts across the country and in the International Trade Commission for more than 20 years. She cites one of her greatest accomplishments as having obtained her degree in electrical engineering from UTEP during a time when few women did so.

Jean Foret Giddens, Ph.D.

Master of Science in Nursing, 1986

School of Nursing

Earning a Master of Science in Nursing from UTEP marked the beginning of Jean Foret Giddens’ distinguished career in nursing academia. A nationally recognized expert in nursing education, curricula and evaluation, Giddens was named dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing in 2013. She is the author of numerous nursing textbooks and previously served as the dean of the College of Nursing at the University of New Mexico.

Sue Glover Mottinger, Ph.D.

B.A. in Physical Education, 1965

College of Health Sciences

When UTEP was Texas Western College (TWC), Sue Glover Mottinger, Ph.D., learned about the importance of serving others from the professors who inspired her to become a lifelong advocate for equality in education and sports for women. She always encouraged her students to excel, first as a public school teacher and then as an educator at Texas Woman’s University, the College of Charleston in South Carolina and The University of Texas-Pan American. Mottinger served as the executive director of the National Association for Girls & Women in Sport and lobbied for the successful passage of the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, which restored equal opportunities for women in education.

Sylvia Martinez

B.S. Nursing, 1983

School of Nursing

As a nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Providence Memorial Hospital for 13 years, Sylvia Martinez cared for critically ill newborns while offering their parents much-needed comfort and support. The first-generation college graduate parlayed that experience into opening Altomar, a home health care agency, in 2000. The company, which started with eight employees, has grown to 65 contracted employees and serves more than 450 clients in El Paso County and southern New Mexico.

Lester L. Parker

BBA in Finance 1967; MBA 1977

College of Business Administration

Founding president, CEO and chairman of United Bank of El Paso del Norte Lester L. Parker received his degree in finance from UTEP immediately before entering the Army, crediting his education with contributing to his success as a military officer. The local financial pioneer returned to UTEP for his MBA in economics and finance, going on to start successful commercial banks in El Paso while setting down a legacy in volunteerism.

Juan Rivera, Ph.D.

B.S. in Electrical Engineering, 1975

College of Engineering

Native El Pasoan Juan Rivera was a first-generation college student who began his path toward excellence in engineering at UTEP. Currently, Rivera is the director of Mission 1 Advanced Technologies and Applications at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, responsible for the development of electronic and payload space and airborne technologies for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) programs. He is also vice chairman on the board of directors for Great Minds in STEM, a national non-profit encouraging science, technology, engineering and math education in under-represented communities.