ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONS Coog Strong The year, 2020, proved to be quite challenging and had tremendous impact on Alumni Associations groups and their ability to engage. However, despite the odds, these groups pulled their resources together to support alumni, students and the community. Past president and fishing tournament chair
13th Annual Saltwater Fishing Tournament
for the Valenti School of Communication Alumni Association, Kimberly Maraldo (’03), spearheaded the 13th Annual Saltwater Fishing Tournament at Topwater Grill in Galveston County to raise scholarship funds for students at the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication. Working through postponements and appropriate health guidelines, the event raised over $7,000 in late August. Loteria Night
Mónica Rojas-Hidalgo (’16), interim president of the Hispanic Alumni Association, worked with her Board to raise over $15,000 through a variety of programming while embracing a virtual media format. Prior to the pandemic, the Association held its Fashion Show in the UH Athletics/Alumni Center. In response to social distancing protocols, the Hispanic Alumni Association held a virtual Lotería Night where participants played a game similar to Bingo. Typically run in-person, support for the event totaled over $3,500. The Association also Hispanic Fashion Show
had a virtual 5K Turkey Trot and virtual art gallery where all proceeds went to support UH
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Year in Review: 2020
