The 2025 Distinguished Alumni and Gold Nuggets exemplify the values of UTEP and reinforce the influence UTEP graduates have on the professional world. Top left to bottom right: James Cearley, Paul Dipp, Miriam Kotkowski, Ruben Chavez, John Corcoran, Brandy Maddox, Bernardino Olague, Joe Smith, Wayne Thornton and Mimi Veloso.

Miriam Baca Kotkowski
BBA in Finance, 1984; MBA, 2015
Woody L. Hunt College of Business

Miriam Baca Kotkowski is a respected leader in transportation and logistics who was the first woman in her immediate family to earn a college degree in 1984. Her professional journey began by managing a U.S. purchasing office for a well-regarded company in Mexico. In 1998, she co-founded Omega Trucking, Inc. with a mission of serving freight door-to-door between the U.S. and Mexico. As current President of TECMA Transportation Services, she leads regional and international logistics efforts, provides internship opportunities for aspiring business professionals and has also served as a lecturer at UTEP, reflecting her dedication to education and community empowerment in the supply chain field.

Ruben Chavez
B.S. in Civil Engineering, 1995
College of Engineering

Ruben Chavez is a driving force in shaping El Paso’s landscape through engineering that improves quality of life. Working with research faculty as a student inspired Chavez to establish his own engineering firm, founding CEA Engineering Group in 2002. Through his experience and dedication, CEA became one of the largest engineering firms in the region, providing significant support for major infrastructure projects. Chavez collaborates with UTEP frequently through outreach activities, design competitions and creating the CEA Academy, which hires students for rotational programs. His consistent effort to give students hands-on skills in engineering and a higher education exemplifies his support for student success.

John W. Corcoran
B.S. in Education, 1961
College of Education

John W. Corcoran is a published author, real estate developer and literacy advocate who is recognized across the U.S. Corcoran began his journey at UTEP through a basketball scholarship in 1959, where he realized the importance of an education while struggling with illiteracy. He began his career as a high school teacher and coach, later becoming a real estate investor and developer. Over time, Corcoran’s passion for literacy advocacy became his main purpose. Corcoran serves as the Founder and President of the John Corcoran Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing and eradicating illiteracy in adults and children across America. Through his efforts, he was appointed to the National Institute for Literacy by President George H.W. Bush, served under President Bush and President Clinton, and testified before Congress on early childhood education. In 2023, he produced and released his documentary The Truth About Reading highlighting the illiteracy crisis in America.

Brandy L. Maddox
B.S. in Health Science, 2003
College of Health Sciences

Brandy L. Maddox is a scientist focused on protecting public health. Maddox began her career at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a public health prevention specialist. With over 18 years of experience in the federal government, Maddox rose to become the Lead Health Scientist in the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, leading a team in the Global Tobacco Control Branch. Her research, evaluation and management expertise have influenced initiatives in sexually transmitted disease control and tuberculosis prevention and support the CDC’s public health preparedness and emergency response efforts. Maddox is a member of the UTEP Alumni Association Board of Directors, having served as the Vice President of Philanthropic Outreach and volunteering for various University efforts over the years.

Bernardino Olague
B.S. in Civil Engineering, 1991; M.S. in Civil Engineering, 2001
College of Engineering

Bernardino “Berna” Olague is an engineer with over 30 years of experience in the public and private sectors in both the United States and Mexico. After graduating from UTEP in 1991, Olague worked in numerous geotechnical engineering capacities for various infrastructure, petrochemical, institutional and water resources projects, gaining recognition and ultimately earning the 1998 Young Engineer of the Year and 2023 Engineer of the Year from the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. In 2009, he co-started the engineering practice, AT Analytica, and in 2012, acquired and expanded LOI Engineers, where he now serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. Olague is a former President of the UTEP Alumni Association and has supported UTEP’s efforts to advance engineering student success by creating two UTEP scholarship endowments and mentoring civil engineering associations and students.

Joe H. Smith
B.S. in Physics, 1966
College of Science

Joe H. Smith is a computer scientist who has completed trailblazing work in seismic data processing. Smith begun his career implementing data processing techniques on his first computer at a time when computers were a new concept. His knowledge of geophysics and mathematics gave him an advantage with the technology, and he eventually became the first instructor in Trinity University’s computer science department. In 1974, Smith formed Petrophysics, Inc., a specialty geophysical service company that used computers to model seismic data, which later became a mainstay in petroleum exploration. Smith has sat on the College of Science Advisory Board and participated in the UTEP endowment scholarship program to assist current students pursuing their degrees.

Wayne Thornton
B.A. in Broadcasting, 1977
College of Liberal Arts

Wayne Thornton is a broadcasting personality, marketer and visionary here in the city of El Paso. As a college sophomore, Thornton co-founded the UTEP Women’s Basketball Program in 1973, becoming the head coach in 1977. After his coaching career, Thornton worked in the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department, the Lincoln Center and eventually shifted to City Hall as the Public Relations and Marketing Director, serving a total of six decades before retiring in 2020. Thornton spearheaded the first television show by a city department on Time Warner Cable in 1992 and the first podcast by any city department in 2007. Over the years he hosted a weekly radio show with KISS–FM and Fox 92 while also writing a weekly column for the El Paso Times newspaper for 19 years. Thornton was inducted into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995 and into the UTEP Hall of Fame in 2022.

 

Mimi E. Veloso, DNP
DNP in Nursing, 2019
College of Nursing

Mimi E. Veloso is an anesthetist and Army veteran who defines resilience and service to communities in need. A registered nurse, Veloso joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps while pursuing her degree. She was stationed in Hawaii, where she served in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. After that stint, Veloso became a staff nurse anesthetist and moved across the globe following deployment orders and needs of the military through Asia, Europe and the Middle East. In 2010, Veloso retired from active duty and served as a civilian Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist before returning to El Paso in 2014. Since then, she has gone on various medical missions to underserved communities. Veloso established UTEP’s Freddie Caldwell DNP Scholarship, which assists aspiring nursing doctoral students in their journey through the program.