UTEP Announces 2015 Gold Nugget Recipients

August 19, 2015 | UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

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 for the College of Engineering are:

Hilda C. Galvan
B.S. in Electrical Engineering, 1985

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.

Juan Rivera, Ph.D.
B.S. in Electrical Engineering, 1975

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.

Refer to the University Communication press release for the complete listing of the 2015 Gold Nugget Recipients.